About Us
“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 30 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 39 years into a thriving business that now features 40 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 10 years of age for the last 48 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, Super Camp & Private Lessons
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.
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!