One of the best times  of the year to be in Wilmington is the spring. Between the golden layer of pollen coating everything and the blooming of the dogwoods and azaleas, it makes for the first real feeling of warm weather…along with the warm weather. The city of Wilmington hosts the annual Azalea Festival which consumes most of downtown with a week long circus, a parade, vendors selling fried everything, merchants offering handmade/homemade crafts and goodies, multiple stages with music from around the world, and a kid’s section full of blow up bouncy castles.

Situated in the back corner of said kid’s section was yours truly. WB Surf Camp spent all weekend meeting and talking to kids and parents alike about all of our safe, exciting, and educational summer camps. Steve and I had the grommets throwing beanbags with cans and paper printed on them into our “recycling bin” for stickers and temporary tattoos, and painting one of our old soft tops with a killer sunset wave mural. All weekend different kids came up and added their own touch to it with a combination of acrylic paints ad paint markers. I admit I touched it up a bit, but it came out pretty good. We just ended up having a great time seeing kids from last year’s camps and getting the new recruits pumped on this years summer camps.

It was a beautiful weekend and with the warmth things have really started heating up back in the office. Registrations and instructor applications have been pouring in and covering our desks like a thick layer of spring pollen. Summer is almost here!!!

From our Camp Director Journals

Steve…

Steve soaking it up!

Consistent waves, translucent water and warm sunshine were all embraced during Surf Camp’s 2010 ultimate Caribbean adventure. Beginner – Established surfers from all over North America joined together to enjoy a warm Caribbean vacation while further refining their surfing skills.  Friendly people, fresh island cuisine and breath taking scenery convinced each of us that we had officially reached paradise.

Long days were spent under palm trees gazing upon pristine waters filled with a plethora of tropical fish and marine life. Surfing, snorkeling and relaxing had become the daily routine as people set the pace of their preference. The occasional cloud drifted across the wide blue sky providing a moment of shade to our sun filled bodies. Surf sessions were countless throughout each day as we continually stated, “just one more wave!”  Once our bodies were completely surfed out, cold fruit smoothies were savored at the beach side reggae bar while the sun set behind the mountains. As each of us tapped along to the rhythm we smiled and talked about the greatness of the day.

The definition of relaxation...

Each evening we enjoyed fresh seafood while the ocean breeze cooled off our exhausted surfed out bodies. Conversation at the table was mainly centered on memorable waves of the day, including who had the gnarly wipeouts! No matter how sore each of our bodies, we were fully stoked and ready for next morning’s session! Safe to say that the “stoke”, had officially bitten everyone!

Regardless of skill level, people pushed themselves hard in the water all week while building stamina and enjoying the enthusiastic company of others. Throughout the day, video and photo analysis were taken of the entire group.  Each evening we watched the recorded footage together and pointed out certain corrections for improvement. This proved to be a very helpful tool for everyone’s surf improvement! Many laughs were had as we visually relived the epic day of surfing in paradise. Surfing became the constant thought pattern even in dreams as we slept to the sound of the Caribbean waves crashing on the beach twenty feet from our accommodations.

"Blacks" the beachside bartender

The days slipped by as we found ourselves living on island time. Each morning we loaded boards on the vehicle and were off to see what type of conditions awaited us. Sure enough each day provided ideal surfing conditions and optimum weather.  Throughout Surf Camp Tortola everyone enjoyed great company as good times and laughs were shared in this special place.  New experiences were gained and souls were warmed throughout this high quality Surf Camp adventure.

From our Camp Director Journals

 

Michelle Shredding!!

Jason…

Besides being one of the most idyllic beaches in the world, Pirate Bay* serves as the perfect “surf until you can’t move” spots I’ve ever traveled to. I’ve been a lot of places in the world, but seriously everyday was as good as the day before. Perfect sunshiny weather, crystal clear water, ridable waves, fish jumping everywhere, the best veggie burger and beans & rice plate on earth, mango smoothies on the beach, and a great group of people made for an incredible time in the Caribbean.

I always stand by the fact that no matter where you go, the people you’re with make the trip. This was no exception. With my co-director Steve by my side we flew threw two weeks of sipping coffee, strapping boards, surf instruction, snorkeling, and under water boulder sprinting. Our clients were just as great. Between the the incredible amount of water time and extravagant dinners at our favorite local haunts everyone was glowing by the end of each respective week…and not just from their sunburns. With a diverse mix of men and women from the Midwest to the Atlantic and Canada, it was great getting to know so many awesome people and personalities. The most inspiring part about the trip was the progression and encouragement that happened with everyone. Our groups were both super supportive of one another and the camaraderie and bantering that went on both in and out of the water was great. You get the feeling that these people have been friends for years or may even be brothers and sisters.

Secret Cafe

Everyone pushed each other to advance their skill levels, and with the video and slide show reviews we did our surf campers could visually see what they were or weren’t doing. It was a great way to affirm and coach everyone in their techniques and meeting their surfing goals. With goals being met and the skill level going through the roof we were blessed to see a real fresh swell fill in the bay the first week. Each day got steadily bigger with the best sets coming in as the sun set each evening. We even dawn patrolled the biggest day. Unfortunately the wind never came around offshore. The yellow lifeguard flag indicating the helpful rip current along the rocks hung limp on the pole all day. So the morning sickness continued through most of the day. The big sets bounced off all the cliffs down the beaches and back washed creating a tricky take off. The more experienced of the group attempted to catch some and managed to drop into a few. The swell backed off slowly, but still pumped in through the first day of our second week.

It was a little tricky getting the new group of beginners comfortably into the bigger swells, but they all managed to catch a few and stand up. The next day was perfect as the swell dropped to a decent size and the sets were spread apart for an easy paddle out. The best part about the bay was even as the swell diminished the occasional sets came through. It also made for great snorkeling along the rocks with 4-5′ tarpon swimming around you.  Steve and I then decided it was time to train like Laird! We found a good sized boulder and attempted to run it across the bay. Once we hit the 12′ deep water half way across my body began to scream. If I wasn’t wet I would have been soaking in sweat. We managed to run it in to beach having made it about 3/4 of the way across. It was pretty awesome, especially when you knew Miss Naomi had a killer lunch waiting for us on the beach.

Miss Naomi

The food was amazing the whole time. Naomi’s provided the perfect lunch on the beach, and Joyce (Naomi’s niece) even made us extra beans and rice when we needed it. Though everything moves pretty slowly, the dinners were always well worth the wait and the waitresses were always full of personality, with the exception of breakfast. She kind of had the personality of snail; slow and not very helpful, a hard shell but probably soft on the inside. As long as you keep in mind that it’s all part of the trip, it can actually become quite fun/funny. I just made it my goal each morning to try and make her smile and/or laugh, cause it looked like she didn’t do either very often and when she did, they probably came across as frowns and grunts. Getting back to the dinners…Fish, pasta, and pizza were the staples that kept my mouth watering every night. Fresh Mahi and tuna, gourmet flat bread pizzas, and a good portion of linguine and gnocchi provided the fuel for being in the water all the next day.

All in all it was an amazing trip. Two weeks working in paradise, was two weeks working in paradise. The only things missing were Rick and my wife. Otherwise, the weather and waves couldn’t have been any better. Can’t wait to go back next year!!

*The name has been changed to protect the paradise