Indo Jax® Surf School, Wilmington, NC | 910.274.3565

Indo Jax Surf Charities recently returned from our 3rd annual Surf Safari for Indian orphans.  As usual the event took place in beautiful Varkala Beach in perfect conditions for learning to surf.  This year we served 60 plus orphan girls with tragic circumstances, much like those of the movie, Slumdog Millionaire.  This year we took ten instructors along, gave two weeklong surf camps, and had an absolute blast.  The girls surfed, played in the water, body boarded, rode elephants, ate like queens, went to the movies and had childhood fun they don’t usually get.  It was incredible to say the least!

The instructors too had a great time.  We saw a spectacular festival, rode elephants, found a great surf break in the middle of an ancient fishing village, and had a blast teaching the girls about the ocean, swimming and surfing.  It was an incredible two weeks that we will not soon forget.

Gabby, my daughter, delivered tons of donated goods for the girls and got to experience first hand what it means to give to the needy.  Some of our new instructors like Brandon Gay, Keith Jensen, Henry Murtha, and Alison Born also got a chanc to experience this special event.  The veteran instructors like Dan Williams, Jeff Murtha, Anthony Shimkonis and myself really saw how three years of hard work and dedication can pay off.  We have learned so much and come so far since the first trip 3 years ago.

These events are special and made possible by generous sponsors such as, Hope From Helen, Homes of Hope, Indo Jax Surf School, Southern Grown Lanscapes, Forward Motion Dance, The Melting Pot, Rip Curl, South End Surf Shop, Shipman and Wright LLP, Carolina Paddleboard Company, Artfuel, Surfers Healing, Downtown Darlings, Wilmington Wine, Men Ink, Local Sessions, Star News, Papa Planes, UPS Porters Neck, Cape Fear Community Acupuncture, St Mary School, The Surf Club,  and many many more.

We are no doubt glad to be back with our loved ones in our comfortable homes, but the courageous girls of the Homes of Hope Orphanages remain in our hearts.  We will soon be returning for Surf Safari 4.  Our goal next year…100 girls, 3 weeks, and even more great times!

Our next stop is the Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington.  25 children surfing from May 21-24 at Beach Access 10 from 4-6 pm.  See you there!

Jack

It’s hard to believe that the time has finally come for Surf Safari 3.  The Indo Jax Surf Charities crew departs this Friday, March 30th for their annual surf camp in India for orphaned girls.  This year stands to be of epic proportions, 65+ girls, 10 instructors, 3 orphanages over 2 weeks.  When I think back to how this program started, it’s mind boggling.  Even though I thought this type of surf camp was going to be impossible to pull off, I was determined to try.  Somehow it all worked out and a very special program was forged.  This year will be our 3rd annual India Surf Safari 3…unbelievable!

I can’t wait to see the girls.  For many, this will be their third surf trip and they absolutely love it!  For some, this will be their first time.  They have no idea how much fun they are going to have!

This trip is all about improving the quality of life for these girls.  The girls we will be serving in India have had horrific lives full of sadness and abuse.  They have had no childhood.  Our job when we go there is to give the girls a chance to experience the true joy of childhood.  We help them build a memory bank of positive thoughts and hope.  The girls have so much fun on this trip and it’s great to see them let go of there sad childhood, and grasp a brighter outlook on life.

I’d like to thank all of our corporate and personal sponsors of this event.  Without the help and support we have received we would never be able to do this trip and help those girls experience joy.

Thanks everyone, I’ll try to keep you all updated, and we’ll see you when we get back!

Jack

I am beyond stoked to announce that Indo Jax Surf School has signed and mailed in our contract with Onslow Beach on the Marine Base Camp Lejeune.  Indo Jax is looking forward to this opportunity.  Not only will we be providing surf camps and surfing lessons for Marine Personnel and vacationing Marines, but we will be adding two new fantastic programs to Indo Jax Surf Charities’ already  unreal charity schedule.  We will have 4 camps this summer for children with parents who are deployed, we will also be offering one scholarship per week to a child with a deployed parent, and we will have a once a week surf therapy program for the Wounded Warrior Battalion on base.  This program will be directed and run by Josh Torres, one of our finest instructors and son of  lifelong Marine Dwight Torres.  We are proud to have Josh as an instructor/director and thankful for his efforts in securing this opportunity for Indo Jax Surf School and Charities.  This looks to be one of the most unique and special opportunities a surf school can have, and we aim to put forth our very best effort to serve those who serve us.   This program will be getting started in early to mid May.  You can check out the information on the web-site or call (910) 440-7259 for more information on this one of a kind program.

