Safety At Sunrise
Sunrise Surf Academy is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment in and out of the water. Safety is our number one priority which is why many LA county lifeguards recommend Sunrise Surf Academy. All students will be educated on ocean safety before entering the water. Sunrise has a 3:1 camper-to-instructor ratio which is the best in Los Angeles. Our instructors are rigorously trained by L.A. County lifeguards and the Red Cross.
Before We Enter the Water
The most important part of water safety happens before entering the water. Prevention is key. We teach people how to read the conditions (currents, tides, wind, and swell) and understand where the safest places in the ocean are. Everyone practices safely falling off a surfboard on land before doing it in the water. Additionally, we make sure all surfers have applied sunscreen and are properly hydrated before each session.
Water Safety
Sunrise uses preventative lifeguarding techniques to stop accidents before they happen. Both camps will have at least one Red Cross certified lifeguard with advanced CPR certifications and multiple years of experience as an ocean lifeguard. Our instructors are organized and trained to prevent collisions while maintaining close proximity to students. All instructors communicate with the beach lifeguard via hand signals and work as a cohesive unit to prevent injuries.
Our Instructors
Our instructors must complete an intensive water safety program prior to working with Sunrise. The program includes classroom-style learning, practice drills on the beach and in the ocean, and physical conditioning. Each instructor receives over 20 hours of safety-specific training regardless of their past experience. Additionally, we require valid First Aid and CPR certifications from the Red Cross and highly value lifeguarding and EMT experience in our hiring process. For specific safety questions or general summer camp questions please visit our camp FAQ page.