California Surf Camps - Teen Summer Camp Adventure
Experience the iconic surf culture of the West Coast as part of our Teen California Surf and Adventure Camp. Travel to the state that helped revolutionize the sport and learn to surf in the wake of legends. Our unique program will take you away from the crowds to the famous Central Coast where you will be soaked in both the waves and the amazingly diverse marine environment. We’ll travel the coastline from the Monterey Bay Aquarium down to the Santa Barbara Channel, staying in a variety of accommodations from picturesque campsites to cozy 
lodges.
During this 14-day program, you will be individually coached by our professional staff using our proven teaching methodology to develop a strong base of surfing fundamentals regardless of experience. This summer camp is designed for beginners with no prior surfing experience, while intermediate surfers will be able to further hone their skills. During this camp you will be provided with the tools to continue a lifetime of surfing and ocean exploration.
Due to the dynamic shape of the coastline, swell and wind directions have a huge influence on where and when to surf. By learning local weather patterns and studying swell charts, participants will gain first-hand knowledge of wave dynamics. The central California coast is host to numerous world class breaks. We’ll seek out the best waves, and in turn learn the fundamentals of oceanography in our experiential adventure.
Activities include:
- Surf morning and afternoon sessions along California’s Central Coast
- Kayak the Morro Bay Estuary
- See rehabilitated sea otters and others at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Hike through the forests of Big Sur
- Mountain bike along Avila Beach
- Get up close and personal with some marine mammals
- Tour the famous Channel Islands Surf Shop
- Visit the Santa Barbara Surf Museum
Below tuition includes all lodging, camping tents, all meals, 24-hour adult supervision, shuttle to and from the San Luis Obispo Airport (SBP), equipment, professional surfing instruction (3:1 student to instructor ratio), 10 hours of community service credit, daily transportation, WB Surf Camp t-shirt, activity fees, surftificate of achievement, and 8” x 12” group photo. For more specific information about our teen overnight surf camps or to secure your spot now, please call toll free 1.866.844.7873. begin_of_the_skype_highlighting Enrollment limited to 10 students per session.
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Itinerary
DAYS 1-2: CAMP KICK OFF, INTRO TO SURFING
After flying to the West Coast, we know that you’ll be eager to experience the California lifestyle. Your trip leaders will be waiting for you at the San Luis Obispo Airport and then we’re off to our campsite at Morro Bay State Park. Once settled, we’ll go through orientation, after which we’ll eat dinner at a tasty restaurant, then travel back to camp for a good night’s sleep before our first day of surfing tomorrow! We’ll begin the following day with our Ground School, where our staff will talk about important surfing-related topics before we ride our first waves. Maintaining our safe 3:1 ratio, campers receive professional instruction from our lifeguard certified instructors throughout this adventure. In order to complete our ten community service hours over the next two weeks, we’ll kick it off with a beach cleanup this afternoon.
DAY 3-4: SURF SESSIONS, AQUARIUM, BOAT EXCURSION
A full day of surfing is on tap, and we’ll be riding some of Morro Bay’s renowned breaks. This area has a great diversity to sample, from beach breaks perfect for longboarding and beginners, to jetty and reef breaks used to gain experience and confidence. We’ll occasionally stop and rest, giving us the opportunity to explore some local tidepools. After non-stop water time, we’ll spend the following day immersed in California’s natural beauty as we travel to our new campsite in Big Sur. We’ll visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, and come face-to-face with sharks, seals, otters, sea lions, sea stars, and penguins. We’ll cap off the day with a delicious dinner before heading back to our new campsite amongst the trees.
DAYS 5-6: SURF SESSIONS, SEMINARS, MOUNTAIN BIKING, HIKING
Back to surfing today as we give you lots of water time. Learning how to surf isn’t just about standing up on a board and riding waves. It’s about understanding wave dynamics, break types, etiquette, and coastal conservation. We’ll continue our daily seminars on these different topics and finish out the day with a visit to the Museum of Natural History. On the return, we’ll stop to observe elephant seals molting on the beach. To finish out this adventurous day, we may take a short hike to the top of McWay Falls, which offers incredible coastal views and one of the most photographed images in Big Sur.
