| Comments
from a few of our stoked surfing students! |
I can’t tell you how much the girls enjoyed
surf camp yesterday! Cheyenne said it was right up there with
skydiving, so now the rest of us will definitely have to come.
They both said you both were so nice and it was just so much fun.
I
hope the rest of your surf camp goes well as I suspect that it
will. So glad we connected—makes me look like the queen
of Christmas gift giving. Best wishes, Karen
- Kansas
My daughter still mentions surfing as the highlight of her trip
to South Padre Island. She not only had fun learning to surf but
it made a huge impact on her and her self-esteem. Which is very
important for young girls in our society. Please do not hesitate
to contact us for a reference if ever needed. I highly recommend
your services to anyone that will listen. :) Kyle, Fort Worth
Just wanted to say thanks. It was the GREATEST vacation any of
us have ever been on thanks to you and your family. Hope to see
you next year!
Sincerely "The Oklahoma Group"
My daughter and wife gave me the best fathers day gift this year.
Surf camp for Valeria ( my daughter and I ) with you all. I have
wanted to try surfing for a number of years but there always seems
to be something else that needs to be done. This year they surprised
me on Friday night and told me to be at Isla Blanca early Saturday.
Valeria and I had a great time learning to surf. Your camp was
very family friendly and Valeria even made a couple of friends
out of the water. Thanks for making the day memorable. You all
were great.
Hey! I just wanted to e-mail yall to let you know that I had such
a great time learning how to surf!! I have always wanted to learn
but never thought I would actually be able to. I am definitely
going to make a few trips to Surfside, Galveston before school
starts to brush up my skills! Haha! South Padre was so much fun;
I wish I was back there! Surfing was by far the best day! Headstands,
surfing backwards yall got us doing all sorts of crazy stuff!
(Or at least trying!) Hopefully I will be back someday and go
surfing again because that was so much fun! Have an awesome rest
of the summer. -Steph-
We
had a blast learning to surf from you! It's something we have
wanted to do for years, and you made it so fun and easy! It was
definitely the highlight of our vacation! Can't wait to come surf
again!
Josh and Vanessa McCoy,Wichita Falls, TX
Just wanted to let you know that everyone had a great time with
the lessons and renting boards the next day to get some more action!You
guys are awesome! Best people we ever met on one of our many family
vacations! Stay safe, next time we are there we will be back for
more surfing! Thanks!
Sherrie, ( the surfers--Beau, Justin, Jake, Austin, Sydney and
Jennie
Thank you so much for the awesome surfing lessons the both of
you provided for our kids. They had a blast and have not stop
talking about the rush of riding there very first wave. We told
everyone about the thrill. Our family in San Juan has decided
that they are going to take there kids to the island to take lesson
from you guys as well. Our niece wants to make a scrap book, can
you please forward those cool pictures of them for us to print.
Again, thanks a ton! You guys provided a memory that our kids
will never forget!!!
hi my name is renee and i just took surf lessons with you guys
on April 21st and there were 8 of us girls. it was the most amazing
time of my life..if i lived in a tropical area i would surf every
day until i died!
Hey guys, Sara and I took lessons from you last week. What can
i say, it made our trip to South Padre Island. Sara and i picked
south padre as our vacation spot because we wanted to surf and
we liked what we saw on your web-site. It was even better than
i thought it would be. Rachel was an unbelievable teacher and
i was able to stand up on my FIRST FRICKIN' WAVE. By the end of
the two days of surfing, my wife and i were surfing, laughing,
and wiping out together. We are already trying to figure out how
to move down there so we can surf year around! Anyways, you guys
are absolutely amazing and i would tell anyone that if you don't
hit up the surf company than you haven't really visited South
Pad'.
Can't wait to catch another wave. mark hovermale - detroit michigan
- march 06
Stele's (8yo.) sister treated him to a marvelous experience that
included learning new vocabulary phrases such as: "Surf's-up"
and"Hang-ten, dude" . . His instructor was excellent
with him and is highly recommended for children!
