Santa Monica Pier might have that iconic L.A. vibe, but for surfing, it’s often more of a hassle than it’s worth. The waves are inconsistent, mostly soft and closing out, and the quality is rarely ...

With a push from Aqua Surf School instructor Genevieve Grossmueller, camper Sienna Cohee rides a wave in Santa Monica. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The wave is all anger and elegance. Shaped ...

What makes a surf school the best in California? Is it the waves? The boards? The beach vibes? Maybe it’s all of that. But if you ask the students, the parents, and the surfers who keep coming back, ...