Skip to content (press enter)
Donate
kids playing in the surf at a youth surf camp

09.13.23

Sharing the Joy of the Ocean at August Surf Camp

Surfrider Coos Bay wrapped up summer with one last epic surf camp in August!  On a foggy but warm morning, a team of dedicated volunteers gathered at Bastendorff Beach to help kids learn how to surf and foster a deeper connection to the ocean.  We host these free surf camps each summer to help get local kids in the water, catching waves, and becoming the next generation of coastal stewards.  We provide surfboards and wetsuits, as well as instruction on the beach and in the water.

surf instructor leading kids in a warm up at surf camp
1 Carmen leads the campers through a warm up.  Photo by Mady Eyre.
two kids smiling with surfboards at surf camp
2 We provide all the necessary gear, including surf boards. Photo by Mady Eyre.
volunteers providing in-water instruction at surf camp
3 Our volunteers provide in-water instruction. Photo by Mady Eyre.
surf camp coos bay
4 Perfect day for a surf camp! Photo by Mady Eyre.

We had several kids returning for camp this year, as well as lots of new faces!  It was awesome to see their surf skills improve and to see them becoming more confident in the water.  We love that we get to share the beach with our youth neighbors and help kids catch their first waves!

child on a surfboard at camp
Photo by Mady Eyre
child holding a surfboard at camp
Photo by Mady Eyre
child catching a wave at surf camp
Photo by Mady Eyre
child on a wave at surf camp
Photo by Mady Eyre
two kids having fun at surf camp
Photo by Mady Eyre
shredding at surf camp
Photo by Mady Eyre

With a whopping 36 youth participants, we couldn’t have done this event without our outstanding team of volunteers!  A HUGE thank you goes to our Surf Camp Coordinator, Altaira, who plans these awesome opportunities, as well as to Annie, for lifeguarding and keeping us all safe, Carmen for being our lead instructor, Patrick for helping with the cleanup, Madison for capturing these rad shots, as well as all of our returning volunteers who helped organize equipment, get kids into wetsuits, and pull off another amazing camp!  Your support has made events like this possible, and we are incredibly grateful for your dedication. Your commitment has had a profoundly positive impact on local youth, helping them learn new skills and building confidence among this group of aspiring surfers!

Annie lifeguarding at surf camp
1 Annie, our fearless lifeguard!  Photo by Mady Eyre
Altaira at surf camp
2 Altaira, our Surf Camp Coordinator, who organizes the fun!  Photo by Mady Eyre
Surf instructor in the water at camp
3 Helping kids scout the waves. Photo by Mady Eyre
volunteer with child at surf camp
4 Our awesome volunteers make it all possible!  Photo by Mady Eyre

 

Click here for a recap of our July Surf Camp, 

Our next event will be a beach cleanup on International Coastal Cleanup Day (Saturday, Sept 16th) at Bastendorff Beach.  Sign up here!