Breaking the waves

Jeff Benson

For some children, summer camp means roughing it in some mountainous

hole in the wall, repelling mosquitoes, counting pine cones, sniffing

dirty socks and making papier-mache hats.

In sunny Newport Beach, camp has gotten a lot cooler -- or is it

“sicker” -- as dozens of kids learn to surf next to the Newport Pier.

In the city-sponsored beginning and intermediate camp, surfing

instructor Scott Morlan believes he can transform anyone 7 and up

into a “gnarly” board rider in only 7 1/2 hours.

“Today, we’re going to talk about turning,” Morlan told the class

Thursday. “I want to watch you guys turn as cleanly as you can,

because tomorrow you won’t have us here to push you. So you’ve got to

do it yourselves.”

About 20 students attended last week’s 9 a.m. class, the only

prerequisite being that they had to be able to swim without a life

preserver. After a short demonstration on hitting a wave at a precise

moment, they ran out into the ocean with brightly colored boards to

give it their best efforts.

Nearly all of the kids can stand on their boards by the second

day, Morlan said.

“If you’re going to surf, this is a really good way to start out,”

said first-timer Gavin Fink, 11. “The thing about the class is that

it’s fun to be out here for five days paddling around in the waves.

You can make friends and stuff, and you can be here in the morning

and smell the sea.”

Wiping out is always one of the first lessons, but most kids got

up at least once. Remington Nelson, 10, stuck to the small waves,

while most of the others ventured into deeper waters.

“I took two private lessons before, but I already knew how to

stand up,” Remington said. “I’m not ready for the big ones yet.”

Morlan has taught for 28 years and is CPR-certified. He said the

summer class, which meets Monday through Friday for one week, teaches

water safety, popping up on the board, the time and place for turning

and board selection.

“It’s fun and really, really, really good,” said Colt Nelson, 11.

“We learn the basics of surfboarding, and we’re learning how to cut

today.”

The last surf camp ends Friday, but the Newport Beach Department

of Recreation is still holding adult surf classes through Aug. 28 and

two-hour private lessons for all ages through Sept. 1.