Buy 5, Get the "4th" Free
– THIS WEEKEND ONLY –
Book A FULL WEEK of Surf Camp (5 days) and
GET the “4th” day FREE!
(20% OFF the regular price)
Use code
FREE4TH
at checkout!
Marcus and Sean were fantastic with our three kids—thoughtful, kind, patient, and genuinely caring throughout the 90\-minute lesson\. As first\-time surfers, the kids felt comfortable right away and were encouraged in a fun, easy\-to\-follow way\.
By the end, all three had learned the basics and were getting up on the board—it was amazing to watch\! ❤️
Highly recommend this surf school for beginners and families\. Great instructors and an excellent experience from start to finish\! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Despite the fact that the CampSurf kids are only just learning how to catch waves, stand up on their boards without falling off, and otherwise can’t maneuver to avoid others in the water at all, CampSurf allows some of their beginning surf campers to use the much more advanced hard surface epoxy surfboards, instead of the much less dangerous foam surfboards. To make matters worse, the CampSurf kids are bunched-up too close together in the same spot waiting for waves such that they are all attempting to catch/ride waves and then paddle back to the bunched-up group within the same narrow path in the water.
Common sense dictates that surfing instructors should not allow beginners with no maneuverability skills to attempt catching waves and then paddling back in the same narrow path in the water, and beginners certainly shouldn’t be allowed to also use hard surface epoxy surfboards out of concern that the beginners would most likely be colliding with each other in that same narrow path in the water.
That precarious situation led to a CampSurf beginner, attempting to catch a wave using a hard surface epoxy surfboard, running directly into and over the top of my son who was paddling back to the bunched-up CampSurf group with his foam surfboard, resulting in my son’s above-mentioned head injury. While we completely understand the risks attendant to surfing, surf instructors should nevertheless be teaching the kids surfing safety measures such as proper spacing in the water, and they should not allow beginners use hard surface epoxy boards during group surfing lessons.
Otherwise, there is really no excuse for surf instructors to not notify parents of collisions and/or injuries that occur during the lessons. When I asked the CampSurf instructors why they did not inform me of my son’s collision and resulting injury they said while they did see the incident occur, they did not inform me because my son told them he was ‘OK’ when they asked him about it. But the instructors made no attempt to pull him out of the water to take a closer look at him and make sure he was not bleeding, injured, or disoriented from the collision.
The following morning, I asked Jason, CampSurf Director of Operations, to please give the surf campers safety instructions in order to reduce the attendant risk of similar type collisions/injuries occurring, and otherwise teach them how to best avoid such collisions/injuries. Considering what just happened to my son the day before, I thought that was a very reasonable request. But Jason replied “even if we teach the kids, kids are kids, they will forget it … I can’t please you.” Of course, we all forget things and surfing does have its risks, which is precisely why surf instructors should constantly be ‘coaching-up’ their beginners on what to do to make their learning environment in the water as safe as is possible under the circumstances. Jason then told me that if I did not feel safe with CampSurf, to pull my son out of CampSurf. I did and immediately placed him in another surf camp that only allows the kids to use the softer form surfboards, does an excellent job with spacing the kids out in the water and otherwise has a much more organized instructor staff and teaching curriculum.
So, before you sign up your loved one for a surf camp/lessons I strongly suggest that you first go to take a look at/observe/compare different surf camps in your area to determine which one is the safest and best fit your beginning surfer.
Our surf lessons are 90-minutes long. Approximately 15-20 minutes is spent on land covering safety and technique and the remaining time is spent in the water testing your skills! We’ve found this to be the perfect amount of time as surfing can be exhausting for first timers. If you can’t get enough, depending on the surf conditions and schedule, you may use the equipment for a short time after your lesson.**
Surf Lessons include the use of a surfboard and wetsuit for each surfer. We carry all sizes of boards and wetsuits and we bring them all with us so there is no need to specify your height and weight. All you need to bring is a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
Private Lessons are offered everyday, year-round, and can be scheduled throughout the day. All of our lessons take place at 38th St. in Manhattan Beach. We meet at the Campsurf Bus in the beach parking lot at Rosecrans in El Porto.
Click Here for Detailed Directions.
MANHATTAN BEACH SURF CAMP
June through August
For Kids Aged 7+
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Strict 4:1 Ratio:
Low student to instructor ratio of 4:1 guarantees surfing improvement
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Safety First:
Expert CPR & First-Aid certified instructors.
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All Gear Included:
Premium surfboards and wetsuits provided.
BEACH CAMP for kids 5+
June through August
Campsurf’s Beach Camp is a fun, busy day for kids ages 5+. Introduction to ocean safety; rip currents, formation of waves, ocean awareness. Age appropriate beach games, sand castle building, wave jumping, boogie boarding, body surfing and basic surfing introduction. Basic ecology lesson and “Meet The Lifeguards” (*when available). Beach ratio is 6:1.
SURF LESSONS
Our professional surf instructors have taught thousands of students and can assess and address bad techniques so students can improve and move forward on their surfing path. All of our Manhattan Beach surf lessons, classes, and camps include the use of quality surfboards and wetsuits and we are well stocked in all sizes of both.
VOLLEYBALL CAMP
We offer a variety of Beach Volleyball programs including Private and Semi-Private lessons, Volleyball Camps, Clinics and Classes. Our Beach Volleyball programs are offered at the Rosecrans courts in Manhattan Beach.
SURF PARTIES
Looking for a unique and fun way to celebrate a Birthday, Bachelor, or Bachelorette Party? Invite your family and friends to a memorable day of surf and sun with Campsurf. We will provide the equipment, instruction, shade, tables and even food. After parties at local bars and restaurants can be set up as well. Find out more about our Private Parties and to reserve your spot today!
4:1 Student to Instructor Ratio
Learn to Surf
Campsurf is the official surf school provider for Manhattan Beach & Hermosa Beach
Campsurf is the official surf school of the city of Manhattan Beach and the official surf school of the city of Hermosa Beach.
We have been featured on ESPN, Fit TV, K-CAL Channel 9, the nationally broadcasted CBS Morning show, HD Net’s “Get Out!” and the nationally syndicated TV show “The Doctors”. We’ve also been voted “Best Kids Camp” by our local community!
All of our programs emphasize safety and fun, but we also take the next step and teach our students to view the ocean with a surfer’s eye so they can safely and confidently ride waves on their own. Our professional surf instructors have taught thousands of surf lessons to students and can assess and address bad techniques so students can improve and move forward on their surfing path. All of our surf lessons, surf classes, and surf camps include the use of quality surfboards and wetsuits and we are well stocked in all sizes of both.
Our surf lessons and surf camps take place at Rosecrans Avenue in the El Porto area of beautiful Manhattan Beach, CA.
What really sets Campsurf apart from other surf schools are Our Instructors. All of our instructors are CPR and First-Aid Certified and are experienced surfers and watermen. They each bring their own surf culture and stoke to our students through proven teaching techniques. We are stoked on our crew and can guarantee you will not find a more experienced group of surf instructors at any other surf school. Check out Our Instructors page to meet the crew and see for yourself.
Please have a browse around our website and feel free to Contact Us with any questions. We hope to see you in the water soon!
CAMPSURF offerS SURF LESSONS YEAR ROUND, SUMMER SURF CAMPS AND & Private Surf Parties.
All at Rosecrans (El Porto) in Manhattan Beach
