Teen Surfboard Building Camp - Overnight Surf Camps
How would you like to spend eight days surfing the warm waters of 
Wrightsville, Topsail, and Carolina beaches while creating your own custom surfboard? Does surfing mean more to you than just riding the waves under your feet? Spend time with fellow surfers whose passion for the sport inspires them to want to learn the art of surfboard building. While apprenticing a professional shaper, you will learn different aspects of this unique trade such as why surfboards are shaped differently and what effects shape has on performance.
This program is specifically geared towards intermediate teen surfers ages 14 - 17 that want to broaden their horizons and gain a better knowledge of the craftsmanship of board design. You will leave this program, not only with your own custom surfboard, but also a newfound appreciation for the time and skill that goes into this art. The enrollment for this program is limited; we accept a maximum of 10 participants. Campers stay in air-conditioned cabins at Wilmington’s premier KOA Campground, conveniently located between both of our main surfing breaks. Days are spent surfing and creating your masterpieces!
Highlights include:
- Extensive daily surfing coaching at a variety of beach breaks
- Building your very own surfboard under the guidance of one of the East Coast’s top shapers
- Learning the physics behind a shapers methodology and its effects on performance
- Using different construction techniques and designs including shortboards, longboards, fun boards, and fishes
- Designing and taking home your very own custom graphic surf board valued at $795!
Below tuition includes lodging in air-conditioned cabins, all meals, 24-hour same gender adult supervision, shuttle to and from the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), equipment, surfboard building materials and guidance, professional surfing instruction (5:1 student to instructor ratio), daily transportation, WB Surf Camp t-shirt, activity fees, surfboard factory tour, Surf Camp’s Pre-Surf Stretching Guide, Surfing Etiquette Guide, Sea Turtle/Coastal Conservation Guide, surftificate of achievement, and 8” x 12” group photo. For more specific information about our teen overnight surf camps or to secure your spot now, please call toll free 1.866.844.7873 . Enrollment limited to 10 students.
2012 Dates:
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Itinerary
DAY 1-2: CAMP KICK OFF, SURFBOARD FACTORY: BOARD DESIGN, SURF SESSIONS
Camp starts off with orientation, team-building games, and visiting the SOD Surfboard Factory where we’ll meet Shawn O’Donnell, owner and master shaper of SOD Surfboards. He will lead us on a tour of his well-known workshop where thousands of boards are made annually. Once we arrive, we dive straight into board design and begin the process of making your dream board a reality. The following morning we’ll surf Wrightsville Beach and discuss ocean safety, marine life, and the fundamentals of surfing. After a morning of building our surfing stoke, we’ll head back to SOD to build our boards.
DAY 3-4: SURFING SESSIONS, SELECT BOARD SIZE/DESIGN, EXPLORE OTHER SURF BREAKS
Today is another great chance to continue your surfing progression. We will spend all morning in the water and enjoy a relaxing lunch on the beach. We have the ability to surf on Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Beach, or Carolina Beach. Wherever the waves are breaking the best is where we’re headed! Afterwards, it’s back to SOD to continue the process of shaping your board. Today we’ll use a computer to enter in your board shape and size. SOD is on the forefront of board shaping technologies and has their very own board shaping machine. Once everyone has entered their board into the computer we get to watch big slabs of foam get shaped down into your very own surf board.
DAY 5-6: DAWN PATROL SURF, CUSTOMIZE ARTWORK, SHAPING DETAILS
Dawn Patrol! Mornings provide light winds, no crowds, and glassy conditions…perfection! Today we add our own art work for each board; SOD provides the supervision and media while you provide the creativity. Afterwards we start putting the finishing touches on your board. This is where you get to sand down your board, take down the stringer, perfect the rails, round out the tail and get dusty! If you don’t know these terms then you will once you’re here! Surf’s up! Once again, we are headed out the door in search of the best waves in the area. After surfing, we’ll head back to SOD and add the finishing touches while fitting each surf board with fins. Now the boards are ready to be glassed! We will let them sit for the night to let the resin catalyze and harden. Your board is almost ready for its first surf session!
DAY 7-8: SURF SESSIONS, FINISHING TOUCHES, SURF NEW BOARD!!
We weren’t kidding about the surfing part. We surf all morning and enjoy some amazing rides. By this point, campers are feeling completely confident on their surfboards and the surf bug has been securely planted. Going down the line, bottom turns, front side, back side, floaters…these are all skills that you will be learning. The special day has finally arrived! Your board is complete and it’s ready to take to the waves! We spend all morning surfing our new boards and you finally get to enjoy all of your hard work. We spend as much time as possible surfing our new boards before its time to head back after lunch to get ready for checkout. We take pictures and say goodbye to some amazing friends that you have met along this journey. It’s not goodbye forever, though, because you’re already planning your WB Surf Camp adventure for next summer!
Pictures
Accommodations
During camp, your home away from home will be Wilmington’s premier KOA Campground. Located just minutes from several of our favorite surf breaks and less than a mile from our WB Surf Camp Headquarters, the KOA is nestled in the woods among the longleaf pines, providing the perfect retreat for our campers after a fun day of surfing and ocean exploration. The KOA offers us many terrific amenities, including an outdoor pavillion, swimming pool, and our own bonfire pit - perfect for cooking up tasty s'mores.
We'll be staying in cozy, air-conditioned cabins, each with their own relaxing porch. Each camper has their own bed, and cabins are gender-specific with counselors rooming in adjacent cabins. Linens are not provided; each camper will need to bring a pillow, set of twin sheets, and either a sleeping bag or blanket.
