Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyla Peterson.
Kyla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My passion for the ocean and the sport of surfing has lead me to pursue a career path in surf coaching programs and surf photography. I have an extensive background in the surf industry as my parents started Surfin Fire Surf School, where I spent every summer with my younger sister, Marisa Peterson since I was 6 years old. My dad passed down his experience of lifeguarding, firefighting, and business professionalism so I feel confident in providing a safe space in the ocean and an authentic business experience. My dad has been a Firefighter for Encinitas since 1987. My parents started these Surf Camps at Ponto Beach in 1998. The first two summers were complimentary and only open our friends from school and the neighborhood we lived in. I remember my mom made lunch for all the kids in camp. It started out with just 10 kids per camp and has now grown to an all-summer long surf school at two locations (Encinitas and Oceanside) and teaches thousands of people per year. I lived and breathed the sun, salt, and sea! It runs deep in my blood.
I wanted to utilize my passion and interest to develop a unique type of surf coaching. Thus, San Diego Surf Excursions was born. I have always been one to connect with everyone at the deepest levels and have a talent for bringing people together. I am interactive and bubbly. I have over 25+ years of surf experience, which gives me the knowledge of the ocean & conditions to make sure you surf the best waves during your session! My growing surfing skills and great direction help individuals feel confident in the ocean and on a surfboard.
I used to compete in and travel for Pro Longboard contests when I was 16 years old. I took the title for ISF Longboard State Champion in 2009 and competed at a competitive level in WSA Prime and NSSA shortboard surfing series, throughout High School. My first-ever sponsor was the surf brand, Hurley. Now I want to share the lifestyle, my competitive insights/strategies, my knowledge of the ocean and community of surfing, along with bringing a smile to all my client’s faces by sharing the passion and love of surfing and the ocean!
I highly value creativity, impact, connection, and freedom. I have provided surf lessons for The Shine Project Foundation’s Beach Days for kids with autism. I am also a member of the Oceanside Board Riders Club and continue to compete for fun from time to time. My goal is to make an impact on our local youth by instilling confidence, utilizing local surf brands and leaders to support my programs, create a team environment, and allow for freedom to flow through giving back! I would love to guide you through a surf session or even capture your session through my photography! You can find me at San Surf Excursions or Fryy.Photography!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest struggle has been staying dedicated to my own self-growth. I have struggled with believing that I could make a living from the things that light me up the most. I feel a lot of this type of mindset thinking has held me back from my fullest potential. My deepest desire is to inspire others and connect them to their passions and self-worth through surfing and the ocean.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I run a surf coaching business, San Diego Surf Excursions, and a surf photography business, Fryy.Photography. I specialize in guiding clients through an in-water surf coaching experience to improve their current surf abilities. I incorporate a lot of goal-setting and mindset work to help build confidence and trust within my clients. I have been utilizing Pactto’s video analysis technology to give my surfers a more in-depth and interactive experience so they can better understand how to progress. I am most proud of my female presence in the industry. There aren’t too many female surf coaches in the surf world. I believe my main struggle of feeling confidence in the line-up has become my strength. I had received a wild card to compete in the Super Girl Pro contest at Oceanside Pier in 2011. I turned it down because I didn’t think I was good enough to compete. Since then, I now know what it takes to feel worthy of opportunities that arise and know that we all deserve a place in the line-up no matter where we are at in our abilities. We all have to start somewhere.
What does success mean to you?
My success is measured by having that inner knowing that I have everything right now to succeed. It is that mindset shift or ah-hah moment that really gives me the feeling of success and seeing the same in my clients. When I hear, “Did you see that?!?” After my client catches a wave, I know I have succeeded.
Pricing:
- $150 private beginner lesson
- $250 video analysis
- $100 intermediate/advanced in water coaching
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sandiegosurfexcursions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdsurfexcursions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdsurfexcursions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fryy.photography
Image Credits
Chris Grant Photography
