Mermaid Surf School - Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Amy R.

A year ago, I signed up for the very first Beginner Mermaid Camp—and I am so glad that I did! Kelly is an incredible coach: down-to-earth, and deeply knowledgeable. She teaches things you won’t get in a typical surf lesson, like surf etiquette and ocean awareness. She doesn’t just push you into waves—you learn the skills and build the confidence to choose your own wave and paddle into it.

Since then, I’ve completed the Intermediate Camp and now regularly attend Surf Club. Along the way, I’ve made best friends and found a true sense of community. I’m so grateful for Kelly and everything Mermaid Surf has created! If you are a woman (of any age, I’m 40!) looking to get into this sport, you are going to have such a good experience with Kelly and Mermaid Surf.

BC S.

I had a fantastic surf lesson from Kelly. I am a beginner surfer who had taken a few surfing lessons before and I was blown away by how much I learned from one session with her. She gave fantastic surf instructing during the surf session and also provided videos analysis afterward so I could see exactly what I need to work on. Even though I live in Raleigh, I plan on driving down to Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach every chance I have for more surf lessons from her. I highly recommend Mermaid Surf School for any woman wanting to learn to surf no matter your age or experience level. It’s never too late to learn and she makes it so fun and stress free. If I could give her more than 5 stars I would.

Nicole G.

I had the privilege of joining a beginner surf camp with Mermaid Surf School in the summer of 2024, and it was nothing short of life-changing! As someone who had never surfed before, I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the sport. Over the course of six weeks, I embraced early mornings, breathtaking sunrises, and hours of surfing before heading to work—it was truly magical.

Each day, our group started with a mantra, which reminded me to give myself grace, have fun, and embrace my unique journey as a new surfer. My goal was simple: to learn how to surf. By showing up consistently and committing to learning something new every day, I made that dream a reality.

The camp didn’t just teach us how to surf—it gave us a deeper connection to the ocean. We learned about the waves, the water, and the wind, which helped me feel more confident and safe out there. Some days were filled with fun, easy waves, while others required extra support from the incredible coaches, who guided me on recognizing my limits and finding the right waves to ride as a beginner.

Achieving my goal of learning to surf is something I’m so proud of, and it’s only the beginning of my journey! I’ve already booked a surf trip to Costa Rica and signed up for intermediate lessons with Mermaid Surf School next summer.

I’ll forever be grateful to Mermaid Surf School for creating such a supportive and empowering space to learn, grow, and connect with an amazing surf community of women in Wilmington. If you’ve ever dreamed of surfing, this is the place to start—trust me, it will change your life! 🌊💙

Ericka

If I could leave more stars I would! If you've been thinking of learning how to surf, this is where you want to be. Kelly has created such a positive and empowering community of women surfers. You not only learn how to surf, but get to be a part of this amazing community. Along the way, Coach Kelly will help you to find inspiration, dig deep, and come out a better version of yourself! We're all at varying degrees of abilities, ages, and body types and there's room for all. I showed up and practiced consistently and learned how to surf on my own in one camp. Hope to see you in the waves!

amy B.

At Mermaid Surf School, you'll not only learn to surf, but you’ll also gain the skills and confidence to become a better version of yourself AND a female independent surfer. Kelly’s expert and warm guidance empowers you to understand the ocean, surfing and develop the mental toughness needed to surf on your own. The focus isn’t just on riding waves—it’s about community, building your self-worth trust in your abilities, and a deeper connection with the ocean. I Love Kelly and her infectious stoke! can't recommend her enough!!

Albeli J.

My cousin and I had such an awesome time at surf school today. Kelly was so patient with us. She explained everything and made sure we felt comfortable. She kept encouraging us which helped us keep our spirits up until we finally got up on the board and caught some waves! This was such a fun and empowering activity. I highly recommend it!!!

Jill H.

I love surfing, but was a Florida beginner and couldn't catch a wave in Wilmington. I am so thankful that I was able to attend a Mermaid Surf camp. It's more than just a surf camp. It's a course in understanding the ocean so you can have fun and be safe. You learn how to paddle out and surf using proper surf etiquette. And, most importantly, you establish muscle memory through repetition to spot your wave, catch it, pop up, and ride it in. After this camp, you know how to surf independently so that you can continue to build on your skills, but Kelly continues to support your growth with meetups, informal feedback, and additional lessons/coaching/camps. You build relationships by meeting a group of people who become your surf buddies. Kelly teaches surfing to share her love for it, and there is no better type of teacher.

Kelly M.

I can not say enough wonderful things about Coach Kelly. If you have ever wanted to learn to surf and be a part of a wonderful community of women surfers- this is your opportunity! Kelly is a fantastic educator and coach.