Capitola Beach Company

Surf shop · Prospect Heights

Capitola Beach Company

Surf shop · Prospect Heights

1

131 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA 95010

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Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
Capitola Beach Company by null
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Highlights

Surf lessons and rentals with friendly, helpful instructors.  

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131 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 Get directions

capitolabeachcompany.com
@capitolabeach

$$

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131 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 Get directions

+1 831 462 5222
capitolabeachcompany.com
@capitolabeach
𝕏
@capitolabeachco

$$

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Aug 23, 2025

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9 Best Beach Towns in California, According to a Local

"A beachfront outfitter renting boogie boards, stand-up paddleboards, and other self-powered watercraft while also offering surf lessons for visitors of all skill levels." - Leilani Marie Labong Leilani Marie Labong Leilani Marie Labong is a San Francisco-based journalist who focuses on food, design, and travel. Her work has been featured in Elle Decor, Travel + Leisure, House Beautiful, Sunset, Food52, Food & Wine, The Kitchn, and Architectural Digest. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-california-beach-towns-8668594
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Michelle Shao

Google
I brought my parents here for a beginner surfing lesson on my mum’s birthday and we had the most amazing time! The beach was perfect for beginners and instructor Matt and Lily were very professional, they made us feel super safe out in the sea. Be careful, surfing is very addictive!! Will definitely come back again! 10/10 recommended!! 🏄🏻‍♀️🤙🏼

Niki Last

Google
Great place. Very friendly. We had a company of 7 people there were all sizes of suits we had a great time. Thanks

Anna Shamo

Google
The owner and his staff have great customer service! We will be back next year for surf lessons!

Summer McCune

Google
the family owning the shop was making me feel so uncomfortable from the moment i walked in. I was followed around the entire time, even when i was just standing in front of the dressing room waiting for my boyfriend to finish. Will not be coming back, and do not recommend to anyone who may look different then the usual blonde hair and blue eyed white person.

Emma Tam

Google
Customer service was good, and so were the body boards that we rented out. The boards were sturdy and give a great boost when you get the wave at the right time. The wet suits overall fit decently, but the suits smelled questionable and were still wet enough so that it was a hassle to get on. Sand also got into the wet suits somehow, but overall, this place is good.

Albert Bartels

Google
We rented surfboards and wetsuits here. Owner helped us and is really friendly and enthousiastic. Good service and quality gear. Gave us helpfull advice about the spot and waves. I would definitely go here again when I visit this nice beach village again :-)

Joanna Call

Google
We have shopped here many times over the years when visiting multiple times a year. Last year while shopping here with my DIL we were followed around and watched, as if we were going to steal. The employees appear to be stationed in various parts of the store “to watch”; can’t even talk to each other. As a boutique owner myself, I would never allow an employee to treat a customer this way. Decided to give it another try. Today, while shopping for a pair of shoes for a Christmas gift I was “discouraged” by an employee because their return policy is 10 days. All I wanted to is have the option to exchange if wrong y. I also start shopping now and almost always at small boutique stores. Never have I had this happen. Last time I walk in this store. I will be sure to share my experiences with family and friends who often visit and stay with us on our many trips to Capitola. Thankfully, I found the e at another store in Capitola

Willie Hsieh

Google
I rent two boards and two suits here on weekend, overall experience is great. Since this is the only store and demands are high, I'm not expecting anything cheap. Their site beside the beach near the restroom is super convenient! It's nice of them to tell us that the waves were not very good that day, and let us decide if we still want to play. And It's also good that If you're renting for more than a hour they'll count toward minutes not additional entire hour.

Kara M.

Yelp
This place is amazing!!! I LOVE the selection of clothing, also because I love Roxy, but everything in the store has been thoughtfully, hand picked. I believe it was the owners that helped me and they were both amazing! I came in for a travel bag and left with the most amazing bag ever! (aloha bag --go get one)! Highly highly recommend supporting this business and checking out what they have to offer. Thank you again for the amazing service . I can't wait to go back for more!

K R.

