WB SURF CAMP TEAM

Jen’s first experience with sea turtles was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to sea turtle conservation and taking care of our oceanic resources.  She started volunteering at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital & Rehabilitation Center in 2001.

Jen has fifteen years of experience in higher education as an instructor of Chemistry at both Cape Fear Community College and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.  Jen loves to teach and educate today’s youth and young adult population, especially in the field of sea turtles and coastal conservation.

Jen’s passion for the marine environment started living along the California coast while in college.  Jen received her Bachelors’ degree in Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.  Her passion followed her to San Diego State University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Chemistry.

Jen loves to travel and experience new environments and cultures.  She especially loves warm-water surf destinations where she can spend time in the water with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.  Jen can often be found on a sporting field cheering on her boys’ games!

Kasey was born and raised in Toms River, New Jersey. Growing up on the Jersey Shore, she was able to visit the beach year round and develop a true connection to the ocean and all of the related wildlife and ecosystems. At a very young age, she knew that she wanted to spend her life developing her passion for the ocean and marine life.

In 2008, Kasey moved to North Carolina to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). While completing her degree, she volunteered and interned at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Soon after graduating, Kasey interned at the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension Service and Aquarium as an environmental educator. This is where her passion for environmental education flourished. Following that internship, Kasey decided to further her education and returned to UNCW to pursue a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Science and Coastal Management. Kasey has a wide variety of education experience in the fields of marine and environmental science, which have all deepened her love for public outreach and all things related to the marine environment.

When Kasey isn’t teaching about the ocean, she can be found at the beach reading a book, hiking, kayaking, or doing just about anything outdoors! She is very excited to have found her way back to Wilmington and loves that she gets to spend winters in North Carolina instead of freezing in New Jersey!

Bailey grew up year-round on Fire Island, New York. She spent her entire childhood on the sands of the tiny barrier island, always doing her part educating visitors, local communities, and other parties about her hometowns’ wildlife, history, and environmental issues. She has deep love and respect for the ocean and all it offers. Her goal is to help others feel the same by educating them about the importance of marine and coastal ecosystems.

In 2016, Bailey ventured to St. Augustine, Florida, to receive her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a minor in Spanish at Flagler College. She was an active member of the college’s sustainability club and always volunteered within the community. During her final semester, Bailey interned at Anastasia State Park and gained abundant experience working with Florida’s wildlife, especially with sea turtles! After graduating in 2020, she completed a 50-week AmeriCorps service term through Conservation Legacy, serving as the Community Volunteer Ambassador for Fire Island National Seashore. During this time, her interest in conservation, community outreach, and environmental education grew stronger. She is currently enhancing her outdoor teaching skills and science/nature content knowledge through the North Carolina Environmental Education Certificate program.

Bailey spends her free time surfing, painting, hiking, cooking, practicing yoga, and exploring nature. She loves to travel and encourages individuals to travel sustainably and support local communities!

Michaela was born and raised in Massachusetts and moved to South Carolina in 2014. She decided to trade in the cold, snowy winters for warmer weather and the coast and has since fallen for the beauty of the Carolinas. She completed her undergrad at Coastal Carolina University in Marine Science with a Biology minor.

After graduating, she started her career as a park ranger with SC State Parks. While working for the organization she was able to rediscover a passion of educating youth about the natural resources of the coast. Inspired by her work, Michaela decided to return to school and is almost finished with her master’s in Youth Development and Leadership at Clemson University.

While working for SC State Parks, she volunteered with SCDNR’s Sea Turtle stranding and nesting programs. She spent four summers responding to sea turtle strands, working on sea turtle nests, and educating the public in Myrtle Beach, SC. Due to her work with sea turtles, Michaela is a very early riser and with her free time can be found reading, somewhere outside, or searching for something new to learn.

Jeb was raised on a farm in rural Virginia, where he grew up racing motocross and spending his childhood outdoors. In high school, he played football and lacrosse, but spent most of his time as a pole vaulter for the track team. He would spend his summers in Virginia Beach with his family, where he learned how to surf at 8 years old.

