ABOUT ISLA SURF SCHOOL

founded by peter melhado in 2015

Prior to founding Isla Surf School, Peter worked at Nantucket Surfari and Locals Surf School in the northeast for many years, graduated from The College of Charleston in 2014, worked as a private surf instructor in Costa Rica, and traveled the world in pursuit of perfect waves and unique cultures. Peter witnessed some of the best and some of the worst surf schools during his work experience and travels and cultivated an idea of what a high end surf school should look like. Peter founded Isla Surf School in 2015 with the goal of providing Charleston and Folly Beach with a genuine surf experience and a variety of packages suitable for all levels and ages. With his years of experience in the industry and his passion for the sport, Peter has established Isla as Charleston's leading surf school.

Isla is also a strong believer in bettering our community. From the little stuff like beach clean up to our work with our two non-profit partners, bettering our community through the power of surfing is very important to us. Please check out our non-profit partners The Warrior Surf Foundation & The Ripple Effect.

Shane -Director of Operations

Shane was Isla’s first surf instructor back in 2015. Shane and Peter operated the after school program during the first months of Isla’s founding. Shane went on to be the head summer camp instructor for the 2018 summer season as well as a lead private lesson instructor. We are delighted to have Shane back in Charleston after a three year hiatus in corporate America. Shane brings a tremendous of enthusiasm and professionalism to the beach everyday and is a pleasure to have in a management position!

A highlight reel celebrating our third year in business.

Peter Melhado -Founder of Isla Surf School

Isla Surf School-Meet some of our Surf Instructors

Meet some of Isla’s amazing private surf lesson and summer surf camp instructors. We boast an impressive group which ranges from folks born and raised in Charleston and Folly Beach and those who were drawn to the area for its beauty and attractive quality of life. Our staff includes veterans, teachers, head beach lifeguards, college students, and of course, full time surf instructors! We pride ourselves and having a qualified, personable, and fun staff. We bring a tremendous amount of surfing, ocean, and teaching experience from the top down and our emphasis on safety is bar none. Our veterans (Aaron, Tommy, Connor, Josh) bring leadership and lifesaving skills to the table, our beach lifeguard contingent (Stephen, Nadia, Faye) bring years of guarding, managing, and training the lifeguards of of South Carolina, and the rest of our staff without formal lifesaving training from the military or beach lifeguards undergo certification every year. Our mission is to serve Folly Beach and the greater Charleston area with the most professional, safe, and fun surf lessons and summer camps taught by the most qualified team.

Sam -Director of IOP Surf Camps and Lessons

Sam is a Charleston local who has been surfing both Isle of Palms and Folly beach for years. Sam is a jack of all trades who has been teaching with Isla for years. Whether it is a private lesson, five lesson package, or running kids camp Sam can do it all. We are honored to have him spearhead our Isle of Palms location providing top notch local insight for our newest location! When Sam is not in the water, he is playing music with his band Colors in Corduroy. Make sure to ask him when their next show is!

Nadia - Private Surf Lesson Instructor

Although Nadia just joined the team in 2021, she logged more hours on the beach and in the water than some do over years. A long time Folly Beach lifeguard, Nadia moved over to becoming a surf instructor due to her love of the sport and working closely with her clients. Nadia brings her unique instructional skills from her years as a lifeguard and spent in the peace corp. that was both refreshing and educational for our entire staff. Safe to say we all learned from Nadia and were humbled over the course of 2021.

Nathan - Head Summer Surf Camp Instructor

Nathan is a collegiate lacrosse player who spends his summer working as part of our team. He led our summer camps for the 2021 season and was a huge hit with our campers and parents. He is genuinely one of the nicest people you will meet, works hard, and brings years of lacrosse coaching experience to the beach. We look forward to many more years with Nathan!

Andrew -Five Lesson Package Specialist

Andrew is one of our five lesson package specialists. With over 20 years of surf experience and multiple years of teaching under his belt, Andrew has a knack for taking clients from their first wave to becoming independent surfers. Sometimes it is difficult to tell who is more stoked after a lesson but one thing is for sure - after a lesson with Andrew you will be hooked! Andrew also co-founded a canned cold brew company Urban Alchemy that he runs outside of surf lessons. Living in Charleston since 2002, he has some of the best food recommendations around. If you are looking for advice on where to go, ask Andrew!

Luke - A Fan Favorite

Growing up on the South shore of Massachusetts, Luke began his surfing career in some seriously cold water. Now, Luke is studying Finance at the College of Charleston. Despite a rigorous class schedule, Luke finds time to not only teach but catch a few waves himself. A favorite for kids and adults alike, Luke provides a great perspective on what it takes to bring your surfing to the next level.

Mackenzie - Rad Ripper

One of our many rad rippers, Mackenzie brings a fun and informative attitude to every lesson. Mackenzie has gained experience surfing all over the world in beautiful locations such as Puerto Rico and El Salvador. She is a rockstar at taking her own surfing experience and translating it to beginners looking to begin their surfing journey.

Rob - Foam Board Legend

A long island native, Rob has made Charleston his home and has not looked back since. His energy and charisma is felt the second you step foot on the beach. Although he can surf any board he chooses, you will often see him charging on a soft top and pulling off maneuvers you have never seen before. You can also find Rob bartending at Kaminsky’s so stop by for a dessert or a drink after your lesson!

Blake - Smooth Operator

After graduating College of Charleston, Blake has pursued a career in aviation. Currently a certified flight instructor, Blake has had some of the best aerial views of Folly Beach possible! When he is not teaching surfing or flying, Blake is hunting down waves of his own. When asked about some of his favorite surf experiences, Blake said “hunting down waves with friends across the world in locations like Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, and the Outer Banks”.

Olivia - Toes on the Nose

Our longboard queen Olivia is known to make even the smallest surf a blast. Olivia has a passion for helping progress both beginner and intermediate surfers with style and grace. Although Olivia is fantastic with all demographics, she has a special talent of getting teenage girls hooked on surfing!

About Isla’s Surf Lesson, Summer Surf Camp Instructors

We provide professional instructors who are CPR/AED/First Aid Certified and many are former lifeguards from around the world, the best equipment, and the widest range of lesson and tour options. Our instructors range from former pro surfers, veterans, college students, and all have years of experience under their belt. We have secured a franchise contract with the City of Folly Beach and carry comprehensive insurance for all of our activities. We pride ourselves on giving the best, safest, and most fun lessons on the beach. Book a lesson/tour with us and experience the Isla difference.

This video above highlights some of our favorite moments from our first three full years in business. We have had the most amazing time meeting people from all walks of life, making new friends and partners, and growing the business. We have had so many fun moments at summer camp and during our private lessons and some incredibly powerful moments doing our non-profit work. Thank you for the continued support and we look forward to being a positive force in the Charleston and Folly Beach community for many years to come!

Head to our VIMEO page for all of our videos!