Yelp
My daughter enjoyed an amazing private surf lesson with Matt. What an incredibly positive experience! He built up her confidence and taught her how to surf. The next day she was out there enjoying the waves and smiling. I completely recommend Capitola Beach Company and Matt. If you're thinking about learning to surf this is the place to have a lesson. And of course to grab a super cute hoodie

Tom T.

Yelp
Capitola Beach Co. has the coolest selection for men, women, and children's clothes! They have towels, flip flops, sunglasses, bags, and other accessories you need! They also have a trailer at the beach where you can rent paddle boards, boogie boards & shovel/buckets for the kids. The owners Matt & Jill are the nicest people you'll ever meet and make you feel so welcome! It's a must to stop-in and shop when in Capitola. Our favorite Capitola village shop!! :)
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Shy R.

Yelp
Best surfing school in town. My two sons and me started surfing, taking lessons with CBC, and we are all surfing regularly now and having lots of fun.
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Ackerman Towson D.

Yelp
Just the best surf and beach clothing shop. Matt, Jill and the staff are super helpful and friendly. Started learning to surf with Matt five years ago. Visit the shop every time in town. Great lessons and encouragement for a newbie. Got my favorite hoodie there and an annual new gear. "If you can't be a local, be a regular"
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Lily S.

Yelp
SHOPPING REVIEW: We're strolling around Capitola and walk into this shop to just browse. We weren't expecting the nice selection of clothing. Their clothes are a bit on the dressier side for beachwear. Hubby wanted some cargo shorts, but all of their shorts were kinda dressy. He did find a nice shirt though. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and the dressing rooms are open. It was a nice find.
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Natalie J.

Yelp
This happened awhile back, last summer on September 6th 2021, but I keep thinking about it. My friend and I went to go take surfing lessons with this company. I had been previously with this company but with a different instructor and it was such a fun experience, however, this time I went and had a different instructor it was honestly traumatizing. The instructor my friend and I was Cooper and he was in charge of teaching four people. He mentioned that it was a lot of people in a beginning and showed a bit of u certainty but I didn't think anything of it. However, later while we were surfing he instructed us to go farther out since there was a lot of people that weekend. We took turns going and when it came to my turn he guided me what to do but after I actually went my board hit me in the face and my nose was bleeding non stop while I was completely out in the ocean. I was trying to flag down help from Cooper but he motioned that he needed to take care of the others in the lesson instead of coming to help me. It was honestly extremely scary and unsafe. Safety should be their number one priority and as the instructor, if I had a nose bleed and feel dizzy because the board hit me in the face and I'm asking for help, I should be able to get assistance despite the other people in the lesson. In addition to that my friend I went with broke her toe in the process of surfing so me and her went to the shore because we were done with surfing after these experiences. We were struggling to get to shore and we were so scared that some other experienced surfer had to help us get back and Cooper just stayed with the other two not even thinking of it as much even though my friend broke her toe!! We had to go to the emergency room after this. After their lesson was done, he saw us on the beach (where the lifeguard and the lifeguard's supervisor was helping my friend out) when he was walking back and did not say anything to us or acknowledge us. The company wasn't much help either and suggested us to just see the lifeguard with no help. We headed to the emergency room after this. I personally don't usually write these reviews, but this experience did feel unsafe and makes me uneasy thinking about this. The workers should be trained to handle occurrences like this and should know how to approach the situation especially if they are in charge of so many kids. I was going to write this review before but realized that there was a contract we signed so I wouldn't be able to get a refund but this really isn't okay and I wanted to share my experience. Sorry for the negativity but I really hope that it leads to reevaluation of the situation and future situations.
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Jenny O.

Yelp
My fiance and I signed up for an 1.5 SUP with an instructor and I cannot recommend it enough! Check in was a breeze - you sign the waiver and then your instructor takes you out to the water. It was a particularly overcast and windy day so we started out in the river by the ocean. I highly recommend doing this because the river is beautiful, and you get to pass by interesting houses and sights! Plus, you can get some great photos against beautiful background. Shoutout to Neil, who was a fantastic instructor. He kept his eye out on both of us and offered precise and helpful instructions to navigate the waters. I only did SUP once before so his guidance was much appreciated. After about half an hour, Neil offered to take us out into the ocean. I was skeptical because the wind still looked pretty fierce, but Neil taught us how to observe the ocean, how to get out and come back in. I am so glad I did it! There was about a 5-minute stretch where I was stuck and couldn't control my board, but Neil came to the rescue and helped me in getting loose from the wind's grip. We even saw a seal chilling on a boat out there! What a wonderful and fun way to spend your weekend morning!
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Maria R.

