With the 2021 school year kicking into gear, Noozhawk has put together our annual ParentNooz After School Activities Guide. After a tummultuous year of remote learning, we made sure to make things easy when planning your child’s after school activities! Our 2021 After School Activities guide provides you and your child with all the necessary information when deciding on which after school program is the best fit.
To help parents make informed decisions about the diffrent after school programs offered in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local programs for this year’s After School Activities Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk sat down with Jenny Keet, Owner of Surf Happens, to learn more about their after school program here in Santa Barbara.
Surf Happens
Question: What is the name of your After School Activity/Program? What is its mission?
Answer: Surf Happens After School Program mission is to build confidence in and out of the water.
Q: Describe the activities involved in your After School Activity/Program.
A: Stationary Classes (ages 6 and up)
The Surf Happens stationary class is designed for beginning to intermediate surfers to have a safe and fun place to learn the fundamentals of surfing alongside friends and expert coaches. This class feeds the dream and builds the skills necessary to be confident, and competent in the water with the goal of growing students so that they are able to surf on their own. The skills gleaned are a gateway to lifetime of fun in the ocean, building passion, and learning commitment.
Our stationary classes are based out of Leadbetter Point in Santa Barbara, Campus Point in Goleta, and Rincon in Carpinteria and run from 3-5pm. Parents drop off students with coaches at 3pm, and then pick up at 5pm at the same location. Boards and wetsuits are provided for these courses upon request. Instructors will also bring Indo Board Balance trainers and other surfing centric activities for warm ups and in the case of poor surf conditions.
As stationary students achieve confidence and skills in the water they will be eligible to evolve into intermediate travel programs where they would be picked up at school and driven to the best location daily, or to the Surf Happens Dojo for cross training, skateboarding, and after school activites.
In the case of rain, extreme winds, or any other hazards that would deem it not suitable for surfing conditions, students may be dropped off at the Surf Happens Dojo 3825 Santa Claus Lane.
**Students are provided with wetsuits and boards if needed.
Intermediate Travel
The Junior Elite program is designed for independent surfers. This program is great for kids trying to build surfing as a sport or consolidate it as a lifetime hobby. A Surf Happens instructor takes our students all around Santa Barbara surfing various spots, developing ocean knowledge, and a solid foundation in the sport of surfing. This program includes pick up from school and drop off at home. Board and wetsuit may be provided upon request.
Advanced Travel
This program requires try-outs. We offer a state of the art video coaching system guaranteed to take your surfing to the next level. Our expert coaches specialize in the development of young athletes and mentorship within the sport of surfing. We start by establishing students individual goals, skill level, and begin isolating strengths and places for improvement. Our program refines technique and style, guaranteeing improvement. This program includes pick up from school and drop off at home.
Q: What are the hours of your after school activity or program?
A: 2:30-6:30pm or 3:00-5:00pm.
Q: What is the age range for children to take part in your after school activity or program?
A: Ages 6-15.
Q: When was your program started and what was the inspiration for creating it?
A: The Surf Happens After School Program was the first of its kind, launching in Santa Barbara in the fall of 1999 as a tool to teach and empower area youths about the surfing lifestyle, healthy living, and a connection to nature and community. Through our ASP programs, we have mentored surfers from their first steps and helped educate and guide them to national titles and pro careers.
Regardless of where the choose-your-own-adventure of surfing leads children, we strongly believe that the heart is the start of all good things. The passion, commitment, and desire that it takes to follow the path of the surfer applies to all facets in life. We teach that following what you believe in, following through on commitments, and hard work pay off every time, leading to good things in education, and any career path chosen.
In addition to surfing education from beginning to elite, we teach the power of goal setting, journal writing, and how a connection to nature, the self, and community help to grow and balance the individual. The bottom line behind it all is that surfing is one of the most fun and liberating things we can do, and enjoying that with friends builds fitness and self-esteem, along with memories and friendships that last a lifetime.
We are committed to the growth of your child and are looking for a commitment and dedication to growth and excellence in return.
Q: Following COVID-19 restrictions, what parts of your program have changed to comply with Santa Barbara County guidelines?
A: Mask wearing in vans, social distancing. The ocean is the safest place you can be!
Q: What is the average program size or class size for your activity? Teacher to student ratio?
A: Max 8 kids in our stationary classes with a 1:4 ratio. Max 5 kids per van in our travel program.
Q: What is the cost/tuition? Are scholarships available?
A: $50-$75 per session. Scholarships are available.
Click here for more information about Surf Happens and their after school programs!