Posted by Jeb Brinkley | 01.03.2024 | Uncategorized

Fun New Year’s Resolutions!

Happy New Year to all our campers, their families, and all who have taken part in surf lessons over the past year!  We are so grateful to all of you for supporting our programs and for challenging yourselves to get out into the ocean with us!

Some people may have already created their New Years Resolutions, but we wanted to share a few ideas of our own in case you haven’t settled on one yourself.  Now, the typical resolutions are often centered around health, fitness, finances, and relationships, but you can also have fun with it!  That’s the route that we’re taking in this post, and here are a few ideas for a fun, low-pressure New Year’s Resolution:

Taking campers to experience new things is what we do best. This is just one of many views taken in on the Teen Costa Rica Summer Surf Camp!

1. Travel somewhere new – Traveling makes us into well-rounded individuals, because to understand the world you need to go and see it! Somewhere new could be a short drive away, such as a new hike trail or spot to watch a sunset, or across the world in another country.  A great way to visit somewhere new is to sign up for a group retreat or camp, this way you don’t have to make the trip alone or worry about what to do once you arrive!
2. Try new foods – This one can be achieved via the “Travel somewhere new” or in your own home! While this idea may not be for the picky eaters of the world, tasting something new might bring inspiration to the meals you make in your own kitchen.  My favorite thing I tried in the last year was during our Chicama, Peru Adult Surf Retreat – Seared Beef Filet in Blueberry Sauce.  I haven’t found anything like it back home, but it has changed how I think about preparing a typical steak.  Who knows, you may find a new favorite too!
3. Learn something – Can be as simple or as difficult as you make it. If you’ve been putting off learning something long and difficult like a new language or want to learn something smaller scale like how to stand up on a surfboard, learning something new will almost always be rewarding.  Of course, the best way to learn will be from a good coach or teacher, if surfing is what you’re hoping to learn, we’ve got you covered!
4. Plan a “you” day – Maybe this is something you do on occasion but make a point to plan at least one day of the year where you do whatever you want to do! Now, I don’t mean this as “I want to stay in bed and sleep all day.”  While that is something else you can plan, I mean for this idea to get you out into the world having fun!  My perfect day that I’d plan would be a dawn patrol surf followed by coffee and a breakfast sandwich, then a couple of hours in the garden planting and caring for the plants, then take the dog to the beach or a trail in the woods (packed lunch for both of us), spend the sunset on the water fishing, then cook a good meal at home that night.
   

   Try something new this year, like surfing!

5. Spend time in the ocean – Those of us in the Wilmington area, or other cities by the coast, can achieve this easily! We’re very fortunate to have access to clean beaches here in Southeastern North Carolina, and I think EVERYONE should take advantage of this!  Even if you’re just going down and dipping your toes in once a week, try to go out to the ocean at least a couple more times than you did last year!

I hope everyone enjoys creating their New Years Resolutions!  We are excited about big things that are happening in 2024 and we cannot wait to be out in the lineup with our campers and participants this summer.  Happy New Year to all, now let’s make it a great one!