Surf + Climb Weekend Camps

We start out at Scarborough Beach, one of Southern Maine’s most impressive white sandy beaches, where we enjoy a full morning out in the waves followed by lunch on the beach. After lunch, we move a few miles up the road to Salt Pump’s state of the art climbing facility, where the kids will get an intro to bouldering and climbing on walls up to 45’ tall. Total group size is limited to only 12 kids per weekend, so participants will enjoy lots of 1-on-1 coaching. The program takes place over selected weekends throughout the summer from 9am to 3pm (see session dates in the box on the right).

Two Complementary Activities

The elements of solid rock and liquid water may well be opposites, but surfing and climbing share much in the way that they thrill and engage the human body. Both require an acute awareness of self, engender great respect for our natural environment, and help connect us to our community and the world around us.

Participants of all skill levels will have the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance those they already have. We will start both mornings on the beach, the best time of day to catch waves in calm winds. After a full morning of surfing, we will enjoy the beach and have lunch in the shade of our beach camp.

We don't always have waves like this, but when we do it's an experience to remember.

As afternoon winds rise and chop up the surf, we depart for Salt Pump's gleaming new facility about 10 minutes away by car. At Salt Pump, particpants will learn from experienced climbers about the basics of rock climbing. Over the weekend, we'll learn how to boulder, belay and climb with a top rope.

Post-surf climbing at Salt Pump

Each activity engages different parts of the body. The fast action of surfing stands out from the slow determination of climbing, and only with long practice can both be mastered with grace.

Daily Itinerary

• 9:15am - Drop off at Scarborough Beach. Get geared up with surfboards and wetsuits and head to camp.
• 9:25am - Morning meeting covers goals and different aspects of surfing such as paddling out, surf etiquette, and safety.
• 9:30 - 11:30am - Into the waves to SURF! We get a full two-hour session before breaking for lunch.
• 11:30 - 12:30pm - Enjoy lunch on the beach, relax before we depart for Salt Pump to climb.
• 1:00pm - Arrive at Salt Pump fresh from break and lunch! Here we get a brief introduction to facility and safety guidelines, along with groups and plan for afternoon.
• 1:00 - 3:00pm - Climb climb climb! Learn new climbing skills, practice different routes, and get to try out both bouldering and top roping.
• 3:00pm - Parents pick up at Salt Pump, about 10 minutes from Scarborough Beach.

First group of Surf + Climbers!

Bouldering presents many challenging puzzles and just as many answers.