Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join San Clemente Surf?

We hold tryouts and evaluations throughout the year.
👉 Visit our Join Surf page to view current opportunities and secure your spot.

Our focus is on:
  • Consistent, high-quality coaching
  • A positive and challenging environment
  • Long-term player development with proven track record for decades.
We prioritize how players are developed daily—not just where they play.

Our teams compete in a range of high-level environments, including:
  • SoCal League (Flight 1–4)
  • National League
  • Surf Select teams in top tournaments
  • Surf Network opportunities for high school players at major showcases
We use competition as a tool to support development, helping players apply what they learn in training in meaningful game environments.

Players are placed based on their current level, development needs, and long-term potential.

Our structured pathway (Zone 1 → Zone 2 → Zone 3) ensures players are in the right environment to grow and succeed.
Players who are aged 4-6 start in our recreation program called Lil Surfers, players 6-9 year olds are placed on club teams or take part in our Rising Surfers program which focuses on technical training and small sided games before they move to club.

We are based in San Clemente, California, primarily serving families from San Clemente and neighboring cities. Our club also attracts players from further north in Orange County and also military families from Camp Pendleton in Oceanside and further south.

Training frequency varies by age group and level, with an emphasis on consistent, purposeful sessions that reinforce technical and tactical development.
Almost all training is in town, Tierra Grande, Jim Johnson and Hermosa. Indoor faciliies at Boys and Girls club and V.A.C.
We train year round and teams play spring and fall league, summer tournaments and winter State Cup or high school. We break for all major holidays and have a 2 week break in the summer around July 4th.

Yes. Players and coaches have access through our teams, network and Surf Select to:
  • High-level competition environments in USA and Abroad
  • Tournament play in So Cal and neighbouring States
  • Showcase opportunities (for older age groups)
Our goal is to prepare players for high school, college, and beyond.

We serve boys and girls ages 6-19. Younger teams play in 7 vs 7 and 9 vs 9 formats while players currently represented by years 2013-2007 play 11 vs 11 format.

We have younger skills clinics and seasonal recreation league for ages 4-6 years old called Lil’ Surfers which teach the fundamentals in a fun, positive environment. Players can sign up at any time during the year. Later this year (2026) we will be adding recreational options for players 7-9 years old who prefer a seasonal playing experience vs. year-round club. We have a week long camps for ages 7-12 years old in June and August.

Specialized training from former professional and college players is available in our practice sessions. This includes all positioning including goalkeepers. These services are available to players outside the club by visiting Camps and Programs section of this website. Through personal and small groups training we have sent numerous players to colleges such as Navy, USF, San Fran State, Cal Poly Obispo and even professional trials with clubs such as Crystal Palace, Fulham and Dundee United.

Training year round is in San Clemente. Tierra Grande Park, Vista Hermosa Sports Park, and Jim Johnsons Memorial are our home fields.

Our league involves minimal travel in Orange County and when we choose tournaments, we typically play one in Orange County and another in San Diego county so players and families can either stay at a hotel or drive down each day. We tend to play two tournaments in the summer and scrimmage San Diego Surf and their affiliates who provide top competition in the spring.

Older players around high school age will tend to play all over Southern California and potentially neighboring states reflecting their age and higher level of play in the NPL Division and top tournaments around the West Coast.

We minimize conflicts by holding a parents meeting after try-outs asking parents to list their conflicts during spring then we try to set our schedule around those. We also ask for summer vacation plans early so we work our tournament and game schedule around this. We ask for the same courtesy during the fall season when we train twice a week and ask that all players attend the sessions to build momentum in the league season.

We encourage players to play other sports during our secondary season. We also educate players that in order to be effective, when they reach the high school age or higher level teams, they must starting putting more eggs in one basket to fulfill their potential in one particular sport. We’ve had players from the program play on the PGA Golf Tour Events, receive scholarships through soccer, softball, volleyball, track and field, basketball and also academic scholarships and we encourage players to be well rounded individuals.

We have been in the San Clemente community for 20+ years and thrive on its spirit and support. Most of our coaches live in San Clemente or the immediate surrounding area; several coaches are affiliated with our local high schools.

We have had a real positive impact on high school programs, helping develop State Champions, college captains and scholarships at all levels all over the country.

We also initiate community projects to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves, which also promotes team building and leadership as the players age. Projects such as helping at the Special Olympics, spending time at assisted living, cooking and delivering meals at homeless shelters, supporting military families are all projects organized by our players, and supported by our Surf families.

We also offer the opportunities to train and play with financial sponsorship with the help of local businesses and families in the club.

We are an independent club in San Clemente who run our own program on and off the field. We use the Surf Nation network to provide the best experiences and opportunities for our players as part of the Surf Select Regional and National program. This includes Surf scrimmages, monthly Direct of Coaching collaboration calls, Surf College Programs and Camps and Surf Select Regional and National teams who participate in major tournaments in the United States and Europe.