Club Ed

What Club Ed does

Club Ed Surf School and Camps is a privately held surf instruction and camp operator founded in 1983 by Ed Guzman and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. The company provides surf and stand-up paddle (SUP) instruction through a tiered structure that includes open group lessons ($120/person), private group lessons ($130/person), semi-private lessons ($150/person), private one-on-one lessons ($150/hour), and a premium 'Shred with Ed' tier featuring direct founder-led instruction ($220/hour). Operations are split between year-round daily lessons at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz, week-long overnight summer surf camps at Manresa Uplands State Park ($1,500/session for nine 2026 sessions), and international surf camps across Mexico (San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas), Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Fiji, Samoa, and Indonesia. Equipment rentals—soft surfboards, fiberglass Pearson Arrow boards, SUPs, O'Neill wetsuits, and accessories—are offered as a complementary revenue stream.

The company's core technology is its WordPress-based website integrated with FareHarbor for booking, scheduling, and payment processing, with no proprietary software platform of meaningful scale. Its primary functional differentiator is a beginner-friendly surfboard design developed by Ed Guzman through 25+ years of board shaping with Pearson Arrow Surf Boards. The business is operated by Ed Guzman alongside a team of approximately 13 named instructors (Jake Melenudo, Antonio Ramirez, Sydney Rohan, Jack Ghuin, Ryan Rubio, Che Jordan, Seth Coleman, Zane Cintas, Kyle Smith, Pat McKinnon, Logan Obrero, Andre Winslow, Brent Bauerlein) with water-safety and CPR certifications. Pricing follows a transactional, per-unit model with equipment typically included; groups of 10+ receive discounts.

The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, relying on FareHarbor online booking, phone reservations, and walk-up inquiries, supplemented by earned media features (The New York Times Journeys, Sunset Magazine, Surfer Magazine, Modesto Bee), review platforms (Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook), and a video/photo gallery. The customer base is highly fragmented across individual learners (first-time through advanced), families and social groups, corporate team-building clients, summer-camp participants (primarily pre-teens and teens), and special-occasion groups (bachelor/bachelorette, yoga retreats, school field trips). There is no institutional investment, no acquisitions, no parent company, and no disclosed ownership changes; the business operates independently under Ed Guzman's leadership.

Name

Club Ed

Legal name

Club Ed International Surf School and Camp

Website

https://club-ed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Club Ed is a Santa Cruz, California surf school founded in 1983 by Ed Guzman, offering surf and SUP lessons, week-long summer surf camps, and international camps across eight countries. It serves individual learners, families, corporate groups, and youth participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surf and Water Sports Instruction

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Recreational Goods Rental (532284), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles) (CRAMAIAD)

Keywords

• Surf school
• Surf lessons
• Surf camps
• Stand up paddleboarding
• Surf equipment rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Cruz

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Surf Lessons: Per-person lessons ranging from open group ($120/person) to semi-private ($150/person) to private instruction ($150/hour). Lessons are 1-2 hours with equipment included.
2. Premium Instruction with Ed Guzman: Private lessons with founder Ed Guzman at $220/hour, semi-private at $220/person for 2 hours. Premium pricing for instruction from the founder with 40+ years experience.
3. Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Lessons: Group SUP lessons at $120/person and semi-private at $150/person for 2-hour sessions covering fundamentals, etiquette, safety, and wave-riding techniques.
4. Summer Surf Camps: Week-long immersive surf camps at Manresa Beach for $1500/session. Includes instruction, equipment, meals, and camping. Designed for pre-teens and teens with adults welcome.
5. Equipment Rentals: Daily rental equipment including soft surfboards ($30), fiberglass surfboards ($50), SUP boards ($60), wetsuits ($25), booties and hoods ($15 each), body boards ($20), and combo deals.
6. Group and Corporate Events: Private group lessons for families, birthdays, corporate events, and team building. Groups of 10+ receive discounted rates. Special sessions available for various occasions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Club Ed is a Santa Cruz-based surf school that delivers in-person surf and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) instruction through year-round daily lessons, week-long domestic summer surf camps at Manresa Beach, and destination-based international surf camps across Latin America and the Pacific. Offerings are sold per-person/per-hour in tiered formats (open group, semi-private, private group, private, and premium instruction with founder Ed Guzman), with surf equipment (boards, wetsuits, SUPs) included in lessons and also available as standalone daily rentals.

