I could not have scripted this week any better from a weather and surf forecasting standpoint. On our first day, after ground school, the waves were on the small side. It was absolutely perfect for everyone to get their sea legs back and get some waves under their belts. Robin was particularly stoked on the small conditions to start the week, knowing that she would get to watch her son Michael challenge himself as a bigger swell forecasted for the rest of the week began to roll in. As evidenced by the 1400 pictures we took, Michael caught more waves than most people do in a lifetime. Robin and John were two extremely proud parents, watching their son grab a board, paddle out ,and catch more waves than any other surfer in the lineup. I watched him progress faster, in one week, than I could have ever imagined possible.

Surfing wasn’t the only highlight of the trip. Tuesday night I dropped the family off in Road Town for what I knew would be a special evening. In the two weeks since arriving here, I had read about a particular new restaurant’s award winning cuisine numerous times. It had also been recommended to me several other times by other locals and tourists. I checked out the menu prior to their arrival at the beginning of the week, and knew we needed to give it a shot. After the meal, Robin, John, and Michael raved about their evening all the way home. From the tempura asparagus to the potato wrapped grouper combined with the cozy atmosphere, “Dove” was better than any restaurant they had been to in New York or Charlotte.

Wednesday evening was another exciting night of entertainment.  Whenever a dining experience begins with a boat ride to a private island, you know you are in for a memorable meal.  I raved about “The Last Resort” all week long and thankfully it stood up to its reputation.  When Michael (16) called and asked if they could stay another hour to enjoy the live entertainment, I was stoked because I knew they were having a blast.

We woke up on our last day to the sound of a massive swell, which made for an amazing site from our villa.  We couldn’t have asked for better timing.  With everyone, except Michael (a tad surfed out) it was our time to tour the island, pick up some last minute Christmas Gifts, and enjoy another awesome sunset from a restaurant on the West End.

It was hard to believe that this fantastic week was coming to an end.  All the amazing lunches in the sand, hundreds of waves ridden, and a thousand smiles later, John, Robin, and Michael finally said their goodbyes to paradise.  Something tells me they will be back!  As a family who has travelled together all over the world, it made my trip to hear them talk about how the beaches here in the BVI’s, and the one we surfed each day in particular, were the most gorgeous and least crowded they had ever visited. I couldn’t agree more, which is why I’m sticking around for a couple more weeks. Paradise found!

Originally from Richmond, VA, Meg got her degree in Environmental Studies from UNCW here in Wilmington and then journeyed home to look for a career. After realizing that her home is by the ocean, she made her way back to the coast and thankfully to the WB Surf Camp team.

Meg played a vital role among our overnight and day camp teams as an instructor and camp counselor this past summer and into the fall, taking on a lot of responsibilities and always stepping up to the plate. She was always a great team player and brought a lot of laughs to the team and the campers throughout the year. Her ability to work with kids and adults of all ages, her love and passion for the environment, and her capacity for educating others are just a few traits that make her the awesome person that she is. Be warned though, this seemingly sweet young lady charges out in the lineup and can throw a frisbee with incredible precision and control! We look forward to many more seasons of having Meg on our team and any potential campers should as well.

1. What drew you to a position at WB Surf Camp? I grew up playing and swimming in the ocean.  My love for the outdoors and environment were two big factors in coming to a school on the coast, UNCW.  While studying at UNCW I was able to start surfing, and my passion for the outdoors, environment, and education associated with outdoors really grew.  A position where I am outdoors, in the ocean, and working with kids really is a dream come true.

2. Who is your favorite surfer and why?  I do not really have a favorite surfer.  However, I find the Paskowitz family legacy an incredible story, and am a big supporter of Izzy Paskowitz and his foundation, Surfer’s Healing.

3. When did you start surfing and where? I actually first learned to surf at WB Surf Camp in the summer of 2006.  I really started surfing the following summer though when I moved to Wilmington.

4. What is your favorite surf break? Crystal Pier, with the exception of the crowdedness.

5. What inspired you sto start surfing?  I lived at the beach, thoroughly enjoyed being in the ocean, had always admired my friends surfing, and in the summer of 2007 my mother bought me a surfboard.

6. Where was your most memorable session?  I can’t remember the exact date or anything, but I was just north of the Holiday Inn, and I dropped in on a wave and rode the face of the wave for the first time.  I had enjoyed surfing but had not realized how amazing dropping in on a wave would feel. That was definitely my most memorable surfing session.

7. What is the worst wipeout you’ve ever had?  The first time I ever went surfing with a wetsuit on in January.  The water was freezing, and I was feeling a little nervous being in a wetsuit. I was being hesitant on a wave that was about chest height, which is not a good idea at all.  It was too late to pull off the wave, and I had hesitated too long for it to be a success,  so I ate it from the top of the wave essentially, and I was freezing and unprepared for the winter water.  It was a pretty frantic moment for me.  I have learned to prepare myself for the cold water now before charging waves.

8. What are some of your interests outside of surfing?  I love playing Ultimate Frisbee.  I also enjoy other sports like volleyball, tennis, and running.  Green building design, reading, and gardening are also two interests of mine.

9. What is your favorite movie? Finding Nemo

10. What is your favorite music?  I like all but if I had to narrow it down-Hip/Hop.

11. What is your favorite food? Vegetables-stir fry and salad.

12. Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself graduating from a masters program and teaching environmental or marine education on a coast.

13.  In your eyes, the three things you value most are:  Family, Friends, Education/Work

Merry Christmas from the beautiful West Indies!

It’s Christmas Eve and I am currently sitting on our back deck, enjoying the 74 degree sea breeze, listening to the waves crash as I post this entry.  Wow! Does life get any better?

Actually it does, because I get to repeat today all over again.  Tomorrow is Christmas and I get to spend another amazing day sharing perfect waves with great company on one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.  Pinch me please!

I picked up Michael, John, and Robin from the ferry terminal last night just in time for their dinner reservations at Pusser’s East, where they got to unwind over a fantastic meal overlooking Sir Drake Channel.  According to them their meal was “perfect”. It was exactly what they needed to unwind after a day of traveling.  John raved about his Roti ( a local style of sandwich) and  Robin thought her Wahoo was exceptional.

After an amazing dinner, Jacueline and I had to step up our breakfast game for the following morning.  We woke up extra early and had a gorgeous spread of granola, yogurt, waffles, pancakes, sausage, bacon and assorted fresh fruits including apples, bananas, mango, pineapple, kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, oranges, and pears set up on the back deck overlooking the water.  The Brienza’s arrived at the villa in the dark last night and we knew they were going to be blown away by the view out each and every window and deck when they woke up in the morning.

After a relaxing breakfast we loaded up and headed down to the beach to hold our ground school, cover some safety items, and hit the surf. The whole family was up and riding on their first or second waves, hooting and cheering for one another.  Mission accomplished!

After scoring perfect little waves all day, we came back to the villa, showered up, and headed over to Cane Garden Bay to listen Christmas Carols in classic island style performed by a live Reggea band at Quito’s.   Cane Garden Bay never dissappoints with its spectacular sunsets.

A Christmas Eve for the record books!

-Doug