If your kids need to cool off this summer, one option on the table is taking them to the Watersports Camp, a day-camp under the direction of San Diego State University’s and the UC San Diego’s Mission Bay Aquatic Center. The camp is sponsored through the YMCA.
Attendees get to partake in a variety of activities, including an intro to watersports, marine science, wakeboarding, surfing, sailing, stand up paddling, kayaking, and windsurfing.
Beach & Bay Press recently caught up with Mission Bay Aquatic Center assistant director Kevin Waldick to discuss the fun in the sun awaiting camp participants.
BBP: What does the camp offer? What ages are involved? How long does it run?
KW: The Watersports Camp is an exciting day camp offering kids ages 6-to-17 camps in wakeboarding, sailing, surfing, paddling, marine science and much more. The camp is held at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, which is owned and operated by Associated Students of SDSU and UCSD Recreation, and the camp is sponsored by the YMCA. As one of the biggest wakeboarding and surfing camps in the world, thousands of kids have jumped their first wake or caught their first wave at MBAC. Camps run daily, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 25. Full-day and half-day camp options are available.
BBP: How many years has the camp been going on?
KW: The Mission Bay Aquatic Center has been offering youth camp programming for the past 45 years.
B&BP: Do you get a lot of kids from the Pacific Beach and Mission Beach areas?
KW: 92109 is certainly one of the top percentage ZIP codes of campers.
BBP: For the camp participants, what do they leave with in terms of learning and having fun?
KW: Many Watersports Camp participants develop a life-long love of a watersport, and an appreciation for the ocean and bay. There are many stories of campers who became a counselor-in-training in their teens, worked as a counselor in their college years, graduated to work in a related field after college, and are now dropping their kids off at camp.
BBP: Is there still time for locals to have their kids sign up and participate in the camp this summer?
KW: There is time to sign up for this summer. Some of our most popular activities are full during the busy weeks but there are definitely spots available in many of our activities. Register online at watesportscamp.com.
B&BP: Anything else readers should know about the camp?
KW: Our focus is on creating high-quality camp experiences in a safe, fun, and enriching environment.
Given how fast summer goes by, if this camp sounds like something your child would enjoy, what are you waiting for? Call 858-539-2003 for more information.