Ocean Lakes Surf Camp Teens Learn to Surf and Meet Billabong Team Members Cam and Cole Richards



Ocean Lakes' Surf Campers were thrilled to see Cole Richards and Cam Richards, members of the Billabong Surf Team. Surfers lined up for autographs and posed for photos, excited to meet the young sponsored surfers from the Billabong Amateur Team. Cole Richards, age 16, has placed in several East Coast competitions. In the East Coast Surfing Championship he was the only kid to place first in three divisions: the boys short board, boys long board and Men's open event (men's open included all the male competitors from every division). Cam Richards, age 12, ranks 5th nationally in the 14 and under and is a member of the PacSun USA Surf Team and the youngest surfer ever to make the money round in an ASP event (Jr Pro). The Richards brothers live nearby in Garden City, SC but have surfed all over the world.

The autograph line was filled with guests from ages 10-16 staying at Ocean Lakes Family Campground (http://www.oceanlakes.com/), most had just recently learned to surf during the 3-day Ocean Lakes Surf Camp (part of the official Billabong Surf Camp Program). The young surf campers all seemed to be from somewhere besides Myrtle Beach, SC including places like Canada, Fletcher, NC, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Greece, and Massachusetts. The young man from Mass told of how he learned to surf last summer at the Ocean Lakes Surf Camp, and got his first surfboard the following October. He's back again this year with a friend to learn more. (See the surf camp photos (http://www.oceanlakes.com/about_us/photo_gallery/2008/Surf_Camp_2008/gallery.aspx) on Ocean Lakes Family Campground's Photo Gallery at www.oceanlakes.com.)

Ocean Lakes Surf Camp was established in the summer of 2004 and is part of summer activities schedule (June to mid-August). Hundreds of Ocean Lakes' guests, ages 10-16, have participated in the camp. "Ocean Lakes has an extensive activity calendar with something for all ages, but we have been focusing on creating activities that would appeal to the young teens. They can be a tough crowd to please," explains Craig Culbreth, Ocean Lakes' Recreation Director. "We have nearly a mile of Atlantic Oceanfront, so surfing is natural," says Culbreth, an avid surfer himself. "A partnership with Billabong helped us turn our surf camp "up a notch." Ocean Lake has three Surf Camp instructors: Aaron and Sara Frobase, Matt Rossignol. They are considering adding a Surf Camp for adults after receiving several requests.

Since 1973 Billabong has grown into one of the world's leading manufacturers of surf accessories with products sold in more 100 countries. There are only about a dozen Billabong Surf Camps on the East Coast and less than 4-dozen in the world! Ocean Lakes is honored to be part of this elite group. Check out the list at www.billabongcamps.com.

Media Contact: Barb Krumm, Director of Marketing & PR, (843) 828-4829, or Kris Ziegler, Events Coordinator, (843) 828-4833. After hours: Barb's cell at (843) 457-0601.

Surf Camp organizer: Craig Culbreth, Recreation Director, (843) 232-5499.





Ocean Lakes Surf Camp Teens Learn to Surf and Meet Billabong Team Members Cam and Cole Richards