Capitola Surf and Paddle

Capitola Surf and Paddle offers private surf lessons, semi-private surf lessons, and group surf lessons, each lasting 2 hours. It also offers private, semi-private, and group stand up paddle lessons, and it lists surf lessons and stand up paddle lessons as year-round offerings for all ages and skill levels. Surf lessons include wetsuits and surfboards, and SUP lessons provide wetsuits and PFDs if desired.

Programs

• Private Surf Lesson — $200 per session · Group size: 1 client; Lesson length: 2 hours; Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced; Includes wetsuits, surfboards, safety and etiquette training, and expert personal instruction.
• Semi-Private Surf Lesson — $150 per session · Group size: 2-8 clients; Lesson length: 2 hours; Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced; Includes wetsuit, surfboard, safety and etiquette training, and expert personal instruction.
• Group Surf Lesson — $125 per session · Group size: 2-8 clients; Lesson length: 2 hours; Novice, Beginner, Intermediate; Includes wetsuit, surfboard, safety and etiquette training, and expert personal instruction.
• Private SUP Lesson — $180 per session · Group size: 1 client; Lesson length: 2 hours; Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced; Includes expert personal instruction.
• Semi-Private SUP Lesson — $150 per session · Group size: 2 clients; Lesson length: 2 hours; Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced; Includes expert personal instruction.
• Group SUP Lesson — $120 per session · Group size: 3-8 clients; Lesson length: 2 hours; Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate; Includes expert personal instruction.
• Surf lessons — Year round · Personalized surf lessons offered to all ages and skill levels.
• Stand up paddle lessons — Year round · Personalized stand up paddle lessons offered to all ages and skill levels.
• Private surf, SUP and SUP-surf lessons — Personalized lessons for all ages and skill levels.
• Semi-private surf, SUP and SUP-surf lessons — Personalized lessons for all ages and skill levels.
• Group surf, SUP and SUP-surf lessons — Personalized lessons for all ages and skill levels.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Price range: $120–$200 per session
• General schedule: Year round

About the provider

Neil Sprenkel leads the program. The business has worked in the surf industry since 2011 and has been teaching surf lessons on and off since 2016. It acquired Capitola Surf and Paddle in April 2025. The school is locally owned, licensed, and permitted, and its instructors are trained in ocean safety and certified in CPR and first aid. It was voted Good Times Best Surf School in Santa Cruz for 2024 and 2026 and Santa Cruz’s favorite Surf School for the 2025 Lookout List: Activities and Outdoors.

• Rentals

All students/clients are required to sign a standard liability waiver form before getting started. For surf lessons, a wetsuit is highly recommended and provided with the lesson. For SUP lessons, wetsuits and PFDs are provided if desired. Surf lessons are offered only during certain tides when the waves will be at their best. Cancellation policy: at least 72 hours notice for a full refund; within 72 hours charged full price; reschedules within 72 hours receive a 50% credit; operator cancellations due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances receive a full refund or credit.

Last updated October 7, 2026.