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alifornia dreaming. Our mecca, holy grail and promised land. All at once.
There are places that are fun to visit. And then there are places that quietly become part of your DNA. Encinitas is one of those places.

For some reason, the usual noise of modern life never really seems to stick here. Nobody appears to be in much of a hurry. People still stop to talk in parking lots. Surfboards live permanently on roof racks. The ocean sets the rhythm.

A friend once said that if you enjoy having fun, it’s hard to leave Southern California. We’ve found that to be remarkably true.

Every Fall we return to our favorite corner of the world and slip back into the rhythm of early surfs, fish tacos, sunset sessions and the Mexifornia way of life.

What makes surfing here so special isn’t just the waves. It’s the culture. In the lineup you’ll find legends who have been shaping boards since the 1960s, tomorrow’s hottest kids, and everyone in between. Different generations sharing the same waves, the same stories and the same stoke.

The effortless style that has inspired surfers around the world was born here and is still very much alive. Despite the quality of the waves, the atmosphere in the water is rarely tense. It feels more like a gathering of old friends than a competition for waves.Where else do you see local legends picking up forgotten coffee cups from the beach before paddling out and hanging ten?

Our home is the classic beach community of Encinitas, tucked away in North County just north of San Diego. From here we chase waves up and down the coast, from Cardiff Reef and Swamis to San Onofre, Trestles and Doheny.

Long peeling waves. Warm offshore winds. Endless California days. Sweet Jesus.

California, Oh really?

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THE CALIFORNIA
BEACH HOUSE
We stay in a laid-back California beach house
with peelers rolling in just outside the front door.

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ur home for the week is the legendary beach community of Encinitas, tucked away in North County just north of San Diego.

It’s the kind of place where surfboards live permanently on roof racks, coffee shops are filled with salty locals and the ocean quietly sets the rhythm of everyday life.

Our beach house is just a short stroll from the waves, great food and everything else that makes Encinitas so special. The spacious veranda overlooks the Pacific and quickly becomes the natural gathering spot for morning coffees, post-surf storytelling and sunsets over the ocean.

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Philosophy
Surfakademin is not the classroom. It’s the playground. A place where everyone gets to join in, regardless of experience, age or ability.

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urfing is far more than a sport. It’s a lifestyle, a culture and, above all, a form of play.

In the same way, Surfakademin has never really been just a surf school, surf camp or surf course. It’s a week built around waves, adventure, friendship and the simple joy of spending long days by the ocean.

Here in California, Surfakademin founders and lifelong longboard enthusiasts Jens and Peter are your coaches throughout the week.

Throughout the week we film and photograph selected sessions. A few laughs, a few revelations and the occasional breakthrough tend to follow. Seeing yourself surf is often the fastest way to improve, whether you’re catching your very first wave or refining a stylish noseride.

We also cover everything from surf etiquette and ocean safety to wave knowledge, surf history and the finer points of style. From understanding how waves are formed to navigating a crowded lineup with confidence.

Because just because you’re a beginner doesn’t mean you have to look like one.

The flow
of the week

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even days in surfing’s promised land. We spend our days chasing the best waves along the Southern California coastline, from the reefs of Encinitas to the legendary point breaks further north. Some mornings the waves are rolling in right outside the beach house. Other days we jump in the vans and hit the road in search of the perfect peelers.

Along the way we visit local shapers, discover favourite taco joints, explore classic surf towns and immerse ourselves in one of the most influential surf cultures on the planet.

Throughout the week we film and photograph selected surf sessions and review them together. A few small adjustments, a fresh perspective and plenty of time in the water tend to work wonders.

No two days are exactly alike, but they all revolve around the same simple ingredients: waves, sunshine, good people and the California way of life.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Seven nights in our Encinitas beach house

  • Seven days of surfing

  • Daily surf coaching with Jens & Peter

  • Video and photo feedback sessions

  • Surfboards for all levels

  • Wave knowledge, surf etiquette and ocean safety

  • Road trips throughout Southern California

  • Visits to local surf towns and shapers

GETTING HERE

We recommend flying into San Diego International Airport, where we organise a group pickup on arrival day.

Flying into Los Angeles is also a great option. From there you can either rent a car and enjoy the scenic drive south or take the Amtrak train straight to Encinitas.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend making sure you have travel insurance in place before departure. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s always nice to know someone has your back should a little hallaballo occur.