Skip to main content

Activity Type

Sea & Surf Kayaking

Location

San Francisco, CA

Duration

3 Days

Experience Necessary

All levels welcome

Overview

Whether you’re new to catching waves or looking to refine your skills, this event is for paddlers of both short and long boats. Bring your surf kayaks, sea kayaks, whitewater kayaks, or waveskis—everyone’s welcome to come play in the surf.

📍 Location: Dillon Beach, CA
📆 Dates: Friday–Sunday, September 12–14, 2025
🏕️ Camping Basecamp: Lawson’s Landing (book early!)

🆕 NEW THIS YEAR

Interested in becoming a certified surf kayak instructor?
An ACA Surf Kayak Instructor Training (L2–L4) will be held the same weekend!
Email laurazulliger@gmail.com to learn more.

🏕️ Camping at Lawson’s Landing

Lawson’s Landing will be our event campground all weekend. Most of the action happens Saturday and Sunday, but we encourage folks to come Friday and stay through Sunday night if you’d like!

🛶 Instructions to Reserve a Site:

  1. Visit www.lawsonslanding.com
  2. Campsites are first-come-first-served and reservations open 4 months in advance
  3. We recommend booking ASAP to ensure you get a spot near the crew

You’ll find both tent camping and RV options. Please note: the campground is rustic—pack your own water and be prepared for sand, fog, and good times.

🗓️ Weekend Overview

Tentative Schedule

Friday, Sept 12

  • Free Surfing all day!
  • Optional arrival & campsite setup
  • Evening hangout by the fire

Saturday, Sept 13

  • Surf Clinics (9:00 AM–1:00 PM)
  • Free Surf all day
  • Evening Potluck BBQ & Bonfire – 6:30 PM

Sunday, Sept 14

  • Surf Clinics (9:00 AM–1:00 PM)
  • Free Surf continues
  • Farewell beach chill

Surf Clinics & Coaching

🕘 All clinics run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (4 hours)
💵 $99 per clinic
Space is limited — book early!

Saturday Clinics – September 13

Intro to Sea Kayak Surfing
For sea kayakers with surf zone experience, solid bracing skills, and at least a developing roll.

  • Land-based safety review + technique coaching
  • Focused feedback on wave control, trimming, and clean exits
  • Bring your own sea kayak, PFD, helmet, and full personal kit
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM​ | $99

Intro to Kayak Surfing (Short Boat)
New to short boat surfing? This clinic covers surf zone fundamentals, safety, and etiquette.

  • Great for paddlers transitioning into surf
  • Dagger Kaos sit-on-top surf kayaks and Kalua Softy sit on top waveski  (limited supply—reserve during registration)
  • Bring your own wetsuit/drysuit, PFD, helmet, and paddle
  • Surf kayaks and whitewater kayaks welcome
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM​ | $99

Intro to Waveski
Curious about waveski? We’ll go into fundamentals, safety, and etiquette.

  • Great for new waveski paddlers looking to level up
  • A Kalua Softy sit on top waveski is available for use
  • Bring your own wetsuit/drysuit, PFD, helmet, and paddle
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM​ | $99

Sunday Clinics – September 14

Performance Kayak Surfing (Short Boat)
For experienced paddlers with a reliable combat roll in the surf.

  • Techniques: take-offs, bottom turns, cutbacks, re-entries
  • Bring your own surf kayak, PFD, helmet, and gear
  • Surf kayaks and whitewater kayaks welcome
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | $99

Performance Sea Kayak (Long Boat) Surfing
Advance your surf zone sea kayaking skills.

  • Topics: reading waves, paddle-outs, trimming, carving, directional changes, end moves
  • Bring your own sea kayak, PFD, helmet, and full personal kit
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | $99

Additional Details

🔥 Saturday Night Potluck BBQ & Bonfire

Let’s eat, connect, and warm up by the fire together!

📍 Location: Site 108 along the Dune Meadow area at Lawson’s Landing
🕗 Time: Saturday evening at 6:30 PM 

Potluck Info:

  • Bring a dish that can feed 8–10 people
  • RSVP by Sept 8 to laurazulliger@gmail.com or sign up online (insert link)

We’re looking for:

  • Mains (please come ready to grill/cook)
  • Side dishes & salads
  • Desserts & snacks
  • Beverages
  • Firewood (always appreciated!)

BYOB – alcohol is permitted at the campground.

🌅 About Dillon Beach

Located at the southern end of Bodega Bay in northern Marin County, Dillon Beach is a legendary break for wave paddling. With clean, consistent surf and plenty of space, it’s the perfect venue for building skills and having a blast. Alternate locations like Bolinas or Salmon Creek may be used if conditions shift—but camping stays at Lawson’s Landing.

🙋 Questions or Want to Help?

Contact Laura at laurazulliger@gmail.com