Adventure Out Guide & Instructor Bios

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PACIFICA SURF TEAM | SANTA CRUZ SURF TEAM | CLIMBING GUIDE TEAM | SURVIVAL TEAM | MTN BIKE TEAM

Surf Instructors – Pacifica

Alan

As a sharer of stoke, student of life, and waterman at heart, my journey with Adventure Out since 2008 has been thrilling. Helping clients find harmony in an ocean of apparent chaos fulfills my heart every single time! Additionally, it’s a privilege to utilize my EMS background to train and prepare individuals for unforeseen life-threatening emergencies…Yew!

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Alice

Hi guys! I’m Alice, born in Santa Cruz California and raised traveling up and down the west coast with the Bay Area as a home base. I come from a family of ocean enthusiasts and marine life conservationists, and have loved being in the water since before I could walk. I am grateful to be a part of this awesome team here at Adventure Out, where I am able to share my passion and experience to help create a safer environment for kids and adults alike to learn about the ocean and grow in their surfing journey.

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David

Hi, I’m David Chung, a surf instructor at Adventure Out with over 30 years of surfing experience and 7 amazing years working with this team. Surfing has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I’m stoked every day to help others discover the joy, freedom, and challenge that come with riding waves. I bring a detail-oriented approach to teaching, combining deep ocean knowledge with a fun, supportive vibe to help surfers of all levels build confidence and skill. Whether you’re stepping on a board for the first time or looking to refine your technique, I’m here to guide you into the surfing world with energy, patience, and plenty of stoke.

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Gary

My name is Gary. My surf journey began on rubber rafts in small waves with my lifeguard father, progressed through boogie boarding to surfing, learning on my own as I grew. Magical! I surfed throughout college, became distracted by a career until life’s strange course led me to back to the surf with a different perspective. I developed a network of coaches, mentors and resources to accelerate my skills. It has been my pleasure to share my love of surfing at Adventure Out since 2021. I come from a background in corporate training, which really shaped how I coach—breaking things down clearly, offering steady support, and helping people grow their skills with confidence. These days, I bring that same approach to teaching surfing, or coaching hockey goalies when I’m not on the beach or in the water. In surfing, each wave offers a fresh chance to learn, adjust, and enjoy the process—just like any skill we take time to develop. I’ve had the chance to work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, and it’s always rewarding to see them grow into their abilities and find joy along the way. The ocean can be a powerful and humbling teacher, as well as a source of power, wellness and growth. I approach the ocean in a mood of wonder and respect (even after 40 years). I view surfing as a journey to be enjoyed at all stages, not a destination. I encourage that same spirit in my coaching. Whether you just want to experience riding a wave, you are looking for a rewarding hobby long term, or you are serious about improving performance, I am here to help you with a safe and fun start.

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Jeff

Greetings from SurferJeff here! I’m from Hong Kong. How did I start surfing? One day I saw someone walking on water in Santa Cruz I was completely mesmerized. That was 25 years ago. What made me stay surfing? A baby seal laid it’s chin on my longboard at Steamer Lane on a Saturday morning. I painted that image from memory 17 years later. Surfing has brought me peace, joy and tranquility and I recommend it to everyone. I’m here to help you discover the feasibility and reward of surfing. I use a light-hearted, easy to remember-funny-jargon-based approach so you don’t have to think too much when waves are coming. Surfing is a lifetime of learning, so take your time to let your body and mind accustom to the way of the ocean. I encourage and help students to paddle into their own waves, which is the best feeling in the world! See you in the water soon!

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Jewel

Hi! My name is Jewel, and I’m a certified surf instructor and lifeguard who teaches in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. I started surfing at 12 years old after spending every free moment at the beach, watching surfers and dreaming of riding waves myself. My first attempts were humbling (I even put my fins on backwards!), but I stuck with it, took lessons, and slowly built the skills and confidence to fall in love with the sport for real. Now, I love helping others—especially beginners—experience that same journey. Whether it’s your first wave or your fiftieth, I always bring patience, positivity, and safety to every lesson. I believe surfing is all about joy, connection, and learning to trust yourself in the water. My goal is to make sure every student leaves feeling proud, excited, and wanting more! Thanks for sharing the waves with me!

