Some 50 youth from across Kaua’i participated in a surf camp at Kalapaki Beach sponsored by owners and operators of Nalu Underground magazine, Deja Vu Surf Wear and Duke’s Canoe Club. Leaders of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii
Some 50 youth from across Kaua’i participated in a surf camp at Kalapaki Beach sponsored by owners and operators of Nalu Underground magazine, Deja Vu Surf Wear and Duke’s Canoe Club.
Leaders of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii — Kauai Branch held the play day to offer their members an opportunity to experience surfing, they said in a press release.
Youth ages 9 to 17 took part in the beginners’ classes. On the beach, the 50 members were shown basic wave-catching basics.
Then, they paddled out to show off their new skills. The students all learned quickly, and most were able to stand up.
All participants enjoyed a lunch courtesy of Duke’s Canoe Club. They also received goodie bags including a Deja Vu Surfwear T-shirt, Duke’s and Nalu stickers, and the anniversary issue of Nalu Underground magazine.
Kalani Vierra, the Kaua’i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau co-supervisor and Eddie Aikau Waterman of the Year, led a group of volunteers to help the youth.
Charlie Smith of Blue Seas Surfing School and Danny Garcia of Aloha Surfing Lessons assisted the eager learners. Members of the Garden Island Brotherhood amateur surf team, various adult volunteers, and county lifeguards provided additional guidance.
When the youth were not surfing, they were led by Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii — Kaua’i Branch staff members through various other activities. The young members participated in beach volleyball, football, sand-castle making and banner making.
Family members and neighbors came out to cheer on the new surfers. Youth from Waimea to Anahola came to enjoy the surf camp.
This surf camp was the second in a series occurring statewide through the efforts of those with the Boys & Girls Club and Nalu Underground.
The camp’s purpose is to offer youth an opportunity to experience and learn how to surf.
The mission of those at Nalu Underground is to promote the betterment of amateur surfing in Hawai’i and on the Mainland. Their goal is to focus on the amateur surfer.
Writers with the new magazine have been interviewing top professionals, who have been sharing information about life skills and necessary tools and advice to become a better surfer and competitor.
The magazine also has stories of true watermen, top amateurs, and people who contribute to the surfing community.
Publisher Curt Smith and Vice President Mike Smith have spent the majority of their lives surfing, and in surfing-related arenas.
More information on Nalu Underground may be found at their Web site, www.naluunderground.com.
The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii began on Kaua’i in 1993, and currently maintains two permanent clubhouses in Kapa’a and Waimea, and one Lihu’e teen centers.
More information on the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii — Kauai Branch may be found on the Web site, http://www.bgch.com, or by calling 632-0009.