Additionally Indo Jax Surf School will be holding surf camps and surf lessons in Surf City on Topsail Island.  This will be in addition to our other sell out surf programs in Oak Island and Wrightsville Beach.  We expect that these new programs will be as exciting and fun filled as all of our other “Learn to Surf ” Programs.  With our unparalleled staff of instructors and our incomparable methods these programs are sure to sell out early!  So enroll now in one of Indo Jax Surf School’s Surf Programs!

At Indo Jax Surf School we feel our surfing program is simply the best out there.  Why?  Because that’s what we strive to be.  We pay attention to every detail, we are professional, personable, courteous, and great at what we do.  Our Summer Surf Camps and Lessons are a huge hit with kids and parents alike, because we put so much into our program.  Being a teacher myself, I want our surf programs, lessons and camps to be full of information and learning.  Our instructors are fantastic at teaching children how to surf, how to be safe, but also about the ocean environment and conservation.  Our Surf Camps and Surf Lessons are very educational, and children have an absolute blast while they’re learning.  Having been a teacher for 20 years, it has been my passion to make our camps more than just learning to surf.  Because of the high quality nature of our program, we attract the very best instructors out there.  Our surf instructors are great surfers themselves, very knowledgeable around the ocean, great teachers, and very good at making things fun.  In addition, our instructors are fantastic teachers and trained in both first aid and cpr.  As a surf school we are clear about our priorities.  #1=Safety #2=Fun #3= Learn to surf and about the ocean.   We have camps and lessons for all levels and our instructors are very skilled at teaching to the level of the student.  We hope to see you at Indo Jax this summer!

We at Indo Jax always strive to improve.  No matter how good we feel our surfing programs are.  We know there’s always room for improvement.  Whether we are researching new equipment, making program improvements, or learning new methods, we work hard to get better and provide the best experience possible for you and your families.

This past weekend, I got a chance to spend a little time with a great guy, Rupert Isaacson of the Horse Boy Movie and founder of the Horse Boy Method.  Their organization has a well thought out and developed program of teaching horses to work with children with special needs.  What an experience it was to meet and watch and listen.  Definitely there is a lot of crossover between surfing and horse riding and both are very effective therapy for children with special needs.  More importantly, I saw where Indo Jax Surf Charities can improve it’s methods and techniques and take our camps several steps further.  Although The Horse Boy organization works primarily with children with autism, one of their premises was that what’s good for autism is good for all children.  After witnessing their program, I believe that to be true and am super excited to add new and more effective activities to our surfing program.

This visit was a very valuable experience for our charity surf camp programs as we head into 2012.  It will also help us as we serve and work with other charity programs like, Homes of Hope, Boys and Girls Club, JDRF, and Surfers Healing.   I’d like to personally thank Rupert, his wife and crew for their hospitality and patience with me as I absorbed as much as I could. My children had a blast the whole way through and especially at the  Sunday evening “play date.”   No doubt I’ll be back to learn more and ride those wonderful horses!

The sponsorship for India Surf Safari 3 for the Homes of Hope orphan girls is mind boggling. Carolina Paddle board Co., Hope From Helen, Indo Jax, UPS Porters Neck, Analytics Corp, BB&T, Downtown Darlings, The Melting Pot, Wilmington Wine, USA Luge, Shipman and Wright, St Mary Catholic School, Forward Motion Dance, Wrightsville Wake, plus a couple personal donations from friends and family! Thanks all this would be impossible without you all.  Also, Paul Wilkes deserves special thanks for all his work and support for this trip.  It will be a logistical nightmare for him!  Thanks Paul!

Wow, our 2012 season just seems to keep getting better!  Our schedule of surf camps and lessons continues to grow.  We have half day surf camps, full day surf/summer camps, camps in Topsail, Onslow, and our regular Oak Island and Wrightsville Beach.  It really means a lot to us that folks keep coming back  and more and more organizations want to affiliate and work with us.  We feel it is a testament to our dedication, hard work and attention to detail.  We strive to be the best we can!

In addition, our charity program through Indo Jax Surf Charities continues to grow. We have a stacked line up with our regular charity surf camps as well as some incredible new ones. Here is our 2012 Charity Season Schedule…

April 1-15 India, Homes of Hope

May 5 Central Home for Boys

May 19-20 Camp Lejeune Surf Camp for Children of Deployed

May 21-24 Boys and Girls Club Wilmington

June -Aug Every Friday Wounded Warriors Camp Lejeune

June 16-17 Camp Lejeune  Surf Camp for Children of Deployed

June 25-28 Belarussian Exchange

July 9-13 JDRF Juvenile Diabetes

July 23-27 Visually Impaired

August 19 Cystic Fibrosis

August 20 Surfers Healing

August 21-31 Unstad Camping, Norway

December Surf Ski Charity Event Big Bear/Seal Beach

This is going to be a year to remember!

