WHAT TO PACK FOR A DAY AT SURF CAMP - Corky Carroll Surf Camps

Looking for a surf camp packing list? At Corky Carroll’s Surf School we are pros at making a day out of going to the beach and having fun in the ocean. We’ve been this for over 20 years, and have seen it all! So we definitely know what to pack for surf camp.

From sunscreen to towels, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessities to get the most out of your surf camp experience. Enjoying a beach day at camp may seem self explanatory. But to make it as easy as possible we have outlined some tips to ensure you maximize your fun. These are what we recommend all groms bring to our Summer surf camps to have a good (and safe) time at the beach.

Here’s a beach packing list with all the essentials to help you pack quickly so you can get out the door and on your way!

The Essential Packing List to Bring for a Day at Corky Carroll’s Surf Camp

Beach Bag: First thing you need is a beach bag that can fit all your items. You don’t want to be carrying an arms-full of items when walking across the hot summer sand. Get yourself a spacious bag that has enough room to fit bulky items such as a towel, swimsuit, and extra pair of clothes.  We recommend that your bag have a zipper or something to cover up it up while you’re enjoying your beach activities so that the seagulls don’t get into your stuff.

Sunscreen: One of the most important things to take with you for a day in the sun. Even on a day where the weather looks overcast, you’re likely to get burnt as beaches tend to be very exposed to the elements. We recommend bringing a waterproof sunscreen with you but we do provide sunscreen if necessary. We choose Eco and skin friendly sunscreen such as Sun Bum and Zinka!

Sunscreen Beach Bag and Water

Lots of Water: Don’t forget to bring along plenty of H2O. When surfing in the sun all day, even more water intake is required than on a regular day. It’s very important that you keep yourself hydrated whilst enjoying your beach day to avoid sunstroke and other related illnesses. With increased sweating in the sun, we tend to lose a lot of fluids. So make sure you drink moderate amounts of water often to avoid getting thirsty and therefore dehydrated. You can bring plastic water bottles but we recommend bringing a reusable water bottle from home so we can reduce our use of plastic.

Swimwear: We recommend you put your swimsuit on before coming to Corky Carroll’s Surf Camp. That way when you show up you can get in the water as soon as possible. We provide wet suits for all of our campers to wear. We recommend wearing wetsuits while surfing, but it is not mandatory. If you know you are not going to want a wetsuit, you should wear a swimsuit that is sturdy enough not to fall off while surfing waves and swimming in the ocean. Most of our kids stay in the wetsuits for the entire day but you are more than welcome to take it off during our out of water activities.

Lunch & Snacks: Nothing increases your appetite quite like a day of running in the sand, hanging in the sun and wave surfing. Make sure you bring plenty of snacks to keep your energy levels up! Fruit is a great option or anything else that doesn’t require preparation. If you’re taking sandwiches with you, remember that they may get soggy if not placed in a cool bag. Always pack more than you think you’ll need, as spending a day on the beach can take a lot of energy. You will want to keep your energy up for the surfing!

Towel, Beach bag, and Hat

Towels: One thing that you can’t go to the beach without is a towel. Everyone needs a good towel to dry off with after a surf session, when eating your snack, and or when you’re tired and want to lay down in the sand. We would recommend choosing a bigger towel than you would use at home for more room to lay on. We also recommend choosing a different, uniquely patterned towel so you can recognize yours between other campers.

Flip Flops: Seriously, don’t forget your flip flops. There’s nothing worse than having to walk across the hot sand with your bare feet. And it’s a real drag trying to put your socks or sneakers back on after you’ve spent the day soaking up the sun, sand, and water. Simply slip your flip flops on and you’re done and gone. We recommend putting your initials on the sides and or choosing a distinct design so you don’t get yours mixed up with other campers.  

Sun Hat: We do provide shade for campers under our Corky Carroll’s Surf Camp tents, but we recommend you also bring a hat. Hats do wonders for protecting your head, ears, face and neck while also keeping the sun out of your eyes. Even if you’re not a hat fan, just remind yourself that keeping those rays off your face will make a huge difference for the following day at surf camp.

A Change of Clothes: Ever get back to the car just to realize that you and your wet bathing suits and towels are about to ruin your car seats? Bringing an extra pair of clothes will not only help you feel your most comfortable on the ride home, but it will make your parents happy also!

Empty Plastic/Reusable Bag: This might sound like a strange one, but they’re great for keeping valuables dry and sand free.

Sunscreen, Beach Bag, Water, Snack, Hat

Surf Camp Packing List Checklist

Just to review here’s a quick and easy checklist of everything we covered above:

• Beach Bag
• Sunscreen
• Lots of Water
• Swimwear
• Lunch & Snacks
• Sun Hat
• Change of Clothes
• Empty Plastic/Reusable Bags

Our surf camps at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach are a blast every summer. It’s an amazing time for groms of all ages to have fun at the beach, enjoy the ocean, and learn to surf. With the right gear in tow everything is made all the better. Proper packing can help you and your little ones make the most of your Summer surf camp experience, and focus on what really matters: Staying safe, having fun and surfing!

With this list you should be all set for an awesome time. We can’t wait to be a part of it.

See you on the beach!

Thanks to Collin Walker and the great team at Corky Carroll's Surf Camps for providing this great article. To learn more about either one of the great Corky Carroll Surf Camp locations, please click below:

• Corky Carroll' Surf Camp - Huntington Beach, CA
• Corky Carroll's Surf Resort - Nosara, Costa Rica