So you’re preparing for the summer and you’re all set for your first week of Surf Camp in San Diego.  If you are curious about what to expect, we are glad to provide a sneak preview, and rest assured lining up a surf camp can have an unbelievable impact on your child’s confidence in the ocean and their surfing ability.  

So how should you be preparing? 

Get Stoked!

It’s time to get excited! Watch some surfing clips or videos, the Endless Summer and The Endless Summer 2 are both timeless classics and the 80’s film, North Shore, never gets old! You can also check out some surfing websites like Surfline.com or theinertia.com and keep up with what’s happening in professional surfing through the World Surf League and the International Surfing Association.

Set Goals

What do you or your kids want to get out of surf camp? Not everyone has the same goals and we will help you identify realistic goals and create a plan to help you achieve them. What is it you want to accomplish?

What do I need to bring?

You’ve signed up for a surf camp and you’re in luck: you don’t need that much.  While many surfers have a quiver of surfboards and a handful of wetsuits, at SEA we will provide all equipment for surf camp at no additional charge. This means you can show up at the beach and expect all your equipment to be ready to go. If you have your own surfboard you are more than welcome to bring it to surf camp; with that said, if your surfboard is a hard board you will need to get a nose guard and tail guard, per lifeguard requirements. Unless you’re planning to surf a lot on your own prior to camp, hold off on buying your own gear until after your week at camp so we can help you pick out the best surfboard for you.

Foundational skills for Safety and Technique

Many beginner surfers are quick to be frustrated with the lack of success in their surfing ability.  You’re likely to see novice surfers paddling too far back on the board, bailing on their pop-ups, or just wiping out.  Surf campers have the ability to benefit from our expert coaching and years of surfing experience. 

Ocean Safety and Knowledge

The ocean is a dynamic environment, that is why we cover essential safety tips to help campers have a set of guidelines for whenever they visit the beach or go surfing. Wave knowledge has a huge impact on your surfing ability. If you can’t read the waves, you’re likely to miss out on a lot of great rides, so we help our campers to pick out the appropriate waves for their skill level.

Water Temp

While environmental factors are certainly out of our control, it’s  good to know what to expect as far as water temperature.  Most of the year in San Diego, water temperatures will fluctuate from low 50’s to high 70’s.  The warmest days of the year are from May through September but you might still find a few warmer days in September or October.  All things considered, your instructor will suit you up with a wetsuit for warmth and sun protection.  Don’t forget to rock some zinc or ocean-safe sunscreen for face protection also!  

Fun!

There are many reasons to attend a Surf Camp in San Diego. What’s our reason?  Fun!  You can expect to have a great time at your Surf Camp sessions, regardless of conditions or water temperature we keep stoke levels high at all times!

Surf Education Academy’s Surf camps are certainly some of San Diego’s best options for how to spend your summer and are more than capable of exceeding your expectations.