Indo Jax® Surf School, Wilmington, NC | 910.274.3565

We just returned from our 4th mission surf trip to India.  This year we served nearly 100 orphan girls on two coastlines from 4 different orphanages with the most horrific stories.  These girls got to stay in a nice hotel, eat great food, hang out and swim at the pool, ride elephants, go to the movies, eat ice cream,  and SURF!  For a week straight these girls surfed until their arms were like noodles.  The transformation these girls went through was mind boggling.  Because of their background of abuse and neglect these girls start of shy, timid and reluctant, but before long their personalities emerge.  As they gain confidence and empowerment they make eye contact and build courage.  Then, once riding waves on a surfboard they are QUEENS, surfing with their arms up in triumph an emotion they’ve not felt before.  

At Indo Jax we are stoked on summer!  Summer is right around the corner and we are ready to start our  ”one of a kind”  summer surf program.  It’s simple, there’s nowhere else to get surf lessons or join a surf camp than Indo Jax Surf School. If you’re vacationing in the Cape Fear Region, Wilmington NC come see us for all your surf lesson and surf camp needs.  We have surf camp programs in 4 locations, Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island,  Oak Island and Onslow Beach.  And we do surf lessons just about anywhere including Carolina Beach, Figure Eight Island and Masonboro Island.

Our surf camps and lessons are second to none.  We have the finest instructors you’ll find anywhere.  Our instructors are great with kids and safe in the water.  They are First Aid and CPR certified and great surfers themselves. We staff our camps at a 2-1 student to instructor ratio.  Our equipment is the safest and highest performing you can find for surf lessons and surf camps.  Our methodology is tried and true and  our prices are the best for what you get.   You get way more for your money at Indo Jax!

Although our popular surf program has been around for 6 years, we have some great new programs.   Like our Minnows Camp, a “learn to surf ” program for little ones and those new to the ocean.  In this program each child has their own instructor so they are always safe and having fun.

All of our surf camps are open so feel free to register via our web-site’s registration page or call us at (910)274-3565 if you have any further questions.  We hope to see you this summer!

Jack

We are just a week away from embarking on our 4th trip to India to serve orphan girls.  The journey we have experienced in building this program has been one of the most wonderful in my life.  It has been filled with adventure, trials, failures and massive success.  Dedication, determination and an absolute refusal to quit have marked our attitude throughout this journey and are the reasons we are still going back.

When we started this program, the first year was brutal.  Neither the instructors nor the organization I was with at the time have ventured back.  All gave up.  Myself and Paul Wilkes were determined to not give up.  I knew what we offer these girls was important to them and I didn’t want to ever give up on them.  Once I met Jeff Murtha, he had the same resolve as Paul and  I did and we kept the program alive and growing.  The work it takes to pull this off is mind boggling…fundraising, equipment inventory, donations of needed supplies, logistics.  It’s unbelievable but we are headed into our 4th year and serving 5 times the number of girls on two coastlines out of 4 different orphanages.  Not bad for a program we almost didn’t believe was even possible.  Programs like ours come and go, they die off in a year, like the instructors I took the first year.  Indo Jax though has heart!  We are dedicated, determined and we absolutely refuse to give up on these girls.

Filming for the story about the India adventure started yesterday.  We’re planning an incredible documentary about the history of the India Surf Safari!  I think it’s going to be fantastic.  Matt Batchelor the director started his interviews with Jeff, Paul and I.  We’ll have  a showing sometime in June.

On Tuesday April 16th there will be a bon voyage party at all three Ruby Tuesday Restaurants in Wilmington.  We will receive 20% of the sales.  This will be one of our last Western Meals in awhile too!  Please come out and celebrate with us Tuesday at Ruby Tuesday!

Thanks!

Indo Jax Surf Charities is gearing up for our 2nd Annual Paddle to India Event.  This event is a fundraiser for our outreach surf camp in Kochi, Varkala India.  The money raised helps pay for food and lodging for the the some 100 orphan girls we will be serving while in India.

This will be our 4th trip to the orphanage.  It is a truly amazing thing to be able to provide this opportunity for these girls.  Most have had the most tragic childhoods we could ever imagine.  They’ve been abused, neglected, and forgotten.  They’ve have been taken in by Homes of Hope Orphanage and are given good food, quality living quarters and a solid education.  But what they’re lacking is a much needed childhood.  This field trip with Indo Jax Surf Charities provides these girls with fun, positive memories, and helps build their self-esteem.  It gives them a better outlook on their lives.

