Locals Surf School
Locals Surf School is a founder-owned, NYC Parks-permitted surf school in Rockaway Beach offering year-round private, group, and semi-private lessons plus kids' camps, skate instruction, board storage memberships, and rentals to individual consumers, families, and corporate groups in the New York City market.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersArverne, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Locals Surf School does
Locals Surf School is a privately-held, founder-owned surf instruction business operating in Rockaway Beach, New York City, founded in 2011 by co-owners Mike Reinhardt and Mike Kololyan. The company delivers year-round surf lessons in private ($125/person/hour), group ($100/person/two-hours, capped at 3 students per instructor), and semi-private ($145/person/two-hours) formats, alongside a portfolio of children's summer camps (Morning Surf Camp $625, Afternoon Surf Camp $535, Full Day Surf + Skate Camp $950, and Skate Camp $550), skate lessons, a premium Owners Package with the founders, lesson packages offering up to 25% savings, equipment rentals, board storage memberships, gift cards, branded apparel, corporate outings, and partnered surf + yoga workshops with Kalā Yoga. All lessons include surfboard and wetsuit provision, and a strict 3:1 maximum student-to-instructor ratio is maintained.
The business is differentiated by regulatory and certification credentials rather than proprietary technology: NSSIA and ISA accreditation, NYC Parks Department operating permits, OSHA certification, Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid across the instructional staff, and full licensing and insurance. The school operates from three locations — Beach 69th St (year-round headquarters on the beach), Beach 110th St (summer-only camp site via Rockaway Hotel partnership), and 91st St Skatepark (skate instruction). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through a website with online booking, supported by Instagram, Facebook, email newsletter, blog content marketing, and an affiliated Locals Collective retail/cafe operation that anchors board storage, rentals, apparel, and changing facilities. No proprietary technology platforms, mobile apps, or AI-driven features are in evidence; the operating model is a certified-instructor, locally-bundled service business.
Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer with no third-party resellers disclosed; revenue is generated through unit-priced lessons and camps (largely one-time purchases) with two recurring-revenue streams (board storage memberships and the lesson package subscription-style bundle). Pricing ranges from $100 per person for a group lesson or skate lesson up to $950 per child for a full-day action camp, and gift cards provide a non-expiring stored-value channel. The business has operated for 12+ years without external funding or institutional investment, remains entirely founder-owned, and reports no headcount growth beyond a stable 8-person team.
Locals Surf School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Locals Surf School
- Legal name
- Locals Surf School LLC
- Website
- https://localssurfschool.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Locals Surf School is a founder-owned, NYC Parks-permitted surf school in Rockaway Beach offering year-round private, group, and semi-private lessons plus kids' camps, skate instruction, board storage memberships, and rentals to individual consumers, families, and corporate groups in the New York City market.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Locals Surf School industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Locals Surf School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arverne
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Locals Surf School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Surf Lessons: Revenue from private, group, and semi-private surf lessons offered year-round. One-hour private lessons at $125/person, two-hour group lessons at $100/person, and two-hour semi-private lessons at $145/person.
- Kids Camps: 5-day surf and skate camp programs for children. Morning Surf Camp at $625/child, Afternoon Surf Camp at $535/child, Full Day Action Camp at $950/child, and Skate Camp at $550/child.
- Lesson Packages: Discounted lesson packages offering savings up to 25% on individual lessons, with free equipment rentals, zoom calls, and video analysis included.
- Equipment Rentals: Surfboard and wetsuit rentals for experienced surfers, available in 2 and 4-hour options. Pickup at Locals Collective flagship store.
- Apparel: Sale of Locals Surf School branded merchandise and apparel. Available for shipping or in-store pickup.
- Gift Cards: Gift cards available for all activities and services, never expire.
- Board Storage Memberships: Six-month and one-year membership plans for surf locker storage at Beach 69th St location. Includes 24/7 key FOB access, shower facilities, and changing rooms.
- Corporate Outings & Parties: Group surf lessons and team building events for companies, with optional add-ons including food, drinks, photos, yoga, and beach games.
