Meet the Founders
Childhood friends and lifelong watermen bring years of experience and trust. They offer a unique combination of skills and knowledge to create an unforgettable experience.
Santiago Pacheco
Co-Founder & Instructor
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Santiago has been immersed in board sports his entire life. He began surfing when he was 6, allowing him to understand the power of the ocean from a young age. He moved to Austin before high school, where his connection to the outdoors was strengthened through wakesurfing and fly fishing local waters.
Santiago later moved to California and graduated from the University of San Diego with a BBA in Finance, earning Latin honors. While in college, he organized and led a surf camp for Save Our Youth, a nonprofit supporting underserved communities. After graduating, he worked as a coach in an adaptive ski and snowboard program, helping individuals with disabilities access the mountains.
Santiago is passionate about creating safe, meaningful experiences for the next generation.
Adam Ferdman
Co-Founder & Instructor
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Adam has been on Lake Austin for as long as he can remember. He grew up on boats, wakesurfing and wakeboarding, spending most of his free time in the water. After high school, he moved to Oahu, where he spent his time surfing the South and North Shore breaks.
Adam spent four years studying Finance at the University of Hawaiʻi. Outside of school, he played music at local venues, building a strong reputation within the Oahu music scene. Alongside his time in the water and on the stage, Adam became actively involved in the local community. He got the opportunity to volunteer with AccessSurf, helping veterans and active-duty service members learn how to surf.
Being in nature and sharing his passion for the water are central to who Adam is.
Captain Louie
The 3rd founder
The true leader of the camp, Captain Louie is a water-loving operations expert. Respectful, responsible, and always on top of snack duty, he ensures everything at camp runs smoothly — because here, Louie calls the shots.
Instructor Qualifications
Our team of instructors brings years of experience, professional certifications, and a passion for teaching water sports.
Safety Certifications
- CPR Certified
- First Aid Certified
- Water Safety Training
Professional Experience
- Years of ocean, lake, and boat experience
- Lifelong watermen
- Teaching expertise with all skill levels
Teaching Excellence
- Personalized instruction methods
- Small group expertise
- Passion for youth development
All instructors are USA Water Ski & Wake Sports certified, and CPR/First Aid certified. They bring knowledge and passion to every session. Our team is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and educational environment where campers can thrive.
Our Philosophy
We believe wakesurfing is more than just an activity.
It's about finding confidence in the water, challenging yourself, and experiencing the feeling of an endless wave. Austin Surf Camp is designed to help you find all of that, regardless of skill level.
Whether you're catching your first wave or are an avid surfer, we're here to support you every step of the way.