Request for Proposals Issued for Surfing Instruction and Youth Camps on Santa Monica State Beach

Recent changes to Santa Monica’s Municipal Code now require that on Santa Monica State Beach all surfing instruction for compensation, as well as all persons conducting youth camps with more than 20 children entering the water, must be authorized by the City of Santa Monica.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued by the City for businesses or individuals interested in conducting surf instruction or youth camps, including those camps and classes offered annually through the City’s Community Classes program. Accredited schools conducting activities on the beach for credit must apply separately with the Open Space Management Division.

In response to a proliferation of commercial surf schools and camps on the beach, the City’s policy regarding surf instruction and youth camps on the beach was amended to ensure that these activities are conducted in a safe and balanced manner.

The revised policy allows the City and the Los Angeles County Lifeguards to preserve public safety, maximize recreational use by all beach visitors, and maintain quality surfing instruction opportunities for the public.

Parties interested in conducting surfing instruction or youth camps either as a City contractor or as an independent provider during the period of June 2008 through May 2009 must submit a proposal to the City no later than 5 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

At a minimum, proposers must have five years experience owning or operating a surf instruction or surf/sand camp business. The combination of selected providers will offer a wide variety of lessons, classes and camps to various age and economic groups.

For a copy of the RFP, please visit www.smgov.net/osm, or contact Open Space Management at 310-458-8573.