Craig took me surfing last summer. He was a very good teacher in the water (first turn on a face!), but what impressed me most was how prepared he made me for the experience, with important information about wave safety, local ecology, and the surf culture. -Steven L.
The best experience I ever had surfing was with Craig! I went out to Santa Cruz last summer for the first week of July. When I found out I was going to the west coast, the first thing I asked myself was how was I going to get access to a surfboard, wetsuit, etc. Craig was staying with my older brother in Santa Cruz at the time, and they both hooked me up. I had a surfboard, wetsuit, and beach access given to me the first day I got out there. Craig took me out every time I went. I was told I wasn't allowed to go by myself, that I needed a 'teacher.' Craig was the best teacher I could have asked for. He taught me the ropes, paddling and standing up on the board. When a wave came by that looked tamable, he encouraged me to go for it and gave me a push. He was so chill and I could tell he knew what he was doing. After a few times of surfing in front of Jack O'neil's house, we actually paddled out to a more distant part of the ocean, closer to the boardwalk. There was a lot less people. There were other girls learning, mixed with pro surfers who had been getting in the water for years. I felt more comfortable with less people and I got to stand up more than once there. Craig was really helpful and patient with me when I couldn't stand up. He helped me to feel comfortable on the board, always telling me to get back 'on my horse.' When I got stuck at the tide because of huge waves he helped me get back to the surf zone. He taught me so much in just a week! I am so thankful for this experience and I am sure anybody else who has worked with Craig would agree that he is an awesome teacher.
Craig took me surfing last summer.
ReplyDeleteHe was a very good teacher in the water (first turn on a face!), but what impressed me most was how prepared he made me for the experience, with important information about wave safety, local ecology, and the surf culture.
-Steven L.
The best experience I ever had surfing was with Craig! I went out to
ReplyDeleteSanta Cruz last summer for the first week of July. When I found out I
was going to the west coast, the first thing I asked myself was how
was I going to get access to a surfboard, wetsuit, etc. Craig was
staying with my older brother in Santa Cruz at the time, and they both
hooked me up. I had a surfboard, wetsuit, and beach access given to
me the first day I got out there. Craig took me out every time I
went. I was told I wasn't allowed to go by myself, that I needed a
'teacher.' Craig was the best teacher I could have asked for. He
taught me the ropes, paddling and standing up on the board. When a
wave came by that looked tamable, he encouraged me to go for it and
gave me a push. He was so chill and I could tell he knew what he was
doing. After a few times of surfing in front of Jack O'neil's house,
we actually paddled out to a more distant part of the ocean, closer to
the boardwalk. There was a lot less people. There were other girls
learning, mixed with pro surfers who had been getting in the water for
years. I felt more comfortable with less people and I got to stand up
more than once there. Craig was really helpful and patient with me
when I couldn't stand up. He helped me to feel comfortable on the
board, always telling me to get back 'on my horse.' When I got stuck
at the tide because of huge waves he helped me get back to the surf
zone. He taught me so much in just a week! I am so thankful for this
experience and I am sure anybody else who has worked with Craig would
agree that he is an awesome teacher.
Ashley Kelley <aakelley02@gmail.com