- Surf & Yoga Workshops: Collaborative yoga and surf workshops with Kalā Yoga, priced at $100/person including equipment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | One-hour private surf lesson with 1:1 instructor attention |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Two-hour group surf lesson with max 3 students per instructor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Two-hour semi-private lesson for 2 people booking together |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | One-hour skate lesson at 91st St Skatepark |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5-day morning surf camp program |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5-day afternoon surf camp program |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full day camp combining surfing and skateboarding |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 5-day skate camp at 91st St Skatepark |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 30-minute yoga plus 1.5-hour surf lesson workshop |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium private lessons with company owners |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate outings and parties structured as 2-hour group lessons |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Locals Surf School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Locals Surf School provides certified surf instruction in private, group, and semi-private formats for all ages and skill levels, operated year-round from Rockaway Beach in NYC. The company also runs 5-day kids summer camps (morning surf, afternoon surf, full-day action surf+skate, and standalone skate camps), skate lessons for cross-training, equipment rentals, board storage locker memberships, gift cards, and branded apparel. Corporate team-building outings, birthday parties, and premium 'Owners Package' private lessons with the founders round out the offering.
Product overview
Locals Surf School is a surf school based in Rockaway Beach, NYC, founded in 2011. The core product offering centers on surf lessons (private, group, and semi-private formats) available year-round. The company operates a portfolio of complementary services including kids summer camps (morning surf, afternoon surf, full day action camp combining surf and skate, and standalone skate camp), skate lessons for cross-training, the Owners Package for premium instruction with the founders, and a Surf + Yoga workshop in partnership with Kalā Yoga. Additional services include lesson packages for committed learners, intermediate surfboard and wetsuit rentals, board storage lockers with membership benefits, corporate outings and party packages, gift cards, apparel merchandise, and surf retreats. All lessons and camps include equipment provision.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Private Surf Lessons One-hour private surf lessons with a 1:1 instructor-to-student ratio, available year-round for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. All equipment (surfboard, wetsuit) provided. Priced at $125 per person.
- Group Surf Lessons Two-hour group surf lessons with a maximum 3 students per instructor. Beginner to intermediate levels, includes all equipment. Priced at $100 per person.
- Semi-Private Surf Lessons Two-hour lessons for 2 people booking together with a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio. All skill levels, all equipment provided. Priced at $145 per person.
- Surf Lesson Packages Multi-lesson packages offering savings up to 25% on individual lessons. Includes curriculum customization, progress tracking, free Zoom calls with owners, video analysis, and free equipment rentals for solo practice between lessons.
- Owners Package Premium 1-hour private surf lessons taught directly by founders Mike Reinhardt and Mike Kololyan. Includes goal consultation, Zoom progress reviews, dry-land coaching, and video analysis sessions. Limited availability.
- Surf + Yoga Workshop Combined yoga and surf experience in partnership with Kalā Yoga. Includes a 30-minute yoga flow followed by a 1.5-hour surf lesson. Priced at $100 per person, including surfboards, wetsuits, and shaded tent area.
- Skate Lessons One-hour private skateboarding lessons at Beach 91st St. Skatepark for all ages and skill levels, with all gear (skateboard and protective pads) provided. Priced at $100 per person. Used as a cross-training tool to improve surfing technique.
- Morning Surf Camp 5-day summer camp program for kids ages 4-16, Monday-Friday 9AM-1PM at Beach 69th St. Includes two surf lessons daily, beach games, ocean safety classes, snacks, and all equipment. Priced at $625 per child.
- Afternoon Surf Camp 5-day afternoon camp Monday-Friday 12:45PM-4:15PM at Beach 69th St. Same surf time as the morning camp with shorter breaks. Priced at $535 per child.
- Full Day Action Camp 5-day combined surf and skate program Monday-Friday 8:45AM-4:15PM. Includes skateboarding at 91st St. Skatepark and surfing at Beach 69th St. for ages 5-15, with all equipment provided. Priced at $950 per child.
- Skate Camp 5-day skateboarding camp Monday-Friday 8:45AM-12:30PM at 91st St. Skatepark for ages 5-15, with skateboard and protective pads provided. Priced at $550 per child.
- Outings & Parties Corporate team building and birthday party packages structured as a 2-hour group lesson with all gear provided and a minimum 3:1 instructor ratio. Available year-round for all skill levels with optional add-ons including food, drinks, photography, yoga, and beach games. Pricing varies by group size.
- Intermediate Equipment Rentals Surfboard and wetsuit rentals for experienced surfers, available in 2 and 4-hour options from Locals Collective flagship store. Includes access to locker, warm showers, and pickup at the store.
- Board Storage (Lockers) Membership Surf locker and facility membership at Beach 69th St. Includes 24/7 key FOB access, secure storage for up to 5 surfboards, indoor showers, and changing facilities. Available as 6-month and 1-year plans.
- Gift Cards Digital gift cards available for all Locals Surf School activities and services. Never expire and available for immediate download after purchase.
- Apparel Locals Surf School branded clothing and merchandise. Available for shipping or in-store pickup at the Locals Collective flagship store.
