Having never surfed before or ever been to a surf camp, I really didn’t know what to expect from The Cali Camp. But from the moment Dave, the owner of the camp, picked me up from LAX (which was great because I was travelling on my own), I had a feeling the week was going to be pretty special.
Dave and the other surf-guide, Regan, were totally chill and the way the camp is run made me feel like we were all just friends hanging out and going out to catch waves together. Dave is really passionate about the Cali Camp and will drive up and down the coast to find the best surf spot for the day – and he will also take you to the yummiest cafes afterwards, too! Talking to other people on the camp, I realised I’d made a really lucky choice – unlike other surf camps around the world, The Cali Camp doesn’t make you feel like a beginner. You don’t have to wear a fluoro vest or paddle out with 20 other beginners all on one beach. Instead, Dave and Regan take very small groups out to the sweetest surf spots on the South Cali coast, making sure the waves are right for your level of ability. Then they teach you some moves, talk to you about how to choose the right waves and then hang with you in the surf (giving your board a little push if you need it!) until your brain and body puts it all together.
I loved my time at The Cali Camp and my only regret is that I couldn’t extend my trip for another week! It was a totally unforgettable experience and one of the most fun holidays ever. If you have any interest in learning how to surf or want to brush up your surf skills (or you just want to hang with great guys who will take you to all the coolest beaches on the coast), I guarantee you’ll love every minute at The Cali Camp – I learned so much in such a short amount of time, but what made the whole trip even better was the way Dave makes sure that your experience is about more than just chasing waves – he really cares that you have a brilliant time in and out of the ocean and I can honestly say it really was one of the best weeks of my life! I can’t wait to go back again this summer, and this time I’ll book for two weeks…
