Testimonials
A note from Billabong;
To Whom It May Concern;
Billabong USA would like to endorse the Summer Soul Surf Camp. This
coming summer we are enthusiastically supporting their program in the
San Onofre area. After working closely with them all last year,
here are the reasons why: We feel that the offering that Summer Soul
Surf Camp is offering is perhaps the finest surf camp program in California.
The team is led by Chris Barnum and Josh Baxter, who proved to be so
valuable in the surf camp they operated last summer. An emphasis on
safety, respect and mastering skills were apparent throughout the entire
season at each weekly session. Out of the nearly 30 camps we supported,
no camp was as satisfying to the participants or received more accolades
from both parents and campers. Not only is Summer Soul professional
and responsible, the staff has a rapport with the kids that is as good
as we have seen anywhere. Patience, enthusiasm, discipline, and unbounded
energy flows from every member of their team.
Billabong is planning to provide lessons to the campers in ocean science,
environmental awareness, respect for the beach, health and fitness.
But what cannot be emphasized enough is the genuine passion and joy
that this Summer Soul surf camp group instills in its teaching experience.
There is an education component that is second to none.
We highly recommend Summer Soul as an outstanding surf camp and hope
their quality and style of experience will be emulated from coast to
coast.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
~Jim Kempton
Director of Camps
Billabong, USA
What others had to say.
Dear State Park Chief Steve Long,
Thank you for giving the 2006 summer permit to Summer Soul Surf Camp.
From July 17 thru July 21, I was able to enjoy the best surf camp on
the best beach in California! It is an experience I will not soon forget,
especially because surfing has now become one of my greatest passions.
I undoubtedly believe that you should award the 2007 summer permit
to Summer Soul Surf Camp for the following reason: excellence in all
regards. From the first moment I saw the camping area, I was impressed
with the
quality of all that the camp staff had done, and continued to do. The
tents were clean and spacious, the kitchen area was completely organized,
and the spacious common area was game-filled and covered with taped-together
tarps to keep everything free of dirt. We campers were expected to
keep our tents and recreation area clean; when we forgot this important
task, the staffers would kindly remind us of our
responsibilities. But they just didn't order us around. Not by a long
shot! Several times I saw one of the camp directors going around with
a broom and dustpan to make sure things were tidy.
At the beach, this excellence continued. First in the agenda and always
primary in priorities, was safety. We were taught before the first
session how to fall off our boards correctly, how to avoid "pearling" (a
disastrous way to start on a wave), and the method to get under big
incoming sets. Most importantly, the staff never pushed us to progress
at
a faster rate than each camper felt comfortable and safe at. Moreover,
before each session in the water, we practiced the basics on the sand
to
become fundamentally better surfers.
Finally, in the water, we were given the best training I can possibly
imagine. It seemed like whenever I looked around, there was a counselor
there, helping me to read waves and often giving me a much appreciated
push to gain enough momentum. A leader guided me one-on-one when I
progressed to open-face wave surfing late Tuesday afternoon. By Wednesday,
I was confident on these waves and practicing the more complex aspects
such as turning and reading if waves are "lefts" or "rights." Though
I learned quite quickly, on Monday and early Tuesday I was advised
(for good reason) whenever I strayed too far out for my level of experience
and skill. Counselors were always making sure we were being safe, wearing
enough sunscreen, staying hydrated, keeping the beach
clean,
improving our abilities, and of course, having fun. Summer Soul
Surf Camp was some of the best five days of my life. Please make sure
that
more campers like me can learn, practice, and gain confidence in the
water with such a superb group of skilled and kind instructors.
Sincerely yours,
Kenneth Wong
UCSD Freshman, Age 18
(858) 869-4083
Aloha Summer Soul!
Thanks again for providing my son Hunter with one of the greatest experiences
of his life! He's already talking about going back next summer.
The surf instruction provided by Chris, Josh and the rest of the crew
was outstanding. As a parent, it's great to see your kids take
up something that is not only fun, but will be an activity they can
do for life. The organization of the camp, the counselors and
the experience in general were amazing. I was especially impressed
by the attitude of the entire camp, and how everyone became like a
part of the family. On top of that, it's great how surfing wasn't
the only thing being taught. My son really enjoyed the art, music
and videos. But, probably the most important thing he learned
was to respect the ocean and the beach, and to treat it the way
it should be treated in order to preserve it for not only him
and his friends, but for his kids some day.
Great job - see you next year!
Jim & Lysa Shumate
Hi Chris-
Just wanted to get back to you regarding Summer Soul surf camp. Our
daughter, Jessica Garrett had a GREAT time. She loved it!
Actually, the first day of camp she was very tired and didn't want
to go at all, so I told her we would pick her up early and she didn't
have to go the next day if she didn't want to. Well, when I got there
she was having so much fun, she didn't want to leave and really wanted
to come on Tuesday, even though that meant getting picked-up early
in the morning from her friends slumber party. She told us how much
fun she had surfing and we could clearly see what a great experience
she had. She didn't know any of the kids in the camp when she started,
yet she was excited to go everyday and made some great new friends.
