Surf School Santa Cruz

Surf School Santa Cruz teaches surfing in Santa Cruz, California, at two spots: Pleasure Point and Cowells Beach. It also welcomes students from Capitola, Aptos, San Jose, Cupertino and Pescadero. Its instructors are locals, former junior lifeguards or competitive surfers, and are CPR and first-aid certified.

A lesson lasts 2 hours: 15 to 20 minutes of beach practice (safety, paddling, pop-up), then the rest of the time in the water with the instructor. You need to know how to swim, and the minimum age is 3. A foam longboard, a full wetsuit and sunscreen are provided. The school offers private and group lessons, one-on-one coaching for progressing surfers, an all-girls surf camp and gift certificates.