CONTACT US - OUR MISSION - BIOS - FAQs

135 Beach 91st Street, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

Hours: WE TEACH 7 DAYS A WEEK! ALL YEAR LONG! ALL SEASONS!
(917) 628-6345
seasonssurfschool@gmail.com

 

OUR START:

Seasons Surf School was founded in 2017 but our beginnings go much further back as our local roots grow deep and we draw from a profound well of experience. Life-long surfing, decades of teaching, backgrounds in competitive swimming, swim instruction and beach lifeguarding have helped mold us into the company we are today.

OUR MISSION:

We are all about providing quality lessons in a secure and fun environment. Our goal is to create competent and safe surfers by simultaneously developing their skills and their surf etiquette. With highly qualified instructors and fully customizable curriculums, your surfing goals will become your new surfing reality.

WHO WE ARE:

Man holds his surfboard in rockaway beach queens
Dodging a barrel in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York City

Seasons Surf School was founded by NYC native and life long surfer Dillon O’Toole. Growing up in the sands of Rockaway Beach, Dillon’s childhood of surfing, skateboarding, swimming, and lifeguarding, and spending countless hours on the sand in and around the surf developed into a life long love affair with the ocean. With a background of competitive swimming, swimming instruction, and years of working as a head instructor and manager of another highly rated surf school, Dillon took all of this background and formed the Seasons Surf School program which has continued to grow and evolve ever since.

FAQs:

WHAT DO I BRING TO MY SURF LESSON?

This depends on what season you surf with us, and the basic recommended items are: A well-fitting bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, water, and any other surf gear you might have of your own you want to bring along… In the colder seasons you will want to dress extra warmly for your return trip from the beach, also consider packing an extra pair of socks and an extra towel as well.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A TYPICAL SURF LESSON?

When coming for a surf lesson try to arrive 5-10 minutes before the start time. Next, we will sign our liability waiver and get fitted with a wetsuit and other proper gear for warmth and comfort.

After suiting up and applying sunscreen we move to a short “land lesson” where we go through the basics of our surfboards, learn proper techniques for “pop ups” and surfing stance, as well as water safety and the basics of proper surf etiquette…

The majority of the time will be spent in the water in small groups or private one on one settings taking waves with the help of instructors who also provide feedback, corrections and general knowledge…

HOW DO I GET TO SEASONS SURF SCHOOL?

We are located in the heart of historic Rockaway Beach, New York City, providing many options for transit to our location. You can arrive to your surf lesson by the Rockaway Ferry, The A Train, and the Q52 and Q53 bus lines as well. See the google map above for direct and detailed directions!

HOW DO I PAY? IS THERE A TIPPING POLICY?

Seasons Surf School is currently a cash only business! In the future we will provide alternate methods of payment but until then we are a cash only business located close to a few local ATMs. Unfortunately, there are no banks located close by so it may be prudent to acquire cash for payment before your trip to Rockaway Beach.

Tipping is never a requirement but always vastly appreciated by our instructors! We pay our instructors above market rate for their hard work, but tipping is always an amazing way to show appreciation for the hard mental and physical work of guiding another human through the surf process. Surf instructors the world over are always very stoked to receive a little something extra after a few hours of serving you up choice waves while they tread and drink salt water.

IS ROCKAWAY BEACH A GOOD LOCATION TO LEARN TO SURF?


Rockaway Beach, NYC is an amazing beach to learn how to surf, offering a unique blend of urban convenience and coastal beauty. With its easy accessibility from the city proper, Rockaway Beach provides an ideal setting for beginners and advanced surfers alike to step into liquid and get some waves. The beach boasts consistent waves suitable for learning, along with shallow sand bottoms creating a safe and welcoming learning environment. Rockaway is a mix of beach breaks and rock jetties providing a breaking wave at almost any tide or condition and is populated by a mix of multi-generational northeast surfers, and a huge influx of beginners and adult learners creating a supportive environment for those looking to work on the basics. The Summer season brings thick crowds, but fun and playful surf tailored for beginners whereas the Winter season sees the thinning of the heard and a higher possibility for more substantial surf and storms. In addition to the quality surf conditions, Rockaway Beach has a vibrant surf culture, consisting of many shops, clubs, and organizations. The welcoming community and our instructors contribute to a positive and encouraging atmosphere, making it an excellent place for individuals eager to embrace the thrill of surfing while enjoying the lively spirit of New York City's beach scene.