Each year we spend about $25,000 on this trip alone.  It is a costly endeavor for our charity but well worth it.  The benefits far exceed the cost.  We have proven that we can sustain this program over time.  Each year has grown and we have been able to meet the demand every time.  It takes your help.  We try to provide fun activities that also raise funds, so that anyone can be a part of what Indo Jax Surf Charities is doing in India.

Our outreach surf camps provide wonderful opportunities for those with special needs and at risk to learn valuable life skills, build self esteem and connect with nature.  Our Wrightsville Beach surf camp program served nearly 1000 kids alone.  Our programs in California, Onslow Beach and Norway served many others.

Please join us in our fundraising efforts to serve children.  Help us make their lives better by exposing them to the ocean environment and teaching them the wonderful sport of surfing.  Thanks!

Last night was one of our Ruby Tuesday fundraisers for Indo Jax Surf Charities.  It was another very successful fundraising event for our charity and a flat out great time!  In the evening when many of our volunteers were there we had a sit down dinner together.  We enjoyed laughs and stories of last summers fantastic charity camp season.  We also talked about how stoked we all are about the upcoming season.  At the end of a fantastic evening of great food and company,  we announced the 2012 Indo Jax Surf Charities Instructor of the Year.  This year’s award went to Don Bennett aka “The Big Teddy Bear.”  Don was a tireless volunteer for our charity surf program at Wrightsville Beach.  He’s a staunch supporter of Indo Jax Surf School and Indo Jax Surf Charities.  He’s a great surfer and phenomenal instructor.  No doubt he was a valuable member of our team and we are so stoked to have him.  We look forward to many more seasons with “The Big Teddy Bear!”

The Big Teddy Bear

I am stoked to announce that the Wahine Contest is back!  Every year since we moved to Wilmington, my daughter Gabby surfed in the East Coast Wahine Surf Event at Wrightsville Beach.  She absolutely loved participating with all the other little girls from near and far.  Indo Jax Surf School as well, was always very supportive of this event that was such an important part of female surfing in this area.  We sponsored the event every year, and I even directed it one year.  Last year the event didn’t happen, never heard why, it just vanished.  Gabby, and I’m sure other girls like her, was crushed.

Soon after, Jo Pickett of Crystal South Surf Camp contacted me to see if I wanted to help her revive the all women’s event.  I was 100% in.  Since that time we have worked hard to do our part to bring it back.  As partners in Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic Inc Jo and I are doing just that.  We now have our incorporation, a new name and logo, an event site on Facebook, and a press release.  the press release comes out this week.  the event is scheduled for August  17 and 18.  It’s going to be a fantastic addition to the Wilmington/Cape Fear Region

Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic

. There will be some great divisions ranging from novice to pro categories, and the crowd favorite Guppy division to an all new SUP division.  There will be cash prizes for professional participants and prizes for all other divisions.  Our goal is to bring back a great Wrightsville Beach tradition.  We want to provide a positive venue for females to excel and enjoy the sport of surfing.  Stay tuned or go to www.wrightsvillebeachwahineclassic.com for contest information.

I just finalized our plans for Oak Island this year.  We are stoked to again be in Oak Island, a beautiful little beach town in Brunswick County.  We have had a four year run there and have enjoyed being part of their summer offerings.  Our surf camps in Oak Island are run in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation.  This year, we have made our program a little more structured than it has been in the past.  I think this will make it more efficient and therefore safer and more enjoyable for the customers, and more organized for Indo Jax.  Folks will have the choice of either 1 day or 3 days.  The one day camp will cost $65 for for a 2+ hour group lesson from 12 – 2:15.  The one day camp will take place just East of the Oak Island Pier and will be held on Tuesdays.  The other option is the 3 day surf camp for $180.  This one takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from noon -2:15 east of the Oak Island Pier.  We will hold private lessons on a limited basis.  Indo Jax Surf School is proud to be the surf school of choice for so many places and organizations.  It is certainly a credit to the high quality

Summertime Surfing

programs that only Indo Jax can provide.

Indo Jax Surf School provides surf camps and surf lessons in Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island, Carolina Beach, Oak Island and Onslow Beach throughout the year.   Our summer surf camp programs are almost always sold out so sign up soon.  Our private lessons are second to none and our charity program is nothing short of spectacular.  We are proud of our long history of excellence.  We are stoked to give back to the community on so many different levels. So come on out, check us out and be a part of an incredible surf experience with Indo Jax!