Thanks so much for the surfing lesson this past Saturday. What
a terrific birthday gift to have so much fun while learning a
new sport. You made it so easy and so much FUN! I had a blast
and hope to make it a new hobby with my husband and friends. I
really appreciate you letting us stay out so long too. I'll recommend
your business to anyone who will listen! - Jill , Fort Worth,
TX . The big “4 – 0” Birthday Girl
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that the surfing
lessons was the highlight of my family's vacation!!!!! Everyone
enjoyed the surfing, and the few people in our group that didn't
participate in the lessons wished that they did after watching
the rest of us have so much fun! I do think that you have created
monsters in my family!! We are already talking about our next
vacation to South Padre Island to go surfing. Thank you for your
kindness and generosity. You made my family feel welcomed out
on the "huge" waves!!!! Thank you again.
Patiently waiting for the next wave,
Bessie Hollar and family
Together
with my 9-year old daughter Sophia, I attended the Thanksgiving
2006 surf camp, and we both had a blast! It was awesome to stand
on a surfboard, and Sophia is very proud of her new skills. You
both made it so much fun for us! (Also nice to see that one can
teach a middle aged body new tricks!) It was very nice of you
to provide sandwiches after the camp, we were very hungry after
3 hours in the water! Sophia appreciated also that you let her
practice some more after the camp, thank you!Again, we had a great
time! - Sabine
Hey Rachel and Gene, Its me Don, and i just wanted to say thanks
from the bottom of my soul....I dont know just what i was looking
for to kick off my next 40 years..Ive always wanted to try surfing
but who thought at my age i would be able to...I am so happy....i
still have a long road ahead of me and alot to learn, but i never
thought this would be such a blast...every day i go i enjoy it
more and more.. thanks again for opening that door and a new chapter
in my life....
I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for one
of the most remarkable days I have ever had! Saturday's surf lesson
was a gift I decided to give myself for the tough year I have
had recently. I had not laughed and giggled or felt as great as
I did on Saturday for such a long time. When I finally stood up
on that board I felt like: "this is what I should have been
doing all my life, this is where I belong, this is what feels
right." On that day....it was just one of those times when
you feel like you have arrived "HOME". I look forward
to more lessons, becoming a better surfer and getting more confident
in the water.
Thank you for the boost to my confidence that I needed, to the
added motivation to continue to lose those last 30 pounds with
weight-watchers, and for making me smile....something I had not
done in such a long time. I have pictures from Saturday and in
each one my smile is ear to ear....and the best part is that I
can feel it in my soul! I e-mailed all my friends...and their
responses were so positive....even my parents were amazed! woohoo....I
love surfing!!!! Again...thank you so much.....I look forward
to many more lessons! ,Cris
I just wanted to thank you both for such a great experience for
Isabela and Solomon this past weekend. They both had a blast surfing
and were doubly excited to be interviewed and photographed for
the
Brownsville
Herald. You two make the experience with your unbridled enthusiasm
and open-arm friendliness and for that I thank you from the bottom
of my heart. hope to see you sooner than later, Sandy
She had the time of her life!!! South Padre is so much more beautiful
than Corpus Christi and Port Aransas where we usually go, and
the waves were actually better than when we were in Hawaii! Amy
Gene and Rachel, I just wanted to thank you for the great day
at your summer camp. All 5 girls absolutely LOVED surfing. I know
if any of these girls get near water with some waves they will
be looking for some surf boards to play on from now on!
We had such an amazing time learning how to surf from you both
last week. The kids are so excited to surf again, that we might
try out surf side in about 3 weeks. We
just wanted to say thank you again for making our first experience
surfing such a positive one.
Take Care, Mary, Bryan, Ross, Dani, and or course Pierce Neskora
I wish we hadn't waited until our last day of vacation, if I knew
it was this much fun, I would have paid $100 for this!! Danielle
- Port Aransas
Thank
you again for a great lesson! I was so psyched to have done as
well as I did in the short time we were in the water.
Thanks!
Heather
We
tried kiteboarding lessons and windsurfing lessons, but surfing
is way easier and so much fun!
