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Learn to Surf

The West Coast's Top Surf Spot

Surfers have been riding the waves in Santa Cruz, California, since the early 1920s. The filmmakers of the classic surf film, Endless Summer, shot portions of their movie in Santa Cruz. The Beach Boys sang about surfing in Santa Cruz. And just last month, Surfer Magazine named Santa Cruz one of the top ten surf towns in the country.  But while Santa Cruz has long been legendary among surfers, few people know that it's also the best place on the West Coast to learn to surf.   If you've ever wanted to feel the rush of riding a wave, Santa Cruz is the place to try it.

"The waves here are consistently better than anywhere else," says Richard Schmidt, owner of Richard Schmidt Surf School.  "The unique shape of the Monterey Bay provides for a variety of surf spots in Santa Cruz with different facing beaches and different breaks."

Along with consistent waves, the unique features of one beach in particular-Cowells Beach-make for optimum learning conditions.  Located next to the Santa Cruz Wharf, Cowells Beach is a sheltered point break with long, gentle waves and a sandy bottom. "The waves are rolling and gentle, and the beach has a gradually sloping sandy bottom that doesn't make the waves plunge or break hard," says Ed Guzman, owner of Club Ed Surf School.

Another reason Santa Cruz is a great place to learn to surf is the quality of the instruction available.  Richard Schmidt Surf School and Club Ed Surf School have both been teaching surfing in Santa Cruz for nearly two decades.

Both surf schools outfit their students with wetsuits and surfboards and coach them in small groups or one-on-one to get them up on the waves.

Starting on the beach, the instructors have their students first practice on dry land what they will later do in the water.  They emphasize safety and surfing etiquette in their lessons.   They teach students how waves are created, how and why they break, how to paddle around a break, and how to turn the board once they see the perfect wave to ride.  Both schools also guarantee that students will ride a wave on their first lesson.

"When you catch a wave, you experience moments of sheer adrenaline and excitement," says Schmidt.  "Over the past 20 years, I've introduced surfing to people of all ages-from 3 to 70.  It's good for the spirit and keeps you young a heart."

"There's not many things in the world that compare to it," says Guzman. "You could say snowboarding, but there the mountain stays still.  Here, it's chasing you.  That's where the thrill comes from, the fact that you get to play a cat and mouse game with the ocean's energy.  It's addicting and completely exhilarating; you get to take part in the rhythm of the ocean."

For more information about learning to surf in Santa Cruz with Richard Schmidt Surf School or Club Ed Surf School visit www.richardschmidt.com or www.club-ed.com.

Photo courtesy of Club Ed Surf School

Edited by Dave Shultz

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