(Update: Registration is now closed.  Use our contact page to add your name to our cancellation list and/or to be informed of future classes! )

The SURF SCHOOL will be in session . Class size is limited to 12 students for each day. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! The cost is $60 per day.

Each student should bring a bathing suit, sunscreen, and lunch. Beverages will be provided throughout the day.

Wetsuits will be provided if needed (water temp is expected to be a comfortable 72 degrees, but could vary) .  Surf School Rashguards will be provided during the session and available to purchase for an additional $25.

Our SURF SCHOOL is an educational program for children ages 6-12. The program is open to boys and girls who are good swimmers and love the beach.  Designed to be way more than just a surfing lesson, your child will learn how waves are formed, what  turtles eat, how to spot a rip-current and more….all while having a blast at the beach !

The SURF SCHOOL will provide age appropriate, hands-on, education in the following subject areas:

• Water Safety
• Marine Biology / Beach Ecology
• Science and Applied Physics
• Art, History and Culture of Surfing
• Hand Craftsmanship
• Sport Psychology and Physiology
• Surfing for Sport, Fitness, and Pleasure

The curriculum for each subject has been specifically created for SURF SCHOOL.  The primary goals of SURF SCHOOL are to:

• Introduce children to the healthy and confidence inspiring sport of surfing.
• Foster a sense of personal stewardship regarding beach and marine resource management.
• Provide a safe and exciting opportunity for learning and creative expression.
• Explore the broad range of occupations and academic interests related to surfing, beach management, and the coastal community.
• Introduce aspects of historical, as well as, modern-day surf culture.
• Promote friendly, environmentally responsible, coastal community living.

With the exception of severe weather, this event will run rain-or-shine.  In the event of complete calm seas, stand up paddle boarding may be substituted for surfing instruction.  In the unlikely event of dangerous seas, water activity may be  canceled   while land based activities proceed.  In this case,   alternative dates for group lessons will be offered and/or discounted rate individual lessons offered.

Speaking of website development and surfing, check out this surfing video from my State of Georgia.

On Sunday, August 31, 2008 a group of seven of us (3 guys; 4 ladies) tried to surf an island (name withheld) in Florida for some Hurricane Gustav waves.

The main surf break in the area when the surf gets this big had over 100 surfers there, so we tried a nearby pass break. The warning sign posted at the boat landing across from the island gave lots of different warnings regarding alligators, sharks, currents, and ended with “No Rescue Possible.” (pic) No joke.

We only had one boat, so part of our group paid another boat to drop them off at the surf break in the pass at Crooked Island about 4 miles away. The plan was for the rest of the group to follow behind in our boat. The motor would not start on our boat, and we didn’t have any way to contact the first group. I called my brother who happened to be in Mexico Beach for the weekend. He agreed to pick up the first group in his boat via the Gulf of Mexico route and take them back to his marina through the pass at Mexico Beach.  The first group later drove back to the boat landing to make another attempt at reaching the island.

Being without a boat, we decided to paddle straight across to the island and hike to the surf. Part of the group went right, instead of left, around a swamp and were not able to make it to the surf. They had to backtrack to the car. The three of us that went left (including me) made it across the island and surfed until it got dark. The surf was head high and building fast but it was getting dark. We walked back the beach route  and one person hitched a ride to the car and returned for the group.

One of the cars broke down on the dirt road leading back to the group at the beach. Somehow we were able to get a tow truck on a holiday weekend to come help us in the middle of the woods.

Crazy times.

Mike Sturdivant ESA Contest at Okaloosa Island Pier.

John Cross–ESA Contest at Okaloosa Island Pier.

We had a fun Memorial Day holiday:

1. Waves all weekend.

2. Humpback whale spotted 1 mile off the beach. The article and photos are here.

3. A 6am wakeup call for me on Sunday to help save a guy that had gotten caught in a rip while taking a morning swim. His friend was screaming on the beach for help and woke up everyone in the whole area. Everyone was just standing around half-asleep and with no equipment on the beach to help. I ran down there with my board but the guy saved himself before I got there. The paramedics took it from there.

4. Mike, Jill, and I caught some waves in the outrigger kayak.

5. Mike and John surfed against each other in the final of an ESA surf contest at the Okaloosa Island Pier. (Mike took 1st place; John took 2nd place.)

-Steve Combs

Paul on a nice long left.

Mike off the top.

From guest John Cross:

Basically we fished two days in a row on February 24-25, 2008 with two additional days of travel. It takes 6 hours to get to Grand Isle from my house. We stayed in an unattractive but clean hotel called the Sandollar Motel. It was more like a two-bedroom dorm room complete with bunk beds, kitchen and living area. Check out the slideshow: