Posted by Rick Civelli | 03.19.2011 | Adult Surf Camps

Caribbean Camp Comes to a Close

We always prepare everyone the first day with a version of, “Make sure you soak up every minute, because it will be over in a flash.” Sure enough here we sit on the lat day watch the arrival of a new swell entering the bay. Our original crew of three instructors and seven campers has been reduced to two and five, respectively. Thankfully for half of us, most of the flights departing the BVI’s today were completely booked. So we’ll be hanging around another day or two enjoying just the last little bit of paradise, offering private coaching for one remaining camper, and filming a new series of WB Surf Camp instructional videos to be released throughout the year to offer our participants ongoing year-round instruction to look back on and refresh their memories.

After several days of pumping consistent surf, the ocean laid down yesterday morning giving us an opportunity to do some actual touristy activities. Our muscles, bodies, sinuses, and rashes were telling all of us to take it easy for a day so we could physically and mentally recuperate for the final surf sessions. We took the north coast ridge highway along the island all the way to the idyllic Cane Garden Bay, which to my surprise, was completely empty. I always imagined a reeling right hand point with thousands of tourists bussed to the beach from the cruise ship port. But it was like a lake filled with huge sail boats and a couple sunbathers sipping on various Caribbean cocktails. We hit the only surf shop in Road Town so everyone could pick up their souvenirs and trinkets, restocked at the very westernized grocery store, and headed back down to the beach for a late lunch.

The afternoon always seems to bring in any little bit of swell out in the bay and this day it went from flat to ridable. Today, however, we are seeing a fresh new set of lines increasing in size with each 15 minute set. Our final brekky and lunch served as a final farewell as we have been negotiating airline departures and rental car returns. One camper went out for a SCUBA tour on a nearby wreck and the rest are soaking up the last bit and packing.

It’s easy to slide into the rhythm of island life here, as I was raised on Hatteras Island. Similar in size, but contrasted in landscape and water color. The island life is very comparable though. Everyone knows everyone, and they are all extremely laid back. But the day to day time lapse becomes easy to take for granted and after a few days the adrenaline of being here has given way to a sort of mellow high where you don’t really feel the need to do anything. Then the sudden shock of having to return to reality strikes you as think about arranging and planning your departure. So is life. An ebb and flow of excitement and goodbyes, incoming swells, outgoing tides and a full moon that is closer to the earth than it has been in 18 years. Well, since we’re still here, I guess we’ll have to go check out the Full Moon Party in Trellis Bay. I hear they have fire jugglers, stilt walkers, and an assortment of burning sculptures and craziness.