Billabong Surf School at the Boca Raton Beach Club: 900 S Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Boca_poolWe live in the Chicago area, so when we go on a family vacation to sunny Florida, we like to spend a lot of time at the beach. Each time we go to a new location, we always try something new. On our visit to The Palm Beaches, we had the amazing opportunity to stay at theBoca Raton Resort & Club where surfing lessons are offered through the Billabong Surf School at the Beach Club. It was time to hang ten!

Billabong is known throughout the world for its surfwear and the company sponsors many surfing events and competitions. The company has surf schools for kids and adults around the USA and even overseas. The Billabong School at the Boca Raton Beach Club is especially for hotel guests staying at the resort.

Boca_kitesAfter making our way past the pool and the gorgeous kites flying (They have a kite concierge!) in the sky above the resort, we headed down to the beach for our surf lesson. We were there on a pretty windy day and the waves were a little too rough for the kids that day. Since we were there to shoot the surf lesson for my show, we decided to all learn the basics together on the beach and then I braved the waves with the instructor while the kids cheered me on at the water’s edge. The girls were a little bummed out that they couldn’t try surfing that day, but thankfully my kids can roll with it when plans change…a good life lesson! Of course an incentive of a little afternoon ice cream treat didn’t hurt either!

If you aren’t familiar with the Boca Raton Resort & Club, it is steeped in history. The 1920’s era resort has hosted many well-known guests to this day including politicians, TV stars and business tycoons. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the resort, guests can take a guided tour provided by the Boca Raton Historical Society. Tours are offered the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. and reservations are required.

While tours might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it could be interesting for some of the history buffs in the family.It took me a few times, but I was able to manage to get up on the board. I have to admit, I was pretty stoked! I gave it a few tries before calling it a day, but I would definitely try the experience again with the kids. I have no doubt that we will make our way back to the Boca Raton Resort & Club again someday. It was one of the best vacation resorts we have EVER experienced.

room_at_BocaGranted, for some families, the Waldorf Astoria’s Boca Raton Club & Resort may be an experience that you need to save up for to enjoy as a family. Watch the resort website for packages such as the Family Fun Package and the Kids Eat Free Package to help find savings. In fact, summertime rates can be quite affordable. In my opinion, it was worth every penny! I have to tell you, I have never felt more relaxed in my life than I did when I stayed there. Have you ever walked into a hotel and immediately felt calm? It was so peaceful and I truly felt like I was in another world…I felt like I had escaped all the stress of my normal life and was able to truly relax. Even the girls could tell that Mommy was breathing easier.

Don’t let the luxurious accommodations fool you, the resort was incredibly family friendly. The girls and I felt welcomed and pampered at the same time! There were tons of family activities and special things to do just for the kids including sports, crafts and even a butterfly garden. If your family likes to explore, check out “Mizner’s Quest,” a walking tour around the 356-acre grounds to discover all sorts of interesting facts and fun finds around the resort. Without a doubt, I will go back to the Boca Raton Club and Resort and I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list of experiences.

Some Additional Tips & Fun Facts:
• Visit bocasurfcam.com to find a time lapse beach camera, weather/tide info, and a photo gallery.
• Try boogie boarding as a warm-up to your surfing lesson.
• Waldorf Astoria Spa was named #1 Spa in the World in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards
• Seven different pools and access to the beach
• Golf & Tennis lessons are available for all ages
• Restaurants range from a sushi bar to a poolside grill to a fine dining restaurant

Parent, travel writer, and seasoned traveler, Colleen Kelly grew up traveling all over the world. She has experienced the United States from coast to coast and has explored over 20 foreign countries. Her vast knowledge of travel brought her to realize the need for a new kind of travel experience and focus—one that is centered around the family.

As a family travel expert, Colleen doesn’t miss a beat as she offers her personalized tips to parents. Her fun-loving personality pulsates through every moment of the show. She is the ultimate modern-day parent who isn’t afraid to kick back, get a little messy, and have fun!

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