SOUTH PADRE SURF COMPANY

SURFING LESSONS AND SURF CAMPS

ABOUT US - A SURFING FAMILY

LET OUR FAMILY SHARE THE JOY OF SURFING WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

South Padre Surf Company is Texas original surf school operating since 1995, and was the first surf school in Texas. Your instructor is Gene Gore, Texas' most experienced surf instructor, ocean lifeguards, ocean safety experts and professional level surfers, and our children Micah and Melia (and puppy Archer) are awesome surfers who will have your kids running for the water! OUR GOAL is to provide a safe, easy and fun surfing experience for guests of all ages and abilities to South Padre Island, while teaching respect, knowledge and appreciation of the ocean and beach, with zero-environmental impact. Our safety first approach ensures that all people, regardless of your abilities or disabilities, are welcome to give surfing a try, and our enthusiasm will make you want to come back for the adventure year after year!

OUR MISSION

01. Your safety is our No. 1 concern. All surfing lessons are held in shallow water that you can stand up in. Safe soft surfboards with soft rubber fins are used for all lessons, with leashes for added security. Rachel and Gene are highly experienced ocean lifeguards, lifelong professional level surfers, and ocean rescue water safety experts, you couldn't be in better hands! We consider it a privilege and an honor to take you or your child into the ocean, and take the responsibility seriously.

02. We look forward to the opportunity to give you the experience of your life When you come for a surfing lesson with South Padre Surf Co., you become part of our family. We want you to be happy with every part of the experience, from when you sign up to when you ride your first wave, it's our goal to make sure every moment is the thrill of a lifetime. We are not a surf shop, and we don't hire any "surf instructors".

03. You're here to have fun! Surfing is an extreme adventure, one that many people add to their "bucket lists." When you surf with us, we're helping you accomplish a goal -- whether it's overcoming a fear or checking an item off that list. We'll help you to achieve your goal, but we'll never pressure you or your child to do something beyond your comfort zone. It's all about having fun!

OUR FAMILY

PASSION = RESULTS

U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Appreciation for numerous ocean rescues and lifetime commitment to public service in ocean safety.

Micah and Melia Gore both earned the first ever medals for South Padre Island at the USLA National Championships at Virgina Beach.

Gene was an Ocean Safety Officer with the City and County of Honolulu, and the prestigious Hawaiian Water Patrol.

Gene was instrumental in developing the South Padre Island Beach Patrol, training and working alongside the new department.

Gene was a Galveston Beach Patrol lifeguard and competed in many USLA Nationals and ILSA World Championships.

Gene has extensive training and experience in emergency medical care, both as lifeguard and EMT.

Gene has competed in many National Championships, on the Hawaiian Team and on Team Texas, with numerous medals.

Gene competed in the ILSA World Lifesaving Championships in Italy, bringing home four medals.

Gene competed in Dukes Oceanfest Waikiki, an international multi-sport ocean festival.

Gene competed and medaled in the World Paddleboard Championships, a 10 mile open ocean race.

Gene has won numerous paddle races in Hawaii, including this North Shore Sunset to Waimea race.

WE ARE YOUR SURF INSTRUCTORS

GENE GORE

South Padre Surf Company owner and instructor Gene Gore, is Texas' most experienced surf instructor, ocean lifeguard, ocean safety expert and professional level surfer, a fully dedicated waterman. Gene grew up on the beaches of Texas as a lifetime dedicated surfer, ocean lifeguard, and became a City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Officer. He has dedicated his life to surfing and lifesaving, yet one of his greatest thrills is still seeing someone ride their first wave. Gene has accumulated an extensive and unique history of accomplishments in his field while pursuing his passion for surf. He worked for the Hawaii Water Patrol, trained in heavy surf rescue with jetski/rescue sled, 3 time winner of paddleboard races on the North Shore of Oahu and several U.S. National Surfing Championship Paddle races, along with the Harpoon Barry Bay to Gulf Paddle Race, selected to the 6 man Hawaiian World Lifeguard Team, former Texas State longboard champion and Allstar team member, 6 time U.S. Lifesaving Association National Competitor with medals in paddle racing, paddleboard rescue, and 2 mile beach run, winner of the Diamondhead Biathlon, Galveston Beach Patrol (where he met his wife and surfing partner Rachel) Senior Lifeguard and Marine Rescue RHI pilot and Jr. Lifeguard Instructor, and Corpus Christi and Port Aransas Beach Patrol Lifeguard. Gene has hundreds of documented surf rescues, assisting and treating injured beach patrons and performing CPR in many real life incidents, as well serving 8 Years as a Licensed Texas Emergency Medical Technician and volunteer ambulance/fireman, competed in over 100 surfing competitions both amateur and professional in France, Spain, Mexico, California, Florida, New Jersey and Hawaii. Gene has designed and shaped nearly seven hundred custom longboards, and was competition director and judge for the Texas Gulf Surfing Association. Gene has taught over 50,000 private and group surfing lessons, through Galveston College and G.C. Kid's Camp, Moody Hospitality Institute, San Luis Resort, Surfside Surf Camp, and South Padre Surf Co. He authored the first book on surfing in Texas "Surfing the Texas Gulf Coast". He competed in the ILSA World Lifeguard Championships in Italy with a team of elite guards from Galveston where he captured 4 medals and was the top ranked American competitor! In 2004 Gene and Rachel paddled the entire length of the Texas Gulf Coast, 404 miles in 19 days, as a fundraiser for Surfrider Foundation's coastal education program. Gene was instrumental in founding the South Padre Island Fire Department Beach Patrol and worked as a surf rescue technician and trainer, after many years of pursuing an Island lifesaving program. Gene works with the National Weather Service in developing new coastal marine forecasts, rip current guidance packages, and coastal hazard and warning advisories for public safety during tropical storms and hurricanes. Gene's daily beach and surf report is a very popular resource for all Texas surfers and beachgoers, he has been forecasting and documenting surf conditions as an ocean lifeguard since 1986.