The KOA is the perfect location as it is centrally located in Wilmington. It sits right at the heart of all of our activities and is an incredible launching pad for everything we do during Teen Overnight Camp from surfing and exploring to hitting our favorite restaurants each night.
Reviews
Kaitlyn, Huntersville, NC– “I had an AWESOME time at camp and I was never bored. I got to meet a lot of new people and some from other countries. It was a great experience and I will NEVER forget about it. I would definitely recommend this camp for people who are new to surfing. And if you were a person who already enjoys it, this is also a wonderful time too. I had a wonderful time and I would do it again.”
Frederic, Ludwigshafen Germany – “Dear WB Surf Camp Team! First, I want to thank everyone who helped me learn surfing! You often wrote in your e-mails that I'll have a time I'll never forget! It's SO true! Those 2 weeks really helped me getting more self-evident, adult etc... I loved the way the teachers talked to us, their behavior and the way the treated us! They really became like a family! Please keep that up!!! I'm looking forward attending another WB Surf Camp! Special thanks to Jason, who really taught me a LOT on sea surfing etc... Steven, who was like a brother and bandmate ;) Jarred, the guy who was always smiling and lot of fun! and Sarah, who was always SO friendly, helpful and lovely :) THANKS SURF CAMP! Yours German boy......Freddy!”
Yuki, Boulder, CO – “The food was amazing, the surf was great, and the counselors always fun to be around! I wouldn't hesitate to sign up again.”
Trevor, West Orange, NJ – “I had a great time throughout the entire camp. All the counselors were very nice. We played a lot of fun games too.”
Sydney, Cleveland Heights, OH – “The food was delicious. My food allergy was handled very well, and I actually missed the food when I went home.”
FAQ
If I have never surfed before, is this camp for me?
While most of our campers have never surfed before, this program is designed for the advanced beginner to intermediate surfer. A familiarity with board types and surfing allows campers to create the best surfboards. The only prerequisites are to be ready to have the time of your life and be able to swim.
If I have some surf experience will I get to learn more advanced maneuvers?
Yes. Our staff is composed of amazing free surfers as well as competitive surfers, all of whom will be able to coach you to a higher level of wave reading, performance, and creativity in your surfing.
Where will I be surfing?
We have a choice of three barrier islands 15- 35 minutes from our cabins. We surf a wide variety of locations, and we choose the beach with the best conditions for all of our participants.
Do I get to keep the board that I build?
Yes! Of course you do.
Do I design the entire board?
You will pick the basic design and a professional shaper will assist you in honing it to a practical shape. From there you will be able to fine tune the shaping of the foam. The laminating (or glassing) and sanding will be done by a professional at the surfboard factory due to the technical process and hazardous chemicals involved.
Can I add color or graphics to the board?
Yes…to a certain degree. The shaper and artists will assist you in choosing a practical way to get your board looking the way you’d like it to using methods such as resin tinting, airbrush and/or paint pens. Some artwork can become too tedious and time consuming though, so simple is often better.
How will I get my surfboard home after it’s completed?
This is something you will have to arrange beforehand, which will require some forethought and planning. For those that are flying, you may have to ship your board home via UPS as most airlines are strict and expensive in regards to flying surfboards. Soft racks and tie down straps are an effective and inexpensive way if you’re driving. In either case, plan on purchasing a DaKine board bag to protect your new surfboard for transportation.
Will I get to ride the board while I’m at camp?
Due to the construction process, you may not have the opportunity to ride your new board before your departure, unless you are staying with us for an extra week.
How much time does it take to make the board?
Most surfboards take 2-3 weeks to be constructed. We are making them in less than a week. So, in order to get them completed before you depart the professionals at the factory need every last minute to get your board finished properly.
Do we get to surf during the building process?
Using the equipment that we provide you will get plenty of time to surf in the mornings and afternoons, especially during the times when the professionals are working on your new boards.
What kind of non-surfing activities will we be participating in?
- Hands-on marine science and seminars
- Community service projects
- A night of movies and bowling
- Volleyball and other beach games
- Carolina luau with food, hula & limbo contests, prizes, music, and lots more!
Will there be pictures of me surfing that I can purchase?
Our instructors will be taking some photos throughout the week, but we highly recommend that you bring your own camera. You will receive an email about purchasing Surf Camp’s photos in the weeks following the end of camp.
What are the ages of your overnight campers?
Surf and Boardbuilding Camp is for ages 14 -17.
How old are the campers I will be rooming with?
Roommates are grouped together by age in order to enhance the overall level of comfort.
What is the nearest airport and do you have a shuttle service?
The Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is only 15 minutes away. Our counselors meet inbound campers right at baggage claim, and then provide transportation to our accommodations. On the way home, counselors stay at the airport until each camper’s flight has taken off. Our office stays attuned to any delays or cancellations to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
What if I can’t get in by the set check in time?
Our office staff will be happy to coordinate your camper’s travel schedule with our onsite counselors. In order to avoid missing any planned activities, campers should try to arrive between 1:00 – 2:00 pm on the first day and depart between 12:30 – 1:30 pm on the last day of camp.
How much spending money should I bring?
We recommend campers bring $50 to $75 per week of camp. This is for souvenirs or gifts they wish to purchase while at camp.
Do you have insurance?
We carry a comprehensive insurance package, including general liability.
