Shawn Private Swim and Surf School

From Santa Monica's surf break to the clear waters of Catalina Island, Shawn Private Swim and Surf School turns beginners into confident ocean swimmers, surfers, and certified scuba divers — it is the starting point for your new favorite hobby.

Operating out of Los Angeles for more than 15 years, Shawn Private Swim and Surf School delivers private and small-group instruction in swimming, surfing, and scuba diving. Instructors travel directly to clients' pools for swim and aqua-jogging sessions, surf lessons are held at Santa Monica Beach, and the scuba program's open-water dives take place at Catalina Island — meaning students get real ocean experience rather than staying in a pool. The scuba curriculum leads to a graded CMAS certification (One Star through Four Star) through four two-hour classes: two pool sessions that build equipment familiarity and foundational skills, followed by two open-water ocean dives at Catalina Island. Class sizes are capped at 10 students (minimum 5), and the $1,200 course fee covers all four lessons; transportation to Catalina and the CMAS certificate and ID card fee are additional. Prerequisites include basic ocean swimming ability, being at least 12 years old, and meeting standard health requirements. Beyond scuba, the school teaches competitive swimming strokes, open-water and ocean swimming for triathletes and Junior Lifeguard candidates, and surf skills from beginner through advanced at Santa Monica Beach — GoPro photos and video are included at no charge with every surf session. Instructors are certified in CPR and AED with the American Red Cross and carry full professional insurance.

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