Zap Skimboards is stoked to announce our exciting partnership with the legendary Jersey Shore Skim Camp (JSSC)!
Founded on a simple desire to share the stoke, JSSC has grown into a cornerstone of the local skimboarding scene. We sat down with the founder, Felicia Stratton, and some of the awesome instructors who make the magic happen, to learn more about this beloved camp's success and the incredible community it has fostered.
From a Son's Complaint to a Summer Tradition: Felicia Stratton's Vision
It all started back in 2009, as Felicia recounts, with a simple observation. "My son Sean came home from skimboarding one day, complaining about all the little kids who were following him around and asking him to teach them how to skimboard." This sparked an idea. While her son and his friends were self-taught, Felicia recognized a lack of formal instruction in the area. "I wanted to fill that need."
What began with just two instructors and around 35 campers has blossomed into a thriving community. Today, Jersey Shore Skim Camp boasts 14 instructors and welcomes approximately 300 campers every summer!
Felicia's mission is clear: "to teach beginners how to skimboard safely and to help intermediate skimboarders advance their skills." But it's more than just technique. "We want to instill in all campers a love of the sport, and we do this through providing a fun camp experience, mostly due to the patience, kindness, expertise, and good humor of our instructors."
When asked about her best camp memory, Felicia shared a heartwarming story: "One of our campers struggled during the week to get on the board. But on our last day of camp, he was able to slide and complete a ride for the first time. I will never forget the joy on his face, as he yelled out, 'I’M DOING IT!' and all the instructors cheered and clapped for him. Those are the moments that make all the hard work worth it."
The camp has also seen some incredible talent come through its ranks. Felicia proudly names a few: "Wow, so many! I put Aidan Stevenson at the top of that list; he started camp when he was 6 years old and is now a head instructor and a SkimUSA champion. Sean Newbert, Evelyn & Abby Sarin, and Russell Sullivan, Dillon Brown are just a few of the very many."
Sea Bright, NJ: What makes it the perfect skim spot? According to Felicia, "Sea Bright is a great location for skimboarding as evidenced by the many skimboarders who travel here during the summer months. The shoreline in Sea Bright has an ideal slope, and we have consistent waves. Also, there are no restrictions on skimboarding on the Sea Bright Beach as there are at some other beaches on the Jersey coast."
Looking to the future, Felicia is optimistic. "As skimboarding continues to gain popularity, we will continue to teach, promote, and support the sport in any way we can. We will also continue our support of the annual SkimUSA Skim Bash contest."
The Instructor Perspective: Passion and Community
To truly understand the JSSC magic, we also chatted with some of the dedicated instructors who make it all happen:
Sean Newbert, a former camper himself, shared his skimboarding journey: "I learned to skim in LBI because my grandpa has a beach house down there, and he actually had a super old Zap board in the garage, and I wanted to try it." Now in his fifth year teaching, Sean firmly believes in the value of skim camps. "I think camps are the best option for anyone interested in skimboarding. This is because it lets you in on what the entire skimboarding community is like, and you really don’t get that on your own. By joining camp, you are joining a whole new community that you can connect with even outside of camp, like at competitions. Simply put, camps open the doors to the skim community as a whole."
Sean also raves about the New Jersey skim scene: "The things I like most about skimboarding in New Jersey are the variety of waves. Depending on the location and the day, NJ spots offer all different types of waves, and it always keeps you trying something new." As for the camp's home in Sea Bright? "The conditions at camp in Sea Bright are perfect for all ages and skill levels. Depending on the day and part of the beach you are on, the waves offer perfect sections for very beginners all the way up to pro skimboarders. Sea Bright has it all."
TJ Brewer, a nine-year veteran instructor (since 2016), paints a picture of the ideal beach-loving life. "Working at a skim camp on the Jersey Shore is everything a beach lover can ask for. You’re on the east coast, so you get to the beach just after sunrise but before the crowd. There are tons of spots within 20 minutes of you, lots of great shops, restaurants, etc., within walking distance, AND you don’t pump your own gas lol."
TJ credits the camp's consistent success to its strong foundation. "JSSC has had the success they’ve had because of the brand we’ve built and the people we have. The instructors at JSSC truly love skimming and want to share that emotion with as many groms as possible. We also have a Sea Bright local as an owner in Felicia who truly loves skim camp. She treats all the kids like her own, including the instructors, and that makes camp feel like a family reunion – the good kind."
Beyond the technical skills, TJ emphasizes the deeper lessons learned at camp. "Kids learn how to run, drop, and slide, of course, but they also learn how great the ocean is. An endless source of power that never fails to provide a good time while asking for nothing in return." His go-to technique for first-timers? "My best technique is to find what they like and connect it to skimming. If a kid is interested in skimming, or anything for that matter, they’re going to crave it. I’ve gotten kids interested in skimming using anything from Fortnite to physics. Put yourself in somebody’s shoes and watch how easy it is to hold their attention. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be 10 years old again?!"
Aidan Stevenson, a name Felicia highlighted, has a unique perspective as the first ever camper at JSSC! "I learned from Drew Messick a year or two before Jersey Shore Skim Camp was a thing, but I was the first camper at JSSC. When I was a camper at JSSC, either Tommy T or the Tracy brothers (Will and Colin) were my instructors." Transitioning to the other side was a bit surreal. "When I went from camper to instructor, it felt a little weird being on the other side of the camp teaching, but I was happy to spread the knowledge that I learned over the years to the groms."
Teddy Osipiwitz, an original instructor, although his consistent involvement came later, reflects on the special atmosphere of the camp. "I did some lessons when we first opened, but realistically, I never went to camp until summer 2024." His fondest memory highlights the infectious energy of the campers: "Fondest memory has to be the conversations during the morning stretches. The energy of the kids is unmatched."
Teddy underscores the importance of skim camps. "Skimboarding has given me friends, skills, and confidence that I was not finding in other conventional sports. Skim camp opens that door and gives an opportunity to so many kids that may not have even considered the sport. The confidence the kids develop as camp progresses is priceless." Experiencing the camp firsthand left a lasting impression. "I was not aware of the magic at camp until we were in last week. Suddenly, nearly a dozen weeks of activity floods your memories. All the campers' smiles, a couple of tears, and a whole lot of hooting and hollering. All the new maneuvers, the struggles to accomplish them, all the hard work they did. The only thing on their mind is coming back to camp next year. That has to be the biggest reward."
Finally, Teddy offers a powerful description of the local skim scene: "NJ Skimboarding and NJ skimboarders are growing. In numbers, in size, some of us in weight. The sport is growing, but it’s important not to forget our humble beginnings. Gritty, dedicated, loyal, hungry, progressive, timeless; that is how I would describe NJ Skimboarders. Big thanks to Felicia Stratton for taking the chance on some Skimboarders and creating the JSSC army."
Ready to join the JSSC army? Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to take your skim game to the next level, the Jersey Shore Skim Camp offers an unforgettable experience filled with fun, learning, and a supportive community. With passionate instructors and the perfect beach as their playground, they're fostering a love for skimboarding that will last a lifetime. Check out www.jerseyshoreskimcamp.com to learn more and sign up for an epic week of skimboarding this summer!