Surf and Windsurf lessons
Depending on the availability of volunteers, beginner surf and windsurf lessons are usually organized once a month. Subscribe to the club's mailing list to be notified of the date of the next lesson.
Surf lessons
Surf lessons are organized at Mondo's Surf Break, just north of Ventura.
Mondo's is a perfect place for learning to surf. The waves are 'forgiving', it is easy to reach and the other surfers in the water are used to beginner's working on their skills.
Usually an instructional DVD will be shown a couple of days before the lessons
The instructor
You will get high quality instructions from Gaylord Campbell. Gaylord also shapes the club's boards and has been our instructor for years. Besides surfing, you'll probably get some free history lessons as well.
Prerequisites
Surfing is not easy to learn, but it's fun, the only prerequisite is that you are a good swimmer. You don't have to be a club member in order to participate in this trip. If you attended our surflessons in the past you can sign up again in order to improve your skills because "practice makes perfect".
To prepare for lessons you should go swim laps in the pool as paddling is a major part of surfing, and beginners often find that their arms turn to noodles on the first day on the surfboard.
Costs
The costs are usually $20,--/person. This includes the use of surfboards and wetsuits. It excludes some money for gas with the one you are carpooling. Compare that to the fees for lessons at the schools at the beach!
Who can sign up
Signing up for lessons is open to all members of Caltech/JPL community and their guests. The first 20 people to sign up will be given priority, others are placed on a waiting list and will be informed as soon as any spots open. Some people may cancel or not show up, so if you are on the waiting list please be packed and ready to go when you get a phone call.
What to bring
Bring food and water for the day, towel, bathing suit, hat, warm clothes, sunscreen, a book to read in case you get tired early or have to wait for your turn on the shared equipment.
Carpooling
Not everyone has a car to get to Mondo's, but car-pooling will be arranged. Just bring some extra money for gas. We will always try to minimize the number of cars on this trip.