BELLEAIR BEACH — It takes less than a week.
It may be a weeklong summer camp out on the water, but these campers will likely be gliding by the first day.
“Everyone gets up,” Wakesurf Tampa co-owner and wakesurf camp instructor Spencer Trick said. “It’s unique, too, the camp in that it actually requires teamwork. Plus, you keep it positive because it can really set the tone of the camp with the kids. Some might need to work more to get up at first, but you want them to have fun and not feel like it’s work to wakesurf.”
Wakesurf Tampa has been in operation for about eight years, taking groups in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to wakesurf — riding the wave immediately behind the boat. Riders are pulled up with a short ski rope while on a finless, sized-down “surfboard.” Once they’re up and the boat is on a straight path, they drop the rope and ride the wake.
Eventually, campers learn tricks — a 360 spin, or even cramming three riders onto one board.
It’s a week of fun on the water, Trick says, but one that stresses safety on the boat, too.
“We definitely want to build up the kids, but we want them to have fun safely,” he said. “And we’re not just tossing everyone in the water. Every camper can go at their own speed, no matter the age.”
The weeklong camps, which run through the first week of August, are for ages 6 to 15 and come with more than a boat ride. Campers get one-on-one instruction — counselors will even ride the board with a camper on their shoulders, if needed — plus snacks, Hyperlite equipment and a photo album shot by a professional photographer. Tubing is also part of the experience.
The company also offers traditional wakeboarding and wakefoiling, which uses a board with an extended wing fin that lifts it out of the water.
But after a week, these campers will feel like professional wakesurfers.
“We just think it’s an incredible and unique summer activity,” Trick said. “We know there are a lot of different camps and this may be just one of the camps kids do over the summer — I wish they had this when I was a kid! — but, in the end, (wakesurf camp) ends up being their favorite week of the year.”
Wakesurf Tampa
Summer camps run through the first week of August, starting at $785. Boats depart from two locations: Downtown Tampa and Clearwater Beach. Lake Tarpon, or any other lake locally with access, can be used by special request. Daily trips and excursions are also available year-round, weather pending. For more information, visit https://wakesurftampabay.com.