Crystal South Surf Camp
Instructors

Crystal South Surf Camp boasts the most qualified surf instructor staff in the Cape Fear area. Jo and Ed Pickett have been providing surf instruction for a combined 75 years. Jo, Airlie, and Leilani surf competitively and are active in the Eastern Surfing Association (ESA). Our qualified and experienced instructors offer personalized instruction depending on the conditions, physical ability, and skill level. It's not just generic textbook training. It's hands-on, in-the-water instruction.

Jo Pickett

Surfing since 1971, competing since 1976, and teaching surfing since 1996. Still competing, traveling, and coaching.
Jo’s recent competitive record: Eastern Surfing Association shortboard champion 2006, second place 2012, National Champion 2004, Eastern Surfing Association longboard champion 2012, 2010, 2007.

Jo compliments her surf coaching with functional training sessions at Urban Fitness, and blends yoga into this comprehensive surf fitness program. Jo is a certified yoga teacher and athletic trainer.

Competitive Highlights

2004 US Womens Champion
2006 ESA Easterns Champion
2007 ESA Mid Atlantic Regions, 3rd Place Ladies
2008 ESA Mid Atlantic Regions, 1st Place Ladies Longboard

Ed Pickett

Surfing since his teenage years, Ed has been teaching with Jo since 2000.Very good with little children, Ed has developed techniques such as “the bullfrog” that effectively launches little ones into the waves of their lives!

Certifications

Advanced Yoga Teacher Certificate, Kripalu Yoga Center
Certified Surfing Safety Instructor, CSSI International

Airlie Pickett

Surfing since conception, competing since 1997, world traveler admired for her power surfing in heavy wave conditions. Airlie is my best instructor, patient and fun loving. Airlie has contributed to her university surf team’s national ranking for two years.

Competitive Highlights

• 2008 ESA Mid Atlantic Regions, 5th Place Junior Women
• 2008 ESA Mid Atlantic Regions, 6th Place Womens Longboard
• 2007 ESA Mid Atlantic Regions, 3rd Place Girls
• 2011 and 2012 University of North Carolina Wilmington Surf Team East Coast Finalist

Leilani Pickett

Crystal South Surf Camp exists because of Leilani. From the time she could walk, she insisted on surfing. We obliged, and our method evolved. Leilani's competitive record stands as testament to her surfing prowess. Leilani's students learn from her words of encouragement as she coaxes them into waves, and, most of all, from her demonstrations of maneuvers. Leilani surfs with finesse and grace which edifies her radical style.

Competitive Highlights

2005 ESA Girls Champion
2006 ESA Jr. Womens Champion
2007 ESA Mid Atlantic Regions, 3rd Place Junior Womens
2011 University of North Carolina Wilmington Surf Team East Coast and National Finalist

Doug Pickett

Doug has been attending camp as long as he can remember. Now 18 years old, he is popular with the girls, and guides young children into waves with skill.

Competitive Highlights

• Cape Fear Soccer Premier League Champion 2011 - 2012 season

Kristen Brown

Kristen came to Crystal South Surf Camp as a beginning surfer and quickly advanced. She enjoys teaching surfing and sharing her love of the ocean. Kristen has traveled with Jo and Airlie to Nicaragua and Costa Rica to develop her surfing skills.

Jacob Johnson

Now 13 years old, Jacob has been our assistant instructor for three seasons. Returning surf students look for Jacob when they return, because Jacob develops friendship and community with all of our students.

AC Hoover

AC learned to surf with us when he was 8 years old. Now 16, he travels and teaches with us. AC actively competes in the Eastern Surfing Association Southern North Carolina District and the National Scholastic Surfing Association mid-atlantic conference.

Spencer Lem

Spencer learned to surf with us when he was young. Now that he has graduated from UNCW, he works as a manager at Sweetwater Surf Shop and teaches with us when he can.