About

World Class Surf Academy is a college-preparatory 9th through 12th grade high school built around students’ passion for surfing. Each school year our teachers, coaches, and students travel to four of the world’s top surf destinations.

The Surf Academy is grounded in academic progression, mentorship, teamwork, and life experience. We are first and foremost a school, and we are brought together by a common passion for surfing. Our experienced faculty, who double as coaches and mentors, are some of the strongest athletes in the sport of surfing and bring a demonstrated passion for learning and progression to the classroom.

Our athletic program develops well-rounded surfers. Daily training combines morning surf sessions with strength, cardio, and flexibility work designed to promote progression and prevent injury. Students arrive at the Surf Academy at a range of skill levels and leave prepared for the next chapter of life, in and out of the water.

The Surf Academy is one of five programs within World Class Academy, a 501(c)(3) private high school founded in 2001. Our academies (Kayak, Kiteboarding, Climbing, Surfing, and Mountain Biking) share a belief that the best education happens when learning and passion go hand in hand.

Applying to the Surf Academy

The Surf Academy has a rolling admissions process. Applications for the following school year open in September, and our team reviews them in the order they are received. Students apply through TADS, our tuition management platform. The Surf Academy application includes several short-answer questions, an athletic resume, and a request for athletic references. Students may submit a financial aid application at the same time, which will require additional materials, including a tax form reflecting the applicant’s family’s combined income.

Once we receive your application, your Head of School, Riley Gardner, will reach out to arrange an interview. Our team delivers acceptance decisions within two to three weeks of applying, while financial aid decisions will come in waves, typically in January and May.

When evaluating applicants, WCA considers each student’s academic record, athletic accomplishments, character, and demonstrated motivation to excel as a student, athlete, and respectful global citizen. World Class Academy seeks students who make responsible choices, bring a strong work ethic, and are genuinely excited to be part of a team.

World Class Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, or ethnic origin in its admissions policies, educational programs, athletic programs, or any other school-administered activities.

APPLY

Destinations & Schedule

Destinations

  • Costa Rica

    Costa Rica

    Aug. 23rd - Oct. 3rd

    August 23rd

    Studnets arrive in San José, Costa Rica (SJO)

    August 24th - October 2nd

    Quarter One in Costa Rica

    October 3rd

    Students depart from San José (SJO)

    October 4th - 24th

    Fall Break

  • Portugal

    Portugal

    Oct. 25th - Dec. 12th

    October 25th

    Students arrive in Lisbon, Portugal (LIS)

    October 26th - December 12th

    Quarter Two in Portugal

    December 13th

    Students depart from Lisbon, Portugal (LIS)

    December 14th - January 16th

    Winter Break

  • Indonesia

    Indonesia

    Jan. 17th - Mar. 5th

    January 17th

    Students arrive in Lombok, Indonesia (LOP)

    January 18th - March 5th

    Quarter Three on the South Coast of Indonesia

    March 6th

    Students Depart from Lombok, Indonesia (LOP)

    March 7th - 27th

    Spring Break

  • Peru

    a view of the ocean from the top of a cliff

    Peru

    Mar. 28th - May. 8th

    March 28th

    Students Arrive in Talara, Peru (TYL)

    March 29th - May 7th

    Quarter Four in North Coast, Peru

    May 8th

    Graduation in Punta Blanca, Peru

    May 9th

    Students Depart from Lima, Peru (LIM)

body of water under full moon

Schedule

Semester 1

  • Quarter 1: August 23rd - October 3rd

    August 23rd

    Students arrive in San José, Costa Rica (SJO)

    August 24th -26th

    Student Orientation and Start of Classes

    August 24th - October 2nd

    The year opens with warm water and high wave counts across Dominical, Pavones, and Playa Hermosa. A classic surf travel destination, Costa Rica will be a prime location for the team to gather and explore the beach breaks, point breaks, and Pura Vida culture that make Costa Rica such a classic surf destination.