DAYS 7-8: KAYAK TOUR, HIKING, COMMUNITY SERVICE
Time to switch it up, both on land and in the water: instead of paddling on boards, we’ll paddle in kayaks to see the water from a different perspective. Exploring Morro Bay with the help of a local naturalist, we’ll glide along the estuary and then giving our tired arms a break, hike along the coastline learning about local flora and fauna in addition to the Chumash Indians who used to inhabit the area. And we’ll also trade our tents in for lodges at Camp Ocean Pines. We’ll continue our service work here, while maintaining our beach clean-ups to improve the local environment. Currents off the coast funnel into gyres in the Pacific, and these currents carry with them an assortment of materials – both natural and man-made. We endeavor to diminish the amount of plastic and other manmade pollution by cleaning up debris on our beaches.
DAYS 9-10: SURF SESSIONS: ADVANCED COACHING, COMMUNITY SERVICE, SURFING MUSEUM
Mornings here are incredible experiences. The sun rises, illuminates Morro Rock, and then awakens the rest of the Bay. After an early surf session, we’ll pass on our positive energy as volunteers with Pacific Wildlife Care. Their mission is to rehabilitate orphaned, injured, or sick wildlife and return them to their natural habitat. This organization tries to create positive change in their community, and we hope they will inspire you to do the same. Next, it’s time for a mountain bike excursion! We’ll explore Avila Beach and the surrounding area as we ride along the scenic creek side bike path observing wildlife. We’ll also learn about professional surfing – from the past to the present at the Santa Barbara Surf Museum. After soaking up the Santa Barbara sunset and grabbing a bite, we’ll head back, but not before touring Channel Islands Surf Shop where Al Merrick has shaped numerous championship boards.
DAYS 11-14: SURF SESSIONS, CLOSING CEREMONIES
It is hard to believe that this adventure is coming to a close in just a few days. Our intimate group of ten campers has become a family, and you’re having fun planning which WB Surf Camp trip you’ll reconnect on next summer. Don’t worry, we still have plenty of surf time left! We’ll surf four more sessions in these final days, solidifying your stoke and working on the areas you feel need the most improvement. For two weeks we have been intimately exploring the Central California Coast: we’ve learned to read the waves, hiked through the forests, learned the secret hiding places of the marine animals, and had an experience that can’t be duplicated. As our last day of camp arrives, we say goodbye to the California way of life. But know that the memories we have made and the bonds we have formed will be with us forever.
Pictures
Accommodations
The California Central Coast has a moderate and pleasant climate year round. Summer doesn't get too hot, and winter doesn't get too cold. The average summer temperature on the coast isn't much higher than 68 ° F (20 ° C), and in winter it doesn't drop much past 44 ° F (7 ° C). Ten minutes inland, it can be up to 20 ° warmer. The area has an average of 19 days of rain a year producing about 18 inches (47 centimeters) of rainfall, most of which occurs between November and April. It’s the perfect weather for camping, hiking, and exploring! The water temperature stays right around 60 ° F, so even though you need a wetsuit, it’s not uncomfortable.
What sets this incredible camp apart from the others is the sense of adventure it offers by combining a week of lodging in rustic log cabins with a week of camping along the craggy pristine coast in extra large two-room tents. S’mores and a crackling campfire each night are enhanced with stargazing into an illuminated crisp clear night sky with very little light pollution. You’ll fall fast asleep to the sounds of the waves off in the distance and dreams of surfing the clean Pacific rollers.
Our lodging at Camp Ocean Pines, nestled in 13 acres of Monterey Pines that meet the shoreline, provides an amazing setting to begin or end a day of surfing. Designed with renewable resources in mind, their passive solar cabins are a unique blend of wood milled from wind fallen trees and straw bale construction. These bunk-style cabins sleep 10 people to accommodate groups of 35-100 and include indoor restrooms. A large lodge and dining hall with a cozy stone fireplace and sweeping ocean views serve as the focal point for meetings and meals.
