Surf Happens Reviews

This is the most amazing surf shop and school. Chris and Jenny are amazing people. Chris is such a blast to work with. I got up on a surfboard within the first 10 minutes of being in the water. Was awesome. Super encouraging and knowledgable. I recommend this surf school in a big way. Do it!

Chris and Jenny Keet and the whole crew at Surf Happens do such an amazing job. My son has been with them since he was little at the summer surf camp and for the last months now through the after school program. That program has not only improved his surfing through the great coaching and support, but more importantly his confidence and personality have grown so much. It's been amazing to watch that happen. Very grateful that he has the opportunity to engage in what this company offers -- contact with nature and the outdoors and lots of great, supportive, energetic, positive contact both through the coaches and the kids that all surf together. Excellent.

Surf Happens is Awesome! I took two lessons with Chris (the owner) and had a great time. If you are looking for an intro to surfing I couldn't recommend this place more.

Great instructors and great program. Kids loved it. We'll be back next summer

Chris was terrific teaching my girls how to surf. They are hooked.

Super friendly instructors, they run a great summer surf camp with lunch from the Padaro Grill next door. Believe they also run the Rincon classic surf competition every winter at Rincon Point.

Surf happens is the very best camp anywhere, ever! The best instructors and the most enthusiastic coaches! Fun and safe and just plain cool. Kris Keet the founder, has created and poured his soul into this really special place for kids to develop a love of the ocean and surfing. This is my sons 4th year and my daughter's first and it is only getting better. That said not only was it fun, but both my kids can catch and ride waves on their own!

Chris Keet is a phenomenal teacher. I had a two-hour private lesson in March 2014 and learned how to surf. Even after running a five-day camp, Chris was still enthusiastic and full of energy. In that short time I learned about the ocean, Aloha, staying safe, and how to ride a wave. And Chris made sure we got some great photos. Highly recommend Surf Happens for anyone who would like to learn how to surf from a true professional.

I highly recommend Surf Happens! We had a group of 5 and everyone had a great time. The instructors were attentive to our needs and abilities. They were also very accommodating when we added two people to our original reservation.

What a wonderful surprise. Surf Happens is run like a high end hotel. They are well organized. They know how to teach. Even the quality of their lunches! Kids came back excited every day. You can tell that the owner is committed to high standards.

Safe beach & surf, plenty of space, instructor was knowledgeable & very patient with the kids. Comparable price w/ the 2 hour option better than 1.5 hour at most other surf schools.

Best Surf School Ever!
Surf Happens made our trip perfect. We just finished a weekend getaway to the Santa Barbara area and our children had the best time learning to surf with Surf Happens! The first day was so great they insisted on a second lesson, despite a tight schedule. We had three kids taking lessons, and each had a different level of skill or anxiety and all were accommodated with the amazing instructors. Our youngest was very nervous about being tossed about by waves, but was the one asking for one more run! several times over by the end of the lesson. Watching him stand up on those waves was inspiring! We also had two young teens at slightly different experience levels who were given all they needed to find the waves and get up on their boards with confidence. The fact there was time on the beach learning about the water and how to handle yourself in the ocean was great for our landlocked kids. The second day s lesson included instruction on land too, reviewing the safety information from the day before and learning about the changes in the waves at the new beach. The Surf Happens instructors were so great- engaged but relaxed, eager to share their passion and knowledge, and encourage the kids through the challenges and triumphs of surfing. With years of experience at all the area beaches, they know the waves like the backs of their hands and when/where is best for your level of ability. We are now looking for a time to come back for their week-long surf camps! Thank you to the team at Surf Happens!

Ally was my daughters surf instructor. She was so friendly and knowledgeable. She got both the girls up in no time. They had so much fun. Highly recommend.

Went here on a trip with a student group to learn how to surf. The waves were wicked and the instructors were excellent. I highly recommend this surf shop!!