Thanks
again for a great experience; You can be sure that the next time
we are in your part of Texas we'll be calling on your expertise
for more lessons. Many thanks again, Scott Andrew London, ON CANADA
The
Kids had a great time surfing while we were in Padre! I think
it was the highlight of the trip! We can't wait until we can visit
again and take another lesson! Thanks again! Harriet Handley
|
| I
just wanted to let you know that Jonathan, Elizabeth and I had a
wonderful time on New Year's Day 2005 Surf Camp, and some of the
best sleep I have had in months! I did go out the next morning to
see the bigger waves, and they were impressive now that I know what
to look for, and the optical illusion that the outer break plays
on your mind. I can’t wait to go again. Now that I know how
physically demanding it can be, I will be better prepared next time.
You do not know how badly I wanted to go back to the outer break
and catch another one out there, if I only had the conditioning
that would have allowed me to do so. I think that this summer I
will be able to go back to SPI, and in better condition. Please
keep me posted on the days of your camps in 2005, and of anything
else of interest. It is always a great experience for me to see
an operation that runs very smoothly, and with so much commitment
from its members. It is truly satisfying to see people who really
enjoy what they do and have such a passion for it that they delight
in teaching other people, no matter how hard that may be at times.
If I didn’t say that much at the camp and all I had was a
smile on my face most of the time, it was because I was admiring
your passion and commitment to the sport, to safety, and most of
all to your students. You guys were very patient and pleasant with
everyone, and can really motivate people. These qualities aren’t
things found in everyone I meet. |
|
Words cannot express the excitement and joy that y'all brought
to our family. What began as an idea has turned into a true desire
to learn to surf and a life change that we expect will be extraordinary.
Our children are so excited about this new sport in their lives!
They can't stop talking about surfing and are busy telling all
their friends! We especially can't wait to visit South Padre and
see y'all again. Once again thanks for everything, what y'all
provided what so much more than just the lessons, y'all have truly
touched our hearts...
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It was an amazing experience that I'm not likely to forget any
time soon. Too bad we couldn't have surfed with you guys again.
I found that you were very supportive and enthusiastic which was
a real encouragement to keep surfing. I do believe that I am hooked
for life. Thanks again...
|
| I
just wanted to thank you again for an incredible time...At first
I was just terrified out of my pants to learn how to surf, but
now I am thrilled I did it! I had an absolute blast! -you created
memories that will last a lifetime and I just wanted to thank
you! I had a blast-THANKS AGAIN! ! I would do anything to be in
South Padre getting another surfing lesson. You guys are the greatest... |
|
My sister and I took surf lessons from y'all. My sister already
has experience, but it was my first time to surf. I just wanted
to say that I had so much fun and you guys are both awesome teachers.
When Gene took us out to the outside break, I was a little nervous
at first, but after I got up on my first wave, I felt great. I
couldn't wait to catch another one. It was very reassuring to
have you right there helping me out, I never felt unsure of myself
or scared, I was just having fun. Anyway, thanks for such a great
lesson, I can't wait to get back in the water and get better with
my dad and sister's help. Now I know that I want to surf the rest
of my life. My sister also wants to say thanks for helping her
to better her abilities as a surfer. You guys were great, and
I feel very fortunate to have shared my first surfing experience
with you guys!! I can't wait to come back, thanks again!!
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Thanks for the great lesson. In just one hour I learned more about
surfing and and the environment than I ever have. Ive been practicing
popping to my feet at home and Im stoked about getting back in
the water soon. Once again thanks alot it was worth every penny.
Hope to see you soon. God Bless.
|
It
was great to meet both of you guys! I will not soon forget that
first wave that I rode, It truly was a special day.......I have
been able to think about little else since then....
I also look forward to seeing you guys out on the water.....hopefully
by the time the waves get a little bigger, I have a better idea
whats going on.......However, yesterday evening I think I made the
transition from riding the wave straight in to actually turning
and riding down the green! That was a pretty sweet feeling!
I have had many intense experiences, but riding an ocean wave on
a surfboard is hard to beat!
