camps Camps teach the sport of surfing and ocean safety by Ryan McDonald One of the most common questions directed at Chris Brown, a Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> native and the owner and executive director of Campsurf, is, ‘How do I know when my kid is ready to learn to surf?’ To find out, Brown said, all you have to do is listen. “When your kid is saying, ‘I want to surf,’ that’s when it’s the right time. Some kids are early adopters, They want to charge at a young age, five or six. Others are more reserved. It takes until they are 11 or 12 to feel comfortable surfing on their own. There is no right or wrong time,” Brown said. CampSurf marks 21 years in business in the South Bay this year. The camp is open year ‘round, but its business shifts with the seasons. It’s a reflection of the fact that, in Southern California, there are just two kinds of people: those who want to learn how to surf, and those who already know how. “We have people from all walks of life. We offer a camp year-round so that makes us a little different. We do primarily adults in winter, and then primarily kids in the summer when they’re out of school. But really it’s anybody who wants to learn. We get people in their 70s who say, ‘I’ve always wanted to learn how to surf.’ And then we get three- and four-yearolds. If I’m able to focus on them, I can teach them. What it really takes is the desire,” Brown said. Surf camps are scattered up and down the South Bay beaches during the summer. CampSurf sets up its tents on the sand near Rosecrans Avenue in Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>. The camp benefits from the large parking lot and lifeguard facilities nearby, Brown said, but the main attraction is the surf itself. Even within the South Bay, there is tremendous variation among surf breaks, Brown said. Some areas may not be exposed to the south swells that are the dominant wave makers in the summer, while others don’t draw as well from the Billy Atkinson, now a Mira Costa High team surfer, shows how much fun a grom can have with a little instruction and lots of practice. Photo by Steve Gaffney (SteveGaffney.com) northwest swells that predominate in the winter. The El Porto area can take in both, Brown said. The area also benefits from a large undersea canyon just off shore, which picks up open-ocean swells further out to sea than other areas, and draws them in. “At El Porto, the waves break further out. When you’re learning, we start you out in the white water. But there, you can get pushed in on white water and still have some time, and really learn how to surf,” Brown said. Once customers commit, equipment is their next concern. Some people show up with their own boards. Brown said that, in that case, camp staff will give an honest assessment of the surfer and indicate whether he or she might benefit from a different size board. Once the customer has a board picked out, camps often go over the physical basics of surfing, emphasizing popping up and spring to one’s feet. Before they get in the water, though, there’s often another question that always generates a chuckle out of long-time surfers like Brown. “It seems like people who don’t surf are much more concerned about and interested in sharks than people who do. Are there sharks out there? We all know that there are all sorts of fish out there. But you are a million times more likely to be hurt driving your car down to the beach,” Brown said. The surf camp business is competitive in the South Bay, with many options to choose from. So how do the camps keep things affordable? Well, they typically don’t have to spend much on human resources: at the beach and in the water, recruitment kind of takes care of itself. “Kids come to camp one summer, then they come back again and again, because they’re really bonding with the instructors. Eventually, some of them will say, ‘Wait, how old do you have to be to work here?’ We keep an eye on the good surfers, the kids with the best people skills, and that’s where we find a lot of our future instructors,” Brown said. B <strong>Beach</strong>Sports <strong>Beach</strong>Sports Surf & <strong>Beach</strong> Camps is celebrating it's 23rd year. Programs start at age 4 and include 4 camps: Surf Camp, <strong>Beach</strong> Camp, <strong>Beach</strong> Volleyball Camp, and Junior Lifeguard Ocean Safety Program. Camps are located at these Lifeguard Tower locations: 14th St., Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>, 15th St., Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong>. Ave. I, Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>. Vista del Mar, Redondo <strong>Beach</strong>. <strong>Beach</strong>Sports.org Camp Surf Camp Surf is the official surf camp for the City of Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>, and <strong>2018</strong> will mark their 21st year. All instructors are accomplished surfers and CPR certified. Camp Surf also distinguishes itself through its partnership with the Jimmy Miller Foundation, a pioneer in the field of ocean-based therapy. Instruction is available year round from the group’s base at 38th Street in El Porto, at the south end of the parking lot. Summer surf camps feature morning, afternoon and allday camp options. (424) 237-2994. campsurf.com Champ Camp Voted “Best Kids Camp,” in Easy Reader’s “Best of the <strong>Beach</strong> reader’s poll. Kids decide on the beach activities for the day. Director Trevor Elder is a South Bay native, certified lifeguard and EMT. Champ Camp staffs about 15 firstaid and CPR-certified college grads. Full day sessions, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Half day sessions 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (310) 283-4509. ChampCampKids.com Freedom Surf Camp June 11 through Aug. 31 Freedom Surf Camp offers morning and afternoon sessions in Manhattan <strong>Beach</strong>, Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu. Ages 5-7: Water safety, boogie boarding, sand sculpting, sand crabs, dodgeball, and other games. Surfing 101 for kids who want it. Ages 8-12: Surfing, boogie boarding, water safety, and environmental education. Ages 13-14: Depending on skill level, all water and beach activity are offered. Groms: competitive level surfing. (310) 770-4410 . freeedom.org Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Skateboarding Camp The South Bay’s longest ongoing skateboard camp. Classes start June 20 and are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Students must supply their own skateboard, helmet, knee pads and elbow pads, and should come with a drink and snack. Hermosa Skatepark, 710 Pier Ave. Hermosabch.Org, Sp23tione@yahoo.com. Hermosa Surf Camp Hermosa Surf Camp is celebrating 26 years at the Hermosa <strong>Beach</strong> Pier. Learn safety and surfing basics in 1-1/2 or 3 hour classes, Monday through Friday. Instructors will be in the water helping kids get through the surf and catch waves. Instructors are credentialed teachers and there is always a L.A. County Lifeguard on duty. T-shirt, lycra surf shirt, goodie bag and three photos of included. Vince Ray (310) 370-1918. surferjay@losangeles.usa.com. Hermosasurfcamp.com 40 Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> magazine • <strong>May</strong> 10, <strong>2018</strong>
7/15/<strong>2018</strong> 7/15/<strong>2018</strong> <strong>May</strong> 10, <strong>2018</strong> • Easy Reader / <strong>Beach</strong> magazine 41
- Page 1: May 10, 2018 Volume 48, Issue 40 Su
- Page 4 and 5: TAKE A RIDE IN A YELLOW SEMI-SUBMAR
- Page 6: May 10, 2018 Volume 48, Issue 40 ON
- Page 10: 2018 Summer Indoor Volleyball Camps
- Page 13 and 14: May 10, 2018 • Easy Reader / Beac
- Page 15 and 16: each volleyball season continues wi
- Page 17 and 18: 16-23_Layout 1 5/11/18 8:25 AM Page
- Page 19 and 20: 16-23_Layout 1 5/11/18 8:26 AM Page
- Page 21 and 22: 16-23_Layout 1 5/11/18 8:26 AM Page
- Page 23 and 24: 16-23_Layout 1 5/11/18 8:26 AM Page
- Page 25 and 26: May 10, 2018 • Easy Reader / Beac
- Page 27 and 28: trikeFord Otherwise known as weight
- Page 29 and 30: y Bondo Wyszpolski > theater Surf C
- Page 31 and 32: The Jerry Carew Team 1716 Manhattan
- Page 33 and 34: For more information email us at su
- Page 36 and 37: A contemporary coastal statement Th
- Page 38 and 39: Hospitality haven Ahospitality hide
- Page 42 and 43: Friendship Circle Surf Camp The Her
- Page 44 and 45: wine & dines Greek dancing, food, r
- Page 46 and 47: mission $300. 1330 Parkview Ave., M
- Page 48 and 49: arts Loading up the carts Shakespea
- Page 50 and 51: music South Bay Summer Concerts by
- Page 52 and 53: El Segundo Music at The Point Ameri
- Page 55 and 56: Aqua Surf Begins June 11 Beach fun,
- Page 57 and 58: camps&schoolsforsummerfun ers to cr
- Page 59 and 60: May 10, 2018 • Easy Reader / Beac
- Page 61: Best Paints and Window Coverings 10