In 1978 Richard Schmidt decided to share his passion for surfing and started teaching in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California. He started lifeguarding that year as well and worked the next 15 summers on the beach in addition to his teaching surfing. During that same period he would travel to the North Shore of Oahu every winter to compete in the Triple Crown of Surfing series, thus his professional surfing career was gaining recognition. In the late 80's the surf media crowned him as California's top big wave rider. During the season of '89-'90 he recorded two 1st and two 3rd place finishes in Hawaii, which was the best competitive season anyone from California had ever had.

Through his years of teaching and experience as a professional surfer, Richard developed the 'Schmidt Guarantee', which guarantees that one will stand up and ride down the face of a wave in their first lesson. His calming character and unending patience makes learning to surf an unforgettable and enjoyable experience. Especially, when you have the added benefit of him or one of his trained instructors riding along side of you and literally lifting you to your feet! Since that time his instructional programs have grown to include year round lessons, summer surf camps in Santa Cruz, winter surf clinics in Costa Rica, and the "Learn To Surf & Ocean Safety" instructional DVD touted by Surfer magazine as "the best how to video ever released."

Today Richard and his wife Marisa run the Richard Schmidt Surf School. Together with a dedicated staff, they operate year round surf lessons for both private and group lessons. They also operate seasonal surf camps in both Santa Cruz, California and Nosara, Costa Rica.

"Over the past 25 years I've introduced people to surfing from ages 3 to 70. I've found that, with the teaching techniques I've developed, the only prerequisite for learning to surf is knowing how to swim. I guarantee it!... Don't hold back --- let me or one of my qualified instructors introduce you to the sport of kings."