FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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GENERAL
What are your hours of operation?
Our typical hours are 9am-5pm, 7 days a week.
Do you operate year-round?
Yes! San Diego has great waves and weather for surfing all year long, so we operate all four seasons.
Where are you located?
We are located at La Jolla Shores. The address to the beach is:
8300 Camino Del Oro
La Jolla, CA 92037
Our beach site is located on the sand approximately five houses to the north (towards Scripps Pier) of where the houses on the beach begin. You will see our black and white stripped umbrella(s) and our small beach sign that says “Surf Education Academy”. (We are the second surf school when walking north from the main La Jolla Shores parking lot, there is another surf school that operates to the south of us.
* See map
Where should I park?
There a few options for parking, but during weekends and peak seasons it can get crowded, so we recommend providing ample time for parking your car. Option 1 is the La Jolla Shores Beach Parking lot. Option 2 is street parking (be sure and check the signs for 2 hour limits, street sweeping, etc.).
*SEA Local’s Tip: The main beach parking lot can be crowded during summer and weekends and you can get stuck in the lot behind people waiting for spots. If the main beach parking lot looks crowded we suggest looking for street parking. If you don’t find a close parking spot in your first pass we recommend parking up the street a bit (across La Jolla Shores Dr.); it may seem farther, but it is really only a few minutes walk, a fraction of the time you could spend stuck in the lot or looking for a spot on the street right up front.
* See map
Where do I meet my Surf Coach?
You will meet your Surf Coach on the boardwalk in front of the restrooms at the north end of the La Jolla Shores beach parking lot. Your Surf Coach will be wearing a SEA t-shirt.
* See map
What if I am running late?
If you are running late please call us at (858)269-5063; if we do not answer please leave a message. Our Surf Coaches will wait until 20 minutes after the start of a session time, at this point you will be considered a no-show.
If you are running late for a group session or class, your Surf Coach and other participants will wait at the designated meeting spot until 5 minutes after the start time of the session; after five minutes the group will move to our permitted beach site. If you are later than five minutes please meet the group at the beach site. If you are more than 15 minutes late to a group session or class your Surf Coach and group may be already be in the water, so please do your best to arrive on time.
*See map
Is there a safe place to store my personal belonging?
We do not have lockers or secure storage facilities at this time. Our staff and guests leave their bags and belongings at our umbrella at the beach site. We have not had any problems with theft in the past, but SEA cannot be held liable if you decide to bring your personal items with you to the beach or if you leave them in your vehicle. For this reason, we suggest packing lightly and leaving valuables at home or in your place of residence.
What if it rains?
We are going to get wet anyways! All sessions will run as scheduled unless canceled by SEA, and SEA will only cancel sessions if the Lifeguards or the City close the beach due to high bacteria levels, excessive pollution or other safety concerns. With that said, there is always a general water quality advisory in effect for 72 hours after significant rain spells, so entering the ocean is up to each individual. SEA will not issue refunds or credit for sessions that are not canceled by SEA. Please check the weather forecast before booking if you are concerned about rain or water quality.
AGES, STAGES & ABILITIES
What ages do you teach?
We teach all ages 4 and up, if you want to learn to surf or improve your confidence we are excited to work with you! We offer private instruction to individuals or groups and have programs for youth, as well as adults.
Do you teach adults?
Yes! You can enroll in a private or semi
Do you teach beginners?
Absolutely! We recommend our Multi-Session Packages to really grasp the foundational skills, safety and etiquette. You can do one on one sessions or bring family or friends to learn with you.
Do you teach intermediate to advanced surfers?
Most definitely. We have a full curriculum, ranking system and our SEA Surfing Development Pathway to help novice surfers progress with confidence to intermediate skills and beyond. Learn more about our SEA Surfing Development Pathway and our Ranking System here.
Do you work with competitive surfers?
Yes. If you are interested or currently competing we are glad to help set you up for success. Please inquire about our Coaching program here.
Can you accommodate special needs or adaptive surfing?Absolutely, in fact we specialize in working with special needs and adaptive surfing and are a leading provider in the area. We help to run all of the surfing programs for Challenged Athletes Foundation and other organizations that work with special populations and SEA founder, Sean Brody, is the Head Coach of Team USA’s Adaptive Surfing Team. If you or someone you know has a disability or special needs and is interested in surfing, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can get you on our schedule.
SURF LESSONS
What is provided with a surf lesson?
Surf lessons include free use of wetsuits and surfboards, instruction from one of our world-class Surf Coaches, and the City of San Diego surcharge.
What should I bring?
For Surf Lessons or Coaching Sessions bring sunscreen, water, any snacks you might want, a towel, and we recommend a dry change of clothes, including a sweatshirt.
For Surf Camp, bring all of the above plus pack a lunch.
Can I bring my own surfboard and/or wetsuit?
Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your own equipment. If you are planning on bringing your own equipment please let us know.
MULTI-SESSION PACKAGES
How do I use a package that I have purchased?
Please note, purchasing a Multi-Session package does not confirm any lesson times for you. Once you purchase one of our Multi-Session Packages you will be issued a code in the email confirmation; this code is then used to book your sessions into our real-time availability, at the times that work best for you. To reserve your sessions, simply click “Book Now” on our website, select your preferred dates and times and enter your code at checkout (the one-time price will be displayed until your code is entered, but you have already prepaid at a discounted rate).
Is it the same coach for all the lessons?
Up to you! You can select a specific coach you would like to work with, mix it up between coaches, or you can select “first available”.
Are all the lessons at La Jolla Shores?Yes. We are a permitted surf school and partner of the City of San Diego; our permitted beach site where we do all of our surf lessons is at La Jolla Shores.
Understanding everyone proceeds at their own pace, roughly how would you expect a new beginner to have progressed after eight lessons?
We are confident you will learn the foundational skills for safe surfing, as well as common mistakes and correction cues for entry level skills. You will definitely develop confidence and have a lot of fun! We can set specific goals and help track your progress as well.
ISA CERTIFICATIONS
Are the ISA Courses online? If so, what is the format?
Yes, currently the ISA Certification Courses are being offered online via Zoom conferences. Additional follow up requirements are in place for each course, all of which can be completely virtually or independently at this point (due to Covid-19)
What are the prerequisites and follow up requirements for the courses?
Each ISA Certification Course has separate prerequisites and follow up requirements, which can be found here.
What is included in the course cost?
The course includes attendance in the course, course materials (provided digitally), and the ISA registration fee.
Do you offer the ISA/ILS Water Safety Course?
Not at this time. If you are interested in taking this course in the future please join our wait list here and we will notify you when we schedule a course.