Yelp
Capitola Beach Company is the place to go for lessons, rentals and all your beach needs. My daughter had her 1st lesson with Matt 10 years ago. My nephew wanted to surf so we knew we had to take him here for his 1st lesson. His instructor was Neal. He loved it. The instructor was amazing, patient and professional.
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Tom Y.

Yelp
This is going to be long-winded, but if you want excellent service and a good price; this is the place for you. So, to start off, I am from Florida, a tiny town near the spaceport called Cocoa Beach. While not a hoary a surg spot as St. Cruz, we do have a bit of surf culture. Being on the east coast, we are, of course, more advanced and sophisticated than westerners. One aspect of our advanced technology is our adoption of a modern development; the stand-up paddleboard. This is a surfboard where the rider remains on his feet, and uses a long paddle to navigate through the waves. Many surfers use the paddleboard on days when the waves are too small for their shortboards. It's said you get 128 extra days on the water when you add a paddleboard to your quiver. Some of us just paddleboard. I am in the latter category. My wife planned a trip to coastal California to visit our boy, and we packed up the siblings for a week on the bay. Richie loaded up the Jeep with boards for the kids, and I planned on renting a paddleboard. Lots of folks rent them back home and I'd assumed with all the surfshops, it would be easy to rent a soft-top at least. Boy, did I think wrong. We walked from shop to shop. The clerks went slack-jawed at the mention of the word "paddleboard." Nobody had any idea of whether such a thing existed, much less if it was available to rent. We were shunted off to a kayak rental in a canal who was horrified at the idea that paddleboard could be taken into the ocean. The swell was due in on Tuesday, and we planned our trip to Pleasure Point. I was the only one of the quartet without a board. We'd done our first explorations in St. Cruz and I busily Yelped on our way to the beach. "Eh," I said. This Capitola Beach Company might be worth checking out. They dropped me off and went around the one-way streets while I ran in to gather intelligence. As I ran in the shop, I was met by a manager. "Could you wait outside, please?" Rather than being offended, I was pleased to see folks taking COVID-19 seriously. We talked, and I asked, "do you know anybody who rents paddleboards?" The answer surprised me. "Of course," he responded, "we rent them in the trailer over by the bandshell." Anticipating my next question, he said, "you'll probably want to head north where the waves are better. You can park in the loading zone across the street while you get your gear." The kids in the trailer were magnificent. The smallest board was half the size of the Exxon Valdez, but the kids said they don't get many calls for a small SUP. John and Gabbie went back to the store for leashes, and they were kept outside while the Manager quizzed them on board size and surfing style. He promptly brought out two perfect leashes, at half the price of the same product at our RonJons. By the time they finailzed the purchase we had the Valdez loaded on were ready to hit the ocean. Elapsed time, 24 minutes. Are there scores higher than 5? Personalized service, great prices, outdoor facilities, and COVID precautions! What could be better. This place rocks. I have since come to find out that Paddleboarders are not welcome in Calie. Idiots. Well, you know what? We are the future. Am I the one who ripped the "No-SUPs on the waves" sticker from the sign at . You bet I am. We paddleboarders are surfers too. That's our ocean to. The only difference is that we are smarter and better looking than surfers. Bravo to this place for treating me as human.--
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Michelle L.

Yelp
Incredible first-time surfing experience! I came because my friend Sarah recommended this place and I'm so glad that I did! Great instructor Andrey who could read waves from a mile away and find one's that were JUST perfect for me to ride into shore. I honestly didn't expect to stand on my first lesson, but we kept getting these amazing waves one after another and I started to feel the timing after a while and could feel when to pop-up. Such a great lesson and definitely the highlight of my vacation. Thank you Andrey for the best first-time surfing experience anyone could ask for!

Lin O.

Yelp
Beware when you purchase anything from this store, you need to be sure what you buy or else you won't get a refund but only give you a store credit or an exchange which is inconvenient for tourist like me. I bought something and changed mind less than hour later, but the store only offered a store credit/exchange. When I was there, felt like I have to buy something since I have staff beside me left and right telling me that "that's nice", which I don't find it as a good customer service but felt like being pressured instead. I could have check the return policy before purchase, but totally didn't expect they only give a store credit/exchange. First time I encountered a store with this kind of return policy. Also, purchased 2 items, paid a bag for 25 cents and they made the items fit on a tiny bag. I asked for a bigger bag but the girl said, "it will both fit in here".
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Patricia K.

Yelp
Jill, Matt (the main gentleman at the trailer, I may have gotten his name wrong?), and Miles provided one of the best surf lesson experiences I've had! I've taken 4 lessons and been out surfing with my friends a couple of times. Capitola Beach Company provided the most fun I've had out on the water so far. :) Reserving the lesson was made easy by quick-to-respond and nice Jill. Matt greeted us with enthusiasm at the trailer, and even gave us advice after we were done with our lesson. But the star was definitely our instructor Miles! This is his first summer doing paid lessons, but you can tell he's been teaching friends since he was young. He gave great feedback and was very good about giving all 4 students individual attention while still managing our position and priority in the line-up by not having us hog waves from the other surfers there. He made the beginners in our group feel at ease. You could just tell he grew up in Capitola and has a love for the water, surf, the town and people. We were a mix of beginner surfers and ages, so I was unsure at first. I had a couple of bad experiences with lessons where all the company wanted to do was get me to stand up even though I told them I wanted to learn skills that would get me better on the water on my own and not "Instagrammable moments." Miles immediately listened to me and once he saw my pop-up, coached me into catching my first successful wave on my own that I road all the way down to shore!!! No pushing! The best experience I've had in my short surfing career, hahaha. Miles also gave some good advice on how to read waves and local knowledge. Capitola Beach Company made a great decision in hiring Miles. And Matt and Jill were also great to work with. My cousin just moved in with his fiance to Capitola this year. It was through this company that I finally saw why my cousin has so many good things to say about the town and its people. My friends also rented wetsuits sans lessons and they were in great condition. This is unlike some other rental shops we've seen in Santa Cruz where I had a friend get two different wetsuits, both with holes... Hopefully I'll convince other friends to take lessons and we'll be back soon. Thank you. :)
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DeeDee R.

Yelp
Cooper provided a great surf lesson for my daughter and nephew! It's hard to get teenagers out of bed at 8am... unless it's for a surfing lesson! Smooth transaction included the lesson, surfboard and wetsuit.

Nicole N.

Yelp
We had the best time taking surf lessons with Cooper B. My daughter now has a love for surfing, and we made such great memories. The employees in the shop are also so kind and helpful. Thank you so much!
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Lynn C.

Yelp
My daughter took less son last week and loved it. She likes it so much, she has another lesson planned for today at 3 pm.
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Brittany C.

Yelp
My family has had nothing but wonderful experiences with Capitola Beach Company. Last weekend, I bought my dad a surf lesson. He has attempted to surf and get up many times with no luck. Capitola Beach Company had the right gear and tips to get my dad up a dozen times in one lesson! He had a total blast. Thanks guys!!!
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Melinda S.

Yelp
We were in Capitola and wanted some paddleboard rentals and they had a set up near the beach. These guys were amazing!!! My daughter wasn't super thrilled about going on the ocean, so the guys walked her and her friends' boards down to the river for them. They spent an hour SUP'ing and had a great time. Awesome customer service and great rates. My daughter wants to try surfing next trip and I talked to them about it. They said a one on one would be best if she isn't feeling super confident or a two-one private lesson. He said Capitola is a great place to learn and several of their instructors learned here. She is beyond excited so it looks like we will be back next summer. Great job you guys!! Thank you for your help!!
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Kateryna M.

