Hermosa Beach, CA Outdoor Activities

When instructor Matt Rosas compares surfing to "riding energy from the sun," his words evoke the freedom and carefree attitude that has come to be synonymous with the sport. He hopes to instill that same effervescent feeling in his students and customers at Venice Beach Surf School, where he draws from more than 25 years' experience teaching surfing and standup paddleboarding lessons. In the churning surf and on the white sand beaches of Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, and four other Southern California beaches, he coaches paddlers in the basics of catching waves, standing, and running over the biggest sand castle on shore. He also arranges rentals of water-sports equipment to let visitors explore the waters on their own.

According to Los Angeles magazine, brotherly duo Matt and Christian Shubin channeled their lifelong love of ocean sports into Poseidon Stand Up Paddle Boards, located walking distance from the pier. Their shop stocks all of the necessary gear for oceanic outings, including squat Starboard paddleboards that easily slice through the surf. Pro riders design and test-drive C4 Waterman boards before presenting them to amateurs, who propel watercraft with the store's inventory of lightweight but powerful carbon and fiberglass paddles. Accessories such as leashes, roof racks, and repair kits secure and beautify paddleboards without tacky layers of eye shadow. Customers may consult the expertise of an online board finder to pinpoint the right fit for their frames, aptitudes, and preferences.