Product overview

Club Ed operates as a surf school offering a comprehensive portfolio of water sports instruction and related services. The core offerings include surf lessons at multiple tier levels (Private, Semi-Private, Open Group, and Private Group formats), premium instruction under the 'Shred with Ed' brand featuring founder Ed Guzman's 40+ years of expertise, and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) lessons. The company operates two distinct camp programs: domestic Summer Surf Camps at Manresa Beach, California ($1500/session) and International Surf Camps spanning Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Fiji, Samoa, and Indonesia. Equipment rentals are offered as a complementary add-on service, providing surfboards, wetsuits, paddle boards, and accessories. All offerings are booked through FareHarbor's reservation system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Surf Lesson One-on-one surf instruction offering personalized attention for rapid skill building, available in 1, 1.5, or 2 hour sessions. All ages welcome with option to tandem for small children. Price is $150 per hour per person with equipment included.
• Semi-Private Surf Lesson Small group surf instruction with 1 instructor for every 2 students, offering more personalized attention than open group lessons. 2-hour session at $150 per person, equipment included.
• Open Group Surf Lesson Group surf lessons where participants join other surfers learning together. 2-hour session at $120 per person with 1 instructor for every 4 students. Equipment (wetsuit and beginner-friendly board) included; all skill levels welcome.
• Private Group Surf Lesson Private group surf instruction with 1 instructor for every 4 students. Minimum 3 people required. Ideal for families, birthdays, corporate events and team building. Groups of 10+ receive discounted rates. 2 hours at $130 per person with equipment included.
• Lessons with Ed "Shred with Ed" Premium surf instruction with founder Ed Guzman, who has 40+ years of teaching experience and intimate knowledge of local Santa Cruz breaks. Includes both surfing and SUP instruction. $220 per hour for private lessons or $220 per person for 2-hour semi-private sessions.
• Group SUP Lesson Stand Up Paddleboarding group lesson introducing SUP fundamentals, etiquette, condition awareness, safety, proper paddling techniques and self-rescue. 2-hour session at $120 per person.
• Semi-Private SUP Lesson Advanced Stand Up Paddleboarding lesson focusing on SUP surfing techniques, wave riding, paddle techniques, and equipment guidance. Covers wave formation, SUP etiquette and safety in surf zones. $150 per person.
• Summer Surf Camps Week-long overnight surf and camping programs at Manresa Uplands State Park Campground. Includes instruction by Ed and Master Surfing Instructors, surfboards, wetsuits, meals, and camping accommodation. $1,500 per session with 10-20 campers per session and a 1:4 instructor-to-student ratio. Designed for pre-teens and teens with adults welcome.
• International Surf Camps Surf camps located internationally in Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Fiji, Samoa, and Indonesia. Features international destinations for immersive surfing experiences, including the flagship Cabo Surf Camp at CABO Surf Hotel & Spa in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
• Cabo Surf Camp International surf camp at CABO Surf Hotel & Spa in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Includes surf instruction, hotel accommodations, meals and snacks, and dinners at local restaurants. Established annual program with multi-year repeat customers.
• Surf Equipment Rentals Equipment rental service including soft surfboards (7'-10') at $30/day, fiberglass Pearson Arrow surfboards at $50/day, stand up paddle boards at $60/day, O'Neill wetsuits at $25/day, booties and hoods at $15/day, body boards at $20/day, and soft rack for transport at $10/day. All Day Special packages available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of people successfully taught to surf since early 1980s
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Surf Lessons Pismo Beach / Sandbar Surf School: Central California surf school offering private and group lessons. Comparable lesson format, equipment inclusion model, and family/group target customer segment.
• Corky Carroll's Surf School: Long-running Southern California surf school founded by professional surfer Corky Carroll. Comparable as a founder-led, brand-credentialed surf instruction business with multi-decade operating history and lesson-based revenue model.
• Surf Diva: Women's surf school in San Diego offering group and private lessons, surf camps, and retreats. Comparable as a direct competitor in the California beginner surf school segment with tiered lesson pricing and instructor-led camps.
• Wavemaker Surf Camp: Overnight youth surf camp program on the California coast offering week-long immersive experiences. Directly comparable to Club Ed's Manresa summer surf camps for pre-teens and teens.
• Surfari Surf School: Southern California surf school offering private and group lessons plus surf camps. Directly comparable as a tiered-priced surf instruction business targeting first-time and intermediate surfers in the California coastal market.
• Malibu Surf School: Beginner-focused surf school in Malibu offering private, semi-private, and group lessons with equipment included. Directly comparable business model and target customer (first-time and intermediate surfers).
• Costa Rica Surf Camp: Destination surf camp operator in Costa Rica offering multi-day instructional packages. Comparable to Club Ed's international surf camp offering in Costa Rica and similar destinations.
• San Diego Surf School: San Diego-based surf school offering group and private lessons for all ages and skill levels. Comparable service offering, customer demographic, and lesson pricing model to Club Ed.

Regional players

• Jax Surf Camp: Florida-based surf camp and lesson provider serving East Coast US market. Comparable service offering (lessons, camps, rentals) but operates in a different US region from Club Ed's Santa Cruz base.

Emerging players

• Stand Up Paddle (SUP) World Tour / Paddle Logger: Stand-up paddleboard instruction and tracking platform. Partial overlap with Club Ed's SUP lesson offering; serves the same activity category but with a digital/technology-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/clubedsurf
• Xx.com/surfclubed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/club-ed-surf-school-and-camps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Club Ed