Posted by Rick Civelli | 09.06.2011 | Employment, WB Surf Camp News

WB Surf Camp Instructor of the Week for September 4th: Kate Murray

After working with our Wrightsville Beach Teen Overnight Camp last year showing her incredible leadership skills and ability to connect with teens, Kate came back this year to co-lead our international Teen Costa Rica Surf Camp and our California Surf Camp. Kate has spent the past couple of winters in California studying leadership at Bethel College in Redding. She has taken those skills and her love of surfing and brought them back home to the East Coast to become yet another amazing addition to the WB Surf Camp team.

1. What drew you to a position at WB Surf Camp?
The company looked incredibly professional, I saw that travel was involved, and the base location drew me since I know quality people live in my home state!

2. Who is your favorite surfer and why?
I love Rob Machado’s style. Whenever I watch him surf I feel like it’s such an art for him. This may sound cheesy but it’s beautiful to watch him carve down the face.

3. When did you start surfing and where?
I started surfing at 16 years old on Topsail Island, NC!

4. What is your favorite surf break?
So far- Nosara, Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo is the beach. Consistent chest to head high break when I was there.

5. What inspired you to start surfing?
At 16 I was injured in soccer, so was pretty much done with that but had always played sports and wanted something to fill the void. I had an affinity for the ocean since I was basically born, and surfing just always looked like so much fun! After boogie boarding for ages, I figured standing up could only be better!

6. Where was your most memorable session?
Most recently in Huntington Beach, CA we were out at sunrise. It was chest high, super glassy and sets were rolling in consistently. I was with some of my best friends. As I paddled back out I noticed a couple of fins repeatedly pop up – a huge dolphin pod! My friends and I paddled out about 20 yards and literally paddled in the middle of this pod. They were unaffected and just let us swim with them. It was beautiful and I caught a couple of the longest rights I’ve ever surfed. Magic.

7. What is the worst wipeout you’ve ever had?
I’ve had a lot of these. The worst was in Mal Pais, Costa Rica. It’s a beach break and this day I can’t believe I made it out. Once I was in the lineup I was in way over my head- it was scary. I tried to catch a smaller wave to make it back to the beach but totally blew it! I nose dove, came up, and the waves kept pounding me. But I victoriously made it out ok.

8. What are some of your interests outside of surfing?
Painting & photography, traveling, when friends become family, hiking/camping, reading about people who have changed the world, dancing, Spanish, basically anything outside and involving water!

9. What is your favorite movie?
Goodwill Hunting. And The Little Mermaid!

10. What is your favorite music?  Mumford & Sons, Avett Bros, Josh Garrels, United Pursuit Band. Anything Patrick Harris introduces me to!

11. What is your favorite food?
Thai Curry, sushi, breakfast burritos, s’mores

12. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Sailing around somewhere exotic with people I love, finding surf and changing lives.

13. In your eyes, the three things you value most are:
Faith, fun and being real!