For women, by women, Capitola Surf and Paddle Clinics are just the place to level up your surfing. Each clinic is designed to focus on a specific set of skills with women who have similar surfing abilities. While you can mix and match based on your personal needs, they are designed to build upon one another and progress your surfing with each session. Even better, you’ll be learning alongside like-minded chicas, there to cheer, laugh, and support you with every wave.
Surf Clinics Just for Women
Women's Beginner Clinic
For those looking to dip their toes in the water this summer and want to learn the basics with some other rad woman. The goal for this clinic is that you can feel
comfortable jumping in on your own/with friends knowing the important aspects of ocean safety and surf etiquette. This clinic will be great for those who have tried surfing a few times or no times, and want to learn the fundamentals of paddling, popping up, entering and exiting the water safely, and understand some of the basics of surf etiquette.
Pop Up Like a Pro
Whether you want to transition out of using your knees, not sure why you keep falling, or just feel funky in the process of popping up, then this clinic is for you! We will go over several different pop methods (as there is no one way about it), and we will find the right pop up for you. This clinic is great for all levels looking to improve their pop up.
Speed Generation and Trim Clinic
Find yourself surfing down the line, but still getting caught up in the whitewater? This clinic will teach you how to maintain and/or build speed so you can trim down the line without getting overtaken by the soup (whitewater) stirring behind you. This clinic is ideal for those who have started to surf down the line or have been surfing down the line for a while, but perhaps feeling slow or unable to control their speed on the wave.
Paddle Conditioning Clinic
Feeling sluggish on your paddling, or coming out of the water with achy arms and neck? This clinic is designed to correct paddle techniques so that your paddling not only gets faster and more efficient, but also sets a healthy foundation that will keep you surfing and paddling for decades to come. This clinic caters towards all levels. We will be surfing in this clinic too!
Wave Reading Clinic
This clinic is designed to teach you how to read wave shapes, size, and its progression so you can better your positioning and catch more waves with proper timing. This clinic is ideal for a variety of surfers who want to improve their wave reading skills, understand what the wave is going to do before it breaks, and learn the little tips and tricks to ocean reading. So whether you’re new and wanting to learn how to read waves to catch them on your own, or want to learn how to improve your positioning and wave selection then this clinic is for you.
Shred Down the Line
If you have mastered surfing in the whitewater, it only gets easier from there! Time to take it down the line and surf on the green wave. This clinic is great for surfers who can catch waves on their own, feel comfortable riding straight, and are looking to take it to the next level.
Take Off Techniques Clinic
Angled take offs, faded take offs, stalled take offs, late take offs, and maybe no paddle take offs! There is a start, middle, and end to each wave you catch. This
clinic is all about putting some flare and variety into the way you start your wave. Why? Because it’s fun and groovy! And if you’re looking to gain some competition bonus points, having a unique take off always impresses the judges. This clinic is for gals with more of an advanced-intermediate surf experience who are capable of catching their own waves, and surfing down the line.
Carving Clinic
This clinic is for women who want to surf the entirety of the wave, top to bottom. By utilizing top turns and bottom turns, surfers can carve along the face in a more radical way and build speed along the way. Carving is performed near the pocket of the wave, so this clinic is best for surfers who feel comfortable riding in the pocket, have begun to trim and are looking to get more vertical on their maneuvers.
Cutbacks Clinic
Stay in the sweet spot of the wave by learning to cutback, and maybe even create some spray along the way! Learning how to cutback at the right time and with good technique is critical for extending your rides, and maintaining optimal positioning for doing other maneuvers on the wave. Whether you are beginning to do maneuvers or simply riding down the line, this clinic is great for a variety of surfers who are learning to maximize their time in the pocket.
Cross-Step Clinic
It’s time ladies…to transition away from the shuffle. Learning how to cross-step is a true game changer, as it is a much smoother way to transfer our weight as we move up and down the board. It can feel daunting at first, but with the support of fellow chicas to cheer and laugh us on there is no better way time give it a try! This clinic is ideal for gals who are comfortable shifting their weight on the board, shuffling their feet, or starting to cross-step.
Stance Styles & Footwork
Improve your stance so that you are able to blend stability with flow, and find the stance that suits your style of surfing. We will go over the benefits of different surf stances, the importance of not only our foot placement, but also how our head, hands, arms and hips play a huge role in our surfing. And we will also review the importance of footwork on the board, as we are always making micro (sometimes macro!) adjustments on the board throughout the wave.
*The clinic is best for surfers who are able to pop up consistently, and are looking to feel less rigid on the wave/surfboard and start to find one’s unique style.
Sea Savvy Skills Clinic
Many people think of standing on a surfboard when they think of surfing, however surfing is much more than that. It is about the experience of being in the ocean, being exposed to elements that are always more powerful than us, and succumbing to having any control over that. While we can’t control Neptune, we can learn how to respect the ocean, understand its patterns, and make wise decisions when entering the water. This clinic is focused on ocean safety–learn how to be safe in the water by understanding how the ocean works. From learning about tides and channels to defensive maneuvers we can do on our surfboard, this clinic will help build confidence when hitting the water, and allow you to make smart decisions about where and when you decide to surf.
*This clinic is crucial for anyone looking to get into surfing, or anyone who wants to expand their knowledge about the ocean.
