Things to Do in View Park-Windsor Hills

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.

Captain Gary Jackson originally cut his aquatic teeth as a PADI scuba-diving training coordinator and instructor. Eventually logging hundreds of dive hours in the sea, Gary traveled the world exploring reefs and learning the ins and outs of sailing. From there, it didn't take him long to found a charter company around his dive boat, the Psalty V, and today he leads harbor tours and dive trips from its deck. His vessel and crew also takes visitors on whale-watching trips and party cruises, and his dive instruction teaches the basics of deep, nitrox, and wreck diving to ensure that his clients feel comfortable graduating from diving in the bathtub to the outdoor kiddie pool and beyond.

Working with the notion that pretend play is a crucial aspect of how children learn, develop ideas about the world, and determine who they're voting for, Pint Size Kids equips its early learning and play center with developmentally appropriate toys for open play sessions. At curriculum-based classes, children up to aged 6 can boost their imaginations as they practice music, art, or learn basic Spanish skills. Baby sign-language classes help infants and toddlers express words and concepts—such as “mommy” and “hungry”—through American Sign Language.

A South Bay native with 20-plus years of surfing experience tucked into his wetsuit, Chris Frantz, his staff, and the team from a joint camp venture prep protégés aged six and older for unabashed tide conquering. Five days per week, Chris is a financial adviser at Morgan Stanley, but on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, he sets aside his calculator and neckties woven from seaweed to lead intimate, two-hour surfing lessons alongside his team of staff. Because Chris designed the program to feature small groups at each session, students are able to squeeze the most from their time spent on the water, learning everything from surfing etiquette and ocean safety to basic techniques and proper form.