Surf Education Academy

What Surf Education Academy does

Surf Education Academy (SEA) is a private, founder-operated surf school headquartered at 2132 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla Shores, San Diego, California, operating as one of only three City of San Diego permitted surf schools at La Jolla Shores beach. Founded by Sean Brody — who serves as Executive Director, Head Coach for Team USA's Adaptive Surfing Team, and an advisor to 97 National Surfing Federations through the International Surfing Association — SEA delivers surf instruction through a portfolio of consumer and professional products: Private Surf Lessons ($110–$159 per surfer, 1.5-hour sessions), Group Surf Lessons ($99–$125 per surfer), age-tiered Kids Surf Camps (Mini Groms 5–7, Growing Groms 8–10, Future Legends/Teen Chargers 11–15; $529–$999 per week, all subject to a 16% City surcharge), the Adaptive Surfing Program for athletes with disabilities, Advanced Surf Coaching with video analysis, Corporate Clinics, the SEA Explorers Camp combining marine science with surfing, ISA Certification courses (ISA100, ISA200, adaptive instructor training), and equipment rentals. Underlying instructional technology is a safety-first proprietary curriculum aligned with ISA standards, delivered by CPR/First Aid/ocean-rescue-certified instructors at low student-to-instructor ratios (max 5:1 for camps, 1:1 for private lessons), with a colored-leash progression system tracking skill development.

SEA's business model is direct-to-consumer unit pricing with all equipment (soft-top surfboards, wetsuits, rash guards) bundled into lesson and camp fees. Booking flows through the website via Acuity Scheduling, with phone and email handling same-day, group, and corporate inquiries, and walk-up customers at the La Jolla Shores beachfront. Marketing combines content (educational blog on surf history, ocean science, and marine conservation), organic social (Instagram @surfeducationacademy, Facebook), a newsletter aimed at 2,500+ SEA Families, Google reviews, and earned media across Surfer Magazine, Stab Magazine, NBC, KPBS, KUSI, and the San Diego Union Tribune. Customer segments span families with children 5–15, adult learners (tourists, locals, couples), adaptive athletes including Paralympic-caliber competitors, and corporate groups. Strategic partnerships with USA Surfing (the only San Diego school so recognized), the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, UC San Diego, SDSU, the Junior Seau Foundation, and Lions International anchor both pipeline referrals and credibility, while the co-founded Surf Resource Network extends the brand into international surf tourism development in Liberia.

Name

Surf Education Academy

Legal name

Surf Education Academy L.L.C.

Website

https://surfeducationacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Surf Education Academy is a City of San Diego permitted surf school at La Jolla Shores offering private lessons, group classes, age-tiered kids' surf camps, adaptive surfing programs, and ISA instructor certification, serving tourists, families, corporate groups, and adaptive athletes in San Diego.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surf Instruction Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Surf school
• Surf lessons
• Surf camps
• Adaptive surfing
• Surf instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Surf Lessons: One-on-one personalized coaching sessions at La Jolla Shores. Revenue varies by group size: $159 for single surfer, $135/person for 2-3 surfers, $125/person for 4 surfers, $115/person for 5-7 surfers, $110/person for 8-10 surfers. Sessions are 1.5 hours.
2. Group Surf Lessons: Social group coaching sessions priced at $125/surfer for 90-minute sessions and $99/surfer for 60-minute Happy Hour lessons at 4pm. Ideal for families, friends, and birthday groups.
3. Summer Surf Camps: Multi-day immersive surf camp programs. Half Day Camp: $614 total weekly; Full Day Camp: $999 total weekly (ages 8+); SEA Explorers Camp: $529 weekly (afternoon marine science focus). Includes 16% City surcharge.
4. Equipment Rentals: Surfboard and wetsuit rentals for independent surfers. Weekly wetsuit rental: $49. Equipment provided during lessons and camps at no additional cost.
5. ISA Certification Courses: International Surfing Association certification courses for aspiring surf instructors. Includes ISA100, ISA200, and specialized adaptive surfing instructor training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Surf Education Academy is a permitted surf school at La Jolla Shores in San Diego that sells private and group surf lessons, multi-day youth surf camps, adaptive surfing programs for athletes with disabilities, advanced surf coaching, equipment rentals, and ISA instructor certification courses. All instruction is delivered on-site at La Jolla Shores beach with equipment (soft-top surfboards, wetsuits, rash guards) included in session fees, and is structured around an ISA-aligned safety-first curriculum developed by founder Sean Brody.

