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Wilde About Texas: Little rippers make waves
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Summer camp can have different meanings in Texas.
In Port Aransas, it means catching a wave in surf camp, but the camp isn't just another day at the beach.
"By teaching kids how to surf, we're pumping out the next generation of little rippers," Instructor Tristan Richards said.
While the little rippers started out slow, in no time they were riding the waves.
"After awhile, in a few hours of surfing here, I got the hang of it and was able to stand up on my board and ride it into the beach," Surfer Alaina Zanardi said.
For many of the junior surfers this week on the beach was their first experience riding the waves.
"The only way to get better at surfing is to practice, so that's what we try to do. Give the kids as much water time as possible and really let them kind of grow," Instructor Tristan Richards said.
But after a while, riding in a wave can quickly turn into show boating.
"The best moment is when you're on the wave and everyone is just looking at you and they're like, 'Hey, look there goes that kid again. He's on his board,' and you feel so great," Surfer Jake Gable said.
For Alaina Zanardi what seemed cool actually turned out to be much, much more.
"It's hard to describe, nothing but pure awesomeness. Just gliding on the water is a feeling like no other," she said.
It’s a feeling and a memory that will last much longer than the summer.
Surf camps are available in Galveston, Corpus Christi, South Padre Island and Port Aransas.