- April 18, 2024
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Campers feel more confident controlling themselves in the water after Chris Patterson's Surfs Sup Camp. Photos by Jeff Dawsey
Professional paddleboard surfer Olivia Pippio won the Eastern Sup Surfing Circuit 2015 Championship for the women's divisioin. She will begin her 2016 campaign in a few weeks. Courtesy photo
Chris Patterson pushes a student into the wave.
Patterson gives student two thumbs up, once the student is able to take control and surf the ocean.
Patterson instructs his students how to jump up on the board and balance themselves on the waves.
At the beginning of Chris Patterson’s Surfs SUP (stand-up paddle board) camps, he has to time the waves and push his students through the water. Toward the end, they’re able to time their own waves and stand up on the board with confidence.
Patterson concluded his three-day annual camp Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the Ormond Beach Granada Approach. He taught his students water safety, how to surf and how to paddle board – the biggest focal point.
“I got into the paddle side of it because we don’t always have waves here,” Patterson said. “I can incorporate both surfing and paddle boarding at camp, and it tends to better keep their attention.”
Patterson first trains his students how to surf using ground lessons. Once he builds their confidence, they incorporate everything in the water.
Most of his students start camp with little to no surfing experience – some with little swim experience. But, after a few days with Patterson, he tends to see entirely different kids.
“I’ve had kids who wouldn’t first put their ankles in the water become fish who can’t stay out of the water,” he said.
Patterson’s best pupil – Olivia Pippio, a Seabreeze alumna – has gone on to win multiple paddle boarding championships across the country, since he introduced her to the sport three years ago.
“He introduced me to everything I do now in all of my surfing contests,” Pippio said, “and, if I would’ve never seen him paddle surfing out here, I probably would’ve never gotten into it.”
DID YOU KNOW? Chris Patterson has even hosted blind kids at his surf camps. “They were my best students ever, because they are very trusting,” Patterson said. “They listen to everything I tell them and do it.”
Worth repeating: “I’ve had kids who wouldn’t first put their ankles in the water become fish who can’t stay out of the water.”
CHRIS PATTERSON, owner of SurfsSup.com