Morro Bay State Park features lagoon and natural bay habitat. The bay’s most prominent landmark is Morro Rock. The park has opportunities for surfing, sailing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. The Museum of Natural History within the park has exhibits that cover natural features and cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography. The park also has a colorful marina where we launch our kayak tour. On the bay’s northeast edge is a pristine saltwater marsh that supports a thriving bird population.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park sits among the redwood groves of the Central Coast and covers approximately 1,006 acres of land. The park is centered around the Big Sur River. It has been nicknamed a "mini Yosemite." Here you can walk in and among the giant trees and hike into Pfeiffer Falls, or drive 10 minutes to find some of the best and most protected surf spots on the California coast.
Surfing beaches are only a few minutes drive from all of our accommodation locations. We will surf the Morro Strand, in and around Cambria, and Big Sur. Depending on wind and wave conditions, we may explore the region to diversify our surfing and find the best breaks on any given day, but we’ll return each day to all of our location stoked and smiling. Campers will need to bring sleeping bags, pads, and mess kits along with a list of other important items, provided upon registration for the camping portion.
Reviews
Parent, Burbank, CA - “Wow!!! I was so impressed! It was great to know Holly was in excellent hands! What an experience she had! Not only do I love all that they did and learned, I'm amazed that she remembered it! Thank you for sharing this experience with her. What an experience she had!”
Harry, Brooklyn, NY - “I wanted to really love surfing, to back home and get a board and surf a lot. I wanted to get hooked on it – and WB Surf Camp made that happen in California. I’d love to travel and see different waves, now that I see what it’s like. I think traveling around and surfing would be the coolest combination. To see the sights and surf – it’s amazing.”
John, West Orange, NJ - “I’m from New Jersey, and we haven’t had any waves for a while. It’s great to surf some fun waves out here in California, and it’s a good trip. I just really WB Surf Camp, the counselors are always great and you get to travel and surf with other kids your age—it’s really fun.”
Griffin, McLean, VA - “I caught a bunch of waves, and the counselors are really great because they’re so encouraging. I stood up a lot and got to go down the line, which is what you’re supposed to do. The camp in California was really cool.”
Parent, Gualala, CA - “Thank you for providing such a rich, fun, and educational experience for all of these kids.”
Lianne, Long Island, NY – “After having a bad experience my first time trying to surf in New York, I decided I’d give the sport a second try. Going to a surf camp was something completely different from my normal summers and it was truly an incredible experience. Learning to surf was not the only memorable thing, but I also made so many friends within such a short amount of time that I will keep forever, and had awesome counselors who truly enjoyed being with us! I will always remember and cherish WB Surf Camp and I will definitely continue surfing and loving all that the ocean has to offer.”
Rachael, Flagstaff, AZ – “The instructors were all energetic, patient and well trained. Each of us was taught on an individual basis at our own pace. They were very thorough in training us about ocean safety (something my dad was very happy about!).”
Laura, Wilmington, NC – “This is what I know. I love surfing. From the moment that I caught my first wave, immediately something inside me told me that I must continue this at every given moment. Gliding through the water and not knowing what do to next, drives the beginner surfer to want more. Throughout my week at WB Surf Camp I learned not only to ride waves, but about people and life in general. The world has so many great things to contribute to each individual; I found that through my instructors and peer campers.”
Mike, Shaker Heights, OH – “When I came to WB Surf Camp I had very little experience on a surfboard, but after only two days with these great instructors, I could already stand up very well and even began to go sideways down the wave some. I not only learned surfing technique, but also safety (which made my Mom feel alot better about me surfing).”
Reena, Cincinnati, OH – “Throughout my week at your camp, I had a great time. I remember how good it felt when Joel praised me on my awesome pop-ups, even though we were only on land. I couldn't wait to get out on the water and be able to stand. Eventually we paddled out and it was my turn to ride the wave. The rush of emotions I felt when the wave picked the board up and pushed me to shore was incredibly fulfilling. Even though I didn't stand on my first try, I couldn't wait to go out again. I tried again and again, but that day, I just couldn't stand up and ride a wave all the way to shore. I was a little disappointed, but I kept telling myself that I would not leave this camp unless I rode at least one wave successfully.
