(08/07)



For 13 years the O’Neill Surf Academy has been bringing the unique and often life changing experience of surfing to kids throughout Europe.

The exhilaration and excitement of riding a wave all the way to shore is something even professional surfers never lose. And for kids who have never had this experience, the O’Neill Surf Academy is now back for 2010 with more stops and new locations.

Having kicked off in the Netherlands on July 5th, 2010 the Surf Academy will run over 20 days - 10 days in the Netherlands, 5 days in France and 5 days in the UK, giving thousands of children the opportunity to learn to surf.

Joining the academy in France and the UK will be professional surfer Sam Lamiroy:
“The thrill and excitement expressed by these kids, of all abilities, when they catch their best rides really reminds me of why I fell in love with this sport in the first place,” said Sam.

“I am afraid that words fail me when struggling to express the precise feelings that make this simple act of riding waves so special,” he said. “I think giving young kids a chance to try this amazing sport we sometimes take for granted is actually one of the best things we at O’Neill can do.”



The O’Neill Surf Academy was started 13 years ago by Jay Moriarity, Richard Schmidt and Robert “Wingnut” together with O’Neill.

The academy will be led through Europe by Joey Hudson, former professional surfer from O’Neill’s hometown of Santa Cruz along with Chris Lynch, Travis Nicolet, Peter Mueller and professional surfing twins, Hailey and Sierra Partridge.

Running alongside the Surf Academy on Scheveningen beach in the Netherlands for the third year running will be the O’Neill Out of Bounds Programme.

On July 8th, 19 blind and visually impaired children will be taught how to surf with the help of the Santa Cruz instructors and a host of volunteers from within O’Neill.

“The O’Neill Out of Bounds day is the most rewarding experience for everyone involved,” said head instructor Joey Hudson. “It’s great to have this day back again and to give this opportunity to kids who would never usually get the chance to learn to surf.”


Follow the O’Neill Surf Academy 2010 on facebook at www.facebook.com/oneill


O’Neill Surf Academy 2010 Schedule:


NETHERLANDS
July 5-6: Zandvoort
July 9-10: Scheveningen
(JULY 8: OUT OF BOUNDS)
July 12–13: Domburg
July 15-17: Bergen

FRANCE
20-24 July: Cotes des Basques, Biarrtiz

UK
28-29 July: Thurso, Scotland
31-2 August: Fraserburgh, Scotland