Is surf camp in Oceanside really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores surf camp programs are completely free for participants. We provide wetsuits, surfboards, certified instruction, ocean education materials, and transportation support at no cost.
What ages can attend surf camp in Oceanside?+
We serve youth ages 6 through 17. One Ocean is for ages 6–12, Ocean Stewards serves ages 13–17, and Watershed Explorers opens a broader youth age range during summer.
Is surf camp only in summer or year-round?+
Unlike most Oceanside surf camps that only run in summer, Un Mar offers year-round programming. Ocean Stewards runs after school Tuesday through Thursday, One Ocean is a year-long scholarship, and Watershed Explorers is our summer intensive.
What’s included in the surf camp?+
Certified bilingual surf instruction, all equipment (wetsuits, surfboards, rash guards), ocean safety training, environmental education, cultural arts programming, and snacks. Transportation support is available for families who need it.
How many students are in each surf camp cohort?+
Each cohort caps at 18 students with a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio. Small cohorts keep nervous first-timers from Oceanside from getting lost in overcrowded lineups — every child gets coached attention daily.
Who certifies surf camp instructors in Oceanside?+
Coaches hold CPR and First Aid credentials and train with San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division protocols. Many are alumni of our Surf Athletic Scholarship program. Safety documentation is available to Oceanside parents on request.
Are surf camp in Oceanside really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Oceanside are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like South Oceanside Elementary, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Ditmar Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Oceanside family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do surf camp happen in Oceanside?+
Primary water sessions run at The Strand. We also use Wisconsin Street Beach for skill progression. Classroom components happen at Oceanside Boys & Girls Club (Carmelo Drive) and other partner sites. All water activities happen within lifeguard-flag zones.
What ages can enroll in Oceanside?+
We serve youth ages 6–17. In Oceanside specifically, our recruitment runs through Oceanside Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from South Oceanside Elementary, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Ditmar Elementary and 4 other Title I schools. Cohorts are age-appropriate (One Ocean for 6–12, Ocean Stewards for 13–17).
Does my child need to know how to swim before starting?+
No. We begin every cohort with ocean-safety fundamentals in chest-deep whitewater at The Strand, supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Oceanside, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at local community pools for students who request extra comfort-building.
