Got a surfer girl itching to ride some serious waves? A handful of spots right on the Jersey Shore teach your little shredders (kids as young as five) to hang ten. All the camps have a big focus on safety, making sure students know how to spot riptides and fellow surfers before hitting the water. FYI: The only prerequisite is that they can swim!
7th Street Surf Shop
Various locations in Ocean City
7thstreetsurfshop.com
Lessons start at $40 a person
These Ocean City shops offer small classes with multiple sessions every day. The camps cater to aspiring surfers ages nine to 15, so your 'tween can enjoy her surf lesson without any small fries around.
Aloha Grove Surf Shop
Pier Village, 78 Ocean Ave.
Long Branch
732-263-0100; alohagrove.com
$50 an hour per student
This class specializing in mid to large group instruction (four or more people), lets students ages six and up pick the members of their party. Sounds like the perfect family activity to us! Learn surfing and paddling techniques, plus, test out kids’ soft surfboards, which are ideal for beginners.
Coastline Adventures
440 Route 35 N., Brick
732-300-5115; njsurfschool.com
Day camps start at $99 for kids 9 and up Private lessons also available
Camps last one to five days for four hours in either the morning or afternoon (if you have a kid who likes to sleep in). Though the day sessions are for kids ages nine and older, children as young as four can take private lessons, too.
Hammer Surf School
Remsen and Ocean Aves. beach, Spring Lake; Brown Ave. beach, Lavallette; 4th Ave. beach, Seaside Park
732-966-6430; hammersurfschool.com
Classes start at $75 per lesson
Lavallette native and Billabong-sponsored pro surfer Sam Hammer has ridden waves around the globe. Now he and his team teach locals what’s so great about hanging ten off the Jersey Shore. The surf school specializes in three-hour group lessons, with most of the time spent in the water—great for your excited kid who can’t wait to dive in. First-timers should bring bathing suits, towels and snacks for a day at the beach.
Ocean City NJ Surf School
51st St. beach, Ocean City
609-736-0131
oceancitynjsurfschool.com
Camp is $200 per week
Private lessons start at $65
Campers ages six and up can play for three mornings (Tues. Wed. and Thurs. from 10 am–12 pm) at this cool class. Group and private lessons are available all day, every day in the summer, with a focus on etiquette, safety and land instruction. Parting gifts include an OCNJ T-shirt and gift bag.
South End Surf ‘N Paddle
220 S. Bay Ave., Beach Haven
609-492-8823
southendsurfnpaddle.com
$120 per session
If your kid (of any age and ability level) brings his own board here, he gets a major discount (half-price!) on a three-day package, which can be used the same week or spread out over the summer. Plus, there are morning and afternoon options and private lessons.
Surf with Nicole
Nelson Ave., Beach Haven
732-869-1001
surfwithnicole.com
Lessons start at $85 per surfer
This hands-on academy offers three-to-five-day camps for two-hour blocks, with morning, midday and afternoon slots for ages five to 16. Group lessons are 90 minutes and include a half-hour of safety and how-to instruction.
