Westbound Boarder

With summer quickly approaching, faster than many of us may notice, its time to start thinking about summer surf camps… and Roxy’s got you covered.  For today’s Wicked Wednesday “Snow Camp” Review, I’m now broadening the series to also focus on surf camps, and this week we’re reviewing Roxy’s Surf Camp Series.

If you’ve never surfed before but would like to learn, this camp’s for you.  During this day camp experience, Roxy/Quiksilver surf instructors take campers from the beginning, touching upon everything from water safety to ocean science.  The goal of the camp is to get beginners to be able to surf on their own by the time they are done with their allotted session.

Although the camps are sponsored and promoted through Roxy/Quiksilver, they have several partners they work with, and each camp provides a completely different experience.  Some locations have adult camps, some are geared only toward women, and some are even geared toward more advanced riders.  But they all have one thing in common – they teach you how to surf, starting with the basics (meaning, you’ll be standing on a board in no time!)

Before I moved to LA (and decided to start surfing) people told me I’d basically be pro my first time since I snowboard, wakeboard, wakesurf, etc.  How wrong they were!  Although all sports involve standing on a board, that’s about all the have in common.  My first time surfing, I didn’t even catch one wave, and my second time I caught a few, after Danielle stepped in to give me a little push to help me out   So if you’re a beginner and want to learn the easy way, I’d highly recommend looking at attending one of these camps; as Danielle and I have stressed before, learning in groups is the way to go if you want to quickly take your skills to the next level.

If you are interested in attending a Roxy/Quiksilver camp, choose the location you’re interested in first and check out their respective Web sites for more information.  Prices, dates, etc. vary per location.  Camps take place at locations up and down the west coast of California, and there’s even one camp in Oregon!

So this summer, what will you be doing?  Learning to surf, of course   Catch ya in the tube!

• San Clemente, CA – Colas Surf Camp
• Dana Point, CA – Ocean Academy
• Dana Point, CA – Girl in the Curl
• Newport Beach, CA – Ocean Adventure Programs
  
• Redondo Beach, CA – Perfect Day
• Santa Monica, CA – Perfect Day
• Malibu and Ventura, CA – Mako’s
• Santa Barbara, CA – Surf Happens
• Cannon Beach, OR – Oregon Surf Adventures
• Tofino, Canada – Tofino Surf Camp

There’s one thing I love even more than the two words ‘free’ and ‘snowboarding’ – when the words are used together!  Throw the word ‘birthday’ in the mix, and you’re set.  (Got your attention yet?)

Well yes, it’s true.  Head to Mt. High in Southern California on your birthday, present a valid ID, and get a free lift ticket! (The Web site makes sure to mention that cake is not included; you know, in case that would be the deciding factor).  Bear Mountain and Snow Summit also have the same deal.  I discovered this nugget on the sites a few days ago and am already planning to take a trip up in April   My biggest problem now – deciding which mountain to go to!