Instructors

Behind all great schools are talented and experienced instructors! First and foremost, our instructors are veteran surfers with decades of surfing experience. Second, they have spent many years ocean-lifeguarding, right here in the Greater San Diego Area and therefore, are Red Cross certified in CPR and trained in Ocean Rescue and First Aid. Finally, they are local elementary school teachers that always have students'best interest at heart.

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Instructors Profiles:

Rick Gehris / Founder
Years surfing: 23
Born or raised: Daytona Beach, FL

Rick is one of the most qualified surf instructors you will ever meet.   He has worked as an ocean lifeguard for over a decade. He started surfing competitively at age 14 and went on to win the Volusia County Iron man and USLA paddleboard race two years in a row. When he's not teaching people about surfing, you can find him working in the public schools as an elementary teacher.

BJ Gehris
Years surfing: 10
Born or raised:  Daytona Beach, FL

BJ is a former Daytona Beach Ocean Lifeguard and manager of Surfari Surf Shop in Ormond Beach, FL. He runs the surf school and shop with help from his wife Ashley and his daughter Madison. At 22 years of age, he is a very responsible person who will make your surfing experience both fun and memorable. When he is not working, he enjoys traveling to Costa Rica and surfing his backyard surf spot at Granada beach approach.

David Hutchins
Years surfing: 27
Born or raised: California

Dave has been an instructor with Surfari for the past 4 years.  He is an experienced waterman and a competitive surfer.  In fact, he recently won first place in the Frog Friends Charity Surf Competition held in Ocean Beach.  He's always on time and very dependable. You can count on him to teach you everything you need to know when it comes to surfing and respect for the ocean.

Paola Langsch Gehris
Years surfing: 5
Born or raised: Porto Alegre, Brazil

Paola is Rick’s wife and business partner. She works great with kids and is Red Cross certified in CPR and First-aid. She graduated from Surfari in 1999 and acquired a new passion for surfing. She is a tremendous asset and greatly appreciated by students and instructors alike.

Ryan Ragan
Years surfing: 20
Born or raised: San Francisco

Ryan is a professional surfer who has been traveling on the ASP world tour for 10 years. He loves teaching people his passion and works great with kids. When he's not traveling around the world or teaching surf lessons, he enjoys volunteering his time as a big brother to less fortunate kids.  Find out more on Ryan Ragan at www.ragansurfs.com. 

Alessandra Vecchia
Years surfing: 5
Born or raised: Italy

Alessandra never imagined surfing would become such an integral part of her life. She considers herself fortunate to have had the freedom to surf on a regular basis. Surfing has given her a spirit of adventure and she's traveled throughout Baja California down to the coast of Panama. She had friends help her through the introductory process of surfing and is always happy to return the favor. She knows that people with the courage to try will experience a reward that is priceless.

Cori Shipp
Years surfing: 8
Born or raised: Colorado

Cori not only surfs like a pro, she also snowboards like one too! She has traveled to Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii searching for the best waves. She loves surfing and is a natural surf instructor. Her goal is to one day be a professional surfer and snowboarder.

Marshall Hodges/Moto
Years surfing: 20
Born or raised: San Diego

Marshall is an incredible surfer and a professional motorcross racer. He has the biggest smile you'll ever meet and is the most frequently requested instructor. Kids think he's so cool and adults compliment his ability to make them feel safe and comfortable in the ocean. He is a native Southern Californian and brings spirit and soul to the Surfari Staff!

Al Pina
Years surfing: 25
Born or raised: San Diego, CA

Al is a father, owner of Pavones Surf School and the cook at Surfari. He has been teaching people how to surf for 15 years and has worked at Surfari for the past 4 years. When he is not teaching people how to surf in San Diego, you will find him in Costa Rica teaching people how to surf on one of the best waves in the world. Learn more about AL and his Costa Rica surf camp by checking out www.Pavonessurfschool.com

Brian Reilly
Years surfing: 7
Born or raised: Long Island, NY

Reilly has worked at Surfari for the past three years. He is a surfboard shaper and the name of his surfboard company is called Ethereal. Besides surfing, he enjoys playing the guitar and hanging out with his girlfriend.

Tom Ezell
Years surfing: 23
Born or raised: Daytona Beach, FL

Tom is a surfboard shaper who has surfed in California, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Panama, Australia, Indonesia and the Caribbean. He shapes Surfari Surfboards and has been teaching surfing for the past 10 years. When you are ready to order a custom surfboard, talk to Tom.