January 24th, 2010
2010 Surf Camp Dates Posted
That’s right… it may still be 30 degrees outside, but we’re starting to think about warmer days.
The new 2010 Surf Camp dates have been posted as follows:
| Session #1 – June 28th – July 2nd | Sign up for session #1 now » |
| Session #2 – July 5th – July 9th | Sign up for session #2 now » |
| Session #3 – July 12th – July 16th | Sign up for session #3 now » |
| Session #4 – July 19th – July 23rd | Sign up for session #4 now » |
| Session #5 – July 26th – July 30th | Sign up for session #5 now » |
| Session #6 – August 2nd – August 6th | Sign up for session #6 now » |
| Session #7 – August 9th – August 13th | Sign up for session #7 now » |
| Session #8 – August 16th – August 20th | Sign up for session #8 now » |
We’re looking forward to seeing many familiar faces in the upcoming season! Sign up today »
September 1st, 2009
Season Wrapped Up — Getting Ready for 2010!
Wow, what a great Surf Camp season 2009 was! What started off as a slow start to the season with a smaller first session quickly filled in, and we ended up at full capacity; the Surf Camp team wants to offer a huge “thanks!” to every camper that attended! You guys (and girls) make being a surf camp counselor the best summer job on the East Coast!
In the upcoming weeks and months, we will be updating the website with pictures from the 2009 season, announcing the 2010 Surf Camp schedule, and getting ready to beckon in another amazing summer of Maine surf, sun, and sand.
Stay tuned!
The Surf Camp Team
(David, Bill, Dustin, Emily, Brendan, Sawyer, Owen, and Kyle!)
August 6th, 2009
Learn to Surf: Hang Ten
There’s nothing like gettin’ your toes-to-the-nose when you’re out for a laid back longboard session. This video should get you pumped for some hang-ten action! I know I’m stoked…
March 18th, 2009
Filling up fast, Sweatshirt campagin extended!
Camp is filling up… fast!
If you haven’t gotten in and confirmed your 2009 Surf Camp application yet, be sure to start soon! In particular, session numbers 5, 4, and 2 are filling up very quickly. If you want to attend during one of those sessions, you’ll want to get your application in ASAP. Sign up here »
The good news if you do (aside from being assured a spot in camp)? See below!
Free Sweatshirt Campaign Extended
Due to the great positive response we’ve had from offering free sweatshirts to everyone signing up early for the 2009 Surf Camp season, we’ve decided to extend the offer for one more month (while supplies last — and it’s going fast!).
Anyone who signs up by April 15th will receive a free Surf Camp sweatshirt!
We had the chance to meet and greet some of our 2009 Surf Campers last Sunday, March 15th as we handed out sweatshirts and cleaned up the Shop in preparation for the upcoming season.
February 6th, 2009
FREE Sweatshirt when you sign up TODAY!
Free Sweatshirt!
Want a free sweatshirt? Pick yours up today when you sign up for camp!
This year we’re beckoning in what is sure to be a great season by giving away FREE sweatshirts to our campers!
For a LIMITED TIME — UNTIL MARCH 15th — every camper who signs up will receive a FREE Surf Camp sweatshirt. You can stop by and pick it up TODAY!!!
Summer can’t get here soon enough… warm water, sunny days at the beach, and surfing!
We can’t wait to see you at the beach… and if you sign up today you’ll be wearing a new sweatshirt!
*Offer is subject to change. While supplies last only.
February 2nd, 2009
Summer Champs Success
David at the Surf Camp booth at the Summer Champs camp fair
The Summer Champs Camp Fair, held at the Portland Expo on Sunday, was a great time and a good opportunity to meet lots of future surfers.
We had the “Indo Board” out, which proved popular, but also a bit scary on the hardwood floor.
The crowd was a little light (which MIGHT have had to do with the fact that it was Superbowl Sunday… hint hint Summer Champs!) but we drew a good crowd and handed out lots of free t-shirts and Surf Camp brochures.
Thanks to everyone who said hello and we can’t wait to see you in the water!
January 31st, 2009
Surf Camp image “Top Rated” on MSW
The perfect way to wake up in the morning...
Dustin took the shot last year while on a several month trip to South Africa. This image was taken early in the morning at the world famous surf spot “J-Bay” (short for Jeffreys bay). The spot was made famous in Bruce Brown’s Endless Summer films as the “perfect wave.” Every year the Billabong Pro surf competition is held here with the world’s top brass, including all stars like Kelly Slater.
In the upcoming “Trips” section of the Surf Camp Blog you’ll be able to read more about Dustin’s trip to South Africa along with stories, images, and videos from other epic locations.
Just after getting out of the water...
January 25th, 2009
Summer Champs Fair – February 1st
Surf Camp will have a booth set up at the upcoming Portland Summer Champs camp fair. The fair is taking place February 1st at the Portland Expo.
Be sure to stop by the Surf Camp booth and say hello to the counselors! We will have pictures from last year along with some awesome surf videos. We’ll also be doing a special promotion just for the occasion — anyone who reserves their spot on February 1st in person will walk away wearing a brand new Surf Camp sweatshirt!
