Want to go to Surf Camp in CA for a Week: Need Advice

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Hello there NS. Thinking of really committing and learning how to surf this summer. I'm looking for a 5 day adult camp in LA, San Diego, or Santa Cruz, though LA is preferable. Anyone got any advice on where to go?

For reference, I'm 23 years old, and fit enough to do a tough mudder in June... considering I'm also a freeskier, I'm reasonably coordinated. I used to do triathalons too, though my swimming is just ok (\humblebrag).

I've never gone surfing before.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

 
I mean, if you're going to some sort of camp then they'll tell you most of it. They're probably quite familiar with their waves, so they'l know where to sit, what type of boards go well there and all that. Watch some videos or something. I've never been to the west coast so I have no idea where to go, but I'd imagine there's no shortage of learn to surf places in california.
 
Thanks... perhaps I wasn't clear. I'll be doing online research in advance for sure. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for any particular camps... i.e. "You should go to that one or this one."
 
Honestly just lookup a youtube tutorial on how to pop up.

Rent a giant longboard for a week. You'll get huge foam station wagon of a board but it'll be fairly stable.

Once you get the pop up down try it in the water. Start with the whitewater. You'll start to paddle then before it hits you grab the rails and hold on. The wave will start to pull you, once you're moving with the wave try to pop up.

This might take you a while to get, but it's the basic part of surfing. Standing up on the darn thing is the hardest part. Luckily the board's most places rent are gigantic, which makes it more stable and easier to learn on.

If you hit santa cruise cowells is very beginner friendly break. You'll see it from the pier breaking along the cliffs all the way from steamer lane into the beach. On a good day you'll get some mellow waves that you can ride for a while.

I learned how to surf between santa monica and venice. Also went to seal beach a few times. All those are pretty beginner friendly spots although they're beach breaks and other than seal they're generally closed out. Doesn't really matter for you though as long as there's enough time to catch some whitewater and try and stand up.

I have no idea about san diego. Only went down that way once or twice, wasn't my style. Probably some great spots there but I don't know them.

I would avoid the good places to surf especially around la.(Probably goes for south in san diego too) You don't need an epic wave to learn how to surf and you don't need pissed off people starting shit with you. Stick to shitty waves other people don't want.

You know how you get pissed when a gaper cuts you off? That's how it is if you paddle out in the lineup and fuck everyone else's day up.

Stick to the shitty closeout waves, or any break that looks decent but doesn't have people.
 
same age/boat as you. Are you a member of 'the clymb' great discount outdoor website if you arent, they also have great trips for cheapish. I almost bought one a few months ago....499$ for a 5 day surf camp in nicgrugra, food lodging, all equpiment, transportation, place was right on the beach, and beer and rum were included, Pretty good price if you ask me. YOu could get a round trip especially from cali for under 400is. A bad ass 5 day trip for ~900 is pretty cool.

Im pretty sure it was a camp for 2, so the 500 covered you and a chick/ buddy if you wanted to being them
 
but in all seriousness wankertanker/abortionator gave good advice. If you wanna do it near LA that will be very easy to do as you can't walk along a beach without bumping into 6 surf shops with surf camps n shit. It's fun to do good luck.
 
That said there is a surf truck generally on the beach at cowells in santa cruz that does rentals, lessons, and I believe also has surf camps.

Also plenty of shops along the coast that rent boards. There are def some surf camps around la, I just can't think of any particular spots. I would be surprised if there weren't the same or more in san diego area.

 
Appreciate the help guys, thanks very much. Hoping to lock something up in the next few weeks. I'll check out the Clymb too.

Any other tips and the like are welcome!
 
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