Posted by Rick Civelli | 11.22.2011 | Employment, WB Surf Camp News

Instructor of the week for 11/21/11 – Josh Youse

Coming to us with a degree in Adventure Education Leadership, Josh Youse revealed a huge scope of hidden talents as one of our new Assistant Directors this past summer. Along with his surfing experience, Josh came with a rather large amount of leadership experience. Having spent time leading teams for Americorps, the Student Conservation Association and Adventures Cross Country, Josh also found time to become a Wilderness First Responder, a Leave No Trace Master Educator, Certified Behavioral Health Professional, backpacking, whitewater canoe, and yoga instructor, and an NWCG Wildland Firefighter. On top of his leadership skills, if you ask really nicely after the sun goes down, Josh will light up the dark with with his fire stick juggling skills. It’s pretty spectacular. After leading our Teen Overnight flagship camps all summer, Josh worked with our Women’s Surf & Yoga and Adult 3 Day camps this fall. On top of the occasional lessons he continues to work with kids in the community and at the local co-op. We love Josh because he’s such a hard worker, keeps a smile on his face, loves working with people, and always maintains a professional attitude. If you see him out in the water, look for shakas and some high five action all day long!

1. What drew you to a position at WB Surf Camp? I chose WB Surf Camp due to their mission of conservation and giving back through marine science and teaching surfing. Having a background in Adventure Education, I wanted to stay involved with teaching and becoming more connected with our ocean. What better way to spend a summer then teaching others how to surf and hanging out on the beach all day.

2. Who is your favorite surfer and why? I don’t like to play favorites, so I would have to say that I prefer surfers who share a positive outlook on life and perpetuate the most exciting feeling in the world, surfing a wave. To me it’s all about paddling out, having fun, sharing the experience with friends, and feeling like a million bucks. If you’re a surfer and you’re on board with that then let’s go cash in.

3. When did you start surfing and where? Being from PA, my first time surfing was as a teenager in Jersey, then again on family vacations in OBX. I later got my feet under me in Northern California. I now am able to work the line and get some face time thanks to spending my summer with WB Surf Camp.

4. What is your favorite surf break? I spent a summer leading adventure travel trips in Northern California the other summer and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed surfing in the small town of Bolinas. Located at the southern end of the Point Reyes National Seashore it is surrounded by ocean and unspoiled parkland.

5. What inspired you to start surfing? Growing up I always had an inner drive pushing me towards the beach and being in the ocean. After seeing a few people surfing I  knew that I wanted to experience the feeling of riding a wave. After that it was all uphill, being a college student and traveling all the time learning and becoming a surfer didn’t happen overnight. But in the end I did make it happen, and You Can TOO!

6. Where was your most memorable session? Any time the waves are good and I can get out with some friends and catch a few good waves it’s memorable enough for me. I replay the highlight reel over and over after a solid surf session lol….I guess that helps make it more memorable.

7. What is the worst wipeout you’ve ever had? Well…considering that I wipe out every time I go surfing I have yet to have a “worst” wipe out story. To me wiping out is all part of surfing, everyone does it. It’s just a matter of whether anyone sees you do it.

8. What are some of your interests outside of surfing? I used to be more a Mountain and Pie Guy, anything out in the wilderness. Backpacking, rock-climbing, whitewater paddling; basically any form of outdoor recreation you can sign me up for. Now that I live by the beach, I really wanna try Kite Surfing and spend some time scuba diving and spear fishing.

9. What is your favorite movie? Again with the Favorites, this is an easy one. Goonies never say Die!

10. What is your favorite music? I have about 35 different Pandora stations that I rotate through all day long, I love old school jazz and the blues.

11. What is your favorite food? Eating right for your blood type is way too hard. With that in mind, just some good old fashioned BBQ.

12. Where do you see yourself in five years? In my near future I do aspire to serve in the Peace Corps and get my master’s degree. I could see myself working for an Outdoor Education School, involved with Recreational Therapy, and leading international trips for Habitat for Humanity.

13. In your eyes, the three things you value most are: Family, Positive Friends, and Faith.