Team Builders Hang Ten

It’s always tough to break the ice when meeting new people, and it can be even tougher to break out of a rut in your work routine. We’re all familiar with the usual solutions — ropes courses, treasure hunts and games of “survivor” — but lately, it seems, that standard is changing with the tide.

Enter surfing as team building.

“People have been there and done that and want something new and exciting,” says Rick Civelli, founder and director of Surf Camp in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. “It involves building both personal confidence and that of the team. The ocean can be an uncomfortable place for most, but after our safe instruction, they have fun and grow as people.”

Riding the waves is an enjoyable activity for individuals, and as a group it’s a way to blow off steam, learn a new sport and have a good laugh, say those who offer the activity to corporate groups.

“When you’re out in the ocean, you’re completely out of the office. To get everyone out there brings down barriers and gets everybody to be themselves,” says Lori Patterson, director at EZride Surf School, which operates surfing camps throughout south and central Florida. “It’s invigorating and relaxing — it brings vacation into business time.”

Why Hang Loose?

Chris Brown, executive director of Camp Surf in Manhattan Beach, Calif., says surfing team builders are successful because they get people out of their everyday environment. “You get to go to the beach and see people in an entirely different way,” he explains.

The City of Manhattan Beach, Calif., has worked with Camp Surf to teach surfing to residents and others.

“We get a lot of positive feedback,” says Mark Leyman, recreation services manager for the city. “Everyone’s beaming when they get out on the water.”

And participants can learn a lot more than surfing basics from this unconventional team builder.

“It is essentially a solo sport, but the team-building aspect of it all comes into play when you look out for the safety and well-being of your fellow surfer and being excited for your buddy when they catch a great wave,” says Jill Schaefer, group activities leader for Hike Bike Kayak in San Diego. “Encouragement and good communication are essential points of surfing as well as in the office space or any group situation.”

The sport is also a great workout and is highly creative, in addition to teaching participants about dealing with success and failure.

“Most people are apprehensive before learning to surf, afraid that they won’t be able to do it and possibly look like a fool,” says Schaefer. “Enter the importance of encouragement from your surf buddies. Almost everyone is happy, tired, satisfied and has a sense of accomplishment after they finish.”

International Waters

If you think the only place to hang 10 is Southern California, think again. Surf schools are located all over the country and the world, including Virginia, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Wales and Ireland.

Team building packages vary from school to school. Most of Brown’s Camp Surf sessions last about an hour and a half, with the majority of the time being spent in the water. Prices range from $40 to $140 per person. A one-day “Fun in the Sun” adventure clinic at Civelli’s Surf Camp, which costs $150 per person, runs three hours and includes lunch and a visit to the only sea turtle hospital on the East Coast.

Surf schools can generally accommodate all age groups and can teach surfing skills to large and small groups.

On Dry Land

If in-the-water action isn’t your thing, surfing can still be an option.
Surf’s Up! Events in Long Beach, Calif., offers an indoor video surfing simulator in which participants stand on a sensor-equipped surfboard and “ride” waves projected onto the wall by a gaming device. The simulator scores “surfers” on their skill level and the number of tricks they perform.

“This is really meant for fun with people who aren’t familiar with surfing,” says owner Kristine Kennedy Hammond.

Everyone starts out with five practice waves, and then things get competitive, as the team builder is run like a surfing competition.

The simulator is portable, and prices run from $450 to $750 per group session.

Another option is designing a surfboard. It may seem like an unusual way to connect with your co-workers, but according to Valentin Shmidov, president of Pravda Surf, it couldn’t be a better one.
Pravda, a custom surfboard design studio, allows groups to create their own boards by shaping them out of foam and painting them and/or including logos.

“Often times, individuals go through a team-building event and when the event ends, many of the skills are forgotten or lost,” says Shmidov. “We find that when the surfboard is complete about two weeks after the group shapes and paints it, and we send it to the company’s location, it re-energizes the team and they have something to rally around when they come back to the office environment. The board acts as a constant reminder of what teamwork can accomplish, and is a great tool to leave in the office as a reminder of the event.”

Pravda’s surfboard design sessions are ideal for groups of up to eight people. The time frame runs from three to eight hours, and the price is $85 per person plus the cost of the boards produced, which typically range between $400 and $800.

“Most individuals know nothing about creating a surfboard when they start the process, but when they are finished, they know how waves work, how surfboards are created, and most importantly, the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals that they must work with on an everyday basis,” says Shmidov.

“You don’t need to be a surfer to enjoy this unique and creative surf activity,” says Nicole Jester of Destination Concepts Inc., an event management company in Southern California.

Jester is considering booking Pravda for an upcoming event. She thinks creating a surfboard is a great idea for a corporate giveaway, with the finished board delivered to a client a few weeks after it’s made.

“A truly unique activity and experience, perfect for a small group or visiting Surf City USA,” says Jester. “Or, for the ‘Ultimate Surfer,’ this would be great paired with a surfing lesson.”