SummerTimeSurf Camp is back to bring you New Jersey's Best Fully-Insured, Community Supported, Surfing Camp in 2008!
Summer Camps Run Weekly between June 23rd and September 1st for boys and girls AGES 6 - 16.
2008 SCHEDULE
Camp Hours 9am to 2:30 pm Monday - Friday
(half days available 9am - 11:30am to undergrad students or 12 noon - 2:30pm to our grad students)
Week 2 June 30 - July 4
Week 3 July 7 -11
Week 4 July 14-18
Week 5 July 21 - 25
Week 6 July 28 - Aug 1
Week 7 Aug 4 - 8
Week 8 Aug 11 - 15
Week 9 Aug 18 - 22
Week 10 Aug 25 - 29
Download Our Surf and Ocean Camp Application Here
About Our Camp
-At SummerTimeSurf, our team of professional instructors have developed a program that effectively teaches Surfing and Ocean Recreation through a combination of personalized instruction, competitive practices, and safety training.
-Through the teaching of all the different skills that go into becoming a surfer, we are able to provide a well-rounded program that effectively grooms our students to become true surfers, not just weekend warriors
-Our goal-oriented program ensures that our students are making progress. By setting small, obtainable goals for each student, we can work with you to ensure that you get what you want out of our time together.
-All of our staff members are Certified Lifesavers trained in CPR and First Aid, and we also work with local lifeguards to further ensure the safety of our campers and staff.
Daily Activities - 9am-2:30pm
Daily Activities are semi-flexible to adjust with the changing surfing conditions.9:00am - 9:05am - Camper Sign In
9:05am – 9:20am - Surf Yoga
9:20am - 9:25am - Small Group Formation
9:25am - 9:30am - Ocean Warm-up
9:30am – 9:40am - Oral Lesson
9:40am - 10:00am - Surf Skill Activities
10:00am- 11:30am - Surf Session #1
11:30am - 12:00pm - LUNCH / Sunscreen Re-Application
12:00pm - 12:45pm - Oral Lesson #2 / Nature Walk / Beach Cleanup
12:45pm - 2:30pm - Surf Session #2
2:30pm - End of the Day / Camper Pickup
2:30pm till dark - Private Lessons and clinics available after camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide boards? Yes, we provide all the equipment for surfing, including surfboards. Bring your own if you like, and we can give you insight to its design and let you know whether or not its a good fit for your surfing.
Do you provide wetsuits? Will I need one? If you would like a wetsuit, please notify us before hand, so that we can arrange to have one dry and ready for you. The water temperature changes daily, but its safe to say that during July and August, you will not need a wetsuite. Some surfers prefer to surf with wetsuit shirts when the air temperature is cool, but Jersey surfers tend be embrace the water without suits whenever possible.
What do I need to bring to with me to camp? A towel, sunscreen, a bagged lunch or money for lunch, and a positive attitude should be brought to camp. Bagged lunches can be stored in a cooler until it is time to eat.
Details About Our Program
At SummerTimeSurf, our team of professional instructors have developed a program that effectively teaches Surfing and Ocean Recreation through a combination of personalized instruction, competitive practices, and safety training. Our experiences throughout the surfing world have given insight into the most effective ways to teach and learn. We know what works and what doesn't, and we strive to provide you with the best surfing experience possible. Our camp program is designed to get real results that will have you or your child feeling excited and confident about their place in "the sport of kings."
Our unique approach is what makes our program successful. Our goal is to turn our campers into well-rounded Watermen and Waterwomen. This has shaped our program to incorporate many aspects of Ocean Recreation. The complexities of surfing are part of what make it so rewarding. By teaching all the different skills that go into becoming a surfer, we are able to provide a well-rounded program that effectively grooms our students to become true surfers, not just weekend warriors.
The program came from the desire to move away from the traditional surf lesson approach. We found that it was just simply too easy to push a beginner into a few waves, yell for them to stand up, and then carry them back out to the lineup for another. That's kind of learning to ride a bike with your mom or dad holding the seat. Now, this is great way to get the feeling of surfing, and great for photo ops, but we have found that it is much more rewarding to teach our students the skills that go into actually surfing themselves.
Our goal-oriented program ensures that our students are making progress. By setting small, obtainable goals for each student, we can work with you to ensure that you get what you want out of our time together. Our instructors want to see you progressing and will help you realize and achieve your maximum potential.
We recognize that everyone is different and that's what makes us special. Although we encourage our students to participate in all our activities, we NEVER force a student to do something they don't want to. Everyone has different talents and limitations, and its in fostering those talents and pushing those limits that we experience the most rewarding aspects of life.
Safety
All aspects of our program have been designed with safety as the main priority. A healthy surfer is a happy surfer! Not only are all of our staff members Certified Lifesavers trained in CPR and First Aid, but we also work with local lifeguards further ensure the safety of our campers and staff. We have specific procedures for emergencies and safety is the primary focus in all our activities. A shade tent/canopy is our base, and campers find shelter from the sun regularly throughout the day. All of our equipment is inspected daily for potential hazards and we use only new, beginner-friendly surfboards. There is a waiver that must be signed due to the inherent risks of surfing and other activities that our camp provides. That being said, we would like to assure you that we have carefully chosen a team of responsible adults to provide the best experience possible for you or your child. We realize that there will be bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes, and possibly a few tears shed, but we will work with you and your child to make sure that their experience is one that they walk away from smiling.
