WB Surf Camp Reviews

1. I could say a favorite memory of WB Surf Camp, but this is actually not a memory at all. A memory would mean it is something I’ve lived in the past then recalled in the future, when in fact, my favorite experience of surf camp has lived with me every day since, and will continue to, in the future. I went to surf camp to learn how to shred but I left with so much more. The camp opened my eyes to a new way of living. From waking up at dawn to catch the glassiest waves, to putting on zinc not only to protect our faces but to establish ourselves as warriors of the waves, with tribal markings on our cheeks. We became determined and passionate towards protecting the ocean by doing beach clean ups and visiting sea turtle hospitals. I evolved from a mere student to a club member; a part of a bizarre and vibrant surf sub-culture, full of passion towards the ocean, its waves, and its inhabitants. This is not my favorite memory of camp, but my favorite influence on how I want to live my life.

Sam, Belmont, MI

2. On my flight to Wilmington, I wondered how good my experience at WB Surf Camp would be. Having had my mom’s car overheat in the middle of New York City at 5:30 a.m. on our way to the airport just a few hours earlier, it already wasn’t going as well as I’d hoped…

…. I found people had come from all over the country: Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, even Washington State. It was a great mixture of people, and already I had completely forgotten about all of the problems I had earlier that morning…

…Once we were all given a board, we made our way down to the beach and practiced some basic popup drills and safety on land, so we’d be masters in the water. I couldn’t believe how great the waves were. Unlike the harsh New Jersey waves I was used to, which break at the beach, these waves rolled right into the shore, perfect for beginners like myself. I was having so much fun just being in the water that it was an hour before I realized I was actually riding the waves…

…The camp is great for anyone, from those who have never touched a board before, to those who have been surfing all their lives. When I arrived at La Guardia Airport later that night, I was sunburned, tanned, and so scruffy that it took a few seconds for my own mother to recognize me. But one thing was for certain. I was glowing with happiness, as was she when I told her, “That was the most awesome week of my life!”

Shaka,

Gig L.

3. When we ask what the BEST was he hasn’t been able to make up his mind or decide if it was “THE INSTRUCTORS and how friendly and great they were to him, THE FRIENDS he made, THE WAVES he rode , THE FUN he had or how beautiful CAPE HATTERAS was” ….so I came up to a conclusion … the best thing of the weeks Luis spent at North Carolina this summer was WB SURF CAMP!

… He learned not only how to surf …but he became a surfer in essence, he also learned a new language and a new culture. Our family will treasure all this knowledge he acquired for ever and he will have memories to cherish and share as a great opportunity he had.

Leticia P.

Caracas, Venezuela

 

4. “WB surf camp rocks” I never knew how surfing could change my life. I wish that I could explain in words what it means to me but I don’t think I will ever be able to. The staff at WB Surf Camp understands exactly how I feel. If you ever wanted to learn or are learning this is the place for you. It is sort of a family outside of family. If you are looking for a group of people that share this experience and vibe with you should give them a call. It doesn’t matter if you have never felt that wave push for the first time, it only matters that you have the desire and ambition to get out there and try it. I warn though it may change you and you may never stop searching for the next wave. One word, stoke.

Joseph S.

 

5.  I came to WB Surf Camp to learn how to surf, but I ended up learning a lot more than that. I gained confidence and a new love for the ocean and surfing. The year that I decided to go to surf camp was a year full of changes for me. When the summer was over, I was going to be starting at a brand new school and leaving the school that I had been attending for the past six years. Before surf camp I had never been away from home by myself or attended any kind of camp; especially one full of people that I didn’t know. As soon as I arrived at surf camp I knew that it was going to be an amazing week, but I had no idea how much of an effect it would have on me.

I had always been an extremely shy and quiet person. Making friends, social situations, and new experiences were very hard for me. I remember being nervous as I was heading to surf camp, but the minute I arrived all of my nervousness faded away. I don’t know if it was the sun and salt air or those tan, cool, friendly counselors, but something made me feel really excited and happy instead of feeling scared and nervous. I started to talk to people and I couldn’t believe that person talking was me!

As for the surfing, well, that was the best part of all! I remember being on the board the first time and knowing that I was going to catch a wave no matter what, and I definitely did. That first wave was the most exciting, exhilarating feeling I have ever felt. I felt like I was on top of the world. I remember that I never wanted to get out of the water after that. The first ride completely changed me.

After that, I was bursting with a new confidence that I never knew I had. I really wasn’t afraid of anything after that, and I felt that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. I had never felt like a “”cool”” person but after that wave I felt like the coolest person in the world. After surf camp I was no longer afraid of meeting new people and trying new things. Going to my new school no longer scared me. My camp experience gave me confidence in myself and my abilities. It made me love surfing and love the ocean even more than I had before. I would love to have the chance to go back this summer, but even if I don’t, I know that I will never forget that first summer at surf camp and how it changed me. It was truly a life-changing experience. I still wear my surf camp T-shirt all the time. I am so proud and thankful that I got to experience your magical camp.

Hannah B.

6. When I try to describe my experience at WB Surf Camp, one word comes to mind– amazing! Surf camp was amazing! The instructors were awesome! I can’t believe how positive they were all of the time. They were so encouraging and caring, and they made me feel important…

…You see, all of those bad things that happened that day were cancelled out by that fact that I was gliding across the water on a surfboard… When I catch a wave and jump up on the board, everything changes. The greatest feeling comes over me. I feel like I am on top of the world. I feel like I can do anything. I feel happy. Even if I fell off a million times I would still be smiling. And even though the ride only lasts about 5 seconds, the incredible feeling that I felt during those 5 seconds gave me the strength to get back out there and push my way though those waves again…

… I also learned that life is just like surfing. There are a lot of times where waves just keep crashing down on you, and sometimes you don’t think it will ever stop and you want to give up. Even though they don’t last very long, it’s those magical rides that make it all worthwhile and even give you the strength to paddle through the next pounding wave.

