Introducing the Summer Prep Surf Workshop by Wise Waves Collective!

Are you feeling a bit rusty after a winter away from the waves? Are you looking to elevate your surf game this summer? Maybe you've been surfing for a while but feel like you've hit a plateau, or you're struggling to find the right community to surf with. Have you attended a surf retreat only to find it challenging to apply what you've learned back home?

If any of this sounds familiar, our 1-month intensive workshop series is just what you need. Led by renowned longboarder Kassia Meador and Holistic Surf Coach Shelly Simon of Dream Team Surf, this workshop is designed to immerse you in the local surf community, enhance your understanding of waves, and take your surf skills to the next level.

Through a combination of classroom sessions, on-sand instruction, and plenty of time in the water, you'll gain the confidence, community, and ocean awareness needed to make your summer sessions the best yet!

Anyone and everyone looking to upgrade their surf skills, connect with the local community, empower their surfing with a supportive local community. We provide a holistic container of high level education, feedback and fun that will implement tangible mindfulness practices you can take with you into your future surf sessions. 

What will you learn?

- Surf etiquette:  How to navigate crowds, understand safe lineup dynamics, who has the right of way, how to handle aggression from other surfers with ease

- Pre Surf Prep : Learn how to create your own “check in” process that will implement a body scan, breathing techniques and more to ensure your success at paddling out.

 - Surf Forecasting: Learn how to read the tide charts, understand the surf report, learn the wind directions and swell periods for the spots you love to surf. With this knowledge you will ensure your at the right spot when its right for you. 

- The Language of the ocean:  Surfing isn't just about standing up on a wave it's about speaking the language of the ocean. In this course we will support you in reading waves and getting into the finer aspects of communicating with the ocean so you can better position yourself in the lineup , catch more weaves and have more fun. 

- Kickouts & Paddle Outs: Better understand how to safely fall,  exit a wave as well as navigating your board, the lineup and  paddling out safely. 

- Paddling: Fine Tune your paddling for optimal efficiency 

- Weekly check-ins:  Surf with your new community in between our group sessions and work on what we are teaching. 

- Surf Journaling:  Start your own Wise Waves Surf Journal to record your progressions and pursuits of this journey. We will be encouraging people to journal pre-and-post surf experiences.

- Recovery: stretching, breathing, things you can work on at home or in the gym to improve your paddle & pop up strength

- Board & fins 101: What kind of board do I need for different waves / skill levels / etc

- Safety in the ocean:  How to handle being held down, when to ditch your board vs go over the wave, how to avoid collision, what to do if there’s a rip or strong current, checking in with your body to assess how tired you are 

  - Its about the Journey:  Surfing is more than just riding a wave, it’s the before-during-after process that we get to embody, which includes understanding your surroundings and how to prepare yourself to be an active and present participant in the ocean.

This month program will take place over the following locations

Time frame for all beach sessions

Arrival 7:30 

Stary 8 am - 11 am

1. Venice / El Porto  (Saturday April 27th) -  ( Community Welcome sharing circle, Movement mind-body practice/ meditation, Welcome to beach Breaks and Positioning 
2. Venice Breakwater or Venice Pier  (Sunday May5th) -  (Checkin , Beach Break Practice, Reading the lineup, How to paddle out &  stay present, Try Different boards etc , Maybe back to the shop to talk boards, fins and equipment Dane chat? 
3. Topanga or Sunset State Beach  (Saturday May 18th) -  (Point break practice, what is a channel?, maintaining your center around ego)
4. Closing Circle Session   ( Sunday May 26)  - 6 pm ( Gathering at low tide popup shop in venice for video feedback and closing party

Shelly Simon - Grew up in Charleston, S.C., where she embraced water activities, to her discovery of surfing at the age of twelve. After moving to New York and immersing herself in the skateboarding community, Simon eventually settled in California. During the pandemic, she founded Dream Team, aiming to create a inclusive surfing community for LBGTQA+ folks. Tying in holistic surf coaching with a knack for knowing everyone, surfing with Dream Team is the supportive surf family folks have been looking for. Out of the water, Shelly career channels her passion for photography and creative pursuits  -  finding parallels between photography and surfing in the appreciation of fleeting moments.

Kassia Meador-  Grew up in the valley and began her surfing journey around LA and Ventura at 14, turning pro at 17. Renowned for her graceful style and elegant noserides, she's a trailblazer for women's longboarding and surf culture. In 2011, Kassia ventured into vibrational medicine, riding sound waves and exploring its various disciplines. Between 2013-2016 , she transitioned from professional surfing to launch her own brand, KASSIA+SURF, specializing in women's wetsuits and surf gear. Alongside this, she delved into training with experts in vibrational medicine, including Dr. Paul Hubbert in holographic sound and Dr. John Beaulieu in quantum cranial biosonics. She furthered her expertise by obtaining certificates in Integrative CranioSacral Unwinding and RPP Polarity therapy. She facilitates immersive group lectures and sound experiences as well as one-on-one energy medicine journeys. She also hosts Surf & Sound Retreats globally, catering to those intrigued by the therapeutic potential of ocean waves, meditation, mindfulness, and vibrational therapy.