Venice del Play is...
...a day camp that meets summers and most school vacations at locations around Venice and Santa Monica. In a fun, nurturing, family environment we give children their first experiences riding the waves - but that’s not all! We help get our kids in touch with themselves and their world through yoga, gymnastics, tai chi, music, dance, and games that focus on ocean safety and caring for the marine environment!
Venice del Play’s creators...
Carmen
Thomas has been practicing
yoga for over 15 years and trained as a yoga teacher at Hollywood’s
Golden Bridge, where she was a disciple of Gurmukh. Carmen’s uplifting
energy has led her to share yoga with everyone from preschoolers and
kids to prenatal and Mommy ‘n’ Me - even
to dogs! Carmen is also a certified massage therapist, working with
private clients as well as through the offices of a physical therapist
and a chiropractor. And she helps bring new souls into the world as a
labor support doula!
A mother of two, Carmen has worked with children for years, teaching theater, music, and yoga. She works at preschools and birthday parties, as well as at Moo Moo Musica at the Electric Lodge. She’s trained in CPR for children and infants. The job that many people still remember her for most, though, is for her long-time role on All My Children.
Co-founder
Coach Sydney
Lovelace of LA
Surf and Swim still visits and helps with water sports some
days. A former competitive swim champion, he held the city record
for over 10 years in Nashville - where there’s an award named after
him and a swim school (Syd’s Kids) that bears his name. He attended
Florida State University on a swim scholarship and went on to coach
all levels of swimmers from special needs children to Olympic trial
qualifiers. Coach Syd is a waterman who has competed in waterskiing,
jet skiing, and catamaran regattas, in addition to being a surfer,
windsurfer, scuba diver, and underwater photographer.
Since
1991, Coach Syd has been teaching kids full time, as well as teaching
surfing and swimming to kids and adults. More than anything, Coach
Syd loves helping kids get over their fears and giving them skills
to experience a lifetime of pleasure in aquatic environments. He opened
his own swim school in 2007.
