Sawyer partners with hundreds of educators who are stars in their communities. From inspiring class content to engaging teaching style, these educators are known for their enriching activities that empower both children and parents alike.

We got the opportunity to chat with Surf Happens, a provider on Sawyer who offers surfing classes and camps to children in the Santa Barbara area.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! I’d love to hear a bit more about you and why you started your business.

We started Surf Happens over 23 years ago to create safe and enriching access to the ocean and share the joy of surfing.

Can you describe an inspiring moment you’ve had as an educator?  

When a student catches their first waves and says “I can do anything!” 

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching children?  

Watching their confidence soar as they take on the power of the ocean and experience success.

What’s one time a child surprised you and made your day? 

Years after working with a child and finding out they dedicated their life to ocean education because of their experience at Surf Happens. 

On a similar note, what’s the funniest thing a child has done in your class? 

Doing tricks on the surfboard like handstands or dance moves

Why is after school/extracurricular enrichment so important for children?  

These days our kids are bombarded with the overuse of screens and tech devices. We believe getting outside and connecting with the natural world is vital to a happy and whole childhood.

How do you think children can discover their passions when they’re not in school or your programs? 

Try new things! Be open and willing to step into the unknown in search of what lights you up.

What is your favorite Sawyer feature? 

Having a live roster that’s connected to parent info and billing features. It’s amazing to have everything in one place for our team to access.

Have you discovered new customers on the Sawyer marketplace?  

Yes, we do get a handful of Marketplace orders per month which is great to know we’re reaching new clients through Sawyer.

How do you balance your time between running your business (from an operational perspective) and teaching/connecting with parents and students? 

We’re a mom and pop operation and Sawyer has been a huge support in our ability to manage students registrations and rosters while also being in the field.

How has Sawyer helped your business? 

We used to use spreadsheets and had to manually enter information daily. This caused lots of human error and missed billing opportunities. Sawyer has helped us by leaps and bounds to keep organized and make sure we stay on top of billing.