The next day, Joel got a 9-foot board just for me! I was stoked! That day I stood up and rode a beautiful wave all the way to shore. It was the greatest feeling ever. Being able to achieve that after so much perseverance and faith from all the instructors, made me so proud. What's more, I gained so much more confidence in myself. I have learned that to achieve something, I must believe in myself and I must never give up.”
Erin, Ann Arbor, MI – “No doubt it is the sport itself which makes me feel so good, but I must thank you profusely, for were it not for the well-organized camp program, including the dedication of your instructors, the quality of the provided equipment, and the additional activities, I might not have enjoyed my first experience quite as much. I was *very* impressed with everything overall. I love the fact that you have chosen to include marine ecology/environmental related lectures/field trips.”
FAQ - California
If I have never surfed before, is this camp for me?
The California travel adventure program was developed for the absolute beginner to the intermediate surfer. There are so many breaks that are suited to different levels of surfing that it allows us to accommodate everyone’s surfing ability. More advanced surfers will be coached on more complex maneuvers while beginners will work on the basics with our top instructors.
If I have some surf experience will I get to learn more advanced maneuvers?
Although this camp is designed for the pure beginner, our staff is composed of amazing free surfers as well as competitive surfers, all of whom will be able to coach you to a higher level of wave reading, performance, and creativity in your surfing.
Do you provide equipment or should I bring my own?
All equipment is provided. We provide a variety of boards to use during your California adventure. There are shortboards, fun boards, fishes, and longboards available for you to use.
Where will I be surfing?
While the beaches around Morro Bay will be some of our primary surfing breaks during our California Surf Camp, we’ll also travel the coast from Monterey to Santa Barbara exploring the culture and the different breaks. This allows us to get a really rich surf experience, in addition to seeing some of the most beautiful coastlines in California.
What kind of non-surfing activities will we be participating in?
- Visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Hike and kayak in the incredible Morro Bay & Big Sur areas
- Elephant Seal colony discovery in Piedras Blancas
- Earn 10 credits of Community Service working alongside The Morro Bay National Estuary Program and Pacific Wildlife Center
- Visit the Santa Barbara Surf Museum
- Explore surfing’s most prestigious Channel Islands Surf Shop where Al Merrick has been shaping world champion's boards for over three decades
Will there be pictures of me surfing that I can purchase?
Our instructors will be taking some photos throughout the week, but we highly recommend that you bring your own camera. You will receive an email about purchasing Surf Camp’s photos in the weeks following the end of camp.
What are the ages of your overnight campers?
The California overnight program is for ages 14-17.
How old are the campers I will be sharing a tent or lodge with?
Roommates are grouped together by age in order to enhance the overall level of comfort.
What kind of supervision is there?
Trip leaders provide 24-hour, same gender supervision for every camper for the entire trip from the moment they start the adventure. All activities are group centric and campers are never given the opportunity to wander off or “stay back” unsupervised.
What will we do at night?
Each night our trip leaders will hold surf seminars to educate teens on all of the multi-faceted aspects of surfing, surfboard design, wave prediction, and surf culture. Although most nights everyone will be surfed out after dinner and seminars, we leave time for daily reflection and team building activities.
What is the nearest airport and do you have a shuttle service?
The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is only 20 minutes away from our accommodations. Our counselors meet inbound campers right at the baggage claim, then shuttle them to the campground. On the way home, counselors stay at the airport until each camper’s flight has taken off. Our office stays attuned to any delays or cancellations to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. We ask campers to arrive between 1:00 - 3:00 pm on the first day and depart between 12:00 – 2:00 pm on the last day.
What if I can’t get in by the set check in time?
In order to avoid missing any planned activities, campers should try to get in by 3:00 pm on the first day and leave before 2:00 pm on the last day of camp. Please contact our Program Coordinator to discuss arrivals and departures outside of our preferred times.
How much spending money should I bring?
We recommend campers bring $100 to $150. This is for special food items and snacks, souvenirs, or gifts they wish to purchase while at camp.
Do you have insurance?
We carry a comprehensive insurance package, including general liability.
