(Update: Registration is now closed.  Use our contact page to add your name to our cancellation list and/or to be informed of future classes! )

The SURF SCHOOL will be in session . Class size is limited to 12 students for each day. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! The cost is $60 per day.

Each student should bring a bathing suit, sunscreen, and lunch. Beverages will be provided throughout the day.

Wetsuits will be provided if needed (water temp is expected to be a comfortable 72 degrees, but could vary) .  Surf School Rashguards will be provided during the session and available to purchase for an additional $25.

Our SURF SCHOOL is an educational program for children ages 6-12. The program is open to boys and girls who are good swimmers and love the beach.  Designed to be way more than just a surfing lesson, your child will learn how waves are formed, what  turtles eat, how to spot a rip-current and more….all while having a blast at the beach !

The SURF SCHOOL will provide age appropriate, hands-on, education in the following subject areas:

• Water Safety
• Marine Biology / Beach Ecology
• Science and Applied Physics
• Art, History and Culture of Surfing
• Hand Craftsmanship
• Sport Psychology and Physiology
• Surfing for Sport, Fitness, and Pleasure

The curriculum for each subject has been specifically created for SURF SCHOOL.  The primary goals of SURF SCHOOL are to:

• Introduce children to the healthy and confidence inspiring sport of surfing.
• Foster a sense of personal stewardship regarding beach and marine resource management.
• Provide a safe and exciting opportunity for learning and creative expression.
• Explore the broad range of occupations and academic interests related to surfing, beach management, and the coastal community.
• Introduce aspects of historical, as well as, modern-day surf culture.
• Promote friendly, environmentally responsible, coastal community living.

With the exception of severe weather, this event will run rain-or-shine.  In the event of complete calm seas, stand up paddle boarding may be substituted for surfing instruction.  In the unlikely event of dangerous seas, water activity may be  canceled   while land based activities proceed.  In this case,   alternative dates for group lessons will be offered and/or discounted rate individual lessons offered.

…Just back from another amazing day on the water!  We had perfect weather for our Paddleboard costume parade around Destin Harbor.  We visited the Destin Fishing Rodeo crowd watching the weigh ins and then took a trip under the East Pass bridge.  As we approached Crab Island, we were treated to a pod of dolphins playing in the glow of the sunset.  And, like all that was not enough, a squadron of old war birds put on an aerial acrobatic show just over our heads.  Those who stuck around for dinner were treated to a fireworks show from the Destin jetty!  Amazing,  this is quite a paradise we have the good fortune to live in.  Happy Halloween everybody!  Enjoy this short video of some of the Surf Spooktacular event:

Who:
YOLO Board, WAVE 102.1 & Scully’s on the Bayou

What:
YOLO Board Winter Stand-Up Paddle Series Kick Off Event

When:
Sunday, October 26th at 1:00 pm (race starts at 1:30 pm)

Where:
Scully’s on the Bayou
200 Eglin Pkwy NE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
For directions, visit www.scullysonthebayou.com.

Details:
NO ENTRY FEE!  Please call 850.622.5760 to sign up your team!  Divisions for the race event include: 4 person co-ed adults, 13-18 youth open, 12-under, individual shootout, short distance and buoy course.  Prizes for division winners!  Open demo after races.

See you there!

 

Well, last night we enjoyed the final race of the YOLOboard Stand-up Paddle Board Race Series. And what a beautiful race it was! We could not have asked for better weather as the air was noticeably cooler and the Gulf was emerald green and smooth as a lake. The venue at Seaside was just right for this finale of races and Bud & Alley’s restaurant provided a fitting beach-side lounge for the slide show and awards presentation.

The racing was again competitive. In the Ladies division YOLO came into the race with a 9 point lead over Walton Wahines in the overall standings and three of the ladies teams were within 4 points of each other. For this race it would be Team YOLO-litas claiming the prize for first! They were followed by the Waterbabes, then YOLO, Walton Wahines and Kitty Hawk Kites.

The overall Ladies Championship goes to the YOLO women. Second place, the song I just can’t get out of my head…YOLO-lita’s! They are followed by Walton Wahines, Kitty Hawk Kites and Waterbabes. Way to go Ladies!

For the Men it has been and was again, a nailbiter! Teams Aqua and YOLO have been working hard at eachother through out the series. Aqua has placed first 4 times and second once. YOLO just the opposite with 4 second place finishes and one first. The points difference between the two teams coming into the race was only 4 points. Behind these two powerhouses in the series has been a consistent RYNO team with 4 third place finishes. Destin Health, Sunset Beach Services and Surfrider have been swapping middle of the pack honors and arrived with only three points separating the three teams.

