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 grew up in Toms River, New Jersey, where living near the Jersey Shore meant plenty of year-round trips to the beach. Spending so much time by the ocean sparked a love for marine life and coastal ecosystems, and it didn’t take long for her to realize she wanted to turn that passion into a lifelong career.

In 2008, Kasey headed south to North Carolina to study Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). While working toward her degree, she volunteered and interned at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. After graduating, she continued to build her experience as an environmental educator during an internship at the University of Georgia’s Marine Extension Service and Aquarium, where her passion for teaching others about the environment took off. Eager to learn even more, Kasey returned to UNCW to earn a Master’s in Environmental Science and Coastal Management. Since then, her wide range of experiences in marine and environmental science has only deepened her love for sharing her knowledge with the public. In 2019, she started her current role, where she gets to keep doing what she loves—connecting people with the wonders of the ocean.

When Kasey isn’t teaching about the ocean, she can be found at the beach reading a book, visiting family and friends, or exploring Wilmington with her husband! 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!

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.

Zoe is a student-athlete at Stony Brook University, where she is on the Swimming & Diving Team and studies Marine Science. Originally from Idaho, she loves the outdoors and has a passion for anything related to marine science or environmental conservation. She enjoys interning at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, where she has gained experience working with penguins, sea turtles, fish, and many other species. She is also a swim coach for a summer league program, working with kids and fostering a love for the water. When she isn’t swimming or working, she enjoys anything outdoors, including hiking, surfing, scuba diving, and camping. Zoe is extremely excited to be a part of Sea Turtle Camp this summer and looks forward to sharing her passion for marine science!

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. 

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!

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.