Sandcastles & Sippy Cups

Saturday was a perfect beach day along the Emerald Coast. A clear, blue sky, warm water with a “light chop” and green flags flying on every beach.

Instead of grabbing our beach chairs, pails and shovels and beach umbrellas, Harper and I headed to the beach at Pompano Joe’s to give surfing a try. The Annual ‘GROM COMP”, hosted by Billa-Bong Surf Shop provides kids and teens with a short surfing lesson, and then a chance to show off their skills in a competition.  My little “Gidget” had the time of her life! 

Surfing, like golf, can be an expensive hobby. These mini-surf camps and competitions  allow you, or your kids, to give the sport a try before you invest a ton of money- or time.

During the event, the surfers gave the kids an over view of the basics of surfing; how to paddle, when to “pop up”, how to get your balance, and most importantly, how to cover your head so that the board doesn’t knock you out.

For the smaller kids (under 8), there were “pushers” to help them get out to the waves, and then they acted as “spotters” to help the kids if when they fell off.

Each “heat” had ten minutes to ride as many waves as possible, and they crowned winners in a number of age groups.  Many of the local of surf shops will be offering mini camps and lessons all summer long.

If you’re looking for a way to break up your normal beach-pool-movie routines, I’d encourage you check them out.  While Harper didn’t win her heat or her age group, she certainly won over the crowd with her enthusiasm and courage. They plan another event Labor Day weekend, and I’m pretty sure she’ll be out trying to “catch a wave”.

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