Incredible surf school, and by far the best in the area! As an intermediate surfer with experience surfing all over the world, lessons with Surf Happens have been the single most effective way that I've improved. They have literally saved me years.

The instructors are expert and attentive, providing very specific and tailored instructions on how to progress. Whereas many schools take a cookie cutter approach, Surf Happens is far more sophisticated, tailoring the instruction to the individual. I couldn't be happier!

The kids' programs they run are amazing. I know a number of families who enroll their children in the surf camps, and every one of them has only positive things to say. The kids learn, build relationships, gain confidence, and have a blast!

Wow...best experience. I signed up my 11 year= old niece for her first time surfing. Instructor Chris was amazing; he was knowledgeable, provided the history and the heart of surfing and took great care of my niece. She said after that "Chris was so nice and kind and patient with me...he was positive and helped me learn.....I want to surf again soon."

Had an awesome time and feel like I got a good foundation to go out and have fun surfing on my own! Highly recommend!

We were very pleased with the experience we had with Surf Happens. Kenna was a great instructor and the day was beautiful.

My instructor Jack was an incredible teacher. He was extremely patient and had such a positive attitude. He answers any questions I had and was super funny. Thank you for this life-changing experience. Afterwards they let us use their cute outdoor shower and had a great conversation with one of their kind owners. She was very sweet and was very knowledgeable about tips for living a more ecofriendly life. Thank you Surf Happens for giving me this opportunity!

Surf Happens is the best Surf School in Santa Barbara! We love Surf Happens because at SurfHappens your kids are their kids. They have instructors who are not only competent and the tops in town, but also kind and positive people that really keep kids engaged and determined to insure that everyone gets the most out of their surfing experience. We've had guests come from out of town and we've had our son enrolled in camps, and in each case we've all learned safety, skills and passion. Jenny & Chris of Surf Happens are a top notch team - they also have with the Surf Happens Foundation and are upstanding members of the community that give back - so everybody wins.

Another batch of amazing experiences with Surf Happens. The team was incredibly friendly and my instructor was so helpful and patient and generally fantastic. Best of all, I had tons of fun rides. So happy to have had these sessions with Surf Happens; I cannot wait to get out in the water with them again. So much aloha.

I hope they teach surfing better than they drive. Some jackass who was driving one of their vans and clearly has no idea how merging works nearly rammed into me today today on Las Positas road.

Super glad I chose Surf Happens for my first time surfing. Their expertise in all aspects of the sport made it a great experience for me. If you're on the fence between taking a lesson and trying it on your own, I would highly recommend taking a lesson with Surf Happens.

Nathan was a very competent, patient and effective instructor. I could catch my first way starting from scratch at the first lesson already!

We brought a group of 48 Canadian university students to Surf Happens for the day. Chris and all of the instructors are amazing. Next time our club is down in that area we are definitly using their service again! Everyone has such a blast.

Our experience was exactly what we hoped and so much more -- falling into Surf Happens on Santa Claus Lane was a bright morning welcome especially seeing shop owner Jenny's warm smile. My three surfrat newbies Charlotte(14), Julia(11) and Austin(8) immediately appreciated being suited up in brand new wetsuits and heading to the sandy beach.

Surf wasn't epic, but big enough to keep my three staring out wondering how this adventure would unfold...thanks to their amazing instructor, Co-Owner/Founder Chris, delivered a full hour surf/ocean orientation that will be forever etched in their ocean experience...wherever they travel. He made a strong point to teach both surf fundamentals as well as understanding the ocean and how to respect the water -- a lesson Duke Kuhanu'moku would embrace.

Our surf day at Padaro Beach both started and finished with an amazing experience thanks to Chris and Jenny - All of my kids came back from Spring Break talking up how Surf Happens was the highlight of their trip and we will defintely be back to visit Chris and Jenny!

SurfHappened that special day in Santa Barbara!

Nathan was my Surf instructor and he is extremely knowledgeable about the ocean, safety, and is very patient. If you are a first time learner I would highly recommend him.