Jeb moved to Wilmington in 2018, where he received a bachelor’s in environmental science and started teaching surf lessons on Wrightsville Beach. During his summers in school, he would spend every day in the water, either surfing or teaching others how to surf. Surfing has allowed Jeb to travel to some amazing destinations, with surf trips in Florida, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, Canary Islands, and even Iceland. He now spends his free time either surfing, riding dirt bikes, or with his puppy named Boots.

Jacob was born in a small town in Maryland, but his life changed dramatically when his family decided to move to Hawaii when he was still young. He grew up on the small island of Kauai and spent his childhood exploring the jungles and enjoying the beaches as much as possible. Most days were spent going cliff-jumping, free-diving, or surfing, but pretty much always in the water.

After high school, he left the sunshine behind and headed off to college in Oregon, pursuing a degree in Youth Ministry and Education. During his summer breaks, he worked at a camp in Oregon and led middle and high school groups through high ropes courses and rock climbing adventures. After graduation, he had to leave the grey overcast skies behind and headed back home to Kauai. From there he continued to work with all ages of students in a wide range of jobs, but all with the goal of investing in and empowering the upcoming generation of kids.

After getting married, Jacob and his wife Mariella (and their cat Mabel) decided to change things up and moved out to Wilmington, NC. In his spare time, he is still out in the ocean as much as possible and loves surfing more than ever. He also enjoys cooking, gardening, and hanging out with his cat.

Raymond Alexander is a Florida native with a passion for water. He is a substitute teacher, commercial fisherman, boat captain, writer, and a marine educator. In his free time, his hobbies are scuba diving, fishing, surfing, playing disc golf, and beach volleyball. He has a Bachelors degree from Saint Petersburg College and a Florida Substitute teaching certification! He is a volunteer for various marine organizations including tagging fish, collecting marine trash, and tagging freshwater turtles. Nothing drives him more in life than marine education as it is his absolute passion. Every day he wakes up eager to teach people about what he loves. He is looking forward to showing campers an awesome summer!

Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Lyndsey found her passion for marine science while spending time on the beach with family in Massachusetts at a young age. Through her time volunteering with the Student Conservation Association and gaining a scuba certification as a teenager, she learned the fundamentals of sustainable conservation and solidified her resolve to pursue a career in environmental education.

Upon completing her degree in Marine Biology at the University of Stirling in the UK this spring, she is excited to return to the States and use her newfound knowledge to protect marine ecosystems from present and future challenges. She especially loves salt marshes, and when not mucking about in the mud she can be found reading or kayaking with friends!

As a returning camp counselor, she is committed to providing campers at Carolina Ocean Odyssey with a fun, engaging, and educational experience. She is excited to share her knowledge and love of marine biology and looks forward to inspiring campers to develop a deeper understanding of the ocean and its inhabitants.

Aine is a nursing student at Samford University! She grew up in Marietta, Georgia but always would spend my summers on a barrier island off the coast of Florida where she was a paddle board instructor and tour guide. Aine started paddle surfing at 15 and this is how she found a love for all things related to the ocean. Her favorite time to paddle board or surf is early in the morning when the wind is low and dolphins are out. Aine’s favorite ocean animals are sharks, specifically bullsharks! She has a strong desire to educate the young about worldly conservation and how to take care of our ocean and all things that live in it. Aine wants to spark a light in them for the beauty that is before them! She is honored to be a part of this team and cannot wait to meet you all this summer!

Meg’s love for marine biology started after watching an episode of Shark Week, and she was instantly hooked! After attending Florida International University for marine biology for the first three years of college, she transferred back to her home state and currently studies environmental science at Indiana University. She’s spent her whole life loving all things water and ocean, but her most memorable experience was when she spent two weeks studying marine science in St. Martin and getting scuba certified! Meg fell in love with the wildlife and ecology of the East Coast two summers ago when she was a marine science camp counselor in South Carolina, and she’s extremely excited to bring her passion for marine science and conservation to Sea Turtle Camp this summer! In her free time, Meg loves to travel, play music, paint, and hang out with her dog Queso. 