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Sandro

How’s it?! My name’s Sandro, and I teach surfing because I believe the ocean teaches you everything you need to know about presence, patience, and learning to let go. I grew up on the East Coast, and am a high school English teacher and coach. I eventually followed the pull of the Pacific to California, where I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the AdventureOut team for the summer. When I’m not around the water, I’m pursuing a Masters of Education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I was a collegiate swimmer in undergrad and have competed in crossfit competitions and endurance swims since, but surfing remains my favorite sport by far. It’s about rhythm, awareness, and being in the moment. That’s what I love helping students tap into; whether it’s their first time on a board or they’re ready to push into bigger, cleaner lines I love watching people fall in love with surfing in real time. I firmly believe that the best surfer in the lineup is the one who is having the most fun. Before coming out to AdventureOut, I led student trips in the Vermont mountains focused on leadership, tech detox, and self-reflection. I bring that same spirit to my sessions: grounded coaching, a calm and stoked presence, and a focus on the little details that build long-term confidence in the water. I see surfing as a lifelong path.. One that can be fun, humbling, transformative, and addicting, all at once. So, if I can help someone feel just 1% more confident, more at home in their body and in the ocean, that’s a good day… By the way, my favorite break in the world is Tallows in Byron Bay, Australia!

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Stephen

Hi everybody! Stephen here, Originally from Ireland, I grew up surfing on the west coast of my beautiful, green, freezing cold island. Since my first time surfing it has written my life and led me to beautiful locations and to meet even more wonderful people. I am grateful to have taught in Hawaii, Japan, Taiwan and in my home country of Ireland. Ive landed most recently in California, and I’m new to Adventure Out, but I bring with me all the miles behind my tires. Im here to keep living my passion, helping others enjoy the most fun thing there possibly is to do, connect with nature, and to discover the secrets that keep surfers absolutely hooked. My main goal is to show you there’s something special about surfing, and I hope you find out what that is for you. See you out there!

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Travis

Travis is a hard-working enthusiastic individual who loves to play in the waves and share his passion for the ocean. Travis is a former lifeguard and has surfed the entire California coast multiple times. He has also surfed a lot in Hawaii on the North Shore. He Loves the outdoors and loves teaching others to play and be safe in the ocean.

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Surf Instructors – Santa Cruz

Aaron

From an early age, Aaron was drawn to the ocean, spending time as a junior lifeguard and fishing with family and friends. His love for the ocean led him to study biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), where he graduated in 2015. Since then, he has taught surf lessons with Adventure Out. As a freelance filmmaker, he has worked on documentaries at iconic surf spots like Mavericks. Teaching is a true passion for Aaron. Beyond surf instruction, he has taught high school biology and worked as a kayaking guide and naturalist—roles that allow him to share his connection to the ocean and the outdoors. As a surf instructor, he enjoys helping students build confidence and reach their goals in the water.

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Antonio

Bio coming soon coming soon….

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Chase

Bio coming soon coming soon….

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Cliff

Bio coming soon coming soon….

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Emilio

With over 30 years surfing experience, including travels to all corners of the globe searching for waves, I feel that surfing is a way of life, a journey, a spiritual pursuit. Surfing has given me so much in my life that I want to give back and share the magic of wave riding with others. I remember the first time I stood up and I become that stoked little kid every time I see someone succeed in having an awesome time riding waves and playing in the ocean.

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Ezra

Aloha my name is Ezra. I’m from Santa Cruz, California. Surfing is one of the things that makes me happy… riding waves. And if you know me, you would agree. From laughing and joking around in the line up, to dropping in on unmakeable waves, cracking up after getting pounded or chasing my board on the sand… it’s all done with the biggest smile. Mahalo!

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Jonah

Bio coming soon coming soon….

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Kareena

Bio coming soon coming soon….

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Riley

Bio coming soon coming soon….

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