Campsurf is the Official Surf School of Manhattan Beach, California. According to the Los Angeles Business Journal, it is “Los Angeles’ Premier Surf School”.
They offer private and group surf lessons in addition to surf camps.

These are available to people of all abilities, whether you’re a seasoned surfer or it’s your first time riding the waves, as long as you have the passion and desire to get out there, they can make it happen.
They aim to offer a complete surfing experience to both residents and visitors to the Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach areas.
By teaching proven techniques from experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable local surf instructors, they will be able to take your surfing skills to the next level and beyond.
Campsurf Manhattan was founded by Jim Miller, who led all of the surf lessons both in and out of the water. Unfortunately, Jimmy is no longer with us, but his love and passion for surfing live on through the surf camp he created.
It was his vision of making surfing accessible, fun, and safe for people of all ages at Manhattan Beach that is the foundation of what they do at Campsurf.
It is his inspiration that is at the heart of what they do at Campsurf. Jimmy was a teacher, lifeguard, traveler, and worldwide ambassador of surfing.
In 1998, Jimmy used his love and passion for surfing and turned it into his own surf company, Pure Surfing Experience.
In this company, he taught surfing to both young and old people alike, and he organized popular local contests, and from this, he organized Campsurf to run summer day camps for the City of Manhattan Beach.
Here, he developed his own style of teaching focusing on the flow of motion from catching the wave to springing up and standing on the surfboard.
What made his teaching special was his unbridled enthusiasm for surfing combined with a love and respect for the ocean and the environment.
He believed in the power of the ocean that we can all enjoy in a safe way, and that this is good for us both physically and spiritually.
It was this that he passed on to his students and fellow instructors alike, and this is what makes Campsurf a special place to learn how to surf.
Since 1998, Campsurf Manhattan has successfully taught thousands of students from all over the world and have expanded their programs to also include private tuition, advanced surf instruction, corporate events, and private surf parties.
Their surf camps on Manhattan Beach provide a safe, fun, and educational experience for boys and girls aged seven and upwards.
What differentiates them from other surf camps is that they focus on passing on knowledge about not only surfing but the ocean.
They also maintain a low student to instructor ratio at 4:1 to make sure that each student gets maximum personal attention which guarantees improvement.
It also makes it safer for students, most importantly.
All the instructors at Campsurf Manhattan are CPR and First-Aid Certified, and they are among the top surfers and watermen, and women in the area, each with many years of teaching experience and training.
They guarantee that you will see amazing results by the end of the week-long camp, as they provide you with the solid foundations you need to become a great surfer.
Campsurf Manhattan was voted “Best Kid Camp” by the local community three years in a row from 2017 to 2019.
Their normal surf camps are for ages seven and up, but they have specialized kids camps for ages four, five, and six. This is a week-long introductory course which consists of:
- Introduction to ocean safety – rip tides, formation of waves, ocean awareness
- Age-appropriate beach games, wave jumping, sandcastle building
- Boogie boarding, body surfing, and basic surfing introduction
- Basic ecology lesson
- Arts and crafts
- Meeting the lifeguards
Both their kids and normal surf camps prioritize safety above all else. During the kids camp surfing lessons in the water, they maintain a student to instructor ratio of 1:1.
This is to make sure each child is closely supervised during their time in the water.
Why Choose Campsurf Manhattan Beach?
High Standards For Safety
Surfing can be a dangerous sport, even if you know what you’re doing.
Campsurf has quality instructors who have developed lessons to ensure that you train in the safest way possible, using the best safety equipment available and they teach you to know and understand the local conditions and surf community.
This will minimize the risk of getting injured and will maximize the opportunity for you to have a positive surfing experience.
Cut The Learning Curve
With their week-long courses, Campsurf provides extensive training and knowledge to allow you to progress quickly. You’ll be surprised by your improvement by the end of the week.
If you’re an absolute beginner when it comes to surfing, their experienced instructors will give you the foundational knowledge for you to get the best start possible.
Tap Into The Experience Of Professionals
Campsurf has the best instructors in the business with decades of experience between them. The knowledge they can give you will be invaluable to you if you want to learn not just quickly but properly.
Their instructors can assess and address bad techniques so you can improve and progress along your surfing journey.
Find The Right Equipment For You
The Campsurf school stock a range of sizes in both their soft-top surfboards and their Billabong wetsuits so you can find and try out exactly what works best for you before you buy your own if you choose to.
Their experienced instructors can also direct you towards the best local shops for all your surfing needs.
If you’re thinking of traveling to Manhattan Beach to learn how to serve, look no further than Campsurf. They are easily the best option for a surf school in this area of California.
Since they have been in operation since 1998, they have taught thousands of people from across the globe the foundations of surfing.
Their experienced surfers have a wealth of knowledge that they’re keen to share with budding young surfers and veterans alike, regardless of your age, gender or experience.