Business Details
20 Years
experience
Premier Surf Lessons in New Jersey
Summertime Surf was founded in 2006 by Shaun McGrath in Belmar, NJ, with a mission to cultivate the ultimate environment for teaching and learning the practices and values of the surf and ocean lifestyle. As New Jersey's premier surf school, we offer kids' camps, group programs, and private lessons for all ages and abilities across five locations in Monmouth and Ocean County. Our team of experienced instructors combines technical expertise with a passion for ocean safety, delivering structured curricula that emphasize surf skills, ocean awareness, and life lessons. With decades of combined experience in aquatic safety, education, and surf instruction, our leadership team has developed scalable systems that ensure consistent, high-quality programming.We maintain rigorous safety standards, employ certified professionals, and focus on character development through immersive ocean experiences. Our programs cater to beginners through advanced surfers, with specialized offerings for keiki (young children), grom teams, and private instruction. We also organize international surf travel experiences, extending our expertise beyond New Jersey's coastline.
Services
Surf Lessons
Kids Camps
Private Instruction
Grom Teams
Surf Travel
Keiki Programs
Group Classes
Advanced Coaching
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer 18+ years of proven surf instruction experience
- Our certified instructors maintain rigorous safety standards
- We provide age-specific programs from keiki to adults
- We combine technical training with ocean safety education
- We operate in five convenient New Jersey coastal locations
What people say
Professional instructors
Safe environment
Patient with beginners
Family-friendly programs
Noticeable improvement
Services
Kids Surf Camps
Structured surf instruction for ages 7-14 with certified instructors. Focus on fundamentals through a proven curriculum teaching surf skills, ocean safety, and life lessons in a safe environment. Three-hour daily sessions Monday-Friday during summer months.
Keiki Camp
Specialized program for ages 4-7 emphasizing water safety and basic surf techniques. Two-hour daily sessions with hands-on instruction in a fun, progressive environment designed for young children's learning needs.
Private Lessons
Customized surf instruction for all ages and skill levels. 1.25-hour sessions with dedicated instructors who tailor lessons to individual goals, whether learning basics or refining advanced techniques.
Grom Teams
Advanced surf coaching for dedicated young surfers. Structured practice schedules with focus on skill progression, competitive preparation, and team camaraderie under professional coaching staff.
Surf Travel
Organized surf trips to international destinations like Nicaragua and Salina Cruz. Expert-guided experiences combining surf instruction with cultural immersion in world-class surf locations.
People
Shaun McGrath
Founder & Creative Director
Founded Summertime Surf in 2006 after growing up in Monmouth County with surfing parents. Combines east and west coast influences with international experience to shape the company's innovative approach.
Gil Olsen
Owner & Systems Development
Joined in 2009 with ocean safety background and YMCA experience. Developed administrative systems enabling multi-location operations and character-focused curriculum implementation.
Mark Gilmartin
Director of Operations
Belmar native and former competitive surfer with international business education. Oversees daily operations and maintains quality standards across all locations since joining in 2014.
Sam Nelson
Director of Administration
Started in 2019 and became full-time administrator in 2021. Manages operational systems and sales initiatives with organizational expertise developed through sports management education.
Morgan Stierman
Asbury Park Site Manager
Team member since 2012 with extensive Hawaii big wave experience. Combines college teaching skills with practical surf instruction to lead Asbury Park operations effectively.
Questions
What age groups do you cater to?
We offer programs for ages 4+ including Keiki Camps (4-7), Kids Surf Camps (7-14), teen Grom Teams, and adult lessons.
Do you provide equipment?
Yes, all necessary surf equipment is included in lesson and camp fees.
What locations do you operate in?
We serve five New Jersey locations: Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Belmar, Point Pleasant, and Manasquan.
Are private lessons available?
Yes, we offer 1.25-hour private surf lessons for individuals or small groups at all skill levels.
Do you offer advanced coaching?
Yes, our Grom Teams program provides structured advanced coaching with dedicated practice schedules and professional instruction.
What safety measures are in place?
We maintain rigorous safety standards with certified instructors, age-appropriate programs, and comprehensive ocean safety training.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Milak
Aug 03, 2021
Report
Positive:Quality
The camp in AP on 7.12 was a great fun and fantastic learning experience for my kid. Thank you!!!
The camp in AP on 7.12 was a great fun and fantastic learning experience for my kid. Thank you!!!
Christina Carmona
Nov 16, 2020
Report
I went to their womens surf weekend and it was amazing!! Very professional and friendly atmosphere. They were patient, but made sure everyone accomplished their goals. I would highly recommend if you have any interest at all in learning to surf or surfing in general!
Brian Perkins
Jul 11, 2020
Report
The folks running the camp at Asbury Park make the kids feel welcome and valued. At the end of every day the kids have ridden some waves, feel accomplished, and are stoked for the next day. Mine always ask for more. As a parent, I watch that every session includes safety and ocean skills.
Elyse C.
Jul 01, 2020
Report
I had the wonderful experience of a private lesson at the Asbury location. John was a patient, informative instructor. During the downtime of waiting for waves, he answered all my questions knowledgeably and provided all sorts of fascinating ocean science! I left the lesson feeling much more confident and cant wait to get on a board again!
Chris Greco
Jun 05, 2020
Report
Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
These guys are the best. My 10 year old daughter has taken a few private lessons and a couple weeks of surf camp. They had her popping up on her board on the first day!
These guys are the best. My 10 year old daughter has taken a few private lessons and a couple weeks of surf camp. They had her popping up on her board on the first day!
Michael Napolitano
Jan 17, 2020
Report
Really cool instructors, tons of care. Worth the time and money for parents. There is a bit of sitting out in the ocean as one review below says, but that is part of the joy of surfing. Whens the last time you sat on a board in the ocean for an hour. True therapy. Anyhow, it's fun my kids loved it. Girls 7 & 9
Joe Loughlin
Oct 30, 2019
Report
5 star surf school and instructors! Went to Summertime in Belmar for a refresher lesson after not being on a board for 10 years. My instructor Nick was awesome, excellent teacher and surfer. We had a great time out on the water, lots of waves and lots of laughs. All the other instructors out there were very cool as well. It was a very welcoming, fun environment. I highly recommend Nick because he provided excellent pointers and made sure you were catching as many waves as possible. Thanks again Nick and everyone at Summertime, I highly recommend these guys.
