The Summer is Off to a Flying Start

Summer camp is officially underway at Sunrise Surf Academy and Week 1 did not disappoint.

From the very first morning Monday drop-off, the energy was exactly what we hoped for. Kids arrived wide-eyed and ready, parents waved goodbye with a mix of excitement and nerves, and our coaches hit the water with the kind of enthusiasm that only comes around once a year when summer camp season kicks off.

This week's theme was Camp Kickstart: Warm-Up and Camp Refresher, a perfect introduction to what the summer is all about. For our returning campers it was a chance to shake off the rust and reconnect with their boards, their coaches, and their friends. For first-timers, it was something even more special: the moment they caught their very first wave.

Watching a kid stand up on a surfboard for the first time never gets old. The look on their face when they realize they are actually doing it — actually surfing — is exactly why we do this. We saw that look a lot this week, and it never gets easier to describe.

Beyond the surfing, the beach games brought the group together in a big way. New friendships were formed in the sand, competitive spirits came out during relay races, and by Friday the group already felt like a crew. That sense of community is something we work hard to build at Sunrise, and Week 1 delivered it in spades.

A huge thank you to all the families who trusted us with your kids to kick off the summer. We felt that trust and we do not take it lightly.

Week 2 In progress, Big Swell Shows Up, Vibes Stay High!

If Week 1 was the warm-up, Week 2 arrived with a statement. A significant swell rolled in just as camp was getting started, bringing bigger, punchier waves than we typically see this early in the summer.

For some of our campers, bigger surf means bigger smiles. For others, it meant a bit more time on the sand working on technique before paddling out. Either way, our coaches were in the water right alongside them, reading the conditions, positioning everyone safely, and making sure every single camper got their waves.

Days like these are where real progression happens. When the ocean pushes back a little, surfers learn to push back harder. We saw campers digging deeper this week — better positioning, stronger pop-ups, and a confidence in the water that only comes from being challenged.

The vibes on the beach stayed high all week. That is the Sunrise way. Big swell or small, sunny or overcast, the energy our coaches and campers bring to the beach every morning is what makes this program special.

We are only two weeks in and this summer is already shaping up to be one for the books. Spots are still available for select weeks at our Venice Beach and Will Rogers locations. If your child has been thinking about giving surf camp a try, there is no better time.

See you on the beach.

— The Sunrise Surf Academy Team