Kids Learn To Hit The Waves At Surf School

It’s what some on the South Coast call Disneyland in the Sand: surf camp.

Surf Happens is a surf school where youth learn the fundamentals of surfing in a safe and rewarding environment.

It’s a day camp where kids age 4-17 get hands on with the board and the ocean.

Camp instructors describe it as a “tribal” atmosphere where the youngest kids are adopted by the older students who bond with their teachers.

They say kids work their way up like a belt system in martial arts.

“They start as a white colored jersey when they’re in the water learning the fundamentals of ocean safety and knowledge,” said owner and instructor Chris Keet. “How to paddle, how to make it under waves. And then move to the next level of how to read waves, catch waves and stand up. And then it goes all the way from the beginning to some of the kids who are the top in the nation.”

Surf Camp continues through the end of August, you can sign up on their website.