- Surf Retreats Multi-day surf retreat experiences available for booking directly through the Locals Surf School website.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3:1 maximum student-to-instructor ratio for personalized attention and safety
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Locals Surf School
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Locals Surf School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Locals Surf School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- A Walk on Water (AWOW)minorAnnual surf therapy event partnership supporting kids with unique needs. Locals hosts large surf therapy events with AWOW throughout the year.
- Life Rolls OnminorSummer partnership supporting Life Rolls On events that give disabled individuals the opportunity to try surfing.
- Surfrider FoundationminorAnnual donor and partner on charitable events. Member of Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Friendly Restaurants program.
- Kalā YogaminorCollaborative surf and yoga workshops combining 30-minute yoga flows with 1.5-hour surf lessons. Occasional special events with different instructors.
- Rockaway HotelminorSummer partnership for Kids Surf Camp location at Beach 110th St. in partnership with Rockaway Hotel property.
- Locals CollectivecoreRelated retail/cafe business operated by the same owners. Houses board storage facilities, equipment rentals, and shower/changing amenities. Location at Beach 69th St supports main operations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Locals Surf School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Skudin Surf: NYC-area surf school based on Long Beach offering lessons, camps, and surf experiences in the same metro market. Directly comparable in target customer (NYC residents and tourists), product format (lessons and camps), and beach-club retail adjacency.
- Rockaway Beach Surf Club: Rockaway-based surf shop and surf school operating on the same beach as Locals. Directly comparable in geographic market, customer base (local NYC surfers), and surf instruction + retail business model.
- Pacific Surf School: Surf school operating in San Diego with private, group, semi-private, and youth lessons plus summer camp formats. Comparable in product mix (lessons, camps, beginner-to-advanced), certification-led positioning, and direct-to-consumer booking model.
- Sebastian Inlet Surf: Established East Coast surf school offering lessons, camps, and rentals in Florida. Comparable in private/group/semi-private lesson structure, kids camp programming, and equipment rental adjacency.
Broad incumbents
- US Sports Camps (Nike Sports Camps): Large multi-sport summer camp operator including Nike-branded surf and skate programs. Comparable in 5-day youth camp structure, single-week pricing tiers ($500-$1,000 range), and direct-to-parent marketing approach.
- i9 Sports: National youth sports instruction franchise covering soccer, basketball, flag football, and more. Comparable in structured youth sports camp/clinic format, multi-sport curriculum design, and parent-as-buyer customer segment, though broader and less surf-specific.
Others
- Wave Riding Vehicles: Surf brand and surf school operator with apparel, lessons, and surf culture retail. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — comparable in surf lifestyle brand-building and surf-school-plus-retail integration.
- Locals Collective: Related retail/cafe business operated by the same owners at Beach 69th St, housing board storage, rentals, apparel, and food/beverage. Sister entity that shares customer base and physical location with Locals Surf School.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Locals Surf School social profiles
Digital presenceLocals Surf School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Locals Surf School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Locals Surf School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Locals Surf School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Locals Surf School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Locals Surf School
What does Locals Surf School do?
Locals Surf School provides certified surf instruction in private, group, and semi-private formats for all ages and skill levels, operated year-round from Rockaway Beach in NYC. The company also runs 5-day kids summer camps (morning surf, afternoon surf, full-day action surf+skate, and standalone skate camps), skate lessons for cross-training, equipment rentals, board storage locker memberships, gift cards, and branded apparel. Corporate team-building outings, birthday parties, and premium 'Owners Package' private lessons with the founders round out the offering.
Is Locals Surf School a public or private company?
Locals Surf School is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Locals Surf School founded?
Locals Surf School was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Locals Surf School based?
Locals Surf School is headquartered in Arverne, United States, in the North America region.
How does Locals Surf School make money?
Nine revenue lines are on record. Surf Lessons are the primary driver. The others are kids Camps, lesson Packages, equipment Rentals, apparel, gift Cards, board Storage Memberships, corporate Outings & Parties and surf & Yoga Workshops.
Who are Locals Surf School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Skudin Surf, Rockaway Beach Surf Club, Pacific Surf School and Sebastian Inlet Surf. Broad incumbents are US Sports Camps (Nike Sports Camps) and i9 Sports. Others are Wave Riding Vehicles and Locals Collective.
Does Locals Surf School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Locals Surf School.
What industry is Locals Surf School in?
Locals Surf School's product category is Surf Instruction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAKAC, Surf Schools & Surf Camps, with a secondary code of THAJAJAJ, Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps). Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 7900.