Is your child interested in learning to surf? The sport or surfing is growing in popularity, especially among kids. If your child wants to learn to surf, this article is for you.

It's common for parents to search for the ideal place for their kids' "learn to surf" experience. However, here might not be a "best" place to learn to surf in the traditional sense. Instead, certain elements must be in place to make sure your child's learn to surf experience is a safe and positive one.

Learning to surf should be a safe, fun and rewarding experience. In general, there are three main components to your child's "learn to surf" experience.

These include:

1. The instructor(s);
2. The beach and ocean environment; and
3. The equipment (the surfboard itself)

The first and most important criterion is that your child takes surfing lessons from an experienced and qualified instructor. Seems obvious, right? And yet, you'd be amazed how many parents either try to teach their kids themselves (bad idea!), orwho just buy their kids a surfboard and send them into the water to fend for themselves (an even worse idea!).

Not only should you make sure your child's surfing instructor has the proper skills and credentials, you want to also be certain he or she has lots of prior experience teaching other kids your child's age.

Ideally, your child's surfing instructor will provide a well-rounded surfing lesson curriculum incorporating surf etiquette, water safety, environmental awareness and more.

With respect to beach and ocean environment, the ideal atmosphere will offer warm, clean water, gentle surf, a soft sandy bottom, consistent wave activity and a long stretch of beach. Small crowds are and added bonus soyour child isn't distracted by others and does not infringe upon other surfers' space while learning. It is also important to learn to surf at a beach staffed with public lifeguards.

Safe, modern equipment is an essential component to your child's learn to surf experience. Your child's surfing instructor should provide a user-friendly (long and wide) surfboard since these types of boards are easier to maneuver and learn on. The surfboard will ideally be constructed of soft foam (rather than wood or fiberglass) with flexible fins and a long leash for added safety and learning pleasure.

Since the ocean water is generally cold, and because kids get cold so easily, be sure your child wears a rash guard at a minimum, but preferably a wetsuit, for the duration of his or her surfinglesson. If you don't have your own, the surf instructor should provide this for you.

Where can you find quality surfing instruction?

Summer camps that specialize in instructional surfing activites can beone of your better options, because not only will your son or daughter learn to surf, they'll make lots of new friends in the process.

But you can also find individual/private instructors by looking on the internet or asking friends for a recommendation.

If you go the summer camp route, we recommend a surf camp that's accredited by the American Camp Association. Accreditation ensures the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to safety, presentation of activities, quality, supervision and more.

In any case, make sure you check references and that you are completely satisfied with your choice in surfing instruction before making any financial commitment. At the very least, you should be promised a money-back guarantee if for any reason the camp or surfing instructor does not deliver what they promise or you are unsatisfied for any reason.

Here's to a great "learn to surf" experience for your child. Surfing is so much fun!

Eric D. Naftulin owns and operates Aloha Beach and Surf Camp, an aquatic sports summer camp for kids and teens ages 5 to 15 in the San Fernando Valley. Visit the camp's website at alohabeachcamp.com

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