Yelp
I definitely recommend Capitola Beach Company. I have just taken a private lesson with Matt Daniel and I am absolutely happy. It made my day. Matt very briefly explained all "dos" and "don'ts" and got to practice. He did not overwhelm me with theoretical information but what he provided was very useful. After my first lesson I feel quite confident surfing small waves. Personnel are very nice and friendly people, and it is just a big plus :)
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Ramil P.

Yelp
My 10 year old daughter took her first surf lesson with Matt. He was an amazing surf teacher as my daughter really enjoyed it and cannot wait to go surfing again. She loved it so much that we bought a wetsuit. The 2 hr lesson includes a wetsuit and board.

Gail E.

Yelp
Our Grandchildren were here from Iowa and they wanted to surf! The process was so easy and the beach location so convenient. We had a front row seat and were able to video for all their friends back home. The instructor was amazing how fast he taught them the skill and confidence to ride the waves. They are now hooked on the sport. We could not get them out of the water after the lesson (a small per hour fee to keep the board and wetsuit after the 2 hour lesson). They now have a great reason to come back to California -- see the Grandparents and surf too! We would highly recommend this company.
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Alesia H.

Yelp
Long overdue review! I've loved watching people surf all my life. I've always wanted to experience that amazing feeling that surfers always talk about feeling while being on the water. I just never really got around to learning. Plus, I don't have great balance. I saw their stand on Capitola beach following a race in Capitola. The beach looked like an awesome place to learn and the group lesson I saw looked like so much fun. I decided to book a private lesson on a weekday hoping there'd be less people to see me fall. Matt was my instructor. He was really great. He prepped me with what to do and what to expect. He asked about any and all experience I might have to help with the lesson, like the fact that I played water polo way back in the day. When I had trouble with the pop up practices he gave me tips for another way to get up instead. Once we got into the water, he was very patient. He pointed out the little adjustments to make to help - from how to paddle and sit on the board properly, to where to position my body when laying or standing on the board, to how to distribute my weight better as I tried to stand. Tried being the operative word. I never expected to actually ride a wave on the first lesson. I got up many times but fell over just as many. But that was all part of the fun and wonder of the experience of learning to surf. I loved it and knew already I was hooked! When our lesson had ended, Matt said we were going to try for one last wave and that would be the one I'd ride. Guess what? He was right!!! I rode that last wave all the way to the beach! I felt so elated! It was incredible! I fell in love with surfing in a whole other way in that moment! Thanks to Matt for getting me up and surfing, just like he said he would! It was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend this place to others. (Just don't tell too many people so this place doesn't get super crowded! Haha)

Victoria S.

Yelp
Really good people with great customer service! Recently started renting boards from them sometimes, and always great response from workers. Really recommend them!
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Nam N.

Yelp
We decided to rent some boards the other day to take advantage of the beautiful weather and decent waves. I've never used a soft top long board before but the bf assured me that it would be quite easy to maneuver. We picked up two long boards and a full wetsuit for myself. (He, luckily, had his wetsuit in the trunk of our car and I was SURE NOT going into Northern California water without one) Their prices are below: Surfboards: $9/hour OR $25/day Body Boards: $5/hour OR $12/day Wetsuits: $6/hour OR $15/day Beach Chairs: $2/hour OR $6/day Beach Umbrellas: $2/hour OR $6/day Private Surf Lessons (1.5 hours): $80/person Group Lessons (1.5 hours): $65/person NOTE: Rental costs must be paid in cash and deposits can be on a credit card or in cash of the value amount of the equipment rented. The staff is super chill and will give you great advice on where to catch waves depending on your skill level. Two hours later, I emerged out of the ocean invigorated by the water and even saw a seal swim right by us. If you've got the time and don't have a board, I suggest renting one from Capitola Beach Company and giving it a try. TOTES fun!
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Carrie A.

