Let’s Go Surfing Now!

Surf’s Up at the M&M Surfing School

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to the following copyrighted material. For permission to reprint or excerpt it and/or link it to another website, contact them at 

 surfwriter.girls@gmail.com

Summer’s almost here! So, it’s time to get ready to head to the beach to catch some waves. Whether you’re just starting out or want to channel some winning moves from 11-time ASP World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater, the M&M Surfing School in Seal Beach is the place to go

A long-time sponsor of the non-profit Surfrider Foundation’s Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter, the M&M Surfing School focuses on making it safe and fun to learn how to surf. 

Founded by Michael Pless Sr. in 1995, the school teaches children and adults the fundamentals of surfing with private and group lessons geared to each student’s ability. 
 

Pless Sr., who has been surfing since 1962, truly loves the sport and is dedicated to showing others how they can enjoy it, as well. “I love seeing people become successful in the surfing world,” Pless Sr said. “When they catch a wave I feel like I’m catching one, too.”

Rafael Corrazza was excited to finally get the chance to surf. The Brazilian native, who is here in Orange County studying English, took his first surfing lesson on April 14. “My whole life I’ve wanted to surf,” he told SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel “I think this is the beginning of something great. We have good beaches in Brazil and when I go back I am going to practice.” 

All the instructors at the M&M Surfing School emphasize safety first and developing a comfort level in the ocean. Instructors are certified in CPR, first aid, and water safety.

Plus, one of the advantages of M&M’s location in Seal Beach is that the beach has “multiple breaks” so there are waves for every skills level.

Along with surfing lessons, Pless Sr, who runs the school with his son Michael Jr....

and wife Jill, offers surf camps that focus on marine life and the ocean environment.

Jill, who is a marine biologist, teaches the students about oceanography, tides and waves, water pollution and more with a full mobile lab at the beach to test samples. 
 

M&M Surfing School also has a program for Wounded Warriors that teaches wounded veterans and others with special needs how to surf, paddleboard and row as part of their rehabilitation process. In partnership with Angela Madsen of Row for Life and local businesses, M&M is eager to demonstrate how surfing can be an enriching experience that helps people to heal physically and emotionally.

Pless Sr. has gained a reputation with Seal Beach locals as the “Surfing Santa” because in the weeks before Christmas he dons a red wetsuit, white beard and Santa hat and surfs the coast by the pier…all in an effort to bring joy to kids and adults alike.

Given his outgoing personality and everyday presence on the beach, it’s no surprise that Pless Sr is well known. And the M&M Surfing School often turns out in support of community events, such as the annual Ohana “Family” Day in Seal Beach hosted by the non-profit Surfrider Foundation each April to create awareness for beach environmental issues.  

Surfrider Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter Chairperson Tony Soriano said that M&M Surfing School is unique. “They’re the most educational surfing school in Southern California. They work with the kids to build their knowledge of the ocean .They don’t just put them on a board.”

 

To find out more about the M&M Surfing School (16691 Algonquin Street, Ste. 101, Huntington Beach, 92649) phone 714-U-Go-Surf.  Or visit the school’s website: www.surfingschool.com 

Wetsuits and boards are provided at no extra charge, making it easy to just book your lesson and show up. So, as the Beach Boys said in their debut album Surfin’ Safari, “Let’s go surfin’ now, everybody’s learning how.” 

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