While surfing is one of the best hobbies to enjoy on your stony lonesome on planet Earth, it can be more fun to learn at the beginning with a group – and from an experienced instructor. For this reason, many people join surf camps to learn the art of surfing. This social atmosphere provides plenty of support to those who feel they need a little extra time to gain their sea legs as well as the opportunity to make new friends and learn some surfing culture. These camps often provide you with the equipment (soft top board, wetsuit, leash, etc.) that you need so that you don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of equipment for a sport that you may still be uncertain about. So, to help you find one that’s right for you, we’ve made you a list of the best surf camps for beginners to get you started out on your surfing journey.
Atlantic City Surf School
Run out of Jersey Devil Surf Shop in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Atlantic City Surf School is sure to get you standing up on your first wave in no time flat.
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For a five day camp, you’ll pay $500 and receive the time of your life. The instructors at this camp will show you the best surfing lessons in the business and tons of fun. Included with your camp payment is your board and wetsuit rental, meaning ease and simplicity for you.
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All you need to bring is swimming ability and preparedness to learn about ocean safety, proper surf technique, and environmental awareness. All told, this surf school definitely belongs on our list of best surf camps for beginners as a low cost option without the loss of any value.
Santa Barbara Surf School
Located in sunny Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara Surf School offers quality surf lessons from native Californians – and who knows surfing better than Californians? You’d be sure to find these teachers fun and supportive as you attempt popping up on your board for the first time.
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For as little as $200 per person per day, you can have an all included package of lessons and all of the necessary equipment (soft top board, wetsuit, and leash) for earning your learner’s permit. There is no doubt you will have fun learning to surf in this classic California surf town at such a low price.
Club Ed
Offering five day beginner sessions, Club Ed in Santa Cruz, California is certainly one of the best surf camps for beginners for a variety of reasons. These classes teach surfing fundamentals, etiquette, ocean safety, how to read waves, and stand-up and riding techniques.
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For just $1100 for a five day session, you will get to learn to surf in one of the surf culture capitals of the world. Included in this package is the surfboard, wetsuit, and tent needed to enjoy the week out on the beach. The camp sizes vary between 10 or 20 learners with approximately three to six instructors on site at once.
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In this social atmosphere, you are sure to succeed in learning to surf and enjoy your time at this camp.
Oregon Surf Adventures
For $200 a day, you can have the experience of a lifetime in the beautiful northwest at Oregon Surf Adventures in Seaside, Oregon. Offering beginner classes as well as camps, this experience is sure to grant you your sea legs on an all included package that includes a surfboard, wetsuit, gloves, and booties.
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You’ll get to enjoy friendly, supportive, and fun staff, included lunch and snacks, and plenty of knowledge on how to surf and stay safe in the ocean. These camps will be full of beginners like you so there is no need to be shy about being a learner in this environment.
SurfSister
What’s better than being in Hawaii? Surfing in Hawaii. With SurfSister’s camps available, you have the outstanding opportunity to learn to surf in this beautiful locale. For $1200 for two people, you will get a 7 day/6 night hotel stay, 2 surf lessons with the surf school, and a 7 day board rental.
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What more could you ask for out of a stay in Hawaii? This well respected surf school will get you up and enjoying the surf like you never have before in quite possibly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. That makes this one of the best surf camps for beginners that you could find.
Surf Camp Maine
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For those that don’t mind a little bit of cold water, Surf Camp Maine at Scarborough Beach State Park in Maine makes for one of the best surf camps for beginners. You’ll get to camp on the beach and enjoy the great vibes of surfing in a unique way.
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For $469 for a four day adventure, you’ll get an all included package with a wetsuit, surfboard, and tent for camping along with the much needed help from the camp instructors. Instructors will not only teach learners about surfing technique but also ocean conservation, etiquette, and the local beach environment. Who says the Northeast can’t surf?
San Diego Surf School
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Found in Pacific Beach, San Diego Surf School offers a prime surf camp in an even more prime location. At $310 for a 5 day camp, this option is extremely affordable and tons of fun.
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You’ll get to learn about the fundamentals of surfing and ocean safety from awesome instructors at a 3:1 instructor to surfer ratio, guaranteeing one on one attention. The camp includes a surfboard, wetsuit, snacks, and…Pizza Friday! There’s no doubt you will have tons of fun in this group setting in one of the more easy going places in the USA.
7th Street Surf Shop
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You’ll find 7th Street Surf Shop in Ocean City, New Jersey, an East Coast go-to for surfing. With a twenty-five year track record, you can trust that this camp belongs on any list of best surf camps for beginners.
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The camps and lessons are given out of the front of their boardwalk shop at a great price of $250 for five days of surfing. Campers will not only learn to surf, but also learn about the ocean, etiquette, and safety during their week of fun. You will be provided a board, wetsuit, and rash guard with your price of admission.
Having taught literally thousands of people to surf over the years, 7th Street Surf Shop has definitely proven to offer a quality surf camp.
Kaua’i Surf School
With almost twenty years of experience in providing surfing instruction to beginners, Kaua’i Surf School in Hawaii is a sure bet to be on a list of best surf camps for beginners.
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Featuring unlimited surf instruction from Billabong’s top team riders, there is no doubt that even the more unstable of us out on the water will be able to get in at least one good ride. The camp costs $200 a day per person and lasts for six days, at minimum.
Providing all of your transportation to and from the airport and around the island as well as your equipment necessary to actually surf, you are sure to get a great value out of this camp. Bonus: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included!
Tony Silvagni Surf School
This surf school, found in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, is led by professional surfer Tony Silvagni. Who better to learn from than a pro? These 5 day camps can be bought at $325 per person for a week full of fun.
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All of the instructors at the school are lifetime surfers that understand everything about surfing, from how to teach proper technique to how to relax between sets. Included with your price of admission is all of the necessary gear to enjoy the camp including, a head to toe wetsuit and board.
With lots of other smaller benefits, this surf school is sure to get you up on your board for the first time and having an awesome week.