I still am wearing the hemp ankle bracelet that one of my pods made for me last summer! A small hemp piece of jewelry that floods me with memories every time I look down or tie my shoe. “What is a pod?” you may ask. Well, a pod is the 3:1 ratio that Surf Camp has for all of its camps! On the first day of camp, the campers are broken down into groups of three, and one instructor works with each pod for the week. This ensures that each camper gets personalized surfing instruction. Also, the instructor gets the incredible job of coaching and watching each camper’s ability transform throughout the week!

One of my absolute favorite parts of my job at Surf Camp is meeting my pods! Each week in the summer, I get to meet a different group of three surfers who are stoked to learn my favorite sport in the whole world! I get incredibly close with each of my pods, and we spend a week getting to know each other. What’s better than learning about someone while catching wave after wave and being in the ocean? Your pod-members become a small family, and cheer each other on no matter what! I also like to have my pods name themselves. This promotes teambuilding, and also helps me remember who was in my pods months later. The Hammerheads were my first pod, and I’ve coached The Sharks, Charlie’s Angels, Kelly Slaters, etc. You can get really creative with your pod name, as you can see! Although, I must say, yelling “Go Sharks!” one morning on the beach had a lot of bystanders looking curiously at me and my pod! Of course, all of our Surf Campers know that sharks are nothing to be afraid of at our camps!

Watching my pods transform into talented surfers throughout the week is an indescribable experience. I am with them when they catch their first wave, and the feeling is electrifying for all of us. The smile on someone’s face and excitement they feel after they catch their first wave is amazing. If you haven’t experienced this, you’re truly missing out and you should sign up for one of our camps and get in the water with us! J Our pods then continue to practice pop-ups and work on basic surfing skills together. As the week progresses, the campers learn even more advanced techniques. I have seen people who were afraid of the ocean on the first day of camp turn into fearless and talented surfers by the last day. I have also had the joy of seeing shy and unmotivated individuals embrace this “sport of kings” and come completely out of their shell. Surfing is truly a magical experience!

Lastly, if you are wondering which of my pods made me my ankle bracelet, it was my Charlie’s Angels pod. A talented group of teenage girls who had a blast at one of our Wrightsville Beach Teen Overnight Camps, and shared with all of Surf Camp the art of hemp jewelry making! Each pod is special at Surf Camp, and all of the instructors love getting to know their campers. So, sign up for one of our camps and come be part of a pod, and experience the greatest sport in the entire world! J

-Julie

As the summer comes to an end, so does…. Wait!?! … We still have beginner weekend learn to surf clinics available. Bring on the surf!

Our popular weekend clinics offer you the best surfing experience possible and you get to spend a few days at beautiful Wrightsville Beach, NC! The temperatures are perfect (water is still in the 80’s) and the beach is less crowded than during the summer months.

Our Learn to surf clinics consist of 4 hours of surfing instruction with all top notch equipment included. Eqipiment does make a difference! This year we stocked up an additional brand new 40 epoxy Surftech Softops.  This are the top of the line learning surfboards and no other surfing schools in our area uses them.  We never exceed a ratio of 3:1 and offer small class sizes. The total cost for this awesome adventure is only $150 per participant.

We just had the online editor of YAHOO sports take this clinic last week and he told us that we should be charging way more for all the value of this program.  WOW! What a deal! I guarentee that you will have the experience of a lifetime by learning the right way with our top instructors.

Do not let the fall pass you by because winer is on it’s way.  No more vacation days left, no worries, you will not want to miss out on this weekend adventure, reserve your spot today!

- Tracy

As the water temps heat up, so does our Carolina Surf School.  Over the past month Doug, Jimmy, Matt, and I have been teaching quite a few lessons.  As I write this post, my hair is still wet from a group lesson I taught this morning at Wrightsville Beach. 

Our Carolina Surf School offers private surf lesssons (1:1), semi-private (2:1) and group surfing lessons (3:1).  Our instructors are available to meet clients at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina, Kure, Fort Fisher, Topsail, Surf City, Masonboro, and Figure Eight Island.   Doug is heading to Masonboro this weekend with some clients to surf this magical island.  Masonboro is a barrier island free from development with 4300 of its 5000 acres made up of tidal salt marshes and mud flats.  Talk about getting a private surfing lesson…….it doesn’t get much more private!  Our founder, Rick Civelli worked hard while sitting on the board of directors for it’s Society and helped acquire the many parcels that were in private ownership and are now deeded to the state for public use. 

Our surfing lessons cater to the absolute beginner, or for those looking to learn more and improve their skills.  There is just so much to learn about the ocean and progressing your comfort level on a surf board in the various conditions that can exist. 

One aspect of surfing that is super important is surfing etiquette.  We educate all of our clients on this topic to help ensure that their surfing experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible.  Respecting fellow surfers, the environment, and yourself will help you to make the most out of this newfound sport that will change your life forever!

Our clients have all left their lessons stoked on surfing and more knowledgeable about our coastal environment…….mission accomplished!  If you would like to register for lessons, click here, or call our office toll free at 866.844.7873 and speak with one of our Reservation Specialists.  We offer lessons seven days a week, so come on down to beautiful Southeastern North Carolina for an experience you will never forget!

 -Jenn R.