Elegant Endings Clinic
Do you wipeout or jump off your board at the end of each wave? If so it’s time to master board control and learn how to elegantly finish your waves! Come learn and try the aloha finish, stall to sit, over the top, or the kick out finish. The goal of this clinic is to learn how to maintain board control at the end of the wave and discover fun ways to end the wave.
*This clinic is great for gals who are catching waves on their own. This is also great for any gals doing Woman on Waves looking to score a few extra bonus points on their rides, as a clean finish goes a long way in the judging booth!
Positioning in a Crowded Lineup
Looking to catch more waves but unsure where to position yourself when the lineup is crowded? This clinic will review different zones of where to sit and catch waves, and the pros and cons of each zone. The goal of this clinic is to get comfortable in crowded lineups, and know how to handle them so that you can stay safe and still catch plenty of waves.
*This clinic is great for surfers who are able to catch waves on their own, but are often hesitant to go for waves due to the crowd factor and/or confidence.
Upcoming Fall Clinics!
Nov. 8th – Nov. 23rd
Taught by Laney Star
Surf Training x Fitness
When: Saturday November 8th 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Where: Capitola Beach
Surf stronger, surf longer! Get the fitness foundation you need to power your surf journey, along with stretching, breath work, and yoga that will help you relax and recover those tight muscles we get from a long day of shredding.This clinic is designed for those of you who are looking to increase your paddle power, build stamina, and train all the right muscle groups to allow you to up your wave count and become a paddling tank! You will leave with a surf personalized workout/stretch routine to help with strength and longevity. This lesson will be about 30 minutes on land followed by an hour and 1⁄2 coached surf lesson. All levels welcome!
Beginner/into to surfing clinic
When: Sunday November 9th 3:00pm-5:00pm
Where: Capitola Beach
New to surfing? Let’s get you riding waves! We’ll cover the basics in a fun supportive environment. This clinic is for surfers with zero – minimal surf experience. We will go over how to read waves, paddle with proper form, and pop-up. Along with water safety, etiquette in the lineup, and positioning, and I (Laney) will be there coaching you to your highest surfing potential.
Intro to walking the board and cross stepping prep clinic
When: Friday November 14th 10:00am-12:00pm
Where: Capitola Beach
Crosstepping, the holy grail of long boarding! For many, crosstepping to the nose and levitating through a critical section is a life goal, but it might not be as far away as it feels. Crosstepping itself is not so tricky when you know all the insider tips and tricks! This clinic is recommended for those of you who can ride down the line, are comfortable playing around with weight distribution between your front and back foot, or are looking to get out of the shuffle habit.
Cutback Clinic
When: Saturday November 15th 10:00am-12:00 pm
Where: Capitola Beach
Stay in the sweet spot of the wave by learning to cutback, and maybe even create some spray along the way! Learning how to cutback at the right time and with good technique is critical for extending your rides, and maintaining optimal positioning for doing other maneuvers on the wave. Whether you are beginning to do maneuvers or simply riding down the line, this clinic is great for a variety of surfers who are learning to maximize their time in the pocket.
Turns and Carving Clinic
When: Friday November 21st 1:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Capitola Beach
This clinic is for women who want to surf the entirety of the wave, top to bottom. By utilizing top turns and bottom turns, surfers can carve along the face in a more radical way and build speed along the way. Carving is performed near the pocket of the wave, so this clinic is best for surfers who feel comfortable riding in the pocket, have begun to trim and are looking to get more vertical on their maneuvers.
Positioning in a Crowded Lineup Clinic
When: Friday November 22nd: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Where: Capitola Beach
Looking to catch more waves but unsure where to position yourself when the lineup is crowded? This clinic will review different zones of where to sit and catch waves, and the pros and cons of each zone. The goal of this clinic is to get comfortable in crowded lineups, and know how to handle them so that you can stay safe and still catch plenty of waves.
*This clinic is great for surfers who are able to catch waves on their own, but are often hesitant to go for waves due to the crowd factor and/or confidence.
Elegant Endings Clinic
When: Sunday November 23rd: 2:00-4:00pm
Where: Capitola Beach
Do you wipe out or jump off your board at the end of each wave? If so it’s time to master board control and learn how to elegantly finish your waves! Come learn and try the aloha finish, stall to sit, over the top, or the kick out finish. The goal of this clinic is to learn how to maintain board control at the end of the wave and discover fun ways to end the wave.
*This clinic is great for gals who are catching waves on their own.
Crucial Clinic Info:
– Location: Capitola Beach – Price: $125
-Cash is a flat rate. Service fees applied when booking online and via card (6%), Venmo (3%), or Square (3%).
-Equipment: Surfboard/wetsuits provided free of charge upon request
-Booking your clinic online:
Sign up directly on our website by clicking “Book Now” (on bottom left screen) → Select Surf Lessons → Select Ladies Clinics → Select date/clinic desired → Fill out info → Stoked and sea ya soon 🙂
– Call / Text to book at 831-435-6503 or visit our website
All Women’s Surf Retreat
May 15-19, 2025
Learn More >
All clinics are 2 hours long and cost $125.
Surfboard and wetsuit can be provided free of charge upon request. All clinics are held at Capitola Beach.
Call to Book: 831-435-6503
Not finding the clinic you’re interested in on the schedule? Let us know!
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