Ventura Surf Lessons is owned and operated by Erik Flores who has over 28 years of experience in the ocean, and over 18 years of surf and paddleboard instructor experience. When he’s not in the water, Erik works full-time for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and also works part-time as an On-Set Medic, Lifeguards and does Open Water Rescue for the Motion Picture Industry. As such, he’s required to have extensive medical and rescue training/certifications, along with rescue and lifesaving equipment for those jobs, all of which he keeps on hand in his truck during surf lessons. He's a Fire Academy graduate at the top of his class, is a Nationally Registered and California certified EMT, a certified lifeguard, a CPR Instructor, as well as a certified Professional Rescuer. Erik has taught hundreds of people ranging in ages from 4 to 80 years of age and is bilingual in both English and Spanish. He's a Team Leader, Coordinating Instructor, as well as a lead surf and paddleboard instructor with non-profit organizations like The Best Day Foundation, Pure Stoke Organization, and has also worked with Surfer's Healing. He has 3 college degrees with one in Social and Behavioral Sciences with an emphasis in Psychology, and also has over 15 years of experience with those who have special needs!

For information on customer reviews, please visit our Yelp page by looking us up or by clicking the Yelp icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Thanks and hope to see you in the water!