Born and raised on the brown rivers and beaches of North Florida, Dom is considered a water rat by most. He started off wakeboarding down the Suwannee River and later discovered the saltier water sports at the age of 15 and began surfing at 16. Dom was a lifeguard at his town’s pool and worked there for 2 years, where he was a certified swim instructor and taught levels 1 through 6. Dom has several interests outside the water as well. He likes to go camping, play guitar, work on his truck, cook, go to the gym, and skate. 

A Northern California native, Emma grew up in water; she learned to surf when she was just six years old and has loved the ocean ever since. Though she took a pitstop in the Midwest for college, it brought Emma to the Great Lakes and freshwater surfing. This past December, Emma graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in environmental science and a specialty in missing the ocean a whole lot. When on turf, Emma enjoys reading, playing instruments, running, spending time with friends, skateboarding, and doing yoga. Surfing has brought Emma to her favorite parts of her life, and she is amped to spread the stoke of the ocean at camp.

Aubrie grew up just south of Orlando, in St. Cloud Florida. She has been surfing for about 8/9 years and can still remember her very first wave. This will be her first year with the WB surf camp team and she can’t wait to share the stoke! Aubrie is currently working towards her bachelors degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Central Florida. She hopes to one day be a Family physician. In her free time, Aubrie enjoys yoga, fishing, boating with her family, running, and enjoying nature! Surfing was an important part of Aubrie’s childhood and she can’t wait to be apart of the same experience for others!

As Jamaica’s first pro-surfer, ISA level 2 surf coach, and the holder of countless championship titles, Icah is deeply invested in the surfing community. In addition to teaching surf lessons in Jamaica, Icah also coaches Jamaica’s Paralympic team of surfers.

His father founded the Jamaica Surf Association, as well as owns and operates Jamaica’s longest running surf school, Jamnesia.  In fact, Icah still makes time between work and competitions to surf, teach, and jam around the campfire with his family.  Today, Icah Wilmot is a household name in Jamaica and in the world of surfing.

Despite a long list of surfing accomplishments, Icah is best known for his warm and friendly personality, along with his humble and sociable attitude towards all his fellow ocean lovers.  Whether you are a new surfing grom or seasoned shredder, Icah welcomes you to the water with encouragement and positivity that will truly make you feel like a surfer!

Ciara grew up surfing the beaches of Wilmington, taking her first surf lesson in Carolina Beach in 2003.  She’s been hooked on surfing ever since!  After learning a bit about the myriad of environmental issues that threaten the ocean ecosystem, she became inspired to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science after graduating high school in 2008.  She became passionate about her undergraduate research on mercury contamination in the northeast Cape Fear River.  This led her to complete her master’s thesis at Tulane University in 2014 in the field of wetland biogeochemistry.  She hopes to help tackle more environmental issues in the near future as a scientific data analyst.   

 

Since this time, Ciara has travelled and lived in different surf locations, including Maui, Oahu, Northern California, and Oregon.  She also picked up skimboarding along the way!  Her favorite surf break is nestled in the heart of Santa Cruz, California.  Ciara also travelled and lived in Europe for the past couple of years, learning about different cultures, history, and becoming proficient in the German language.  

 

Ciara also works as an in-person and online tutor for multiple subjects.  She seeks to provide a compassionate and safe space for all of her students.  Out of the water, Ciara enjoys learning new things, teaching and practicing yoga, hiking, and gardening.  She is honored to be a part of the WB Surf Camp team and looks forward to working with you this summer! 

Olivia is a senior at UNCW studying Tourism, Recreation, and Sport Management. She grew up in a small town called Davidson, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. She spent most of her summers growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains enjoying the freedom to explore. Olivia has always had a passion for the ocean, she spent 40 days at sea learning to sail in 2017 and later went on to teach youth sailing at a summer camp in Hawaii in 2021. In her free time, she loves to explore beaches and mountains, fish, hike, cook, swim, and workout. Olivia is beyond excited to be a part of WB Surf Camp and cannot wait to meet everyone this summer!