... attached are a couple of photos you both may enjoy,
to give you a better
idea what recreational background I am coming from... The paddling
shots are from a trip to Mexico last year, and the "freefly"
is my brother and I in West Palm FL. (Picture2)
(Picture2)
Thanks again for forever changing the way I look at the ocean
|
Just wanted to say thanks and let you know how much Lauren, Brian
and I enjoyed the camp this past Saturday. We all learned a lot...you
guys were great. We talked about the camp and surfing in general
all the way home...which was over a five-hour drive. I was so proud
of both kids. Brian's my little athlete, so I wasn't surprised at
how well he did. Lauren, however, would usually rather just curl
up with a good book. Seeing her riding a wave and truly enjoying
herself really reinforced in my mind just how beautiful and special
she really is. I wish you could have seen her smile when she proudly
showed the photos of her surfing to her boyfriend. He was equally
impressed. We really enjoyed meeting and spending time with you
guys. I hope to see you again soon. Here's to good surf!
Larry Rainosek |
Thanksgiving
Surf Camp
was a great experience for some lucky surfers and their families
from Houston and Austin! The day before, a very strong cold front
with gale force N wind whipped the Gulf into a frenzy with seas
running up to 19 feet. It was looking to be a rough cold surf
camp, but, one of the most appealing traits of surfing in Texas...
the almost complete unpredictability and ever-changing weather
and swell patterns of our Gulf surf... made for a quick decision
on the beach Saturday morning - BOCA CHICA IS FIRING! The surf
had dropped dramatically overnight, with light NW wind and a fun
3-5' NE swell. After a 45 minute scenic drive around to Boca Chica
Beach we were greeted with perfect conditions, offshore winds,
sunny skies and air and water temps near 70. Before we even hit
the surf, several dolphins got the show started by jumping and
surfing on big set waves near the end of the jetty all the way
to the inside. After a quick water safety talk and some paddling
and surf instruction on the sand, then a few starter waves on
the inside, we paddled out together into where the best sets were
breaking. The few other surfers that were out hooted each of the
students as they paddled into their first waves at Texas best
winter surf spot. After a full day of great surf and lots of laughs,
we loaded up and met back on the Island for a surf dinner party
at Tom and Jerry's to wrap up a very special day of surfing!
" I just wanted to thank you guys for
a great day of surfing at Boca Chica. We really enjoyed it. My
sister and I learned a lot and we can't thank y'all enough for
that. Even though we only got to surf one day, it was well worth
the drive from Houston. I'm just bummed that the Thanksgiving
break is over and I have to go back to school tomorrow. In a couple
of weeks I'll be out for a month long Christmas break and hopefully
it will greet me with some good surf and weather. I'm definitely
looking forward to coming back down there, whenever that will
be, and hopefully running into y'all at the
beach. Thanks again for the awesome day of surfing!! "
Stacey
I
just wanted to let you know that Jonathan, Elizabeth and I had
a wonderful time on New Year’s Day 2005 Surf Camp,
and some of the best sleep I have had in months! I did go out
the next morning to see the bigger waves, and they were impressive
now that I know what to look for, and the optical illusion that
the outer break plays on your mind. I can’t wait to go
again. Now that I know how physically demanding it can be, I
will be better prepared next time. You do not know how badly
I wanted to go back to the outer break and catch another one
out there, if I only had the conditioning that would have allowed
me to do so. I think that this summer I will be able to go back
to SPI, and in better condition. Please keep me posted on the
days of your camps in 2005, and of anything else of interest.
It is always a great experience for me to see an operation that
runs very smoothly, and with so much commitment from its members.
It is truly satisfying to see people who really enjoy what they
do and have such a passion for it that they delight in teaching
other people, no matter how hard that may be at times. If I
didn’t say that much at the camp and all I had was a smile
on my face most of the time, it was because I was admiring your
passion and commitment to the sport, to safety, and most of
all to your students. You guys were very patient and pleasant
with everyone, and can really motivate people. These qualities
aren’t things found in everyone I meet!
Looking for
a place to stay?
Hotels, Condominiums,
Beach houses, Camping
ps...
camp for free on the beach! 25 miles of empty beach north of the
Island waiting for you! |
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