Surf Camp Reviews

Dear Surf Camp,

My name is Jasmine, I am 18 years old and I live in Ontario, Canada. I went surfing for the first time in July 2004 at your overnight teen camp in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

When I try to describe my experience at 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. There was always something to do even when we weren’t surfing. We went deep sea fishing, swimming, had ping pong tournaments, watched movies, went bowling, visited a sea turtle hospital, and much more. Visiting the sea turtle hospital actually made me become very interested in sea turtles and all ocean life.

Now to understand my experience at Surf Camp, you have to first understand how I felt before I got there. For almost a year, even though I tried to be, I wasn’t truly happy. In my mind I was a failure. I wasn’t good at anything and I thought the only way I could have been good at something was to start when I was really young. I thought that the only way I could become something in the future and "go places" was if I started when I was young, and I didn’t. Of course I was excited to be going to Surf Camp, I have always wanted to learn how to surf and it was like a dream come true for me to be going to North Carolina. However, on my way to Surf Camp, bad thoughts started to fill my head and I was very nervous. I was afraid that I wasn’t going to be good at it and that there was no point in even trying.

My parents knew how nervous I was and I knew that they were concerned about me so I decided to call them after I learned how to surf for the first time. When they asked how my first day of surfing was, this is what I told them:

"I lost my contact, I got smacked in the chin with the board, I got pulled under by a wave, I got rashes on my arms and legs, and I’m absolutely in love with surfing!"

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.

Okay, I’m sure that a lot of people will agree with me when I say that surfing is not easy, especially paddling out. You have to drag a huge surfboard over the waves to where the instructor is. But, when the waves keep coming and pounding on you over and over again, you don’t get very far. Sometimes the wave is so powerful that it rips the surfboard right out of your arms and pulls it away. Because you are strapped to the board, you get pulled with it. Sometimes it is so hard that you feel like giving up. It seems to take forever to get out there and the short amount of time that you are actually on the board surfing makes you wonder if it’s even worth it. But after that struggle to get past those waves, I finally get out there and it’s my turn to go. 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 believe that with every experience, good or bad, comes a lesson to be learned. With this experience, I learned a couple. I learned that I should take the opportunity to learn as much as possible because there is always something good that can come from it. Just because I didn’t start when I was young, doesn’t mean I can’t start now. I have my whole life ahead of me and I am never going to stop learning. 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 worth while 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!

Surf Camp Review - Jasmine S. (Session 12)

Dear Surf Camp,

Kate has already stood up on her surfboard, why can't I? Was I scared of falling, I think so. Andy, my instructor, seemed to sense my agitation and told me that sometimes it just takes longer for some people to get the hang of surfing. Well, I must not be much slower than the average person, because I stood up on my next wave!

I really loved surfing for three reasons. The first one is because it is a challenge. I love challenges, preferably physical challenges such as snowboarding and surfing. I was sore for days after surf lessons. That is a good thing too, the only other time I was that sore was when I went snowboarding this December.

My theory is the harder a challenge, the better. Surfing was hard. That only makes me want to do it perfectly the first time, and since I know that I am incapable of doing something like surfing perfectly the first time, I settle for as quickly as possible. So, surfing gives me a challenging goal to work towards.

Surfing, a good goal, how so? Well, thanks for asking! That brings me to the second reason I loved surf lessons. Surfing is a good goal because there is no instant gratification in this activity. You have to work to become a good surfer. Just like at school or work, there will be bums in the road (wipe-outs) but I just have to keep getting back on my board. Surfing is one of those goals that build self confidence as you get nearer to accomplishing it. At the end of my three days of lessons, I was really proud of what I had accomplished!

Ok, the third reason I loved taking surf lessons. The instructors were awesome. They were supportive, kind, and had a great sense of humor. Example: On the second day of my lessons, Grey was my instructor. I was sitting on my surfboard and waving to a fishing boat; the boat honked its horn in response to my greeting. Grey said," Emily, your ride is here!" To tell you the truth, it took me a while to get the joke, but it was still funny.

The instructors were also very supportive. Whenever I felt like giving up, my instructor was always willing to help me figure out what I was doing incorrectly, or just suggest that I might be dehydrated or need to take a break. Either way, my instructor was always helpful.
So in conlution, I had loads of fun! I definitely think it is one of the most exhilarating experiences that I will ever experience. I can't wait to surf again.

Surf Camp Review - EMILY C.

Dear Surf Camp,

The hour was early and there we were, crouching low on our long boards, making friends with our "sweet spot" on Wrightsville Beach. This was Surf Camp. Grey, our instructor, finally got us in the water, paddling in the right direction and we waited for the tide to roll in. Imagine the first thrill of hitting the wave just right, striking balance on the board, careening toward the shore with the first few dreamy bars of “Surfer Girl” lingering in the back of your mind. That was me, and I could feel the great power of the waves (and Grey’s Go!Go!Go!) building my confidence as I caught the first wave. My first lesson at Surf Camp was so memorable that I spent the rest of the summer tackling the North Carolina shore with my new husband.

The Surf Camp crew reintroduced me to waves, to the wonders of the ocean and to what is possible, skimming under a curl of blue.

Thank you and I can’t wait to get back to Wilmington for another lesson!

Surf Camp Review - Erica (Plouffe) Lazure
Greenville, NC

Hey Surf Camp!

I do not know how exactly to explain to someone about my experience at Surf
Camp. Nor can I think of such appropriate words to put into an explanation that would even give my experience justice. That is how awesome Surf Camp at Wrightsville Beach is.

