Folly Beach Surf Schools and Instructors
Carolina Salt Surf Lessons
Run by WSL pro surfer Kyle Busey. Private and group lessons (90 minutes), five-day summer and homeschool surf camps, and board rentals. Also teaches on Isle of Palms and Kiawah.
Isla Surf School
Founded by Peter Melhado in 2014. Private, group, and surf-and-yoga lessons, kids' camps for ages 5 and up, corporate outings, and parties.
Shaka Surf School
Family-owned school led by pro surfer Jenny Brown. Private and group lessons, summer camps June through August, and women's surf and yoga sessions.
Sol Surfers Surf Camp
Kai Dilling's camp with week-long sessions for ages 6–15 at a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio, plus private and group lessons year-round on Folly and Isle of Palms.
Greg Elliott Surf
Long-running independent instructor offering private lessons and camps for beginners through intermediate surfers.
Charleston Surf Lessons
Owned by Josh Wilson, a decorated competitor who has taught from Hawaii to New Jersey. Private lessons and packages for first-timers and surfers looking to progress.
Charleston Surf Co
Public and private 90-minute lessons with local pro Shep Davis, group lessons for six or more, plus eFoil lessons and paddleboard rentals. Takes bachelor and bachelorette bookings.
Float Club Surf Co
Veteran-led surf school focused on personalized lessons for visitors. Meeting spot is sent after booking.
Surf Shops That Arrange Lessons
Two Center Street shops book lessons or connect you with local instructors, and both rent boards. McKevlin's Surf Shop has been on Folly since 1965 and is the island's original surf shop. Ocean Surf Shop at 31 Center Street also offers lessons alongside rentals and gear.
Surf Lessons on Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms has softer, beginner-friendly waves about 30 minutes from Folly. Carolina Salt and Isla Surf School (8th Avenue) both teach there, along with Salt Marsh Surf at 21st Avenue, IOP Surf Lessons, and Sol Surfers.
Other Water Sports Around Folly
Not ready to surf? Charleston SUP Safaris runs guided paddleboard trips through the Folly River marsh, often with dolphins. Folly Beach Adventures rents kayaks, paddleboards, and beach gear and runs teen summer camps. Seas Life Sailing Charters offers sunset and daytime sailboat cruises off the island, and Charleston Watersport covers paddleboard and wakeboard gear. Charleston Surf Co also teaches eFoil if you want to fly above the water instead of riding the waves.
Planning a Group Trip to Folly
Surf lessons are a popular daytime activity for bachelorette and birthday groups. For nightlife, party planning, and group entertainment in Charleston, see Party Charleston.
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