There are many roads to success when learning to surf, and Terry Simms, the lead coach and founder, has developed several different methods to introduce first-time surfers to the water and work with lifelong surfers who want to improve their techniques or push themselves to another level.

The TSS method is a unique, personalized approach based on over forty-five years of water experience. Every student is treated as an individual with different needs and desires. Our goal is to customize the teaching method to best meet the student’s needs. We don’t teach large groups; we teach individuals with the goal of turning them into surfers.

“My method of understanding each student is reflecting, recalling and remembering every single thing I ever did wrong when learning to surf. I can still remember what scared me when I was six and twenty-six when confronted with an unruly ocean. I can recall how immense it all was and will always be. With a blend of my personal memories and the wisdom of centuries of water time, I treat each student individually. In laymens terms; I keep you in your comfort zone throughout the whole experience unless the student desires to leave their personal comfort zone.

Pioneers, such as Paskowitz and the ultimate Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku gave me a passion and helped me develop a deep knowledge of this sport. This knowledge and passion is what I have to offer to my students.” – Terry Simms

The most important lesson for a new surfer is often spent standing on the beach, watching and assessing. Terry Simms starts every new student with a three-hour lesson, of which the first 1.5 hours are spent on the sand.

At TSS, safety is always the primary focus of the first lesson. Terry Simms ensures that every student is well-versed in safety protocols before moving on to the basic techniques and skills of wave riding. This is followed by a one-to-one tutorial, where the land demo is transitioned into water-based training under careful supervision. TSS takes pride in its exceptional track record of first-day surfers standing and riding to the sand. Each first lesson is concluded with detailed feedback and recommendations for the next session.

The three goals of the first lesson are:

A high-quality introduction to surfing.

Having a fun and memorable time.

Turning that first lesson into the foundation of a long surf career.

An aquatic education is one of the most powerful gifts a parent can give a child. Our ideal situation for youngsters begins in a warm pool where we work on various ocean swimming techniques. This unique skill set is different from pool swimming. The TSS ocean and board skills class teaches students board control, standing, paddling, rolling, duck diving, breath holding, board control, ocean swimming, and many other skills necessary for your child to be happy, safe, and stoked at the beach or around any other body of water. Once the young ones make it through this class in a safe and fun pool environment, we move them to the beach and start the next teaching stage.

With a foundation in basic board skills, your child will gain the confidence to enter the ocean on a board and paddle. They will learn to acclimate to the rhythm of the ocean and understand breaking waves. Our ocean class will guide children to stand and ride on a surfboard, gradually building their comfort and confidence. We understand that each child is unique and learns differently. That’s why we tailor our surf and swim experience to suit the needs and personality of your child.

Our teaching method is without question the single biggest head start that you can give your child or even a friend or family member who has fears or struggles in the water. Once they get comfortable in the water and in the ocean, their confidence, strength, and self-confidence will always be with them and can impact the rest of their life challenges in a very positive way. Nature is our best teacher.

A family that surfs together, stays together. TSS has been bringing families together on the water for over three decades. This is one of our greatest strengths and brings us the most joy. We have watched many families grow from two adults surfing together to a team of six or seven in the water. We have had cousins, aunts and uncles all join in on family surf trips. The bonding experience that surfing can bring to a family is truly extraordinary.

“Over the past decade I have seen a huge increase in students who are starting to surf later in life. My oldest student started at age 68 and he is still at it. Surfing is a life long pursuit and believe me you are really never too old to enter the water on a surfboard. I have helped many new surfers in their late forties, early fifties and sixties begin from ground zero. I have helped reacquaint surfers who have had a big hiatus from the water and want to get back in it. I highly encourage parents who have kids that are learning to surf to join in with them. Surfing is one of the best family sports out there.

I will seek out the best and least crowded conditions to help maximize learning and comfort. I can also help choose the right equipment that will lead to success. ”

– Terry Simms

Rates for head coach Terry Simms begin at $1200 per day for coaching on multiple-day trips. Coaching in Ventura/LA county starts at $800.00 per day. Email us for more details, and we can create an estimate for a trip based on days on-site and location. All international trips require a 7-day minimum.

Let us create a customized coaching plan to reshape your life and surfing.