Gabby exhausted in India

By now many of you have seen the FB page for Bound By Sea and some of you may have seen the web-site and trailer.  If you haven’t seen them you can check them out by going to www.boundbysea.com  There you can see the extended preview, meet the director and videographer and learn a little about the making of this documentary.  I am still in shock that we were able to, not just surf, but put on charitable surf camps in all 4 Oceans of the world.  I’m more shocked that my 9 year old daughter was able to enjoy this experience with me.  Now that it’s over I reflect on our travels, experiences, and photos.  No doubt this year took a physical toll on all of us, especially Gabby, but she talks about how much fun she had a long the way.  I am looking forward to seeing her in the documentary.  She has been a great addition to the charity we do, and she shined as we worked with disadvantaged children throughout the world.  I can’t wait to see her shining and inspiring in Bound By Sea.

Gabby and I have talked at length about the upcoming year.  Both of us look forward to India in April, but also look forward to a slower pace, spending more time at home and with the family.  We both are anxious to work hard here at home at our surf camps in Wrightsville Beach, Oak Island, Carolina Beach and Topsail Island.  We look forward to the surf lessons right here at the Surf Club at Access #10.  We look forward to the smiling faces of the children learning to surf for the first time.  We look forward to showing those kids in our charity surf camps that not only can they surf, they can do anything!  Traveling is great, Gabby and I really enjoyed that time together on the road, but being at home is great too!

Here’s to an Indo Jax summer right here at home.

Indo Jax is back in Carolina Beach!  Although our main location remains Wrightsville Beach Access #10, we will have more of a presence in Carolina Beach again.  Our plan is to have private surf lessons and small group lessons/surf camps in between Dolphin and Pelican Streets in Carolina Beach.  We get lots of requests for lessons in that neck of the woods and so have decided to set it up to better serve our customers.

We are still working out the details for Surf Lessons and Surf Camps in Oak Island and Onslow Beach and will have that information posted as soon as things are finalized.  Our main location as always will remain Wrightsville Beach Access #10 in WB in conjunction with the Wrightsville Beach Surf Club.  We will continue to hold our stellar surf program of high quality private surf lessons and group surf camps in both Topsail and Wrightsville Beach.  Our “sell out” morning and half day surf camps will be available in both Wrightsville Beach and on Topsail Island.

This morning Indo Jax Surf School and Charities was out at Carolina Beach at our Adopt a Beach location, keeping the beaches clean!

It’s that time again.  The off season, but prep time for our charity programs.  First order of business is to get India Surf Safari lV all ready.  There are many things to do.  We collect goods and much needed medical supplies, we ship any needed equipment for the surf camp, we coordinate logistics with Paul Wilkes of Homes of Hope, we coordinate with the needed instructors here.

Today is a Fundraiser, the first one of the year, at Ruby Tuesday in Mayfair.  This is a low key fundraiser where folks can come and eat any time throughout the day and we get 20% of the sales.  The great part is we can set up a table and get a chance to spread the word on our charity surf program and the many wonderful surf camps and lesson programs for children with medically fragile, special needs, and at-risk youth.

Indo Jax Surf Charity is a charity surf school that operates outreach surf programs world wide.  Our main focus is right here in Wilmington NC but our reach is way beyond the Cape Fear Region.  We work with many types of special needs children and young adults ranging from orphans in India to Wounded Warriors right here at Camp Lejeune.  We work with children with autism, visual impairments, diabetes, and hearing impairments to name some.  We also have a program for at risk children through the local Boys and Girls Clubs, and through a local church.  We have plans to add a program for cancer survivors and for Burmese refugees in 2013.  Our surf program is unique, in that we can work with all sorts of children that come from all sorts of situations.  Our instructors and methodology is second to none.  Our program is time tested and works to raise the self esteem in the children who participate in it.  Our instructors get  a ton of training for special situations.  Not only does this make us the most effective charity/outreach program, but those same instructors make incredible surf instructors for our surf camps and private surf lessons.  That is why our programs in Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island, Carolina Beach and  Oak Island ar e the most sought after surf programs you’ll find anywhere.

Our first charity event of the season is in April for orphan girls in India.  These girls have the most horrific stories you could ever imagine.  Our program builds their self esteem and helps them build a positive memory bank. It is one of the most remarkable surf events I have ever heard of.  Today’s Ruby Tuesday Fundraiser will help with this program.  If you can come on out to the Ruby Tuesday’s in Mayfair and enjoy a delicious meal and raise money for a good cause!

Jack