Someone once said “Write what you know.” This is what I know. I love surfing. From the moment that I caught my first wave, immediately something inside me told me that I must continue this at every given moment. Gliding through the water and not knowing what do to next, drives the beginner surfer to want more. Throughout my week at surf camp I learned not only to ride waves, but about people and life in general. The world has so many great things to contribute to each individual; I found that through my instructors and peer campers.

They taught me how get the most out of each experience, and that once a person steps out of their comfort zone they can never go back. Now that I know how to surf, I want to keep going to the next level and try new things. My short time in Wilmington has been life changing, and one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I cannot wait to see what is in store for me in Hawaii this summer. Surf camp is an incredible experience for anyone seeking more adventure.

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed writing about my experience at surf camp, and cannot wait to surf in Hawaii this summerr.

Surf Camp Review - Laura D.
Corinth, MS

Dear Surf Camp,

Last year at Surf Camp, I had the best summer ever. Last summer, I went down to my aunt's house in Wilmington, North Carolina for two weeks. I was surprised when she told me that since she had not bought me a birthday present, that she would sign me up for either magic camp or surfing camp. I was going to do the magic camp, until the last minute when I decided to go for surfing lessons.

On my first day, I started to regret things, but once I met Andy, I did not have a single regret in my mind. Andy was extremely generous and thoughtful. Every 15 minutes, he would ask if I was tired or if I needed a drink. He taught me safety tips, such as to cover my head when I go under the water so if I get hit with the surfboard getting pushed by a wave, it would not hurt. He also taught me what surfer's nose was … when your sinuses get clogged with water and it drips out later on.

He also told me many of his own personal surfing stories. When I first went into the water, I was totally freaked out. Once he told me how to do everything and I rode my first wave, I felt much more comfortable. I had such a good time the two days I was there, I made my grandmother in New York send money down for a third day of camp. As you can see, I had a great time at my aunt's house, not because of the weather, but because of the Surf Camp I went to.

Surf Camp Review - Matthew P.

Dear Surf Camp,

Surf Camp is undoubtedly the best summer camp that I have ever been to. The Surf Camp experience was so fantastic because of the unique counselors and people, and all of the amazing activities we did. Every single day we did something really exciting. There is nothing like your first day at an overnight camp where you do not know any of the people. At Surf Camp all of the counselors were there to welcome you and were kind from the beginning. They showed you where your room was and even talked with you some.

On our very first trip surfing you could always feel secure because of how the instructors had talked with us about safety and rip currents. All of the instructors had a great sense of humor. Not only did they teach us to surf, but we had to raise the roof while we did it. The counselors made every day fun with their outstanding ideas. We had a surf
contest at Wrightsville Beach, and spent an awesome day learning about sea turtles at the sea turtle hospital. We would wake up early in the morning and head out in the van for a day in the sun and surf.

This was your typical Surf Camp day and each one was more amusing than the last. Every single day was a blast. We surfed at and got to see so many different beaches. First it was our beginning surfing lesson at Wrightsville Beach. Eventually we were surfing at Topsail and Fort Fisher. While at Fort Fisher we explored the aquarium and got to see “behind the scenes” and how much work the people do to keep everything running smoothly. We spent a few hours learning about how endangered sea turtles are, how we can help protect them, and even saw some turtles, and heard stories about others. Next it was deep sea fishing in the aqua colored gulf stream. Whenever you glanced out into the water you could see a flying fish or a jelly fish. If you did not catch much, it was still impressive to see what everyone else pulled up. Almost all the activities were outdoors, and every activity was enjoyable.

It was easy to tell from all the smiles you saw on the campers faces that they will all keep surfing for life. Thanks to the instructors we all successfully learned to surf and had a extraordinary time doing so. It will be impossible to forget Sam and Joel’s competitive ping-pong, Andy’s no handed ice cream eating skills, Kenny chasing everyone with the sunscreen, and Jen’s idea to put toothpaste on the boys while they slept. Overall Surf Camp was an unforgettable experience.

- Zoe T. - Chapel Hill NC

Dear Surf Camp,

"The summer of 2004 was one I will never forget. I've always wanted to learn how to surf, and found out from some friends that "Surf Camp" in Wrightsville Beach was the best place to go to learn and have fun. And they were beyond right!

The first day I came in from Woodstock NY, I already felt like this would forever be my home away from home. The entire staff was tremendously enthusiastic and psyched to meet all the new kids. Every day was packed full with fun and physically demanding activities. So much so that by the end of the day, we were all happily exhausted and collapsed into bed for a well earned night's rest. Soon to awaken in the early morning for another big day.

The instructors were all energetic, patient and well trained. Each of us was taught on an individual basis at our own pace. They were very thorough in training us about ocean safety (something my dad was very happy about!).

Those days went by so fast, making tons of new friends and learning a lot about myself.
When the time came for everyone to leave, it felt like that hour was the worst I'd ever flet. Watching everyone leaving, one by one, with their new attitudes on life, while hugging their new friends goodbye. So many tears knowing they were leaving this haven. Finally it was my turn. Looking back from my car, at the amazing people I met throughout my time there, I felt a deep knot in my throat, I gave my hugs and tears to them. Picking up my bags, I felt as though I was leaving a part of myself at "Surf Camp"

While I was on the plane, I couldn't help but start to cry knowing it was all over. Looking at the pictures of all my new friends, I promised myself I would be going back next summer, even if I had to walk all the way. Getting back to my hometown I sadly realized I would not have to get up early the next morning to hop on my surfboard with all my friends. Only a few more months till I'm back. I don't know if I will be able to leave again"

- Rachael

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