Yelp
Went out paddle boarding for the first time, and I had a blast! Most of the group I was with have all paddled before, so I didn't need an instructor to give me lessons. The staff member was helpful and brought out my board to the water, and have me a quick overview on what to do. With a high temperature of 82, we were there in the morning when the fog was still in. Let's face it, I'm always cold, and no I'm longer allowed to be in the sun, so I'm getting a wetsuit! The suit was totally worth it, and it was an hourly charge of $6. The entire time I was on the board, I kept thinking about how my face, hands and feet were going to stay warm. We headed out past the pier, where we got to watch a ton of brown pelicans diving for fish. I think the whole idea of paddle boarding is to paddle, but I kept finding myself staring at random things, and really enjoying the view. On the return in I was given instructions on what to do (getting back to shore is harder?!?) and wondering if I could just simply stay out on the ocean. But it turned out to be really easy, and cruised right into the sand. I didn't even get my suit wet.
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Meredith U.

Yelp
I have purchased the greatest trucker hats from the store. I love them, I got them for my whole family. We have also had the absolute pleasure of taking surf lessons from Paul who works on the beach. If you've been afraid, intimidated, and or wanted to try surfing do yourself a favor and visit Paul at the Capitola Beach Company. They are affordable, have great service and you will have a blast! Don't miss out on this great weather!
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S J.

Yelp
This is the cutest little shop.... but I went there for the umbrella rentals. $10 gets you a nice sized umbrella for the day which was just what my family needed for a relaxing few hours on the beach... we paid for two! I will say that they were easy to get up but it would have been nice if the staff did it for you (guess I've been spoiled by other beaches, lol). The staff gives you brief instructions and sends you on your way. My teens and I got them up but they kept falling over We eventually just took one down. All in all.... for the price, I won't complain too much.

Sarah Y.

Yelp
Not great, not safe, would not recommend, I'd suggest literally any other place. They care very little of their customers safety seeing as they didn't care about the fact they rented out a broken paddle to go with the paddle board. They also are borderline a scam since they start counting your time as soon as you state you want to rent a board. They have no respect either, as when my friend called, Matt, who is the owner, spoke in a very aggressive and uncaring tone of voice.
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Hazem M.

Yelp
My family and I had surf lessons with Matt and Neal today. It was our first time and it was an AMAZING experience. Matt and Neal were both extremely friendly, patient, and all around incredible instructors. If this is your first time surfing this is the place to go! I couldn't have asked for a better experience for our family! THANK YOU Matt and Neal !!!
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Teresa D.

Yelp
Really great experience today with Matt for a beginner stand-up paddleboard lesson in the lush waters off of Capitola Beach! Matt was very serious in giving us the basics to ensure our understanding, safety, and enjoyment, but he was personable and fun. I wasn't entirely sold on doing it at all (was bf's idea), and was a little afraid of encountering sharks or big whales since there's so much active sea life in the cove, but Matt had me so focused on proper technique that I lost my fear pretty quickly. Can't wait to try this again, especially if we rent the equipment from this company again.
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Dan M.

Yelp
Everything was awesome. Matt was super friendly and got us excited to get out on the water. The wetsuits fit perfectly and were in great shape. Niel was a great instructor, and took care of us out in the water. It was an absolutely amazing experience. We will be back, but just to rent equipment and head out on our own.
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Dan Y.

Yelp
My family came down here to try stand-up paddle boarding and had an amazing experience. The staff was friendly and accommodating to our lack of experience. They outfitted us with all of the equipment we needed. We set out on the small creek nearby and after some initial getting used to, we were paddling like pro's. We had a blast and this even brought a smile to our 14 year old teen age son. We will definitely be back to try this again.
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Kylee W.

Yelp
We go to Capitola every year and always rent chairs, bodysuits and boogie boards from the trailer at the beach it's super convenient! This year my 10 year old wanted to try surfing.. from the call to book the lesson, to the guys at the trailer to the amazing instructor everyone was so friendly, helpful and just a great experience all around! The instructor was so patient with her and she learned so much from him she can't wait to do it again! I would highly recommend a private lesson. Definitely worth every penny
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Lisa M.

Yelp
Every time we come to Capitola we have to go to the Capitola Beach Company store. They always have something new. But more than that the folks who work there are great! Kate made us some fantastic recommendations on places to stay and gave excellent directions. She was so fun to talk with and so passionate about sharing her town with us! Thanks for making our stay extra special!