Surf Camp is proud to be a member of the Summer Champs program, which is sponsored by UnitedWay. That means if your are a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader going to school in Portland you can come to Surf Camp for FREE!
We hope to see you at the fair! For more information, visit the UnitedWay website: Maine Summer Champs
January 25th, 2009
Learn To Surf: Top 5 Tips
Keep these tips in mind while you’re learning to surf and you’ll be shredding it up sooner then you ever imagined!
Tip #1: Have the Right Gear
Make sure you have the right surfboard and and a properly fitting wetsuit (or trunks) when you are first learning to surf. Even though the Pro’s on TV and in surf movies almost always ride short boards (generally anywhere from 5’6″ – 7’0″), there is nothing worse than trying to learn to surf on a board that is too small.
For adults learning to surf, a good board size is a minimum of 8’6 and up to 10′. Once you get comfortable riding a longboard, you can gradually move down in size if your goal is to ride a shorter board… but you will only frustrate yourself if you try to learn on one!
It’s also important to where a wetsuit that fits properly (if one is required). A suit that is too big will rub uncomfortably and can cause nasty rashes and even bleeding; not to mention, it will make it much harder for you to paddle and stand up!
A wetsuit should fit tightly and if in doubt, it’s better to have one a little too small than too big (it will keep you warmer too).
Tip #2: Paddling Technique
Paddling is the most important skill in surfing! If you can’t paddle your surfboard well you won’t be able to catch waves, and you’ll get tired quickly. Your “paddling muscles” — think shoulders, arms, and back — take time to get strong just like all the other muscles in your body.
While you are still learning to surf, you should make a habit of doing a paddle warm up every time you get in the water.
Practice by paddling out past the lineup and going around a nearby buoy or just paddling up and down the beach when it’s flat. Good technique while paddling is also important; try to paddle so that your hands reach far out in front of you and stay close to the rails of your board, digging down deep into the water with each stroke. In surfing, it’s not about how fast you paddle but how much energy you get out of each stroke.
Tip #3: Arch Your Back
When surfing, form is key. Both when you are paddling and catching waves, arching your back will make sure that your weight is properly distributed on your board. It will help you avoid tiring but common occurrences when you are trying to learn to surf, such as the “nose dive.”
By keeping your head up you’ll also be able to spot potential waves more easily. The sign of an experienced surfer is that they keep there head up and back arched while paddling — the most common thing you’ll hear a Surf Camp counselor yelling while at surf camp is “arch your back!”
Tip #4: Hand Placement
This tip goes hand-in-hand with Tip #3. While you learn to surf, your impulse will be to grab the rails of your surfboard when you “pop up” to get to your feet… but don’t do it! By grabbing your rails you throw off the balance of your surfboard instead of allowing it to plane evenly over the surface of the water.
When you are about to pop up (and arching your back — see Tip #3!), you should place your hands on top of the deck of the board next to your shoulders.
Remember this tip along with Tip #3 while you’re in the water and you’ll find yourself catching — and making — a lot more waves!
Tip #5: Go Knee-Less
Everyone is guilty of this at first… standing up on your board using your knees (or knee). By using your knees when you pop up you make yourself more off balance and also throw off the balance of your surfboard.
This common mistake also adds a clumsy step right in the middle of the most crucial part of your take off. This step takes practice, but if you keep trying to go straight to your feet without using your knees it will quickly become a habit and take your surfing to the next level.
If you have to use your knee at first (we all did) that’s O.K., but don’t make it a habit! This is actually one of the easiest parts of surfing to practice because you can do it on dry land. Just draw yourself a surfboard in the sand and give it a go!
Use your arms to push your upper-body off the ground (and arch your back), and in one fluid motion try to hop to your feet just like you are on a board — it’s sort of like trying to do the worm!
If you get this down though, it will open up a whole new realm of surfing and you’ll be able to take off on faster and bigger waves.
Here’s a good example of tips 3, 4, and 5 all put together to form a perfect pop-up
Just remember, these things may not (and probably will not) be easy at first, but as long as you practice the right techniques you’ll be on your way to becoming the next Kelly Slater (or at least a better surfer…).
Get in the water with a friend so you can remind each other of these simple surfing tips while you’re learning.
What’s the next step to surfing success? The experienced surfers at Surf Camp who wrote these easy tips have a lot more to teach you when you come to Surf Camp or sign up for a private or group Surf Lesson.
Day Camp
Join us for Maine's original surfing day camp. In our flagship summer camp, your camper will learn to surf, make lots of new friends, and hang out at the best place in the world: a Maine beach in the summertime! Book early - camp fills up quickly.
- Full week program (M-F)
- 9AM to 3PM on the beach
- Kids and teens aged 9 to 15
Surf Lessons
Learn to surf with the most experienced instructors in the Northeast. Our surf lessons teach surfing fundamentals that will stick with you for a lifetime. Meanwhile, you'll experience the thrill of wave riding. Fair warning: we've created many addicts!
- Small group lessons
- Kids (9+) and adults of all ages
- Saturday mornings, 9AM - Noon
Give the Gift of Surf
Giving someone the chance to learn to surf is a gift that will pay dividends in health and happiness for a lifetime. We are now selling gift certificates for both all of our surfing programs -- the perfect gift for adventurous souls young and old!