Everett Cook was 2 years old when he first visited the ocean. His mother has a photo of him dipping his toe in the water. Even today, he remembers what it felt like.

“I fell in love with the place as soon as I could imagine it,” he said. “Loved it. Still do to this day. I have the same fascination.”

Thirteen years later, the Canadian High School sophomore is preparing for an intensive seven-week str…