The Men’s race was fairly evenly paced with RYNO leading the pack until the final seconds as Gary Wise delivered a Knock out punch, catching a roller for a wave ride to the finish line. If not for that wave he would not have been able to catch RYNO, the race was all but finished. We know our lifeguards have a keen eye for surf conditions, rip currents, and sandbars, but this one takes the cake. Talking with Gary afterward, he says he had spied that roller earlier and actually decided to take a wider path coming down the last leg in hopes of catching one in. Great job Gary and congratulations to all the competitors!

The spectacular finish threw the points standings into a mess with Team Aqua and Team YOLO coming out even for overall first place honors. We’ll be firing up the chainsaw to split the trophy unless a custody arrangement can be made. Team RYNO broke their streak of thirds for second place in the race but remains third in the overall final standings. Rounding out the overall was another tie. This time an equal fourth place to Surfrider and Sunset Beach Services. Fifth was Destin Health and Fitness. Sixth an absent this race Team ROV . And, Kitty Hawk Kites and Amavida Coffee tie for 7th.

This paddleboard race series has been such a success, I’m certain the next series will bring more competitors and a whole lot of fun. Speaking of which, we have several fun events in the works so check back for event postings.

Next Friday evening at Gulf Place we will have another “Waterman’s Gathering”. Again we’ll show home surf footage on the big screen and feel free to bring your own clips or slideshow in DVD format. It’s a casual, family friendly event so bring a soccer ball for the kids to play while you kick back with us and relax!

Also, start getting your costume ready for the “13th Annual Surf Spooktacular” Stand-up and Surfing Halloween costume contest! (date and time T.B.A.)!

Once again, we had magnificent weather for the race last night. The wind was light providing smooth waters across the Destin Harbor. Competitors paddled against a swift outgoing tide from the harbor to the East Pass bridge and then were helped by the same current for their return trip. Times were fast with most competitors making the turn marker in about two minutes and returning in about a minute and a half. Team Yololitas finished strong for the victory in the first heat. In the men’s heat, Aqua Surf Shop prevailed and now sits atop the overall series standings. The fifth and final race of the series will be September 18th at Seaside. This last race will be held in the Gulf waters. This should up the ante and provide an opportunity for the teams with wave experience to shine. The last race will be wrapped up with a reception and awards party at Bud and Allie’s. See you there!

The YOLO Board Stand Up Paddle Board Race Series continued last night with another great race. Watercolors provided a beautiful setting. The boat house and dock made water entry and transition staging a breeze. Excellent racing was complemented by another spectacular sunset and full moon rising.

Also rising was the level of competition. All of the competitors are looking more polished as we work our way through the series. Heat one action included all the ladies teams and the jr. lifeguards. Several teams had last minute recruiting going on along the docks as a few team members were unable to attend. This found the Jr. Lifeguard team supplemented with two first time racing adults Allison and Phil. Kitty Hawk Kites also found a last minute recruit. Thanks for answering the call to fill in! The heat one results were:

1–Yolo Ladies

2–Jr. Lifeguards

3–Walton Wahines

4–Yololitas

5–Waterbabes

6–Kitty Hawk Kites

Heat two included all the Men’s teams. The racing started off with a bang as all the teams took off fast. One team broke out in front and kept it up for a commanding finish. Team Aqua came across the line at 15:34, a comfortable 30 seconds ahead of Yolo Men. Third place went to Team RYNO. At 16:20, Team Surfrider (also now known as “team we weren’t last”) just edged out Sunset Beach Services, only one second separated the two teams. The racing was rounded out by team Amavida at 18:06 and Team Kitty Hawk Kites at 18:37. It should be noted that Kitty Hawk kites recruited three of their four members on the docks just before the event. Thanks again to the folks that were willing to jump in!

1–Aqua

2–Yolo

3–RYNO

4–Surfrider

5–Sunset Beach Services

6–Amavida

7–Kitty Hawk Kites

It’s time to stand up once again for the Yolo Board Paddle board race series.

CALLING ALL WATERMEN AND RACE SPECTATORS!
The four-member teams will compete in three heats as race paddlers vie for the champion title “YOLO Board Cup Series” to be awarded after the final race in September. One time race entry fee is $150 per team. Free signature race series t-shirts for each team member. YOLO boards will be provided for use at each racevevent. Additional race divisions will include individual men’s, individual women’s and parent/child to name a few. Come out and support our local beach community and be a part of the fastest growing recreational water sport in the world!

For event details including race locations, visit www.yoloboard.com or contact Madra McDonald at 850.376.7386 or madra@M-PublicRelations.com. All events are free and open to the public.

July 17 • July 31 • August 14 • August 28 • September 18

Download the flyer here (.pdf).

Race # 3 is scheduled for this Thursday in Watercolors, just off hwy. 30-A. 

The map is here.  Racers will gather near the boathouse and marina prior to the 6:00 start time. See you there!

You can read about the event here and the results here.

Photo Credits: Madra (www.M-PublicRelations.com)

Race day.