The best surfer in the water
is the one having the most
fun!
is the one having the most
fun!
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Riding waves on the North Coast
by Bryan DeMain, the Eureka Reporter, July 16, 2006
When someone mentions the word surfing, usually another person follows
with "I’ve always wanted to try that." Well, grab that someone and drive
them up to Moonstone Beach.
The Moonstone Beach "Endless Summer" Surfcamp is in its sixth year of
providing North Coast and out-of-area first timers with an opportunity to not
only learn and enjoy surfing, but every other activity that comes with being
oceanside. And if there’s one guy for the job of head instructor, it’s Jeffrey
Steinkamp. The credentialed school teacher and experienced California
State Lifeguard, along with his wife Krista, have ventured around the world
surfing at hot spots and low-key hideaways. And after being embraced by
numerous surfing cultures, the 20-year Trinidad residents decided to
spread the surf "stoke" right here in Humboldt County. And what better
place to start your passion, than home. "Moonstone is perfect for a surf
camp," Steinkamp said. "It has shallow water, gentle waves and lots of
sand."
But the four-day camp doesn’t just cover the "face of the wave," it’s an in-
depth education session that teaches lifeguard water safety, surf etiquette,
beach and ocean awareness, and environmental impact. The camp is
proud to be a consistent fundraiser for the Humboldt Surfriders, which is a
non-profit environmental chapter of the nation-wide Surfrider Foundation.
"The tuition supports the Surfrider Foundation and they were a motivating
force in changing the local pulp mill’s chlorine emissions," Steinkamp said.
"It was one of the worst, now the mill is one of the best." The camp also
provides a hands-on approach to various other ocean sports, such as body
surfing, body boarding and the increasingly popular kite surfing.
Another feature to the surf school is just pure fun. Along with days of
surfing, come sand-castle contests, endurance games, limbo and a
Hawaiian-shirt contest. "We have a lot of fun," second-year camper Logan
Malcomson said. "(Steinkamp) is a good teacher. He makes everything fun.
We play a lot of games."
One of Steinkamp’s favorite aspects to the school is its ability to give one-
time students the opportunity to teach some day. Eighteen-year-old Matt
Wright has progressed from beginner to apprentice to instructor within four
years of camp experience. surfer
The eight instructors are all CPR/First Aid certified and spend each day
assisting campers, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a variety of ocean skill-
building activities. And Steinkamp always makes sure there are plenty of
instructors to go around for the eight-year-old and up enthusiasts. "We
always make sure there is at least a 5-to-1 student-instructor ratio," the 30-
year surfer said. "That’s always important." Just six years ago, six-to-eight
kids were signing up for the camp, but after some years passed and school
maturation, Steinkamp has watched his passion blossom. Moonstone’s
numbers of enrollment have nearly quadrupled, incorporating all ages and
all skill levels. "We have various skill levels, but it’s mainly beginners,"
Steinkamp said. "This is just a great opportunity to get in tune with the
ocean."
The camp’s second session just came to a conclusion on Friday with 25
kids registered. Two more sessions are still available this summer.
Sessions will take place from July 24-28, Aug. 7-11 and also 2 day
weekend sessions throughout September and October.
.
by Bryan DeMain, the Eureka Reporter, July 16, 2006
When someone mentions the word surfing, usually another person follows
with "I’ve always wanted to try that." Well, grab that someone and drive
them up to Moonstone Beach.
The Moonstone Beach "Endless Summer" Surfcamp is in its sixth year of
providing North Coast and out-of-area first timers with an opportunity to not
only learn and enjoy surfing, but every other activity that comes with being
oceanside. And if there’s one guy for the job of head instructor, it’s Jeffrey
Steinkamp. The credentialed school teacher and experienced California
State Lifeguard, along with his wife Krista, have ventured around the world
surfing at hot spots and low-key hideaways. And after being embraced by
numerous surfing cultures, the 20-year Trinidad residents decided to
spread the surf "stoke" right here in Humboldt County. And what better
place to start your passion, than home. "Moonstone is perfect for a surf
camp," Steinkamp said. "It has shallow water, gentle waves and lots of
sand."
But the four-day camp doesn’t just cover the "face of the wave," it’s an in-
depth education session that teaches lifeguard water safety, surf etiquette,
beach and ocean awareness, and environmental impact. The camp is
proud to be a consistent fundraiser for the Humboldt Surfriders, which is a
non-profit environmental chapter of the nation-wide Surfrider Foundation.
"The tuition supports the Surfrider Foundation and they were a motivating
force in changing the local pulp mill’s chlorine emissions," Steinkamp said.
"It was one of the worst, now the mill is one of the best." The camp also
provides a hands-on approach to various other ocean sports, such as body
surfing, body boarding and the increasingly popular kite surfing.
Another feature to the surf school is just pure fun. Along with days of
surfing, come sand-castle contests, endurance games, limbo and a
Hawaiian-shirt contest. "We have a lot of fun," second-year camper Logan
Malcomson said. "(Steinkamp) is a good teacher. He makes everything fun.
We play a lot of games."
One of Steinkamp’s favorite aspects to the school is its ability to give one-
time students the opportunity to teach some day. Eighteen-year-old Matt
Wright has progressed from beginner to apprentice to instructor within four
years of camp experience. surfer
The eight instructors are all CPR/First Aid certified and spend each day
assisting campers, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a variety of ocean skill-
building activities. And Steinkamp always makes sure there are plenty of
instructors to go around for the eight-year-old and up enthusiasts. "We
always make sure there is at least a 5-to-1 student-instructor ratio," the 30-
year surfer said. "That’s always important." Just six years ago, six-to-eight
kids were signing up for the camp, but after some years passed and school
maturation, Steinkamp has watched his passion blossom. Moonstone’s
numbers of enrollment have nearly quadrupled, incorporating all ages and
all skill levels. "We have various skill levels, but it’s mainly beginners,"
Steinkamp said. "This is just a great opportunity to get in tune with the
ocean."
The camp’s second session just came to a conclusion on Friday with 25
kids registered. Two more sessions are still available this summer.
Sessions will take place from July 24-28, Aug. 7-11 and also 2 day
weekend sessions throughout September and October.
.
| To reserve a space in one of our summer camps or for a private individual or group lesson, please pick up the conch shell and contact us today at 707-822-5099 |
| Please contact at (707) 822-5099 or click here to email us @ moonstonebeachsurfcamp @yahoo.com |
MOONSTONE BEACH SURFCAMP
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