Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize in teaching all levels of surfers. Each week we have first time surfers catching their first waves with us. We also have intermediate and even advanced surfers who come to improve their skills with us. We have coaching and instruction for surfers learning for the first time to those trying to make their high school surf team. All levels every week. There are beginner surfers each week. For advanced surfers we offer our Elite Surf Package surfers who get to work with our on staff Professional surfer. 

Yes, you need to be a confident swimmer and be comfortable in the ocean. We say you should be able to swim unassisted for at least 150 feet.  You don’t go from crawling to running right away. You walk in between. Same with surfing. You need to be able to swim before you can surf. 

We offer coaching for all level of surfers. Our Elite Surf Coaching package is for the high level intermediate and advanced surfers looking for coaching. Our in house professional surfer will coach these surfers in and out of the water, have on land exercises, use surf skate coaching and take a once a week field trip to one of the areas famous point breaks.

Surfboards and wetsuits will be provided to all surf campers. If you have  surf equipment we do suggest bringing it own so we can see what you are riding and make suggestions. It’s always nice to own your wetsuit as well. But we do provide surfboards and wetsuits if needed.

The average ages at our surf camp ranges between 12-17 years of age. Our minimum age is 11 however most of our students are teenagers. We have adult only camps that run June and September for those over 18. 

What do we need to bring to camp?

After signing up for surf camp a detailed packing list of what to bring the camp will be sent out to you. 

Overnight surf campers will be sleeping in tents at our ocean view customized campsite located withing the San Onofre State Park Campground. Tents are spacious 4 person tents, we sleep two campers per tent pairing each camper up with someone their age or with a friend or new friends. Our campsite has astroturf, a lounge area with couches and a TV, a game lounge with Ping Pong table, and dining area. 

Yes, they can share a tent and be in the same surf group if they are at similar ability levels. We split the surfers into groups via ability levels so beginners will be together, intermediate surfers will be together, advanced together and so forth. We are all together though as a group out of the water. 

Most of our campers come on their own and make friends for life. We have so many amazing stories of campers staying in touch with their tent mates, visiting them down the road. Even ending up at the same colleges together. Lifetime friendships are made at surf camp. 

Surfing makes you hungry and we know teenagers can eat a lot. We provide 3 meals and day and snacks and drinks in between. Breakfast is served each morning at surf camp which consist of cereals, yogurt, fruit, juice, coffee, etc. with a couple of hot options thru the week (pancakes, egg sandwiches). Lunches are light and served at the beach, so we don’t surf on a full stomach. Lunch consists of sandwiches, fresh fruit and snacks of chips and granola bars. Dinners vary thru the week from BBQ Burger night, Taco Tuesday, Pasta, and our famous Teriyaki Chicken with rice and veggies. Of course, a vegetarian alternative is available at every meal as well if there are any dietary restrictions we can accommodate your needs if we know. 

We have a 3-1 camper to surf instructor ratio in the water. Our focus is to make everyone comfortable in the ocean, on a surfboard and create a safe learning environment. The more experienced surfers who can paddle and manage catching waves on their own might be in a bigger group ration (5-1). Beginner first time surfers sometimes end up in a 1-1 ratio. We always have an instructor/coach/lifeguard on the beach during instruction as well as a California State Park Lifeguard on the beach.

Overnight we have 2-4 overnight counselors supervising the overnight campers. There is a camp “mom” and “dad”. Or Auntie and Uncle overseeing the campers making sure everyone has what they need to be comfortable, safe, and are not homesick. Most of all following our camp rules. 

We teach all beginners on soft surfboards for safety reasons. Once they show competence on the soft boards we can transition them to more high-performance surfboards. We have a quiver of epoxy longboards, fun boards and shortboards. As well Lost Surfboards provides us with a quiver of high-performance demo shortboards for our Elite Package Surfers to use. 

Santa Ana, Orange County Airport (SNA) is the best airport to fly into. It is located 45 minutes from surf camp. It’s a smaller airport and easy to manage. Long Beach(LGB) is the next closest airport about 60 minutes from surf camp. The Los Angeles International(LAX) and San Diego Airports are an hour to and hour and a half away from surf camp. We can help organize transportation to and from these airports. 

Yes, you can attend multiple weeks of surf camps. Many campers travelling from long distances stay for multiple weeks of camps. As well many of our returning campers choose to do more than one week of surf camp it is so much fun. Camp runs Monday thru Friday. Saturday and Sunday are lay days but the campers staying over are fully supervised and there will be light weekend activities. 

You can register for camp by following the link below. Fill out an application, pay a deposit and the remaining balance will be charged two weeks prior to your surf camp date. A Surf Camp Information Package will be mailed out after you register that will contain all the information on packing for camp, getting to camp, etc. 

Cancellations for surf camp will receive a refund less a $100 administration fee. No refunds will be given if camp session is canceled less than 14 days prior to the commencement of the surf camp session. No refunds after surf camp session has started. No refunds for missed days or for early dismissal from surf camp.

Make sure you are prepared physically and mentally for your surfing adventure, we do not give refunds after surf camp has commenced and no refunds if the student doesn’t like surfing or is intimidated by the ocean.

If the session/week you want is full you can get on the wait list. Often spots open up as people change summer plans. So there is always a chance but if there is an open week try to get in it as our camps do sell out every summer.