The Sebastian Inlet Surf Camp was created to give youngsters more than just lessons on "foamies". It's designed to give kids a real taste of the surfing lifestyle.

 

Billabong marketing manager Chris Hefner created the Sebastian camp four years ago as a sort of trial run. It took off and now Billabong sponsors similar camps across the country.

 

"This was the guinea pig camp," Hefner said.

 

Hefner, a California resident, grew up near the inlet and as a teen often surfed there. This, he said, was why he chose the spot for his camp as opposed to the West Coast.

 

"As a kid I was always impressed (by the inlet). As soon as I got a car, I was here everyday," he laughed. "This is a way for me to pass it along to kids, not just surfing, but the whole inlet experience. It's more than just learning to stand up."

 

The camp's instructors, all of whom are seasoned surfers, offer newbies instruction on tides, wave selection, etiquette, and ocean and environmental awareness and safety. Campers are getting the benefits of knowledge and intuition that took their instructors decades to cultivate. Surf camp teacher Gordon Lawson, who began riding waves 20 years ago at age 12, said he would have loved to have had access to a similar venue when he was a kid. But now he is happy to share what he knows with newcomers to the sport.

 

"If you can pass along (this knowledge) at an early age it just helps them through their life," Lawson said. "We're trying to develop them into an aware surfer."

 

Campers are accepted from ages 8 to 20 and have the option of attending daily or overnight for five weekdays. Equipment, meals, accommodations, and transportation are included in the fee. Activities include visiting Sebastian Inlet's jetties, tide pools, nature trails, and museum. Campers will also take a boat ride through the lagoon and wakeboard or "wakesurf". Nights are spent in, large, air-conditioned trailers at the inlet's camp grounds. Sessions are being offered now through August 20. In addition to the beginners camp, instruction to more experienced surfers is also offered as well as private instruction.