Richard Schmidt Surf School

Richard Schmidt Surf School is Santa Cruz's original surf school: Richard Schmidt, a Santa Cruz native, has been teaching there since 1978. A professional surfer and lifeguard, he was named California's top big wave rider by the surf media in the late 1980s.

The school gives surf and stand up paddle lessons year round and runs SUP tours in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, around Santa Cruz and Capitola. All ages and levels are welcome, including people with physical or cognitive disabilities. It guarantees that every student will stand up and ride down the face of a wave in their first lesson (the "Schmidt Guarantee"); the only requirement is knowing how to swim.

In winter, the school also runs week-long surf and yoga retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica. Summer surf camps in Santa Cruz are not offered at the moment: the school is focusing on lessons.