Surf Camp Pacifica only hires the most qualified instructors for our program.  We carefully consider the instructor's water knowledge and surfing ability as well as their capability to provided a connected teaching relationship with our students.

                                                   photo provided by Don Montgomery 2001http://www.mavsurfer.com

Greg Gubser
Co-Owner of Surf Camp Pacifica, Certified Ocean Lifeguard, EMT-D certified, competitive surfer (long board style), 32 years of surfing experience, Junior Ocean Lifeguard Instructor,  and United States Coast Guard 8 years.  Greg is currently a Deputy Harbormaster for San Mateo County and is in charge of the 'Search and Rescue' program.  Greg is a United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) Certified Ocean Rescue training instructor, and currently assists San Francisco Fire Department with their Ocean Rescue training and rescue program.  He has also developed a school assembly emphasizing the importance of water safety and awareness, as well as the interconnected ecosystem of the ocean environment. Greg's role with surf camp is water safety and awareness, rescue training and overall safety officer.

Amy Gubser
Co-Owner of Surf Camp Pacifica, Certified Ocean lifeguard, RN (currently working at UCSF Children's Hospital), Junior Ocean Lifeguard Instructor, 14 years of surfing experience, Bachelors of Science: Kinesiology.  Amy's in charge of program development, camp registration, and staff development.

Camille Keating
Camille grew up on the beaches of Pacifica as well as being from a legacy of surfing heritage.  Her family was one of the first families of Northern California surfers to put Pacifica on the map.  Her Grandmother was one of the first female surfers!  She has been surfing since the time she could walk.  She is a strong local competitive surfer who competes in both long board and short board divisions. She has worked at Surf Camp Pacifica since 2001.

Shona Keating Anderson
Shona is Camille's sister.  Shona and her husband, Andy, are both a well respected influences in the Pacifica surf culture.  In addition to introducing students to the wonders of the ocean at Surf Camp Pacifica, Shona has a new baby, Rylan, with whom she has begun to instill the lifelong passion for the ocean.  She has been with Surf Camp Pacifica since 2002.

Sarah Haldan
Sarah has been with Surf Camp Pacifica since it's inception.  She has consistently provided her students with excellent instruction.  She has branched out secured contracts with non-profit organizations to provide them with the opportunity to attend surf camp.  

Mitchell Breaux
Mitchell grew up on the beaches of Pacifica and has spent most of his life either in or near the water.  In addition to being a solid surf and body board instructor, he is our master naturalist.  He leads our tidepool excursions and educates the students about the delicate ecosystems of the surf tidepools. 

Carlos Betancourt
Carlos learned to enjoy the ocean in Puerto Rico, where he lived until his late childhood.  His family relocated to Pacifica and he has surfed here ever since.  He has been an instructor since Surf Camp Pacifica started.  He has been a special instructor who excels with the younger surfers whom he refers to as the 'chicken nuggets.'   He has been very instrumental in the development of new games and activities used to enhance the learning of water awareness and safety for this specialized group.

Bill Klieves
Bill is one of our newer instructors, but fits right into the 'surf camp' philosophy perfectly!  Bill grew up on the beaches and previously worked in the surf industry for Body Glove and O'Neill for 8 years, where he was in charge of product development and production.  He brings depth of teaching experience as well as being a recreation coordinator.  Bill currently works for the city of San Carlos in the special education division and is the program coordinator.  He has two children who he has cultivated a passion with the ocean experience.   He is an incredible asset to our program because he helps identify a creative approach with each and every child.

Lucy Payne
Lucy has worked for Surf Camp Pacifica for 4 years.  She is currently finishing her Bacholors degree from San Francisco State University in Education.  She comes from a surfing family, and has been surfing for many years.  Her husband and two sons surf; they frequently surf together.  Being a parent, Lucy has a natural ability to connect with children and teach them the safety as well as the excitement of the ocean.  She also gets an opportunity to work with her son here at Surf Camp Pacifica-pretty cool. 

Tyler Payne
Tyler has been working with Surf Camp Pacifica for 5 years.  He is an expert waterman, as well as being a sponsored surfer on the competition circut.  He loves to teach the children tricks and skills that are more advanced.  He gives the children encouragement to try the skills he demonstrates.  At our end of the week 'competition' his campers are frequently the ones who have the most creative. 

Celina McWherter
Celina has taught with Surf Camp Pacifica for the past 3 years.  She has been surfing since she was a child.  She grew up in Half Moon Bay and knows this coast like the back of her hand.  She is a strong surf competitor who surfs a longboard as well as a shortboard.  She has taught with Le Petit Baleen swim school for many years and brings her expertise to the beach.  She is WSI certified as well.  She loves the 'chicken nuggets.'  The yourger surfers seem to gravitate toward her naturally.  She specializes in a gentle approach with the younger surfers who may be a 'little' intimidated with the ocean.  She has developed games and activities which help these children gain confidence as well as keep a 'healthy respect' for the ocean. 

Annette Yang
Annette has been with Surf Camp Pacifica for the past 3 years.  She started surfing here in Pacifica, and her knowledge of the beach is so valuable to our program. She is awesome!  She has a natural affinity for being able to jump right in and help the children learn a skill they may be struggling with. 

Freya Eastman-Sylvester
Freya is one of our newer instructors, but Freya comes from a local surfing family.  Her father has been surfing Pacifica for 'many years' and still surfs everyday.  When Freya and her sister were young, he taught them to surf.  Freya spent may years surfing and enjoying the ocean.  She was reintroduced to the surf by her son who came to our program a few years ago.  Freya works with Bill at the San Carlos Special Education Program.  She brings a wealth of teaching experience as well as a strong local knowledge of the surf here in Pacifica.  She is truly an asset to our program.

Asi Ghiassi
Asi started surfing in her 20's, and has excelled on the competition front (long board style).  Asi is highly influential with our young female surfers.  She wants to help girls to find a way to be self expressive and to excel to the highest level in whatever sport or subject that may be.  Asi is a world traveler and brings a wealth of culture and depth to our program.  She loves the outdoors and thrives in the water.  Asi has been with surf camp since 2002.