Your university days should be some of the best times of your life, a chance to study and gain a qualification but also to enjoy yourself. But if you’re a surfer, college is also the perfect opportunity to practice. Given that dawn patrols probably won’t happen too often, depending on the amount of partying going on, you can use your flexible hours to sneak in a session or two per day when there’s swell. This is all predicated, of course, on the college you attend and the quality of the nearby surf spots. So if you want to perfect your barrel riding skills and still (hopefully) get an education, take your pick from our choice of the world’s best surf-friendly schools!
1. University of California Santa Cruz [California, USA]
Nearby surf spots: Steamer Lane, The Hook
The University of California Santa Cruz is recognized for its expertise in research and progressive approach to teaching. There is a range of interdisciplinary studies including the unique History of Consciousness graduate program, and UCSC is noted for its research contributions to space science and other important fields.
UCSC’s campus is situated in forest-covered hills 75 miles south of San Francisco, close to California’s West Coast with views of the Monterey Bay and the Pacific. The close proximity to the sea makes the university one of the greatest places to combine studying with surfing. Just a short drive from the campus and you can find a choice of consistent breaks including Capitola Beach, The Hook, Manresa State Beach, and the most famous of all, Steamer Lane.
