Meet the 2025 Girls Teen Camp CITs
We’re thrilled to introduce the four incredible young women who will be serving as our Counselors in Training (CITs) for the 2025 Maui Surfer Girls Teen Camp! These standout teens have grown through our program and are now stepping into leadership roles, bringing their passion for surfing, mentorship, and aloha spirit to the next generation of campers. As part of the Maui Surfer Girls Teen Camp CIT program, they’ll be learning hands-on skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork — all while helping to create a supportive and empowering camp experience. We’re so proud to have them join our team and can’t wait to see the magic they bring to camp this summer!
Meet Lillian:
Where are you from?
I am 17 years old and am from Bullard, Texas.
Where do you go to school?
I go to Bullard High School and work as a lifeguard at Hollytree Country Club.
Do you have any hobbies/ sports / extracurriculars?
I run hurdles and long jump in track and enjoy wake-surfing in the summer with family and friends.
How did you first find out about Maui Surfer Girls?
I found Maui Surfer Girls Teen Camp while looking for a summer camp that was both fun and a great learning experience- and I’m so glad I chose it!!
What was your favorite camp memory?
My favorite camp memory from last year was rock jumping at Cliff House. It was so much fun!
What was the best concert you’ve been to OR someone you would love to see?
The best concert I’ve been to was either Deftones or Lana Del Rey; they were both incredible!
Anything else you want the campers to know about you?
I love animals, trying new things, and listening to music (I can somewhat play the harmonica). I’m so excited to meet all of you this summer! We’re gonna have so much fun!
Meet Elia
Where are you from?
I live in the California Bay Area.
Where do you go to school?
I am a Physics major at UC Santa Cruz.
Any hobbies/ sports / extracurriculars?
I enjoy drawing/painting, running, writing, and gaming.
How did you first find out about Maui Surfer Girls?
My family took a few solo lessons with them years ago and I attended camp twice.
What is your favorite camp memory?
Riding (and falling off) banana boats with the other girls. And also just chilling out while waiting for waves.
What is the best concert you’ve been to OR someone you would love to see!
I’ve only been to two concerts, one for a singer, Madelyn Mei, and the other for The Cranes Wives. Both were amazing and I had so much fun. If you like folk-style music I highly recommend both of them!
Is there anything else you want the campers to know about you?
My favorite movie (and one of my favorite books) is Howl’s Moving Castle
Meet Lily
Where are you from?
I am from Birmingham, Michigan
Where do you go to school?
I go to Seaholm High School, and I also work as a outdoor and indoor lifeguard and gymnastics coach!
Do you have any hobbies/ sports / extracurriculars?
I have been doing gymnastics for 10+ years, I love surfing, skateboarding, scuba and free diving, lifting\going to the gym, exploring, teaching myself new languages, traveling, hiking and photography!
How did you first find out about Maui Surfer Girls?
I found MSG through an online search for teen surf camps in Hawaii
What is your favorite camp memory?
Cliff jumping at cliff house and swimming with turtles, early morning surfing, and sleeping outside under the stars. Also getting to learn about native Hawaiian species and plants and see some special places on the island 🙂 also making friends from all over the country
What is the best concert you’ve been to OR someone you would love to see?
The best concert I have ever been to is Bad Bunny, but Billie Eilish is a close second.
Anything else you want the campers to know about you?
I will be attending Hawai’i Pacific University on the island of Oahu in the fall to study marine biology and also compete for the acrobatics and tumbling team! I am so excited to meet everyone and make memories this summer!
Meet Maggie:
Where are you from?
I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Where do you go to school?
I go to Skyline High School.
Do you have any hobbies/ sports / extracurriculars?
I love playing guitar, listening to music and going to concerts, cooking, and hanging out with my friends.
How did you first find out about Maui Surfer Girls?
I first found Maui Surfer Girls on instagram, and I have been a camper for the past 2 years.
What was your favorite camp memory?
My favorite camp memory is watching the sunset at Haleakala last summer.
What was the best concert you’ve been to OR someone you would love to see?
The best concert I’ve ever been to is Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour.
Anything else you want the campers to know about you?
The first time I ever surfed was at Maui Surfer Girls!
Read More about Maui Surfer Girls Teen Camp :
The History of Maui Surfer Girls Teen Camp
Nestled along the pristine beaches of Maui, Hawaii, Maui Surfer Girls (MSG) has grown into one of the most beloved surf camps for teen girls in the world. Over the past 25 years, it has transformed countless young lives through surfing, empowerment, and connection to nature. What began as a bold vision by one passionate surfer has become a life-changing experience for a new group of young women each year.
Humble Beginnings: The Dream of a Surfer Girl
Maui Surfer Girls was founded in 2001 by Dustin Tester, a lifelong surfer with a deep love for the ocean and an even deeper commitment to empowering young women. As a teenager growing up on Maui, Dustin experienced firsthand the transformative power of surfing—not just as a sport, but as a profound source of confidence, strength, and resilience.
