We did our research, and it seems almost every surf shop and beach person suggests Learn to Surf - LA.

It was early April when I registered the kids for a July class. Being the typical angst-ridden parent, I waited eagerly for the 30-page welcome and confirmation packet every camp sends out. I did not even get a confirmation e-mail from Learn to Surf. So, in June, I called to make sure that they received our confirmation and we were in. After several of answering machine attempts, I finally got a live person. After some shuffling of papers, he said "Yeah, dude, we have you down." He then gave me the directions where to meet the group on the first day. "Just look for a red tent between life guard stands 7 and 8 in Santa Monica, and bring a lunch." It was far more laid-back than I am used to with camps.

We arrived a bit early to an empty beach. Again, my parental anxiety kicked in, and I was sure nobody was going to show up. But then, right on cue at 10 to 9am, the surfer camp rose on the beach like Brigadoon. The red tent was set up and surfers poured in, both as teachers and students. The waves are there, but not too intense for novice surfers.

The teachers were what you would expect, young, tan, and very laid-back. The kids loved them. The ratio here is four surfers to each teacher. The teachers were great, but never demanding. Our daughter tired easy, and it was completely okay for her to sit on the beach and build sand castles. However, my son is very intense with the sport, and he found co-padre's in the group who shared his passion. Each day he came home with a new skill, and it was hard to drag him out of the water.

The school provides the wetsuits, boards, and some snacks and water. The campers bring their own lunches and eat under the tent sent up on the beach. The cost is $375 for the week.

Even if you don't want to take camp for the full week, you can join the group for a day. Laid-back as it is, you don't need to pre-reserve. Simply look for the red tent and sign up for a day lesson. From a parent’s standpoint, I found the camp professional (once I got past the laid-back surfing attitude), and from a kid's standpoint, they loved the teachers, fellow students, and chance to spend the day at the beach. For both of us, it was a win-win situation, and one we will come back to next year!