Camps · Manresa Beach
Summer surf camp in Santa Cruz
Six days and five nights on the bluffs at Manresa Beach: morning and sunset surf sessions, meals cooked on site, and a tent under the cypress trees.
Club Ed's summer surf camp has been running on the Monterey Bay for decades, and most campers come back. It is a week away from screens: up early for a sunrise session, breakfast at camp, another surf before lunch, then volleyball, ping-pong, an Indo board in the shade, and a sunset session before dinner.
Camp is held at Manresa Uplands State Park Campground, a bluff-top site overlooking the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a few minutes south of Santa Cruz. Campers bring a tent; Club Ed brings the boards, wetsuits, meals and coaching team.
A day at camp
- Morning surf session from 7–8am through to noon, depending on the tide and swell
- Breakfast and lunch prepared at camp
- Afternoon games — volleyball, soccer, ping-pong and Indo board
- Sunset surf session before dinner
- Dinner catered by Café Brazil, Carried Away and Carpo's, with allergies accommodated
- Campfire music and lights out
Where the camp surfs
Manresa picks up the north-west, west and south-west swells that roll into Monterey Bay, and the sandbars there are forgiving for beginners and intermediate surfers. When the swell is too big or the wind is wrong, the coaches move the group to a backup break in Capitola or Santa Cruz.
Who it's for
- Kids and teens who want a full week in the water — tell us your camper's age when you book and we'll confirm the fit
- First-time surfers and campers who already surf and want more time on real waves
- Families who have done the day lessons and want the overnight version
- Groups of friends who want to sign up for the same session
What's included
- Six days and five nights at Manresa Uplands State Park Campground
- Morning and sunset surf sessions with Ed and the Club Ed coaching team
- One instructor for every four campers, with three to six staff on site
- Breakfast, lunch and catered dinner, with dietary needs accommodated
- Surfboards and wetsuits for the week
- Professional surf photos and a "Shred with Club Ed" t-shirt
- References from past camp families on request
What to bring
- A tent and sleeping bag
- Swimsuits, towels and warm clothes for the evenings
- Sunscreen, a water bottle and any medication
- Quarters for the hot showers
Camp is device-free. There are bathrooms, quarter-operated hot showers, a solar rinse-off and a eucalyptus trail down to the beach.
2027 sessions
Nine weeks, June to August.
Registration is open for 2027. Sessions fill by word of mouth — the first one is usually gone by January, so book early or join the waitlist.
| Session | Dates | Book |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | June 6 – June 11, 2027 | |
| 02 | June 13 – June 18, 2027 | |
| 03 | June 20 – June 25, 2027 | |
| 04 | June 27 – July 2, 2027 | |
| 05 | July 4 – July 9, 2027 | |
| 06 | July 11 – July 16, 2027 | |
| 07 | July 18 – July 23, 2027 | |
| 08 | July 25 – July 30, 2027 | |
| 09 | August 1 – August 6, 2027 |
Waitlist
Can't get the week you want?
Tell us which session you are after and how many campers you have. When a spot opens — or when the next summer's dates are confirmed — you hear it first.
Join the camp waitlist
No deposit needed. This sends an email straight to the Club Ed office.
From the camp families
What parents and campers say
"I have spent several summer camp sessions with Club Ed with my son. It was a blast. Every time. We are coming back over and over. My son is in his early teens and this is the place to be for him."
"CABO 2017 with Club-Ed Surf School. The adventure gets better every year. This is my 3rd year. Do not let age (I am 69 years old) or surfing ability inhibit you."
How old do campers need to be?
Club Ed camp is built for kids and teens. Tell us your camper's age in the booking notes and the office will confirm the session is a good fit before you pay.
Do campers need their own board and wetsuit?
No. Surfboards and wetsuits are provided for the whole week. Campers bring a tent, a sleeping bag, swimsuits, towels, warm evening clothes, sunscreen and any medication.
What if the waves are bad during our week?
Manresa picks up most of the swells that reach Monterey Bay, and the coaches move the group to backup breaks in Capitola or Santa Cruz when the primary spot is too big or blown out. If conditions are unsafe, sessions are rescheduled within the camp week.
Are phones allowed at camp?
Camp is device-free. Campers leave phones at home, and families get the office number — (831) 464-0177 — for anything urgent.
One week. A lifetime of waves.
Nine sessions in 2027. Book the week that works for your family.