Your camp gave her the basic skills for surfing and increased her confidence
in the ocean. She went to 3 weeks of surf camp over the summer and
Summer Soul was her favorite. She asked for a surf board for her birthday
in August and wakes up her dad at 6:30am on the weekends to go surfing.
She definitely wants to do this camp again and also wants to do the
camping/sleepover, even though we only live a few minutes away.
Thanks again for a great experience.
Best Regards.
Marlo Garrett Hi Chris and Josh,
I really want to thank you for the great two weeks Jordan and Mitchell
had at camp this year. This is our second year coming to the camp
and I give my highest recommendation to everyone. I think every child
should go. My boys confidence in the water and out has grown by miles
thanks to your wonderful enthusiasm, that was still going strong
even on week twelve. The boys had the time of their lives! You guys
and your staff are the best. We all look forward to seeing you next
year and for many years to come.
Thanks again,
Becky Wills
p.s. Jordan had to write a report this year for school. The subject
was: If you could be anyone in the world for one day who would it be?
His answer of course was Josh Baxter three time world champion longboarder.
Hi Chris and Josh,
I wanted to let you know how great you camp was and how much fun my
son, Breyden had. You really provided a positive atmosphere and were
very encouraging to all the kids. It truly was like camping with
Your very own "Uncle B." You not only provided some fun
times of surfing, Breyden also loved the art work and creating some
masterpieces of his own, and the different crafts too. I would and
did talk to my friends and recommend your camp to them. Keep up the
great work! We all loved the Summer Soul Surf Camp with Uncle B and
Josh!!!!!
P.S. Breyden just got home from surfing T-Street and was stoked to
see you Chris and Josh down there.......
Thanks again,
Kathy Taylor
Hello,
I just want to say my two boys (Matthew(11 1/2) and Zachary(9 1/2))
thoroughly enjoyed 'Summer Soul Surf Camp' (session 21aug-25aug06).
Originally when I signed them up they were hesitant and nervous, the
unknown feeling. However after the first day they loved it so much
that the next evening they camped overnight with the group. The owners/instructors
provided the boys/campers with information not only about surfing,
but the importance of sunscreen, and how to respect the ocean and our
environment. Not only did the boys learn to surf and gain confidence
in the ocean they also met new friends and had an experience that they
will never forget.
My boys are definitely going to do Summer Soul Surf Camp again next
summer. We highly recommend Summer Soul Surf Camp. Thank you again
and we wish Summer Soul Surf Camp this best of luck.
Sincerely,
monica fuerst finkelstein
Monica Fuerst Finkelstein
Laguna Beach, CA
949 494 1097
September 20, 2006
Dear Steve Long,
I’m writing to you and the California State Parks in support
of Summer Soul Surf Camp renewing their permit for the summer of 2007.
I’m writing this letter from two different perspectives, one
as a participant in the camp, and two as a teacher who has worked with
children for the last 16 years.
I’ve had a desire to learn how to surf for the past couple of
years. A friend said I should try Summer Soul Surf Camp (SSSC) at San
Onofre State Beach. I got online, made a couple of calls and I was
signed up as a day camper for the 3rd week in June. During that week
I learned how to surf, ocean safety, proper etiquette, and felt reasonably
confident surfing at San Onofre in a pretty good size swell that week.
My goal was to catch an open faced wave and ride it to the beach and
that was accomplished by the third day. I had such a great experience
that week learning how to surf from Chris, Josh, Justin, Al and Tiffany,
I returned for a second week as an overnight camper in August. My surfing
improved significantly. Josh help me one day catch numerous open faced
waves and rode them all the way to the beach. Another afternoon Chris
came out and helped me read the water and I caught more waves than
I ever could have imagined. Those two weeks of surfing with SSSC was
incredible, I learned so much about surfing and improved so much. I’m
already looking forward to SSSC next year.
When I’m not surfing I’ve been a high school math teacher
for the past 16 years. SSSC did an incredible job teaching children
aged 9-16 years old how to surf. By the end of the first couple days
I saw every camper standing up, riding a wave, and having an incredible
time. The camp staff was always concerned about the camper’s
safety. Drinking enough water, eating food, putting on enough sunscreen,
and making sure the campers had enough energy before they went back
out to surf. Out in the water, the camp staff so careful and so concerned
about the safety of the campers. When I was an overnight camper I saw
how the camp staff feed the campers, entertained the campers with various
activities such as ping pong, foosball, surf videos, skateboards, and
just visited with the campers. I truly believe that every camper had
an incredible experience.
Some of the things that impressed me about SSSC and their staff are
their professionalism in camp and on the beach, their positive attitude,
safety of campers and willingness to help the campers in anyway possible.
I believe it would be a mistake not to renew their permit for the summer
of 2007. In fact, I don’t think there is another group out there
that could do a better job than Chris, Josh and their staff.
Thank you,John Braafladt
Math Teacher
Community School
Sun Valley, Id
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