Daily Activities - 9am-2:30pm
Daily Activities are semi-flexible to adjust with the changing surfing conditions.9:00am - 9:05am - Camper Sign In
Parents drop off campers at the 2nd Ave boardwalk beach entrance (by our big sign).
9:05am – 9:20am - SurfYoga
Camp counselors lead campers in stretching while explaining goals of the day. Campers are grouped based on age and ability. (yes we let friends stay together)
9:20am - 9:25am - Small Group Formation
This is where we split up into groups based on age and abilities. For the rest of the day, campers will be in groups with the same group leader.
9:25am - 9:30am - Ocean Warm-up
Campers are taken on a quick run or swim warm-up to get those muscles ready for a full day of surfing.
9:30am – 9:40am - Oral Lesson
Students are given lessons on: Surf Safety, Ocean Dynamics, Surf Science, Equipment, Etiquette and Surf Culture.
9:40am - 10:00am Surf Skill Activities
• Paddle Trials- The first surf skills activity will be a paddle trial. This is the first instance of one-on-one instruction between counselor and camper. On the trial, campers will be paddling 50 yards offshore, around a counselor (acting as a buoy), and back to shore. This is done two at a time with two instructors swimming along side of the camper, correcting his or her technique and providing encouragement. After each camper gets his or her paddling practice, we go into a personal paddle race.
• Personal Paddle Race- In the Personal Paddle Race, Campers race against each other out to the buoy and back to the beach. The competitive aspect of paddling is excellent training for surfing in crowded lineups around the world. After the last paddler has made it to shore, they will be split up for the Team Relay.
• Team Paddle Relay- The team Relay will be a paddle race between groups including the counselor. Survivor Team Relay allows for some of the students to get another shot at winning, even if their team bows out in the first round. This is always exciting and very popular with the kids.
10:00am- 11:30am Surf Session #1
Campers are given instruction on surf techniques on both land and water. In small groups, campers will be given the opportunity to practice their skills alongside our professional instructors. On the beach, campers will receive instruction and guided practice, which they then take to the water. In the water campers are always near a counselor, and have the option to take a break under the oceanside tent at any time. Instructors are always alongside campers giving pointers and support. Surf instruction will build on the campers paddling skills by showing them how to apply these skills toward catching waves on their own. Our goal as counselors, is to have the campers needing less and less assistance throughout the week, progressing toward the goal of catching waves on their own.
11:30am - 12:00 noon LUNCH / Sunscreen Re-Application
Lunches can be brought from home or provided through SummerTimeSurf's network of local caterers. We eat at the pizza place on 4th avenue under the shade of the outside canopy or inside. Campers are instructed to re-apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water with their meal. Campers who bring bag lunch will be able to keep it in our cooler during the day to keep it fresh.
12:00 noon - 12:45pm Oral Lesson #2 / Nature Walk / Beach Cleanup
Campers and Counselors take a nice walk on the beach to the nature preserve. As we walk, a life lesson or story is given to inspire our campers to grow up to be stewards of the ocean. As we go on our walk, we pick up trash and help keep our beaches spotless. (Gloves Provided)
Instructors emphasize the importance of beach preservation and the environmental responsibility that all surfers assume. At STS we know that our beaches are fragile and we must do our part so that future generations can enjoy our ocean and beach.
12:45pm - 2:30pm Surf Session #2
In surf instruction #2 campers are given the opportunity to show the improvements they have made throughout the day. Instructors stay close to campers in the water giving further support and tips. Goals are assessed as campers demonstrate their skills and improvements to their surfing capabilities. We understand that everyone learns at a different pace, so we take time to focus on the individual development of each camper.
2:30pm - End of the Day / Camper Pickup
Aloha means goodbye! Private lessons are available for the rest of the day, and after camp parasailing is always a big hit with our campers.
In the case of dangerous or no surf we can incorporate time for Beach Games.
Beach Games are designed to work on surfing skills through less obvious activities.
Beach Games change regularly, and not all Games are listed online.
Boneyards – campers play a game that increases ocean appreciation and helps them practice falling with “awareness.” Campers sit on the sand where the waves are breaking on the shore. They goal is to manipulate yourself in the shallow water without standing up. This may look like careless splashing in the shallow water, but it gives the campers insight as to how to deal with the varying degrees of weightlessness that come when “wiping out.”
Burleigh Rock Hop - Campers participate in a game the challenges their abilities to improvise, work as a team, and gracefully enter the water with their surfboards. Timing is crucial in this challenging game of . This game was inspired by the famous pointbreak in Queensland, Australia where countless surfers have ended their session before they even had a chance to enter the water.
Cross Steppers – Campers play a game where they race each other in a non-traditional fashion. Starting from a lying down position, campers work on their ability to “pop up", and balance themselves while simulating the classic longboard style.
Beach Flags - campers play a “musical chairs” in which they must go from a position where they are lying on their stomachs (paddle position), to “popping up” and running toward beach flags stuck in the ground. As the rounds advance, there are less and less flags available which makes for friendly competition.
Balance Board - The balance board is one way to improve your balance on land, which easily translates to surfing.