I am almost speechless at the outpouring of support for our charity surf program.  So many folks have come to us to support the various surf camps we do for special needs and at risk youth.

In recent weeks we have been finalizing our India Surf Safari 3 Trip plans and have been focused on a last round of fundraising.  After the success we had at our last fundraiser I really thought it would be difficult to raise any more money.  At the same time I didn’t want the India Trip to wipe us out.  I wanted to have enough funds left over to support our camps here at home.  Additionally we have more camps planned than ever before.  This season stands to blow everything else we’ve ever done completely out of the water.  The India trip is going to be bigger and better than ever serving twice as many girls as the last two years.  Our new Wounded Warrior Surf Therapy Program is going to be unprecedented in its format and consistency.  Our visually impaired surf camp is evolving into a week long full day camp full of extreme sports and activities, surfing is just one of them.  Our surf charity program is developing into one of the most outstanding programs you can find anywhere for special needs children.  We have worked hard for that and  are very  proud of  of what we have accomplished!

None of it is possible without your support.  We have received such incredible sponsorship for our India Surf safari 3 that we just might make our goals.  Without the sponsorship dollars of some incredible businesses and individuals we would not be able to help these orphan girls.  Huge thanks goes out to…

Shipman and Wright Law Firm,  Indo Jax Surf School, Homes of Hope, South End Surf Shop, Hope From Helen, Downtown Darlings, BB&T (Scott and Stringfellow), Carolina PaddleBoard Co, Wilmington Wine, The Melting Pot, USA Luge,  Art Sensation, and our newest sponsor Southern Grown Landscapes.

Thank you, Thank you and Thank you!

We just found out today that one of the three orphanages we were planning on surfing with may not be able to participate.  In turns out the state of this one orphanage had some governmental chaos several months ago and had to shut down many institutions including school, and to make up for missed days the school year has been extended into our trip dates.  Come on, where are your priorities, this is official surf business!  So the trip will still constitute two weeks and 60+ girls, but they will come from two orphanages instead of all three.  This reminds me of when the bus caught on fire last year.  It wouldn’t be India without snags like this!  No matter what this will surely be an adventure and this is just the first of the curve balls.  More boards ship Feb 1st, tickets have been purchased, and the crew assembled, and it’s quite a crew.  Only two months until we leave and there’s so much still to do.

Thanks to some incredible sponsors, this trip is even possible.  Last year’s India video and photos if you haven’t seen it. Nate Daniels did an incredible job capturing the essence of the trip. See below. We are in the middle of prepping for Surf Safari 3. We’ve already hit some snags, understandable when you consider the idea of providing a FREE surf camp for orphan girls half way around the world. We are working through it all and staying focused on the mission. We have had some incredible support from some wonderful companies and individuals. Head Line sponsor Shipman and Wright Law Firm. Other great sponsors are South End Surf Shop, Indo Jax Surf School, Hope From Helen, Carolina Paddleboard Co., Homes of Hope, Downtown Darlings, The Melting Pot, Wilmington Wine, Scott and Stringfellow, Art Sensation, Savi Political Consulting, USA Luge,  my old Pal Alberto Papantoniadis, another friend John Andrews, and my mom Lynn Brunel. Others have promised support as we get nearer to the departure date.  To all who have supported and helped THANK YOU so much for your support, this would not be possible without you!

Indo Jax Surf Charities is accepting corporate sponsorship at this time for our 3rd annual Homes of Hope Surf Safari 3 for orphan girls in India. We already have some incredible sponsors for this event. Shipman and Wright Law Firm, South End Surf Shop, Carolina Paddle Board Co, Indo Jax Surf School, Scott and Stringfellow, The Melting Pot, Downtown Darlings, Wilmington Wine, Savi Political Consulting are already on board and giving their support. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring this incredibly uplifting event, please contact us. Thank you!

As you know we are headed into our 3rd year working with these wonderful orphan girls in India.  This program has been very uplifting for these girls because they rarely get a chance to enjoy just being children, they’ve lost their childhood.  When we visit them we take them on a week long surf camp, feed them, house them and do other excursions with them that they would otherwise never get to do.  If you check out our web-site you will see the fun these girls have.  This event no doubt changes their lives as it does the lives of the instructors who visit.