Herman Melville once wrote, “Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; . . .then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. . . .There is nothing surprising in this. If they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.” I could not agree with this sentiment more and it makes it more perfect that the character that speaks these words is eager to leave his teaching job. I think we all know what it feels like to get bogged down in the daily grind of work. I know that this is coming on when I sit at my desk and I find myself looking for any excuse I can to look at the surf. I log on to local web page to find out what the waves are doing. Ten minutes later I go back to the page to find out what the water temperature is. Five minutes later I have my head hanging out of the window to assess the wind. I guess you can say I have the bug. I love to surf and love to share it with others.

I have left my summer job of surf instructor to return to the rigors of being a high school English teacher. Though I love my full time career it is far more stressful than the life I lead in the summer. I read about epic trips that many take to Costa Rica in the cold of January and I feel intense jealousy, though I had just been in July. I fantasize about taking a trip with friends to a Caribbean island, miles away from students and grades, and the copy machine that always seems to work for the person in front of me, but breaks by the time I get a turn.

Ahhh the warm salt sea, what a nice thought. I miss my summer days of rolling out of bed eating a hearty breakfast and hustling down to the beach for a dawn patrol session, followed up by surf lessons to a gaggle of eager girl scouts stoked about Surf Camp. It just gives me a big smile to think about those days. I count my blessings and know that summer will roll around again, and the doldrums of my mind will become the waves that I ride. I feel like I am spoiled because I know what this feeling is and when work is hard and overwhelming, then I can think about surfing and teaching others the joy of surfing.

So, as I write my stress melts away and my eyes perk up and I realize that even when the surf isn’t under my feet, it is never far away and can never leave my mind. Like I said I’m very lucky to have this escape. No self-help guru or relaxation tea can match how it feels to remember the warmth of a wave rolling over you as you turtle roll or the heat of the sun drying the salt on your skin or the smile on your face after a good ride, or a fun wipeout. I hope that all of you stuck at your desks know what I am talking about, and if you don’t, grab the phone and get a lesson, camp or trip organized.

Jen Y. – Instructor

This past summer was my second summer here at Surf Camp. I work behind the scenes in our Surf Camp headquarters to make sure that you all have the most amazing summer of your life. While I take reservations and answer all of your questions, I have one BIG secret…. I know a lot about surfing but I have never tired it untill this summer. Now let’s rewind for a minute. I know it sounds weird. I get it all the time; “You work at a Surf Camp and you don’t surf?” It’s not that I would not like to be a surfer because I love the lifestyle and thiink the sport is truly  amazing! The idea of sitting there in the water, being one with the ocean, waiting for that perfect wave, sounds truly peaceful. There’s just one big obstacle standing in my way, and it’s actually kind of embarrassing, but I am aqua phobic.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love floating around a swimming pool on a raft, boating, and I’ve even branched out to jet skiing. Most people don’t even know this about me. I guess it’s because I truly hate not being able to control it. So fast forward to my lesson (yes I went for it). I met some of the other girls from the office bright and early on a beautiful Saturday morning. There really is nothing better than the smell of the salty sea air in the morning. I was a bit nervous, then I thought to myself, Surf Camp had put in over 1800 hours of instructor training this season and I know how awesome our instructors are because I sent out our customer surveys and hear the glowing comments.

 “I’m okay, I can totally do this,” and I just kept telling myself that. We sat on our boards and began ground school. I really can’t believe how much I learned! Our instructor, Travis, covered everything. From water safety to what to do if you get caught in a rip current. We talked about marine life and so much more. A lot of things I had always wondered about, but honestly felt too stupid to ask. By the time that we had started to work on popups I was set. Our last step before we charged into the water was stretching. I really think that I could’ve stretched all day. But… I knew it was time. I picked up my board and made my mind up right then and there; I was going to conquer this. I WAS GOING TO CONQUER THIS!! I would love to tell you that I was a natural and that I stood up like a pro, but there were witnesses who would totally call me out.

By the time that I would paddle into a wave I got so caught up in thinking about what I was doing that I completely missed it, over and over again. But don’t feel bad for me, because I really accomplished something that day! When I told my friends and family about it they were seriously shocked that I would even go for it. Honestly that feeling of sitting in the water, floating over the swells, and looking back at the shore, I felt something that I never had before. It was my mountain to conquer, and I really couldn’t have been happier with myself (okay, maybe happier if I would have stood up, but we’ll keep that between you and me). So now, fast forward to today. Am I charging those waves? Well… I wouldn’t say that just yet, but I am super stoked to get back out there and keep facing my fears head on. It really makes me feel like nothing is too big, and nothing will stand in my way!! If I could learn to surf, so can you, and I can relate to anyone who is thinking about trying, so please feel free to call me with any of your questions:)

Amber - Reservation Specialist

A Teen’s Perspective

10. You know that you have arrived at Surf Camp when you see junk food being rolled into cabins on a skateboard.

9. Soon you get to meet people from all over the country who you will be your main competition for showers, the front seat on the bus, and of course, those who you will bond with and chat with while waiting for the waves…or missing them all together.

8. Everyone gets rash… everyone walks funny, and everyone gets to go home with their very own war wounds and smelling like baby- butt cream. It’s all part of the experience.

7. Trading in your make up for Zinc. It is a great way to pick up hotties on the beach.

6. When you go out for your first couple sessions, you get pushed into waves…. You can’t get better service than that.

5. Food. After a long day of surfing everyone is ready to eat. Whether your instructor is attempting to cook over a grill in Hatteras, or you go to Mellow Mushroom in Wilmington, you are sure to have a great meal made with love. You’ll even start to meet more of your instructors; it’s pretty funny to see how many magically appear at your dinner table.

4. Typically buses aren’t my thing. That was until I went to Surf Camp. The bus rides are full of sandy kids, great music, and prayers that your bus gets back first for the showers.

3. The instructors at Surf Camp are down to earth people that are great at what they do because they love their job. It also doesn’t hurt that they are slightly good looking

2. When you finally catch your own wave

1. When you finally catch your own wave, and they got it on camera.