Perfect Day Surf Camp, Manhattan Beach

Entrepreneur, restaurateur, and recreational surfer Robbie French-Yrigoyen was having lunch with her friend Bob McKnight, CEO of Quiksilver, one day when he casually proposed the idea of his company sponsoring surf camps if she was interested in starting them. Robbie, with her love of surfing and kids, quickly jumped on the idea, and in 2001 Perfect Day Surf Camp began at its first location in Santa Monica.

Today, her camp has five locations and she leads a team of instructors who teach budding surfers–toddlers to adults–basic surfing techniques, along with ocean safety, surfer etiquette, and oceanography. The CPR and First Aid certified instructors hold classes at a 1:1 ratio with beginners and no more than a 5:1 ratio for more advanced surfers.