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Santa Barbara with Kilian Garland

Duration
Flexible
Accommodation
Upon request

Tailored surf experiences

"The beautiful Santa Barbara coastline is unique. We have a variety of surf spots that can suit every level of surfing if you know where to look. Having 20+ years of coaching experience, I'll be sure to use my knowledge of local swells and conditions to tailor the best surf experience for you."

The surf

Peak swell
Variable swell
j
jan
f
feb
m
mar
a
apr
m
may
j
jun
j
jul
a
aug
s
sep
o
oct
n
nov
d
dec

The peak surf season in Santa Barbara is typically from Sep to May, with other spots nearby that can have fun summer swell. Most breaks are playful points, with a few beach breaks nearby. It can be tricky to read if you don't know how to anticipate what swells work best for our stretch of coast, but we always know where the surf will be best.

Some of the best waves in all of California are located within a short drive of Santa Barbara and a good session here will be one to remember.

The adventure

At Surf Santa Barbara, surfers of all ages and abilities are welcome. We love teaching and sharing our stoke of the ocean and the surf. We will tailor your experience to your surfing level and current weather conditions.

Culture

Take the time to explore Santa Barbara, a city located between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains, with an interesting history, beautiful nature, and charming attractions.

The Spanish colonization can still be seen in some of the touristic attractions, such as the Santa Barabara Mission and El Presidio State Historic Park.

State Street, filled with palm trees and charming restaurants and stores, will make you understand why this city is known as the "American Riviera." The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is also worthy of a visit, as it has beautiful gardens, the Mural Room with paintings on the wall that tell the history of this region, and an amazing view from the tower.

There is plenty to do between the surf sessions, including beautiful hikes, beach walks, wine tours, fishing excursions, boat tours to the Channel Islands, and concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl.

Getting there
Fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). It is a 15min drive to the city of Santa Barbara.
Fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). It is a 15min drive to the city of Santa Barbara.

Kilian Garland is the owner and operator of Surf Santa Barbara and has been a professional surfer on the World Surf League for 15 years. He is the 2017 WSL North American Champion and has won numerous events throughout his career.

Throughout the years, he has worked as a surf coach and instructor in Santa Barbara in-between his events. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara and his long-time aspiration has been to start a surf school with his family.

Water safety is our top priority here at Surf Santa Barbara. We teach surfers of all ages and experience levels skills that they need to keep themselves and others safe. Such skills include identifying unsafe water conditions such as riptides, ocean swim and rescue techniques, surf forecasting, and paddling techniques. We take pride in holding a fun, safe, and interactive experience for our clients. All of our instructors are CPR certified and are long-time surfers with a vast amount of ocean safety knowledge. That said, if you would like to focus on any specific topic during your surf lesson, feel free to make your instructor aware, and they will do their best to make an accommodation.

Languages: English
Response rate: 100%
Response time: Within 24 hours

Choose your dates

This full-day surf guiding will take you to ride the best waves a... more
From $900 / day
This surf coaching is 90 minutes long and will take place at the... more
From $225 / night
This half-day surf guiding will take you to surf the best waves a... more
From $500 / day
For dates and accommodations not listed, or if you want to book further out

Questions?

What's included?
Surf coaching or surf guiding, according to service selected.
What's not included?
Flights, airport transfers, accommodation, meals, activities, and surf equipment.
Do you supply the equipment or do we have to rent?
During the 60-minute surf lessons, we provide everything you need to surf, including a soft-top surfboard, wetsuit, and leash. Our soft-top boards are top of the line, user-friendly, and perfect for b... read more
If I don't have a ride, will you provide transportation?
Yes, upon request we would be happy to provide transportation given that you are staying locally (within Santa Barbara City, Goleta, Carpinteria, Ventura or Ojai) for an extra charge.
What to bring and wear?
We recommend that all surfers wear their wetsuit, but if you do not have one, please let us know and we would be happy to provide a sanitized wetsuit. Come prepared with a towel, sunscreen, and a bott... read more
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel and get a full refund within 48 hours of purchase, or at least 30 days before the trip starts.