Imagine learning to play basketball from Michael Jordan. Or taking passing lessons from Peyton Manning. How about skating the halfpipe with Tony Hawk or getting surf instructions from three-time world champion Tom Curren?
Wait a minute! You can do the last one this summer at Walking on Water Dream Surf Camps. In fact, you can choose your own instructor from the world-class likes of , C.J. Hobgood, Damien Hobgood and other pros who are lending a hand.
“Over the years we have developed close friendships with some of the best surfers in the world, including three-time world champion Tom Curren, Bethany Hamilton and the top-ranked Hobgood brothers,” says Bryan Jennings, pro surfer and head of Walking on Water. “I thought it would be perfect to combine those friendships with the students who come to our camps. What’s really special about the pros is their humility. Instead of being too cool for everyone because of their accomplishments, they make you feel like you are the more important one. I think that is why God has blessed them so much.”
The pros are stoked about the arrangement as well. Each of them will spend at least one day in camp, teaching, speaking and maybe even singing.
“I was given the gift of surfing,” C.J. says. “Bryan and Walking on Water have given me a great venue to show and share about who gave me that gift.”
“It will be fun to help the kids learn to surf or improve their skills,” Bethany says. “I hope I can inspire and encourage the kids to follow their dreams and seek God!”
Sessions
Walking on Water has been hosting surf camps since 1995. Since then, the staff has gotten thousands of groms (young surfers) riding waves and pumped up in their relationships with Jesus.
“I thought it was just going to be a surf camp, and we’d probably pray once in a while,” 18-year-old Brad Stockham said when he attended a camp several years ago. “But then I got there, and we worshiped every day and surfed every day. The worship’s real strong. It really gets you into God. I wasn’t expecting it to be that good.”
If you’ve ever spent much time around the ocean, it should come as no surprise that surfing and spirituality go hand-in-hand. Riding along a beautiful coastline powered by the energy of the vast ocean makes you realize how small you really are—and how big God is. Add in devotions, worship and biblical lessons from older guys who love Jesus and you’re in perfect position to gain a better understanding of the God who created this huge amazing earth and who loves you more than you can imagine.
“Walking on Water teaches people the gifts of surfing and Jesus Christ, two things I'm all about,” Damien says. “The ocean and surfing have always brought me closer to the Lord, and I think they can do the same for other people.”
That’s true whether you’ve ever tried to set foot on a surfboard or not.
“Most of our campers have never surfed before,” Bryan says. “Walking on Water is the perfect place to learn. I was afraid of the ocean when I was a kid, so I’m sensitive to the students who are a little fearful. But after you ride your first wave, you will be hooked.”
You’ve been warned. Now what are you waiting for? 
Get all the info at walkingonwater.org.
