SPI Sessions was founded in 2016 by Aarin Hartwell. Long time resident of South Padre Island and South Texas native, Hartwell took advantage of the ocean and sports in her backyard.After competing and touring as a semi-professional athlete, Hartwell decided to return home to take up her second passion, working with children and embracing her community needs.

Traveling the states Aarin noticed how truly unique SPI is to call home, but the slippery slope of the island life and lack of things-to-do was more apparent as well. The next generation struggled with drug abuse, alcohol and little motivation to stay healthy, inspired and stoked. With incredible passion Hartwell created a unique summer camp for kids that embraced the ocean and the sports she loves to share the most. After a rewarding summer, Hartwell grew the camp into a lessons business and continues to raise the bar for kids summer camps on South Padre Island annually.

Aarin was the Texas Longboarding Champion in 2016, toured semi-professionally as a kiteboarder in 2015 and served as the South District Director of the Texas Gulf Surfing Association in 2017. Today Aarin resides in San Clemente, CA, where she works as an Instructional Facilitator for special needs children at Vista Del Mar Middle School. Outside of work, Aarin spends her days surfing, SUPing, kitesurfing, dreaming big and planning SPI Sessions.