Santa Cruz Surfing Lessons - Shoreline Surf Shop

Santa Cruz Surfing Lessons - Shoreline Surf Shop - Santa Cruz, CA

NO MORE SURFING LESSONS!
Today, May 12, 2008, Shoreline Surf Shop received a Cease and Desist Letter from the City of Santa Cruz, regarding surfing lessons.
The City now demands -
1. A $500 permit "application fee" (Five times the cost of a business license?)
2. A $1,000,000 liability insurance policy (Against what? Meddling City officials?)
3. Licensed instructors (By whom? Special city-selected agencies, who ALSO pay off the City?)
4. A Santa Cruz business license
5. Only foam boards must be used - Students must wear vests.
6. Surf schools must provide worker's compensation insurance.
7. All instructors must provide CPR AND first aid credentials.
8. Other oppressive requirements, designed to obstruct the smaller local lesson providers, and favor just one.
Therefore, after 17 years, we regret that we can no longer provide surfing lessons to our customers at this time.
We are very sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.

Webmaster's Opinion -
For 17 years, we have provided many hundreds of surfing lessons, without a single problem. Our instructors are excellent surfers, and our customers have always been very pleased with the experience. Santa Cruz surf lesson providers are the victims of ever-more-intrusive city government actions, designed to limit our freedoms, and extort onerous, oppressive fees. Now they want to regulate the Pacific Ocean. Not Maverick's. Cowell's sand bar.

To reiterate an oft-heard quotation, this is a classic example of "Too much government". There you have it. The City of Santa Cruz has decided to limit Surfing Lesson vendors to a select few, who pony up the big bucks, to "pay off" the city. No problems for "Club Ed", who pays the city $20,000 each year. Is it starting to make sense now? Not too hard to figure out, is it? Eliminate the competition. Did a whale die? There is a bad smell in the air. One customer observed - . . . Club Ed is trying to prevent all other surf schools from having access to Cowell's by pandering to city officials and trying to rewrite local laws--shame on you!

Currently, Cowell's Beach surfers can go into the water, without paying an "insurance premium". But, if they enter the water with a knowledgeable, experienced surfer, the situation suddenly becomes more dangerous? Huh? Santa Cruz can now add "oppressive" to its list of new-age attributes. Previously, a release of liability form was all that was needed, and that worked just fine. Now this. "Just give us 20 grand, baby, and you won't have any problems." Apparently, the City fathers have, in effect, sold Cowell's Beach exclusively to Club Ed. It is always about the money. The "safety" issue is just a red herring.

Why has the Santa Cruz Sentinel PULLED EVERY SINGLE ONLINE ARTICLE on this topic? You tell me. I believe it is because they don't want any informed discussion on this topic. Case closed, by government fiat. Like it or lump it. Take it or leave it.

Parking fees are already exorbitant, as well as parking fines. Local merchants must suffer, so the City can fill its coffers. What's next? A beach tax? One dollar a head. Two bucks, if you go into the water. They would do it, if they thought they could.

New Rules for Santa Cruz Surf Schools - 2007, date removed
City Lays Down the Law on Surf Schools - April 3, 2007

"Surf schools were getting in the way, staggering on the bluff, and making it difficult to walk." - April 19, 2007
"We were trapped. We couldn't move! Thank God, it's so much easier to walk now."

Cowell's Beach waves

~~ALL NEW! . . . IMPROVED! . . . NEW INSTRUCTORS!~~
~~Shoreline has the luxury of being close to~~ ~~two~~ ~~great surfing beaches.~~
~~Steamer Lane~~ ~~is known World-Wide for big-time surf for experienced surfers.~~
~~Cowell's Beach~~ is protected, and offers a mild, excellent spot for the beginning surfer.
Either beach can be selected to provide surf lessons suitable to the skill level of the individual.
Our surf instructors can start you off with just "standing up" at Cowell's Beach,
or, take you out to "The Lane" for some serious wave action - cutbacks, tandem, whatever.

~~Our Santa Cruz surf lessons~~ ~~include~~ BOTH wetsuit AND surfboard rental.
Santa Cruz water temperature is in the low 50s. The ocean is too cold to surf here, without a wetsuit.

Notice !!	There is increased demand for surfing lessons in the SUMMER months. Please call J.D. to make a reservation. Give us a 48-hour notice please, if possible.
Lesson Value :	Surf lesson price includes equipment (surfboard AND wetsuit) PLUS ALL-DAY use of the surfboard and wetsuit!
Where :	Beginners: Cowell's Cove, across the street, in front of the West Coast Santa Cruz Hotel (which will always be the Dream Inn to locals), Advanced surfers: Steamer Lane, the point, the slot, Indicators.
Length :	1 1/2 hours
Skill Range :	From starting beginner to high intermediate level ...
Single Rate :	One person = $75
Group Rate :	Two or more= $75 per person
Instructors:	Sean Kelly, Brian, and J.D.
When :	Low tide is best for Cowell's Beach surf classes, waves are variable
How :	For scheduling lessons, call JD at .... (831) 458-1380

Shoreline Surf Shop offers a versatile Santa Cruz surfing school, and provides surfing classes for all levels of ability.
Before you schedule your surf lesson, you may want to read a surfing primer, and check out the expected surf conditions -

Learn How to Surf - A great primer

Santa Cruz Tides - This Month (Low tide is best for Cowell's Beach surf lessons)

Quick 5-day Surf Forecast from StormSurf

*** Experience has shown that a "wave-disclaimer" should be issued.***
During any month, there may not be any waves on any given day.
In the winter months, however, the waves may be humongous on any given day.
Please see our Wave Info section.

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Our 17th year in the surf school business at this Santa Cruz location."

Questions? Comments? Requests?
Thank You for your time.
Send E-mail to Bruce

This Santa Cruz Surf Lessons page was last updated on 2008-05-12.