Gregg R.

Yelp
I have always been drawn to the ocean. I am from Oregon and I swim in the chilly waters almost every time I go. There is something about being in the waves that makes me extremely happy. My wife suggested we take a trip down to Santa Cruz and I immediately started searching for surf lessons. I found Capitola Beach Company and sent them a request. Not only did I get a response within hours I was called by Matt the owner himself. Very personal service. Tremendous communication. I knew from the second I talked to Matt that this was the place for me. We got to the beach and we're greeted by the awesome staff at the trailer. They got us suited up and we waited about 5 minutes for the instructor who was early, we were just really early. I was super excited. We met Jack, our instructor, who had 12 years experience and even though it was only his second summer teaching he was fabulous. Informative, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and even though he is only 17 he has all the skills he needs to get you surfing for sure. My 16 year old son missed his first wave very slightly due to a misunderstanding of how little you need to "shift" when the instructor says to move up a little on the board. He moved 6 inches and Jack meant 1 inch. Jack was quick to apologize and explain that surfing is all about balance and even shifting your weight forward slightly can be enough to get the board where it should be. My son stood up on the next wave and Jack had him turning and moving along the wave by the time we left. At 45 and 240 pounds I was a bit more timid about standing up right away. I saw how the waves treated the other beginners and took my time. But. By the 5th wave I was on my feet. If you have any doubts about there being a heaven you really should stand up on a surfboard. It is magical. This may sound more like a review of surfing than Capitola Beach Company and it's lessons but I assure you that without the careful instruction, reassurance, and constant information from Jack I would not be as hooked as I am. I would absolutely recommend to anyone anywhere to do yourself a favor and book a lesson. If they let you request Jack I would absolutely recommend it. He's fantastic. The other instructors that were out with other groups were also fantastic and offered tips to anyone in the area. You can't go wrong with this group. You gotta do it. It's life changing. Do it!
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Eric T.

Yelp
Another great week in Capitola! Always a great time with Matt and Jill and the whole Capitola Beach Company staff. Whether a surf lesson, beach gear, CBC swag from the shop of just shooting the breeze at the trailer-- everything is the best. Matt and Jill always make the time in Capitola the more memorable.
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George M.

Yelp
THE go-to spot for Capitola apparel. Matt is the man, and everytime we're in the neighborhood have to stop in to see if there's some new gear we could use. Typically there is. Just gotta make more closet space now...
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April S.

Yelp
Totally awesome surf/paddle board lessons! The instructors were phenomenal. Our daughter stood up on the board with the first lesson she ever took! Great value and adventure. Thank you!
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JD S.

Yelp
Visit Captiola Village beach area frequently as we have a local getaway home nearby in Aptos. My 12 year old son has gotten into surfing and we decided to rent him a board for the day. We arrived around 1 pm and saw many surfbards for rent. The guy working the "store" said that he couldn't rent a board because the stock he had was needed for a 3:30 pm group lesson. My son was freakin' out. He was so pumped to surf. I negotiated with the employee of Capitola Beach Co to use a single board until 3 pm, promising to bring it back in plenty of time. I even programmed my phone alarm to remind me. The pleasant worker agreed to my terms. I also talked him into giving us the one hour rate, as by the time my son got into the water, it was already 1:20 pm. Upon returning the surfboard @ 3:05pm, the owner was working the shop. He looked over the paperwork and demanded that I pay him for another hour rental. It was closer to another hour than less accordng to his reasoning. I explained the arrangement I had made with one of HIS employees originally. He was adamant that whatever was agreed upon with his employee did not overlap with him. My son was standing right next to me. While this was only another $9 for under another hour rental, I felt the owner's attitude was very rude and he did not check back with his employee to confirm what the original agreement was. The owner's only concern was how much money he could make from every rental. Due to his poor business sense and total lack of customer service, I will not return to this establishment for future business. There are plenty other surfboard rentals in Santa Cruz proper.
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Alex C.

