Beach Life Instructors- Dedicated, adventurous people

SPI Sessions has a unique approach to our staff. We call ourselves ‘Beach Life Instructors’ because we believe we share more with the student than just a surfing lesson. We are well-rounded individuals with love for all things friendly to our beaches and lifestyles. We maintain a rotating staff of 4-5 Beach Life Instructors and 2-3 Science Specific Trainers throughout our sessions.  In a lesson setting, we maintain a 1:4 ratio of staff to student, providing necessary attention for adequate surf technique and stoke. We are very proud to have a strong staff of vetted individuals eager to share the joy of surfing and eco-awareness.

   CPR/First Aid Certified  

   Open Water Safety Trained  

  Experienced Action Sports Coaches 

 

Our Commitment to Safety- Certified, Professional, Experienced

Commitment to Safety 

Safety is our first priority as proven by our six years of camp operations and safety record. We follow guidelines and training from both American Red Cross and United States Lifeguarding Association to ensure the safest and most rewarding experiences. We always keep a student to instructor ratio of 4:1 and all of our instructors have certifications in First Aid, Cpr, and are Open Ocean Trained. We also carry a comprehensive insurance package, including general liability. 

We do take a significant amount of time in our water related programs to share our knowledge of the ocean. We teach about how to safely swim in open ocean, how to avoid and escape rip currents, how to respect other water users, and awareness of marine life. Campers will learn so much about the ocean that it will increase their comfortability and maximize their amazement and experience in the ocean.

 

Picture of Aarin Hartwell

Aarin Hartwell

Camp Director & Beach Life Instructor

Aarin Hartwell is a passionate athlete and ambassador of South Padre Island. While Aarin pursues her athletic career traveling and competing in pro/am surf and Kiteboarding contests, she is also an entrepreneur and proprietor of events. Hartwell is at her best when she is working with children and in her expertise field of water sports.

Simone

Surf & SUP Instructor

Traveler, photographer, and action sports enthusiast, Simone joins us from his home town in Tulum. As a full-time kiteboarding instructor back home, Simone loves taking a break to coach surfing and stand-up paddle boarding .

Sebas

Surf & SUP Instructor

Chef, surfer, and action sports enthusiast, Sebas joins us from his home town in Tulum. As a full-time kiteboarding instructor back home, Sebas loves taking a break to coach surfing and stand-up paddle boarding .

Leslie

Sunset Yoga Instructor

Leslie Leveck is a 500 hr certified Yoga Instructor registered with Yoga Alliance. She has been practicing Yoga since 2004 and has been teaching since 2016. She is currently enrolled at the International Institute of Yoga Therapy where she will be credentialed as a yoga therapist upon completion in 2023. Leslie specializes in Y12SR (Yoga 12 Step Recovery) Y12SR combines yoga philosophies with the 12 step recovery from addiction. Leslie also specializes in helping to treat soldiers and veterans suffering from trauma.

Tom Gomez

Skateboarding Instructor

Italia

Kids Sunset Yoga Instructor

Italia Love is an experienced yogi and is training as a 200hr certified yoga instructor, specializing in the art of teaching children. Italia has been practicing yoga since she was 6 years old and is currently practicing to become certified by August 2021. Italia is experienced in the mind, body connection by meditating and practicing daily.

Seymour Lumang

Coastal Science Adventure Camp Coordinator

Ocean & Environmental Awareness- 

We know that nature can shape a child's memory and experiences, which is why we pair environmental and ocean awareness with action sports. It’s fun, exciting, and encourages an active, healthy lifestyle. We believe that learning about the ocean and all of its changing dynamics is part of an all encompassing experience our beach life instructors hope to share. Water Safety, open ocean awareness and coastal wildlife are incorporated into the camps curriculum. We want our campers to have fun, learn, laugh and enjoy the ocean. 

Each day we focus on reinforcing the importance of safety at the beach. All campers will have an opportunity to learn skills that will set the stage for them to practice ocean safety for the rest of their lives. We use fun beach games and scenarios to mimic safety drills and procedures. A hands-on approach to life skills. 

Many children are inspired to be great stewards for the planet after they fall in love with the outdoors.  Coupling this concept with sports, we’ve discovered that kids learn to become great ambassadors for taking care of their playgrounds. 

Ocean Safety Education consists of:

  • Rip current identification, awareness, and existing procedure
  • Wave prediction and judgement 
  • Longshore current identification 
  • Conservation of the Coast awareness 
  • Sun exposure and UV awareness 
  • Beach Ecology and marine science education 
  • Venomous Marine Life awareness and first aid 
  • Popular marine life education