MICAH GORE

Micah Gore, 18 years old, is currently studying Aviation Technology at TSTC. This past summer Micah was an ocean lifeguard for the City of South Padre Island where he was lucky enough to qualify for the USLA national competition where him and his sister each took home medals (the first medals ever for South Padre Isand!). Micah was honored as being named United States Lifesaving Association Junior Lifeguard of the Year in 2016. He is a very accomplished surfer and has surfed around the world in places such as Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Mexico, California and the Texas Coast. When he was only 10 years old, he competed in the Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Championships where he advanced to semi-finals in longboard and shortboard, an amazing feat considering he was up against all Hawaiians! He was commented on often on his style, which is the greatest compliment a surfer can have. In December of 2007 he was the youngest competitor in the Haleiwa International Surfing Competition on the North Shore of Hawaii. He can ride just about anything - he loves to surf on both shortboard and longboard, boogie board, skateboard, and snowboard. What really stands out about Micah is his natural ability, incredible wave knowledge, and beautiful surfing style. Micah recently got to surf the world famous Pipeline on the North Shore of Hawaii. An all around waterman, Micah also enjoys spearfishing and paddleboarding. Micah is very helpful and experienced in teaching and assisting students during surf lessons!

MELIA GORE

Melia Gore, 16 years old, was the first Junior Lifeguard from South Padre Island ever to qualify and attend the national USLA lifeguard competition, where she brought home two medals! She was honored to be named United States Lifesaving Association Junior Lifeguard of the Year in 2016. Melia has also surfed in many places around the world including tackling the waves of Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, California and Mexico. Melia surfed in her first surf contest in August of 2007 on the South Shore of Hawaii where she was by far the youngest competitor (at only 4 years old!). Melia Gore is not your average girl next door... as a young girl Melia was asked to model for ROXY's teenie wahine line which sent her traveling and doing photo shoots in LA and Hawaii. She was also ROXY's youngest surf team member. Along with Micah, Melia is one of the top members of the Cameron County Junior Lifeguard program. Outside of the water, Melia enjoys training and riding horses. She recently competed in the Extreme Mustang Makeover, where she had approximately 100 days to train a wild mustang ending in a 4th place win! Check out her blog at meliagore.blogspot.com. What stands out the most about Melia is her beauty inside and out and her ability to make everyone she meets walk away with a smile. Melia likes to have fun while she surfs, and she loves to "party wave"!! She is extremely helpful and is quite an entertainer in and out of the water.

ARCHER

Archer is our 4 year old pure bred English Creme Golden Retriever that loves to surf! He puts a smile on everyone's face in or out of the water! Archer has learned to surf almost on his own, he will drag the surfboard out by the leash and hop on, he's obviously not able to paddle for a wave, but if the wave catches him just right there he goes! Mostly he surfs on his own surfboard. Just watch where you put your stuff on the beach, you might come in from surfing and find it covered in sand :) And he loves selfies with the kids! Archer is also our new co-instructor for our new DOG SURF LESSONS! Bring your pup to join the fun!

SURFIN G RANCH

The "G" is our ranch brand and logo, our last name initial. When we aren't surfing, often we are with our horses! Off-season September through May we offer private horse back riding lessons at our ranch (not on the beach), private parties, or if you or your family simply want to experience some Texas culture on your vacation! We also offer a VIP TEX/MEX CULTURAL SURFARI.

PADDLE TEXAS

WE DID IT! An endurance paddle to benefit Texas Surfrider Foundation's Education Program and to raise public awareness of the Texas Gulf Coast and issues it faces such as public access, erosion, pollution, and litter. Gene and Rachel paddled on a custom surfboard Gene made, the entire length of the Texas coast, 404 miles in 19 days, through the worst weather possible in May with hurricane force winds on Day 1, cold, rain, headwinds and longshore currents, torturous choppy conditions, constant neck and back pain, hunger, food raiding coyotes, lack of sleep, and incredibly strong wild rip currents at some of the major passes and jetties. It was much more difficult and dangerous than we imagined but the people we met along the way were great and getting to see every inch of the vast mostly undeveloped Texas coast was unforgettable, not to mention some of the great waves we caught along the way and a few new surf spots. Thank you to all who contributed to both the Surfrider Foundation fund raiser and elsewhere in hopes of a brighter future for our coast. ​ ​Gene and Rachel received a National Award from the Surfrider Foundation in honor of the historic "Paddle Texas" event.

CONTACT US

Thank you for your interest in surfing with us! We look forward to answering any questions you have about our surfing lessons on South Padre Island.

Feel free to call or text anytime between the hours of 8am and 9pm


  956-772-7272

  spadre@spadre.com

  1 Bait Shop Road, South Padre Island, TX 78597