[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TheGreen_08012014_EnlightenMe_SurfSchool.mp3|titles= Delaware Public Media's contributor Rob Kalesse visits the Rehoboth Beach Boarding School.]
Mention the sport of surfing to most people and they likely conjure up images of 10-foot waves off the coast of cool and exotic places like the beaches of Southern California, Australia and, of course, Hawaii.
But that doesn’t include people like Amy Dorsey, a Rockville, Md., native who after learning how to surf while on vacation in Ecuador, wanted to continue her hobby when she returned to the East Coast.
Realistically, she wondered, would it be possible to find waves worth riding along the Delmarva Peninsula? Curious, she did what many would do in the same situation, and decided to surf the web before surfing the waves.
After performing a quick Google search for surf lessons in the greater Washington, D.C. area, the results turned up several links, including Delaware’s longest-running surf school, the Rehoboth Beach Boarding School.
Excited at the opportunity of honing her skills closer to home, the 25-year-old clicked on the page and started reading. Within minutes she was signing up for a two-hour class scheduled in the waters east of the Indian River Inlet, just south of Dewey Beach. It was there where she met Rehoboth Beach Boarding School Owner and Founder, Peter Zabowski, and his crew of instructors.
For nine summers Pete and company have been showing wannabe wave-riders the aquatic ropes, first at Gordon’s Pond near Cape Henlopen State Park, and currently at Indian River, Sea Colony in Bethany Beach, and just off 76th Street in Ocean City, Md. It’s at those three beach locations where newbies can learn lifelong lessons.
“Our goal is really to give people the basic skill set, so when they get in the water next time, they can surf on their own, for as long as they want,” Zabowski said during a recent lesson. “Most people don’t think surfing is possible in Delaware, but I’ve been coming to these shores for 18 years, so I’m living proof.”
Naturally, the waves along the Delmarva shores aren’t as big and breathtaking as the better-known surfing spots around the globe, or even off the coast of Florida, for that matter. But students like Dorsey get all they need from Pete’s classes.
Delaware Public Media checks out RB Surf Boarding School
Delaware Public Media checks out RB Surf Boarding School
[flashvideo file=http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/boarding-school.flv image="none"/]
“I already knew the basics, but Pete’s class taught me how to surf better around more people, and was actually more challenging that surfing in Ecuador,” Dorsey said. “The conditions aren’t as good in Rehoboth, but the smaller waves make you more selective and really require you to put more effort into paddling and getting momentum.”
Rehoboth Beach Boarding School’s lessons teach all the essentials for beginning surfers, including how to pop up on the board, how to paddle, how to fall, and most importantly, according to Zabowski, how to avoid other surfers.
But is the sport really for everybody?
“I’ve taught probably a couple thousand people how to surf in the decade I’ve been doing this,” Zabowski said. “We’ve had students as young as 6 and as old as 73, so if the interest and desire is there – and you like to have fun in the water – you can surf.”
The only major requirement of students is that they know how to swim, according to Zabowski. The company is fully insured, and all of their instructors, including 18-year-old Garrett Becker, are CPR and First Aid-certified.
Becker has been surfing since age 10 and working with the company for two summers now. For him, it’s all about having fun in the water with people who want to learn.
“It’s a pretty sweet gig, honestly,” the Rehoboth Beach native said. “And it’s pretty cool giving people the tools to surf on their own. I always tell them to cover their heads and be aware of where they are on the board. Once you have that down, you can pick up the sport pretty quickly.”
Dorsey picked it up real fast, mastering the waves in her 120 minutes at Indian River. “I had a blast,” she said. “It was laidback and fun, but professional. Pete’s crew is so nice, they’re patient, and when you catch a wave, they cheer you on. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to give surfing a try.”
Of course, it is a workout. While Zabowski doesn’t require his students to be in any particular physical shape, those in attendance will be spending 60-90 minutes in the water, swimming, paddling, and trying to master the waves.
“It’s definitely great exercise, but it’s more fun than anything,” Zabowski said. “And personally, it gives us great satisfaction to see people getting out there with some guidance, rather than just spending a bunch of money on the gear without any lessons.”
Zabowski has seen plenty of folks try surfing on their own over the years. In fact, it was while employed at Quite Storm Surf Shop on Rehoboth Avenue that Zabowski first got the idea for the school in 2005.
“People would come in and buy all the products – boards, wax, wetsuits – and then get frustrated and give up,” the Dover native said. “I basically started the school out of necessity, because people kept coming in and asking, ‘Why don’t you give lessons? I’ll pay you.’”
That’s when Zabowski decided to start the business and do it right, getting referral after referral from customers at Quiet Storm. He says that his love of surfing has translated into a love of teaching over the years.
“The thing about surfing is, it helps you clear your head and really focus on one thing,” the 35-year-old said. “I think people don’t expect that at first, but really enjoy that aspect of throwing off the world’s problems for a couple hours and just zoning in on the waves and the water.”
Dorsey agreed, saying, “It’s all very Zen, for sure. I’ve already decided to go to Costa Rica for a week and surf there. And next summer I’ll probably go back to the school to learn how to surf other areas, like Bethany and O.C.”
The Rehoboth Beach Boarding School only offers lessons through September, and the waves, tides and winds have to be just right in-season, for safety reasons. But the crew is basically teaching at one of their three locations most mornings and afternoons throughout the summer.
If you’re interested in riding the waves with Pete and his crew of pros, call them at 302-745-5804, or check them out online. Lessons are typically $75 per person in a group setting, or $85 per person in a semi-private group setting. They also offer one-hour private lessons for individuals at $105. Groups can accommodate up to 10 people, with one instructor per five students.