    October 3rd

    Students and Faculty depart from San José (SJO)

    October 4th - 24th

    Fall Break

  • Quarter 2: October 25 - December 12

    October 25th

    Students and faculty arrive in Lisbon, Portugal (LIS)

    October 26th - December 11th

    Students progress through Peniche’s beach breaks, Ericeira’s reef/point setups, and the Algarve’s varied coastline. Focus areas include reading shifting banks/reefs, adapting board choice, and managing wind/swell angles—plus cultural days exploring Portuguese food, history, and coastal villages.

    December 7th - December 11th

    Finals Week

    December 12th

    Students and faculty depart Lisbon, Portugal (LIS)

    December 13th - January 16th

    Winter Break

Semester 2

  • Quarter 3: January 17th - March 6th

    January 17th

    Students and faculty arrive in Lombok, Indonesia (LOP)

    January 18th

    Student Orientation and Start of Spring Semester

    January 18th - March 6th

    The south coast around Kuta offers boat-access reefs and drive-to points that turn Indian Ocean energy into long, playful walls. Students rotate between spots like Areguling, Tanjung Aan, Gerupuk, and (for advanced groups) Ekas, dialing positioning, trim speed, and rail work in warm water with compact transfers and deep cultural texture.

    March 7th

    Students and faculty depart Lombok, Indonesia (LOP)

    March 7th - 27th

    Spring Break

  • Quarter 4: March 28th - May 8th

    March 28th

    Students and faculty arrive in Talara, Peru (TYL)

    March 29th - May 7th

    Northern Peru’s desert coast is famed for long, tapering lefts. Lobitos (La Punta/La Bomba/El Hueco) provides sections for different levels and conditions; Punta Blanca is ideal for linking turns and refining line choice. Students cap the year by consolidating technique on endless lefts, while experiencing small fishing towns, coastal landscapes, and Peru’s culinary traditions.

    May 3rd - May 7th

    Finals Week

    May 7th

    Parent Appreciation Dinner

    May 8th

    Graduation Ceremony in Punta Blanca, Peru

    May 9th

    Students, parents, and faculty depart from Lima, Peru (LIM)

Surf Faculty

Coaching & Equipment

Surfing at World Class

World Class Surf Academy is committed to developing the world’s top junior surfers and investing in each student as an individual. Students at World Class enter our program with a range of experience and skill. All students will be pushed and supported to reach their personal goals. At the Surf Academy, being an athlete means training hard, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, showing up for teammates, and continuously refocusing on individual and team goals. Our coaches and teachers do not just support our students from the sidelines; they share in the journey and experience as well.

While surfing is an individual sport, at World Class Academy we are first and foremost a team. Students push each other physically and mentally, building an atmosphere of safety, cooperation, and excellence that defines life at WCA.

Safety is a fundamental part of everything we do at World Class. Staff and students work together to uphold our safety and risk management procedures, maintaining an environment where training, learning, and growth can all happen with confidence.

Training

At World Class Academy, student-athletes surf every day and participate in cross-training workouts. Dry-land workouts happen each school day. These workouts focus on core training, cardiovascular workouts, and stretching. They last between 30 and 60 minutes and go toward fulfilling P.E. requirements.

As a school that’s focused on athletics, we strive to create well-rounded athletes, both in and out of the water. We aspire to create surfers who are skilled in all disciplines of the sport. We understand that students’ individual athletic goals vary. The World Class Academy athletic program helps students meet their athletic aspirations — some of our athletes work to compete at a professional level, while others choose to challenge themselves to progress without adding the pressure of competition.

Equipment

Students arrive at World Class Academy with everything they need for school, daily life, and surfing. A commitment to staying organized and taking care of gear and equipment is essential. Students learn to stay organized so that we can work as an efficient team.

WCA Surf will travel with our school’s academic supplies, such as textbooks, whiteboards, printers, etc. Students will need to bring their own school supplies. In most locations, the school will have rental cars to travel to surf spots, run errands, and be flexible.

WCA does not provide any individual surf equipment. Each student will be expected to arrive with their own surfing gear, including boards, wax, wetsuits, booties, mobile repair kit, protective equipment, and anything else required. Renting boards or gear is not recommended, as 6–7 weeks of rentals can be costly. Students who are accepted to the school will be sent a detailed packing list before the start of each semester.