Santa Cruz, California

Registration opens February 2026 to surf in Santa Cruz. The First Descents community will be notified via email. To join the FD community and receive updates when Programs are open for registration, sign up here!

Ride the world-famous waves of Santa Cruz, California, on this weeklong surfing adventure with your First Descents community! With a coastline that is also part marine sanctuary, Santa Cruz offers sunny beach days and pristine wilderness that is perfect for catching waves with the incredible guides at Richard Schmidt Surf School.

We’re taking this program old school this year in a way that harks back to First Descents’ early days, when weeklongs were more rustic and intimately connected to the #OutLivingIt ethos. Sleeping quarters in Santa Cruz will be in canvas tents, in small meadows nestled up against an old-growth redwood forest on 22 acres. Your sleeping quarters will be made even cozier with cushy pads atop cots, and the natural harmony extends to an open-air kitchen, where our professional chefs will whip up healthy and hearty fare for each meal.

There will be one week of Healthcare Workers Santa Cruz Surfing programming in 2026.

WHERE: Santa Cruz, CA

WHAT: Surfing

WHEN: September 21 – 26, 2026

COST: Free!

FOOD: Professional chef-prepared meals

AIRPORT: San Francisco, CA (SFO)

TRAVEL: Participants are responsible for getting to/from the program. Travel scholarships are available through the registration form.

HEALTH & SAFETY: All Participants are required to fill out a registration form. FD will select participants based on available space on the program. Once selected, participants may be required to get a medical form from their Doctor. FD strongly recommends that all Participants are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Read more here.