“We educate and instruct children to enjoy the beach and ocean responsibly.“

Erik Nelsen

Founder/Owner/Operator
Born in Laguna Beach, California, Erik Nelsen had his first surfing experience through a small family-run surf camp. The intimacy and expertise of this positive experience fueled Erik’s passion for the sport and inspired his life-long love of surfing. Erik has surfed worldwide, including working as a lifeguard/surf guide at the world-famous Tavarua Island Surf Resort in Fiji for over 25 years.

Erik’s passion for surfing motivated him to provide kids with a safe and positive way to learn the sport. At 15, he started a surf camp as part of his father’s Ocean Adventure Program’s science camp.

From a one-man show, Erik developed his surf camp over the last 38 years into a thriving business that now features 25 instructors and has taught over 10,000 students how to surf safely and with confidence while learning valuable lessons about ocean awareness and ocean safety.

Erik’s passion and love for surfing flow into everything he does and everyone he meets. Come join Erik in one of his surf camps or beach camps and share his love of surfing.

Jeff Nelsen

Ocean Adventure Program, Founder and Operator
Introducing children to ocean science is Jeff Nelsen’s passion! He began his teaching career at University School in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Since then, Jeff has taught preschool children through community college students in camp settings, public schools, and private schools on the East and West coasts.

Jeff created and directed the county Marine Science Laboratory program, the high school biology program for St. Marguerites School, the K-8 science curriculum at Thurston Middle School district, and wrote the science curriculum for Harbor Day School.

He created and continues to guide the direction of the Ocean Adventure Program, a summer ocean science day camp for children 5 through 12 years of age for the last 36 years.

Dan Stafford

15th Street Beach Sports, Director
Dan was born and raised in Laguna Beach where he spent his childhood on the beaches, surfing and thriving in the ocean since the age of 5! He also spent many summers at Ocean Adventure Program experiencing the lifelong lessons and wonderful memories of the camp and ocean.

With that ocean knowledge and surfing experience, he has traveled the world to world-class surfing destinations like Mexico, Hawaii, Chile, Fiji, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Australia. Today, Dan helps run and oversee the daily activities at 15th Street Beach Sports in Newport Beach and has been working in the program for over 25 years! Like all of our employees, he is CPR/First Aid certified, and with his vast knowledge of the ocean and waves, Dan has a keen sense and ability to oversee the whole camp in and out of the water as well as make executive decisions concerning the safety and well being of every child at our camp!

Cami Guild

Managing Director, Erik Nelsen Surf Camps – All-Girls Program
Cami grew up in Newport Beach, cultivating her love for the beach, the ocean, and competitive sports. She blended these passions of surfing, swimming, and playing sports throughout high school and college, as well as at camps and after school programs. After receiving a Masters degree from the University of Oklahoma while rowing collegiately.

Cami has continued to channel her energy into teaching the next generation at Erik Nelsen Surf Camps, as well as coaching collegiate rowing during the school year. She embraces the challenge of inspiring kids to be more active, competitive, and adventurous.

Kiernen Springborn

Managing Director, Erik Nelsen Surf Camps – Co-Ed Program
Kiernen was born and raised in Newport Beach and has spent the majority of his life in the ocean. After learning to surf at age 5, he immediately fell in love with everything the sport has to offer.

Kiernen started working at the Erik Nelsen Surf Camps in 2018 as and instructor, then moved to manager and now is helping direct and run the program. Kiernen has been sharing his appreciation and love for the ocean ever since. He is currently furthering his education at the University of Utah but looks forward to Surf Camp each summer when he can be back on the beach every day.

Jaclyn Winsor

Director, Ocean Adventure Program
Jaclyn grew up in Newport Beach sailing, swimming, and spending time at the beach. Jaclyn grew up working as a sailing instructor and staff member at Ocean Adventure Program. She has worked with Ocean Adventure Program since 2011, where she learned that working with children and the ocean was her passion so she became an elementary school teacher.

She currently works as a 1st and 2nd grade Special Education teacher. Her passion with teaching is to teach students coping skills, self-regulation strategies, and social-emotional health.

Jaclyn is excited to be the director of Ocean Adventure Program this summer and ready to inspire ocean safety and love for marine life for all campers.

Forest Holbrook

Ocean Adventure Programs, Director
Forest Holbrook grew up surfing, swimming, playing water polo, and later, lifeguarding for the Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department.

In 2005, Forest joined Jeff Nelsen and Ocean Adventure Program where he has been the Camp Director for the last 17 years.

Forest is also the Principal of Moffett Elementary School in the Huntington Beach City School District and attributes working with Ocean Adventure as where he found his passion for education and working with children.

Forest couldn’t be happier to share his knowledge of the ocean with our campers and is excited for another great summer with Ocean Adventure!