WSL x Airbnb: Soak Up the Surf While Giving Back

In honor of International Surfing Day (ISD) Saturday, June 16, the WSL and Airbnb are donating all service fees from experiences booked that day to Surfrider, which not only created ISD, but is also a WSL PURE partner. The two companies --WSL and Airbnb -- recently teamed up to offer surf experiences around the world, from Los Angeles to Biarritz, and everywhere in between. Experiences range from learning how to shape boards to learning how to hit the waves, and one-on-one surf coaching to Supsquatch adventures. There are endless options from which to choose, but here are few that might strike one's fancy:

- WSL

Delpero Surf School
Location: Biarritz, France
Hosted by: Antoine and Edouard Delpero

As a pair of brothers with more WSL longboarding trophies than can fit on a mantle, the Delperos' competitive track record would be reason enough to seek them out for surf lessons. But add to that one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with one of the coolest beach cities, and you've got a surf day made in heaven. After equipping students with wetsuits and boards -- within just a few feet of the sand -- the Delperos will spend about 15 minutes talking through safety, positioning and technique. And that's where the real fun begins: "We will go to the beach and enjoy some surfing together, by your side, giving you advice and feedback along the way," they say. "It will be a full hour in the ocean...together. After that you will feel good to go out of the water, have a hot shower and enjoy the rest of the day before a good night in Biarritz city." In other words, vive la France.

Edouard (L) and Antoine (far R), celebrating their win last week at the Biarritz Pro. - WSL / Damien Poullenot

Let's Surf LA & LA Experience
Location: Venice, California
Hosted by: Luke Stedman & Damien Fahrenfort

These former WSL Championship Tour surfers have teamed up to bring a little of their finely-tuned expertise to the inner grom in all of us. For the newcomers to surf, the pair's outfit, Let's Surf LA, gets would-be shredders educated in the basics, then up and riding just south of Venice Pier -- one of LA's most iconic spots. For those who want more in-depth coaching, Stedman and Dooma, as he's known, offer an in-depth experience, appropriately called the L.A. Experience. Going out only on the best swells, that Airbnb x WSL Experience entails video analysis, board testing and guided warm-up and surf techniques. Who says airs are just for Julian, Gabe, or Carissa?

Luke and Dooma in Venice. - WSL

Hurley Surf Club Experience
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Hosted by: Brett Simpson

Simpo, as he's known to fans, is a veteran of the WSL Championship Tour. While he's still competing here and there, in recent years he's focused more on his home life, in Huntington Beach, and raising small children with his wife. That doesn't mean, however, that he's lost any stoke. In fact, he's more involved than ever with the Hurley Surf Club and helping others get a taste of what he loves. If you sign up with the local hero, here's some of what you'll do: "We'll surf for one hour with in-water coaching. I'll talk to you about techniques to help progress your surfing such as wave choice, positioning, and tips on maneuvers. After surfing, we'll have a post-session coaching at Hurley Pac City. This includes footage analysis and HSC technology like slow-mo breakdowns. You'll leave ready to take your surfing to the next level!"

Simpo, competing in a WSL Qualifying Series contest on home turf. - WSL / Andrew Nichols

Learn to Surf in the Big Apple
Location: New York, New York
Hosted by: Will Skudin

Surf fans will already know Skudin for his prowess in heavy water, as a competitor on the WSL Big Wave Tour, and as a mentor to Maddie Ryan, a 15-year-old from Maine who's (ahem) making waves in the surf world. But New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple have long known Skudin and his family for something else: teaching others how to enjoy the simple pleasures of surf. His parents, Dave and Beth "raised their children in some of the most famous surf spots in the country including Hawaii, California and the Outer Banks," Skudin writes. "Today, three of the Skudin sons - Cliff, Will and Woody -- continue their family's tradition of teaching surfing."

Will Skudin. - WSL / Mariana Villela

Learn To Surf Waikiki's Best Waves
Location: Waikiki, Hawaii
Hosted by: Ty Gurney

As an instructor with 18 years of experience and a former paramedic, Gurney is a pro. His focus is on personalized, private lessons, in the least--crowded lineups that he can find. As part of your WSL x Airbnb surf experience with him he says, "In between waves, your instructor coaches you on improving technique and learning fundamental skills. You'll also learn about surfing etiquette, culture, and all-around ocean knowledge." Plus, there's every surfer's favorite: "You have the option to take home a professionally-edited video/photo package of your experience - the ultimate surf souvenir! You can choose this at the end of your lesson."

To learn more about becoming a WSL Experience Host visit wslexperience.com.