Learn More about Pillar Point Surf School

Nick first learned to surf in Ventura, California. He graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in meteorology. Currently, he is in the geoscience graduate program at San Francisco State University where he focuses on salmon restoration in the San Joaquin River. He also teaches an introductory oceanography lab at SFSU. He is looking forward to surf camp this summer and can’t wait to see everyone out in the water!

August’s earliest ocean memories are from Surfer’s Beach, where he attended surf camps in elementary school. He’s a self-diagnosed surf nerd and watches (too many) surf clips regularly. August graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism and is always looking to combine his passion for writing and surfing. He’s been surfing for more than a decade and taught lessons in Half Moon Bay part-time for the last five years. He also has experience surfing abroad in Hawaii, Spain, Portugal and Australia. 

Molly grew up surfing and playing in the ocean on the East Coast before moving to California with her family during high school.  She loves everything about the ocean and is passionate about cleaning up the coasts so future generations can enjoy it the same way she has.  During the year Molly is a college student at Humboldt State University earning her bachelor’s degree in social work.  She hopes to earn her masters in social work as well before joining the field and working in palliative care social work.  At school, Molly is also the director of the Environmental Education club and is the captain of the Women’s Crew Team.  This will be Mollys 5th summer working with Matt and the rest of the Pillar Point Surf Camp team!

Younger brother to Molly, Ethan loves to be outside and enjoys any adventure he can have in nature.  He is an avid skateboarder and can often be found in skate parks around the Bay Area.  As a highschool senior Ethan is currently applying to colleges and hopes to attend a University and study something involving the outdoors. At school Ethan enjoys art class and is on the football team.  Ethan loves animals and in the future hopes to own at least 100 dogs but for now he is happy with his dog Harlow who loves to eat seaweed at the beach.  This will be Ethans 2nd year working with Matt and the rest of the Surf Camp Team.

Molly first remembers learning to surf right at Pillar Point through various surf camps as well as junior lifeguards, definitely a perk of growing up on the coast. Molly loves everything the ocean has to offer and deeply cares about keeping our beaches and oceans clean as they are such a privilege for us to enjoy. Molly graduated last year from the University of Michigan where she studied biology and entrepreneurship and hopes to pursue a Master of Public Health in the near future. Right now, Molly is working with an Emergency Services Company to re-open K-12 schools during the pandemic and loves being able to spend her free time surfing, teaching lessons or just being in the ocean in some way shape or form!

Instructors will be instructing participants to remain separated by 6 feet at all times per CDC recommendations. We have restructured all our programs and decreased class sizes to ensure this is possible and does not adversely affect the quality of programs.

Instructors will be wearing masks at arrival for all programs. Customers of PILLAR POINT SURF SCHOOL MUST ARRIVE WITH THEIR OWN MASK.  Arriving without a mask will be grounds for immediate excusal and forfeiture of funds.

All participants will have their temperature taken (no-touch forehead thermometers) upon arrival.  In accordance with the same procedures being used by TSA at the airports, you must have a temperature below 100.3 to participate and remain on site.

In addition to our normal protocols, we’ve equipped staff with  sanitation products and when collecting gear from clients, employees sanitize wetsuits, surfboards, etc (just about everything that gets touched in the classes with bare hands and is a surface which could have virus living on it for an extended period of time). Hand sanitizer will be available for use each day.

Zero tolerance for attendance at any program with fever or symptoms. Clients and employees are asked to take their own temperature before arrival (this is mandatory – if you are enrolled in a program with us you must take your temperature before arrival). Anyone with a fever or other COVID‐19 symptoms may not participate and Pillar Point Surf School will reschedule clients to a new date at no charge so as to encourage customers to report symptoms and reschedule without penalty.

We meet in the dirt parking lot across the street of 531 Obispo Road, Half Moon Bay CA 94019 (Look for the skate ramp as a landmark). Text or call your surf instructor upon arrival

Come dressed in your swimsuit. We recommend bringing sandals, sunscreen, towel, and a change of warm clothing.

You must cancel at least 48 hours prior to the lesson. Then we can reschedule or offer a refund.

