Van Curaza Surf School - Avila Beach, California

Veronica L

Last weekend, my sons took their first surfing class with Van Curaza, and they had a very positive experience. Van was clearly experienced in the sport, and safety was a top priority. I felt reassured seeing how he instructed them and kept a sharp eye on them at all times while they were in the water.

In just one lesson, the boys learned the basics of paddling and standing up on the board. It was so thrilling to see them catch their first waves.

The boards, wetsuits, and bright shirts provided for the class were perfect for the kids. Overall, I highly recommend Van Curaza Surf School for any parent looking to introduce their child to surfing. It was a wonderful experience that we'll cherish, and I'm confident it has set the foundation for their love of the ocean and surfing to grow.

Kate Nelson

My kids did a couple of days for surf camp with Van Curaza. I was really impressed by how excellent the instructors were really great with helping the kids and getting them surfing, while also going at the kid's pace and making sure that they had fun. I also noticed that the camp was run in a really safe way where all of the kids were well looked after. Van Curaza is an excellent surf school and a great place to learn to surf.

Eric Hauser

I've wanted to try surfing for a very long time. Finally booked a lesson and could not be happier. Why did I wait 48 years to try surfing?! Chris was my instructor and he was amazing. Super low pressure, approachable, incredibly friendly and easy to talk to. And a fantastic surfing instructor! Thanks to his help and a bit of luck I was able to stand up and surf on the first wave. He and his coworker Jada were great to deal with, extremely positive, and made the entire experience unforgettable. I cannot recommend them enough. ?‍♂️?

Listen 763

Surfed for the first time with Van and had a great experience. He has a very direct and honest teaching style. Learned the fundamentals and am looking forward to getting some more practice

Miguel Escudero

Van's crew is super professional and experienced. I scheduled a session for my 7 year old to surf for his first time and it was simply great. Kanoa, our surf instructor was super patient and dedicated. My son had an amazing time and caught a bunch of waves and we felt that he was in good and safe hands. We are definitely coming back for more!

Ann Dinh

I signed my 8 year old daughter up for surf lessons for the first time. I was a little bit nervous since I was unsure of how she would like it. She absolutely loved it. After completing two weeks she asked to be signed up for more!

The instructors are kind, passionate, and encouraging. She had so much fun and would tell me of all the adventures they had that day.

Chris and Sarah were the lead instructions and I could not say more great things about them. They truly cared for her well being, really encouraged her, and brought her out of her shell.

We absolutely will be signing up for more surf camp next summer. Highly recommend!

Lisa Pai

Van and Dan are amazing! My daughter loved her first surf lesson with these patient, kind, and professional instructors. It is obvious they truly love what they do and they give their clients a genuine surf experience. We will definitely book more lessons next time we are in the area.

Michael Schaefer

Van is an outstanding instructor. He is passionate about teaching, and is a dedicated and experienced instructor. He took my wife and I for a lesson, and tailored his teaching to us based on our individual levels. He not only hammered home the fundamentals, but helped me develop a sixth sense for feeling the ocean. On a practical note, he outfitted us with quality wet suits that kept us plenty comfortable for surfing in cooler weather. I highly recommend him.