Product overview

Surf Education Academy (SEA) is a surf school offering a portfolio of instructional programs centered around surf lessons, surf camps, and adaptive surfing services. The core offerings include Private Surf Lessons and Group Surf Lessons for all skill levels, Kids Surf Camps organized by age groups (Mini Groms, Growing Groms, Future Legends/Teen Chargers), an Adaptive Surfing Program for individuals with disabilities, Surf Rentals for equipment access, Advanced Surf Coaching with video analysis, Corporate Clinics for team building, and SEA Explorers Camp combining marine science with surfing. All programs are conducted at La Jolla Shores beach in San Diego, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Surf Lessons One-on-one personalized surf coaching sessions at La Jolla Shores for all skill levels, including safety training, technique development, and real-time feedback. Sessions are 1.5 hours and include soft-top surfboards, wetsuits, and dedicated instruction. Pricing: $159 for single surfer; tiered down to $110/person for groups of 8-10.
• Group Surf Lessons Social surf coaching sessions for families, friends, and small groups at La Jolla Shores. Includes beach-based instruction plus hands-on water coaching with certified instructors in a supportive small-group environment. 90-minute sessions at $125/surfer; 60-minute Happy Hour lessons at 4pm for $99/surfer.
• Kids Surf Camps Multi-day immersive surf programs for children organized by age and skill level: Mini Groms ages 5-7, Growing Groms ages 8-10, Future Legends/Teen Chargers ages 11-15. Includes equipment, curriculum, and small instructor-to-student ratios. Half Day Camp $614/week; Full Day Camp $999/week.
• SEA Explorers Camp Afternoon program within the surf camp offering focused on marine science education alongside surfing activities. $529 per week.
• Adaptive Surfing Program Personalized surf instruction and therapy programs for individuals with disabilities, featuring dedicated one-to-one coaching and individualized support. Includes programs for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Team USA's Adaptive Surfing Team. Uses modified equipment and custom techniques for surfers with physical disabilities.
• Surf Rentals Equipment rental service offering soft-top surfboards for beginners, funboards for intermediate surfers, and performance shortboards for advanced surfers. Includes properly sized leashes and sanitized wetsuits. Weekly wetsuit rental: $49.
• Advanced Surf Coaching Specialized coaching for experienced surfers including video analysis, frame-by-frame technique breakdown, board consultations, and instruction at challenging breaks. Features 1:1 or 1:2 maximum instructor-to-student ratio.
• Corporate Clinics and Large Events Team building activities and corporate retreat programs featuring surf instruction for large groups, corporate events, and event planning coordination. Custom pricing for groups of 5+.
• ISA Certification Courses International Surfing Association certification courses for aspiring surf instructors, including ISA100, ISA200, and specialized adaptive surfing instructor training. Available for ages 16+ (participation) and 18+ (certification).

Quantifiable outcome

• Small student-to-instructor ratios (5:1 for camps maximum)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEA runs adaptive surfing programs for Challenged Athletes Foundation, providing specialized instruction for athletes with physical disabilities. Coach Sean Brody serves as Head Coach for Team USA's Adaptive Surfing Team, coaching athletes like Liv Stone (3x ISA World Para Surfing Champion). Programs offer one-to-one coaching and individualized support for adaptive surfers.
• USA SurfingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEA is the only surf school in San Diego recognized by USA Surfing, the national governing body for the sport. Founder Sean Brody serves as Head Coach for Team USA's Adaptive Surfing Team, guiding them to multiple gold medal victories at ISA World Para Surfing Championships.
• International Surfing Association (ISA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSean Brody worked with ISA for many years helping develop surfing worldwide, was instrumental in getting surfing recognized as an Olympic sport, and conceptualized the first World Adaptive Surfing Championship. ISA certification courses are offered through SEA.
• UC San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UC San Diego for surf-related programs and services. UCSD logo appears in trust badges on SEA homepage.
• San Diego State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with San Diego State University for surf programs and services. SDSU logo appears in trust badges on SEA homepage.
• Junior Seau FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Junior Seau Foundation for surf services. Foundation logo appears in trust badges on SEA homepage.
• Operation ReboundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Operation Rebound for adaptive surfing services supporting wounded veterans and adaptive athletes.
• Surfrider FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Surfrider Foundation for ocean conservation and environmental stewardship. SEA participates in beach cleanups and marine conservation awareness programs.
• Lions InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lions International for surf services. Lions International logo appears in trust badges on SEA homepage.
• La Jolla Surf SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome surf shop located at 2132 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037. Sells surf gear including hats, rash guards, sunscreen, beach chairs, and rentals. Provides equipment consultation and sales support for camp families.
• Birds Surf ShedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal surf shop partner in San Diego. Birds Surf Shed logo appears in trust badges on SEA homepage.
• Surf Resource NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit co-founded by Sean Brody dedicated to using surfing as a force for good worldwide. Programs include Kwepunha Retreat and Kwepunha Surf Academy in Liberia - Africa's first sustainable surf resort and education program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Surf Diva: La Jolla-based women's surf school operating at La Jolla Shores. Directly competes with SEA in private and group lessons, surf camps, and corporate clinics within the same beach catchment.
• Surfari Surf School: San Diego-based surf school offering lessons and camps across multiple San Diego beaches. Competes with SEA for the same tourist and family customer segments in the broader San Diego market.
• H2O Adventure Surf School: San Diego surf school offering private and group lessons at multiple beaches. Direct competitor in the same tourist and family lesson market.
• Pacific Surf School: San Diego surf school operating lessons and camps at various beaches. Direct competitor in beginner-friendly surf instruction and youth camp programs.
• La Jolla Surf Systems: Surf school and retail shop sharing the same beachfront address at La Jolla Shores as SEA. Direct competitor in lessons, camps, and rentals within the same permitted beach ecosystem.
• California Surf Schools: San Diego surf school offering lessons, camps, and adaptive surfing programs. Comparable to SEA in scale, age range, and beginner-friendly lesson offerings.
• Surf Sessions San Diego: Local San Diego surf school offering group and private lessons. Competes directly with SEA on beginner instruction, family programs, and pricing in the same geography.

Others

• Challenged Athletes Foundation: Nonprofit partner that refers adaptive surfers to SEA's adaptive surfing program. Comparable through overlapping beneficiaries and programmatic engagement in adaptive surfing.

Broad incumbents

• USA Surfing (National Governing Body): National governing body for surfing in the United States. Comparable through its governance role, recognition of SEA, and shared Team USA Adaptive Surfing pipeline, though it operates as a federation rather than a school.
• International Surfing Association (ISA): Global governing body for surfing and Olympic-recognized federation. Comparable through ISA certification courses offered by SEA and the federation-level relationship Sean Brody holds.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/surfeducationacademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/surfeducationacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surfeducationacademy

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 Surf Education Academy