Southern California
Surf Camps

Spending a beach vacation for a week for more in Southern California? Why not sign up your kids for surf camp? They should be fairly strong swimmers already, but can be totally beginners at surfing. Most of these are day camps for 5 day 1 week sessions. Overnight camps are included as well.

You'll find Southern California surfing camps in the San Diego area, San Clemente, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu and the Santa Barbara areas.

Most include the equipment, which can be wetsuits and surfboards, but others recommend you bring your own. Some include lunch, while others allow you to buy it there or bring one from home.

When considering a surf camp, ask about the child to instructor ratio, how your child will be grouped, whether by age or ability. All prices are subject to change. Be sure to ask about the instructor's experience, insurance and safety precautions.

This list is not comprehensive, and by inquiring with any local surf shop, you can find out more about local surf lessons and camps available. The camps listed below are meant to help you with your research, but are not necessarily endorsed by this writer or this website.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Click here to check out San Diego surfing camps.


ORANGE COUNTY

SAN CLEMENTE

Summer Soul Surf Camp
For kids ages 9 through 18. Operated by US Longboarding champion. The camp is at San Onofre and includes music, painting and more. The programs are by the week and go from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $595, all inclusive. They also offer an overnight camp for $795 for 5 days and 4 nights. The ratio is 4 to 1.

Adult camps are offered in September. For more information, call 1-800-522-1352.

Endless Summer Surf Camp
Another day camp at San Onofre near San Clemente. For $445 per week session, campers learn surf techniques, ocean awareness, safety and how to select waves. It runs 8 to 3 and are for ages 10 and up. There are also some day camps exclusively for adults. Equipment use and lunch is included. They also have overnight camps for $845. 949-498-7862.

NEWPORT BEACH

Endless Summer Surf Camp
This camp is for intermediate surfers who have already taken classes. It runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 and costs $395 for the week. Signups are through the Newport Beach Recreation Rec Department. Call 949-498-7862.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Corky Carroll's Surf School
They take all ages. It costs $260 per week for all day (9-3), or $135 for morning or afternoon sessions (3 hours each). This takes place at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach. For more info, call 714-969-3959 or 888-454-7873.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

SEAL BEACH

M&M Surfing School
Offers 5 day surf camp for $240 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call 714-846-7873.

LOS ANGELES AREA

Aqua Surf School Surf Camp
In Santa Monica. Kids ages 6 thru 12 or teens ages 13 through 17 can do one week day camp from 9 to 3p.m. The day is filled with surfing, lunching, beach games and more surfing.

The ratio is one instructor to four students. They learn not only surfing techniques, but also surf etiquette, ocean awareness, tides, swells and safety. Students learn on foam surfboards which are included along with wetsuits. The cost is $383 per week, and you can bring your own lunch or buy it there.

Their number is 310-902-7737.

Kanoa Aquatics Manhattan Beach Surf Camp
See listing under Malibu. This camp takes place at Manhattan Beach, at the 45th Street Lifeguard tower. For an additional charge, they will pick up at points in Pasadena.

Santa Monica Surf Camp
This surf camp goes from 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon for $375 for the week. You could just go for a day or two for $99 per day. Call 310-467-6898.

Kanoa Aquatics Venice Surf Camp
See listing under Malibu for Kanoa Surf Camp. This camp is at Venice Beach, at the Navy St. lifeguard tower.

MALIBU

Kanoa Aquatics Malibu Surf Camp
Takes place at Surfrider Beach. One week sessions cost $350, half day sessions cost $175. Offers transportation from various points in the San Fernando Valley for an additional cost. Students are grouped by their ages, ranging from 5 to 17.

They do surfing, bodysurfing, sand running, boogie boarding and lots of beach games. They also teach ocean safety awareness and marine ecology. Student/staff ratio is 1 to 10. Call 310-374-1994

Malibu Makos Kids' Surf/Ocean Safety Day Camp
Located at Zuma Beach, this is for kids age 5-15. The student/staff ratio is 6 to 1. Activities include surfing and beach and water games. Ocean safety is covered as well.

Cost is $300 for 1 week (5 days from 9-3), but they also have options like 3 days a week for 3 weeks. Call 310-317-1229, or for better luck email them at contact@malibumakos.com. They also offer roundtrip transportation from points in the valley and Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

See about Santa Barbara surf camps.