Surf Camp Team

Chris Powell
Certified Surf Instructor

Chris’s great respect for the ocean was nurtured during 23 years of family vacations on Topsail Island, NC, where he learned to surf and came to see that the coasts need our protection. He worked for two summers as an intern at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Hospital on Topsail Island. During his internships, he enjoyed educating the public about sea turtles and broad environmental issues by speaking to groups of children and adults who visited the hospital daily (averaging about 350 people a day). These experiences led him to attend UNCW and to graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies. Attending school so close to the beach afforded him ample surfing time.

Born and raised in the DC area, Chris spent a great deal of time around Chesapeake Bay and became aware of the myriad issues affecting water quality. When it came time for Chris to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, he chose a project to educate the public about the environmental impacts from dumping yard waste and trash down storm drains into the bay.

As a student, Christ has enjoyed surfing and exploring marine life in Maui, Puerto Rico, Fiji, Mexico, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti, and a semester studying abroad in Australia. These experiences have cemented his love for surfing and his strong desire to protect the environment.

Chris’s other passion is lacrosse, and he feels fortunate to be able to work with children, teaching them to play his two favorite sports. He has spent many summers and winter breaks working as an instructor for Maryland youth lacrosse programs and knows the personal satisfaction of giving back to the sport that helped shape him into the responsible and positive person he is today. He is currently a middle school coach in Wilmington, a role he loves.

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