I would like to thank everyone at Surf Camp for such an AMAZING experience. It changed my life, thank you so much!

Jasmine S.

7.  “Endless Summer” I was not prepared for surfing. Sure, I’m athletic, but I had no idea what it took for a middle-aged mother like myself to navigate the rough surf and actually get up on the board. Thankfully, I had the help of a tall, tree-like instructor who guided me effortlessly through the waves out past the break. With his calm demeanor and expert advice, I was able to get up on the board and glide through the surf like a pro. Imagine what it feels like to be on top of the world, to fly, that’s what it feels like when you finally crest that wave and soar to the shoreline.

But nothing compares to the feeling of seeing my 11-year-old daughter mastering the surf with much more agility and precision than myself. As I looked back over my shoulder after my first successful ride, I was greeted by her mile-wide smile beneath her blond, matted hair, as her little tan legs seemed to expertly steer the board through the surf with the outstanding prowess of someone who had been doing it forever. I was so proud of her, but more importantly she was proud of herself.

Chances are, I will only dabble in surfing, but my dreams of an endless summer will be fulfilled, by her…

Amanda

8. “WB Surf Camp Rocks” WB Surf Camp was the first camp that I did in Wrightsville Beach, during the summer of 2013. The reason I tried WB Surf Camp is because my family moved here from Pennsylvania in 2013. At my new school everyone was talking about surfing and how it was SO awesome.

I came home and told my parents that I needed to learn how to surf if I was going to fit in down here. I figured I would be ok because I am a competitive swimmer and very comfortable in the water. Me and my sister did the camp together during the first week of summer.

Surfing is challenging but it is so much fun. Thanks to our awesome instructors, by the end of the week we were riding waves all the way to the shore; we both learned so much! Surfing takes dedication, hard work, and a lot of time to learn but we did it!

We did surf camps two years in a row and both times we had really cool instructors that really cared about us; one even offered to take me spearfishing one day after camp! At WB Surf Camp the counselors really care about how you surf, what can make you a better surfer, and water safety. They have a passion for surfing and they want to share their passion with you. Wrightsville Beach Surf Camp is a great camp for all ocean lovers.

Written by, Cooper H

5th grade, Wrightsville Beach Elementary

 

9. On the first day of camp, I was asked if I felt  “the stoke.” I wasn’t quite sure what the feeling of being stoked was. When Rick described the feeling of being stoked I thought it was a little corny at first. He talked about how he loved the feeling of catching that perfect wave, feeling the salt water running through your veins. After surf camp I realized that feeling stoked is not corny, it is the most realistic liberating feeling ever…

…On the last day of surf camp, as campers started leaving one by one, it dawned on me what an incredible experience camp had been. I have never felt so relaxed in my life. There was no one to impress, no pressure to succeed at surfing. It was all about having a good time, and making some friends along the way. Thinking back to the first day, I was amazed to see how much I developed– not only as surfer, but also as a person. I came to camp wanting to have some fun, and I did. You know what though, I left with something more. I left with a perspective on life.

Colin H., Washington, D.C.

10. To put it plainly, WB Surf Camp changed my life. I didn’t realize it at the time but when I came back from that week, and the rest of the summer played itself out into hurricane season and the new school year, I realized I was a new and better person. It has been a while so I’m not really sure how to explain it but my whole perspective on the world and other people has changed. Spending time in the water and on land with people like David, Kenny, Joel, Joe, Keith and the other campers made me realize how people can be so different and yet brought together happily under the sun and in the surf. An experience like Surf Camp puts truth to the words of Donavon Frankenreiter that we can be “differently the same.” You guys all have such an appreciation for life, love, the earth and the sea that it was impossible for it not to rub off on me. Such positive characteristics are infections when waterborne and I’m glad I caught them. At the beginning of the week, you guys promised to bestow all of us campers with the gift of stoke, and you did…

…You guys got me so stoked about the ocean that I couldn’t imagine living the next four years of my life any other way than studying Marine Biology at UNC-Wilmington and surfing the Carolina shores. So I went and secured such a future by applying and getting accepted to UNCW. I’m joining the freshman class of 2005 and I plan to double major in Marine Biology and International Affairs…

…I don’t owe the fact that I found myself to those first waves I caught in the summer of ‘03; I owe it to all of you… In the summer of ’03, I first learned how to catch and ride waves on a surfboard so big it might as well have been a canoe. Surfing is not like anything else I have ever done. It’s a Zen like experience in which one gets intimately in touch with the earth, the sea, one’s friends and above all, one’s self. Every time I head down to the beach, all of the problems I take with me just dissolve in the salty water. When I ride that last wave of the day into shore and step out of the surf, the world is just not as complex as it was when I first stepped in. Surfing has taught me so much about life and myself. I have never felt so together and at peace, and as far as I am concerned, the need to be classified is outdated.

Unexplainably through surfing, I have come to understand that having a clear and neat definition of what you are is not important. Instead, I embrace that I may be defined as expansive and unpredictable, somewhat like the ocean that I have come to know.

Brendan M.
Long Island, New York