Lacey High School Teacher Shares Love Of Surfing With Summer Campers

Joe Humenik focuses on teaching Social Studies at Lacey Township High School during the school year, but during the summer, he’s all about surfing.

Humenik, who first began surfing at the Jersey Shore at age 14 with his father and brother, joined a group of other teachers last year at a unique camp in Seaside Heights.

X Camp was established in 1998 with the goal of providing fun for all, encouraging progress in surfing and educating the surfing community.

“We not only teach surfing basics but we connect environmental responsibility and community service, as well as water safety and how the environment ties in,” said Humenik. “A lot of kids never really get to go to the beach so we open their eyes to the beauty of the shore so they will appreciate it more.”

The surfing school has about 100 campers each year, with about eight of them attending the school for the whole 10 weeks from June 20 to August 26. Most students attend at one-week intervals.

Humenik said a typical day would include a 40-minute warm up to make sure their muscles and minds are in shape. After surfing the rest of the morning, they have lunch, go back and stretch and then surf another few hours.

He said it makes a difference that the school is run by educators. X Camp was founded by Joe Chiarello, who teaches adventure education and social skills to special needs and high-risk students for the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission. He also is a certified diver and dive instructor, who has been surfing for 30 years.

Other instructors include Pete Tirella, a Point Pleasant teacher and Dustin Henry, a 21- year-old Flagler College student who started at X Camp when he was 10. Henry is a member of his college’s surf team.

“The educational aspect is crucial,” said Humenik, who also is a water safety instructor and lifeguard. “The ocean is not forgiving. You have to be extra cautious.”

X Camp offers surfing birthday parties, group events and demonstrations. This year, they have partnered with Clean Ocean Action and Surfrider Foundation -- groups whose missions are to protect the ocean and its beaches -- for programs such as teaching about recycling and helping conduct beach cleanups.

When it comes down to it, Humenik said the camp is about passing the “stoke” along, or, teaching people about the surfing culture. He said they’ve had some older students.

“People have certain goals, a bucket list,” said Humenik. “We had a couple in their 50’s take lessons and now they come back every year and surf next to the camp. We try to promote a healthy approach to living.”

He said that’s what he’s doing with his 3-year-old daughter who he is just introducing to the water now so he can some day surf with her like he did with his dad and brother.

“I still remember the family time, spending the whole day on the water with my family,” said Humenik “It’s very tranquil and peaceful in the water. We see our students progress and the excitement on their faces when they get it. It’s very special.”

Humenik said X Camp will be participating in Surfers Healing camp to teach surfing to autistic children this summer. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.surfershealing.org/index.html.

To learn more about X Camp, visit www.xcampnj.com.