We suggest booking at least a day in advance for lessons. We can try to accommodate the same day but are often booked.

You can pay for the lesson by card via Paypal.

You need to be able to swim with your head above water and must be able to swim to shore. Smaller kids and weak swimmers will be kept in shallow waters and our instructors are always with the students at all times!

Please come 15 minutes before your surf lesson starts. There can be a lot of traffic on the weekends so please leave early. 

I would recommend wearing disposable contacts

Unfortunately not, our equipment is needed for other surf lessons. Rentals are available at  Mavericks Surf Shop, Cowboy Surf Shop , or Half Moon Bay Board Shop.

Our team works hard to exceed your expectations and ensure that you have an unforgettable experience. If at the end of your lesson you are pleased with the performance of your instructor, a gratuity is never expected but would be greatly appreciated.

Everyone is different. It depends on you athleticism, your aptitude, fitness level, and the surf conditions. During your first surf lesson, you will learn the skills needed to stand up on the surfboard. Some people stand up from first wave to last wave, others get up only 1 or 2 times. Everyone is different. The waves play a major factor – the ocean is always changing; sometimes the waves will make it either easier or more difficult to stand up. While getting to your feet is a major goal, that is not what learning to surf is all about!! You will learn a lot about the sport of surfing, the waves and the ocean, and will walk away having had an awesome and adventurous experience and for some, a spiritual awakening.

Pillar Point will be subcontracting Surf Instructors and assistant for spring and summer of 2021, starting March 1st. 

If you know anyone looking for a summer job please share this with them.

The sun, sand and sea will be your workplace and the hours are flexible. Email me @ pillarpointsurfschool@gmail.com with resume, photo, a paragraph on your qualification, and why you would be good for this job. If you do not know how to surf, do not apply. If do not have an open schedule, do not apply. If you are always late, do not apply.

It’s beneficial to live close to the Half Moon Bay (but not Mandatory) and speak another language.

Those who stick around through the slower spring months will be given the larger lessons during summer as compensation. So you will make more money than the new hires. Must have a flexible schedule (many bookings are last minute). 

You will be trained on the Pillar Point’s lesson plan and must be able to teach this plan. You will be trained. This is your trial period. 

Surf instructor pays is $20 per hour plus tips. Paid Weekly. You only get paid when you are doing lessons. Average $0 to $400 per day with tips. The harder you work the more you make.

It is your responsibility to claim your income for tax purposes. 

You must have at least 1 former employment reference. 

We only hire people with the following abilities & traits.

1. Must be able to carry up to 40 lbs.
2. Must be able to surf.
3. Must have a smart phone.
4. Must be professional, reliable and honest.
5. Must be punctual and friendly.
6. Must be able to swim.

All these requirements will help you be a better instructor, increase your tips, create a team atmosphere. These are the minimum requirements to keep your job. I will remember and reward you for towing the line. More lessons, Bigger lessons, etc.. Have a watch to keep up with your lesson time. If you are having trouble with clients’ beach lesson, ask me to help if I am available.

Scheduling:

1. If you are on Vcita block out times you are unavailable.

2. Reply to email ASAP(1-6hours) or they will be reassigned

3. When answering Vcita email, always check condition before accepting appointment time if conditions are not good at their requested time offer 2 alternative times.

4. If your lesson no shows or reschedules remove original time from calendar.

Lessons:

1. Show up on time (5 minutes before your lesson).

2. Clean your  boards unless you have back to back lessons.

3. Be professional at all times. (never pick up on your lesson, no cussing, never show up intoxicated).

4. If you don’t have back to back lessons, try to up sell your lesson to a longer lesson.

5. Give feedback and / or encouragement on every wave.

6. Never finish your lesson early unless they ask to, don’t give up on them so easy. Keep trying to get them to continue.

7. The 1st time your lesson is walking in water with board, HELP THEM.

8. Give 100% or your attention to your lesson.

After the lesson:

1. If you know Your lesson had a great time, ask for review on Yelp, google, FB, or Trip advisor.

2. At the end of the day help stack boards.