Yelp
This was hands down one of MOST exciting activity I have done in a while. The owner, Matt, provided a very warm welcome and an instructor, Neal, who made the experience very fun and rewarding.

Rick W.

Yelp
Matt was very helpful and friendly. The equipment was top notch. The experience was actually ideal. I strongly recommend Capitola Beach company for SUP or anything else. It's all about great service and great experience. A strong 5 stars.
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Kate V.

Yelp
Great products, Reasonable prices, Friendly service. I have purchased several items of clothing, candles, stickers, and more here and keep coming back for more when I'm in the area.
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Shaun B.

Yelp
We were in town over the Labor Day weekend and thought it would be fun to take a surf lesson with my 10 year old son. So after a smidgen of research I contacted the Capitola Beach Company. WOW! What a great experience beginning with the scheduling process, to checking in with Matt outside and to the lesson itself with our instructor Paul. We began the lesson on the beach with basic fundamentals and quickly transitioned into the surf. Paul was extrremly attentive, knowledgeable, patient and encouraging. It was obvious that this isn't just a "job" for Paul but his passion and it showed just by the way he "coached" us all...always positive with his critiques so our next wave could be better. He was AWESOME! We look forward to our next time in Capitola and signing up for more lessons. Thanks again everyone at Capitola Beach Company!!!!!

Vania B.

Yelp
My husband took our daughter surfing for the first time and rented from here yesterday. I had left a message on Monday night and they returned my call as they said they would so that was our first inclination that these folks are awesome. But my husband just mentioned that he has not experienced such excellent customer service as he did yesterday when they were helping our daughter get fitted for her wet suit and a longboard. Matt provided excellent service. He was very informational, kind and patient. Thanks Matt!!!! They're planning their next trip to Capitola for next week see you then.

Britlyn L.

Yelp
Capitola Beach Company has the cutest selection of clothes, from surf brands to their logo wear! Their staff is super friendly and helpful. They also are super easy and convenient to rent boards and wetsuits from! Matt is the best surf instructor ever! My boyfriend and I took a lesson from him a while back and he was able to teach us a ton.
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Joseph W.

Yelp
3rd time surfing, and second lesson ever. Being a business man in silicon valley, i understand what it means to recieve good service. Matt and Capitola Beach Company fits the mold. Outstanding - Matt took my 9 year old son and me, and started on the beach with alieviating any possible fears we may have about the sport, the water, or any hollywood dramma about sharks and roadblocks to enjoying the sport. After good fundamental instruction on dry land, and understanding what we wanted to accomplish and what our skill/athletic level was, we hit the water. Once in the water, we were able see how the waves were lining up, and how best to get positioned for catching waves. Matt always being attentive, enthusiastic, positive, and clearly i can see his love of surfing. The guy is great. After we spent catching MANY waves, both myself and my son, left wanting more. I was particularly pleased because my son continues to want to surf, as do i. Much credit to Matt. Before this experience surfing, i really thought i would never learn, or even get up consistantly. However after the lesson, i feel much more confident. When back in Capitola, i plan on getting their surf lessons lined up. No doubt. I highly recommend Capitola Beach Company for surf lessons.
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Cindy F.

Yelp
What a great experience! This was a last minute weekend trip from San Jose and the service was great from the first phone call to watching our team ride the waves. Evan was a blast and very patient. Highly recommend!!!!!
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Jolene T.

Yelp
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a fantastic day we had celebrating my husband's 50th on the beach thanks to Matt, Jill and their crew. What began as a simple "tacos on the beach and a little surf for the kids" idea, turned out to be an amazing event with pop-ups, beach chairs, games and coordination with Mijos for a catered taco bar meal. Matt and Jill are great people to work with. N

Michael A.

Yelp
Matt and Team took our team out on some paddle boards and was a super fun time. Matt is so personal and professional at the same time. He locked up our valuables and fitted us perfectly in our wet suits He made sure everyone felt comfortable on the boards as we had different levels of skill.-He took pictures and told stories of old Capitola and described what we were seeing. If you want a great team building event I would highly recommend going with Capitola Beach Company. We started with the river and then went out to the ocean after.