Inspired by her own journey, Dustin envisioned creating a space where teen girls could experience the same life-changing benefits of surfing that she had. She wanted to build a community that celebrated courage, individuality, and sisterhood—all through the challenging and joyful act of learning to surf.
Armed with little more than a big idea, a van, a few donated surfboards, and a ton of heart, Dustin launched the first Maui Surfer Girls teen surf camp in the summer of 2001. That first season, the camp hosted a handful of girls, many of whom were first-time surfers. Despite its small scale, the energy, excitement, and magic of those early camps set the foundation for the years to come.
Growth and Evolution: Building a Legacy
Throughout the early 2000s, Maui Surfer Girls steadily grew. Word-of-mouth spread quickly among parents and teens alike, drawn to the camp’s unique combination of expert surf instruction, female mentorship, and personal growth workshops. Parents loved the supportive environment, while the girls treasured the sense of independence and adventure.
Unlike many surf camps that focused solely on technical skills, Maui Surfer Girls emphasized a holistic approach. Surfing was the heart of the program, but it was woven together with activities designed to nurture the mind and spirit as well. Campers participated in self-esteem workshops, journaling exercises, and team-building adventures like obstacle courses and zip-lining.
Each summer, Dustin hand-picked a team of all-female surf instructors and camp assistants, many of whom were professional surfers, lifeguards, and educators. The staff became role models for the campers, demonstrating strength, kindness, and authenticity both in and out of the water.
As the camp’s reputation grew, so did its reach. Girls from across the United States—and even from around the world—began traveling to Maui each summer to attend. MSG soon became known as a rite of passage for adventurous, spirited young women seeking not just to ride waves, but to find their inner strength.
A Commitment to Empowerment and Diversity
From its earliest days, Maui Surfer Girls has been about much more than surfing. At its core, the camp has always been a vehicle for empowerment. MSG places a strong emphasis on creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every girl, regardless of background or ability, feels welcomed and celebrated.
Over the years, the camp has expanded its scholarship program to offer financial aid to girls who might not otherwise have access to an experience like this. Dustin and her team have worked tirelessly to partner with nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups to ensure that girls from underserved communities can join the camp.
Additionally, MSG is proud to foster a diverse community where campers of different races, cultures, body types, and identities feel seen and valued. The camp has evolved alongside broader conversations about inclusivity, intentionally adapting its language, curriculum, and outreach to better serve all young women.
Anchored at Camp Olowalu
As the setting is often one of the most important parts of a camp program, Maui Surfer Girls’ is based out of Camp Olowalu, a beautiful beachfront property on Maui’s west side. Camp Olowalu, with its rustic cabins, shady trees, and direct ocean access, provided the perfect setting for MSG’s growing programs.
Campers step out of their cabins each morning and are greeted by the ocean, with our home break visible from the shoreline, and just a short van ride away. Evenings are spent around the campfire, sharing stories and songs under the stars. From sunrise surf sessions to sunset group reflections, the environment itself is an essential part of the MSG experience.
Impact Through the Years
As of 2025, Maui Surfer Girls has empowered hundreds of teen girls through its summer camps. Many former campers cite their MSG experience as a pivotal moment in their personal growth. The camp’s emphasis on confidence-building resonates long after the surfboards are put away. MSG teaches girls that falling down—whether in surfing or in life—is not something to fear, but something to learn from. That resilience, coupled with the bonds of sisterhood formed during camp, stays with campers for years.
Dustin herself remains actively involved, leading many of the camp’s activities and maintaining close connections with campers, staff, and alumni. Her vision continues to be the driving force behind Maui Surfer Girls, inspiring each new generation to be brave, bold, and true to themselves.
Expanding the Vision: Adult Camps and Beyond
In addition to its flagship teen camp, Maui Surfer Girls has expanded to offer women’s surf retreats throughout the year. These retreats provide an opportunity for women of all ages to experience the same magic of surfing and sisterhood that the teens enjoy.
Looking ahead, Maui Surfer Girls plans to continue evolving, exploring opportunities to expand its programs to new locations, develop environmental stewardship initiatives, and further invest in leadership training for young women.
A Wave of Empowerment
The history of Maui Surfer Girls is a testament to the power of vision, passion, and community. From its humble beginnings with a handful of surfboards and a dream, to its current standing as a globally respected program, MSG has stayed true to its core mission: to empower young women through the transformative joy of surfing.
As new waves of girls arrive at Camp Olowalu each summer, they join a long legacy of bold, courageous young women who have learned to ride not just the waves of the Pacific, but the waves of life itself—with strength, confidence, and an open heart.
And it all began with one girl, one dream, and the endless beauty of the sea.