Jordan grew up right in the center of Florida in the city of Winter Haven. Growing up she loved the beach and the culture, making it a goal to move closer to the coast. After getting into photography in middle school and sticking with it through high school, she developed a passion for it and decided to pursue that as a career. She moved to Daytona Beach in 2020 to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Photography from the University of Central Florida. It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to live closer to the coast and get an education in what she loves to do. Here she started to get involved with surf photography, scoring a job with a local surf school, photographed for the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, FL, and made some lifelong friends. She hopes to be able to travel all over the world and photograph the people and places she comes across.

Sherrian “Sherri” Brown is an eclectic, urban hippie born and raised in the great state of Georgia. She grew up with a love of all things artistic and creative. This is what led her in 1996 to enroll in The Art Institute of Atlanta’s School of Culinary Arts. This is where she gained her passion for cooking and creating in the kitchen. This led Sherri down her Culinary career of baking and pastry, cake decorating, catering, and much more.

Steve grew up in  Mount Laurel, NJ, and spent every summer growing up in Ocean City, New Jersey. Spending his summers there really shaped his love for the water and everything in it. During his time in Ocean City, Steve was an OCBP lifeguard for three years up until he transferred schools to the University of North Carolina – Wilmington to pursue his degree. He graduated with a BS in Physical Oceanography in December of 2021. He’s been in Wilmington ever since.

After school, Steve worked a few different jobs like teaching surf lessons on Bald Head Island, NC, seafood catering, and even working on an oyster farm. He enjoys anything and everything having to do with the outdoors and nature. Also an accomplished photographer, you can find Steve taking pictures all the time. He surfs year round whether it’s during winter back home in New Jersey or Hurricane Season in North Carolina. When he is not surfing he’s on the boat fishing or hunting for shark teeth along the shoreline.

Steve joined the WB Surf Camp crew in the summer of 2023 as the Unit Leader of the Teen Overnight Costa Rica Surf Camp, and during his first season with the company he spent seven weeks living and working in Playa Grande, Costa Rica, sharing his passion for surfing and positive energy with groups of teens and his team of coaches alike. He loves meeting new people and forming connections everywhere he goes and cannot wait to meet everyone!

Sinead was born in Pretoria, South Africa but grew up right outside Washington DC. Her childhood was spent swimming competitively, exploring the outdoors, and trying to be in the water as much as possible. She learned how to surf at the age of 10 on a trip to California and has loved it since. This passion for surfing has led her to traveling the world to surf at famous breaks, her favorite being back home in South Africa at Jeffrey’s Bay.

Sinead graduated from Rhodes College in 2022 with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science. She has a deep love for the ocean and the environment, and hopes to eventually pursue a career in conservation. In her free time, she loves surfing, hiking, painting, and sailing.

This will be Sinead’s 2nd summer with WB Surf Camp. Last summer she was a part of the Teen Overnight Costa Rica Surf Camp team, in Playa Grande, Costa Rica. She is so excited to be heading back this summer and can’t wait to share her love of surfing, the ocean, and Costa Rica with the campers.

Adam was born in Cincinnati, Ohio were he quickly learned he was born in the wrong state. He consistently sought out the community and culture that surrounds the beach and found himself running off to the waves every chance he got. Adam began surfing at the age of 15 and was immediately hooked, so much so, that 5 years ago he became a local. Adam lives in Wilmington, NC with his wife and their 1.5 year old son. Adam has been teaching surf lessons for 4 summers now and couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend his days. Adam describes surfing as being the perfect combination of all aspects in life. He says, “surfing is physically challenging, emotionally uplifting, and spiritually connected.” In the offseason Adam is a 9th grade English teacher at Cape Fear Academy. He has always been drawn to instructing, mentoring, and teaching those with a desire to learn. When he is not teaching or instructing, you can find him playing beach volleyball with his wife, running off to rock climb in the mountains, or taking life slow with his beautiful baby boy.