DRYFT
01Lessons / Camps
Surf Instruction
Beginner pop-ups to advanced maneuver coaching. ISA-level curriculum, tailored to the swell of the day.
Book now→
Long Island · Atlantic Coast
Ride the
dryft.
Coaching, judging, and ocean safety from a certified ISA Surf Judge, Suffolk County Lifeguard, and ARC Lifeguard Instructor.
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ISA Surf Judge✦ISA Instructor✦Ocean Lifeguard✦ARC Instructor✦Suffolk County Certified✦Est. Atlantic✦ISA Surf Judge✦ISA Instructor✦Ocean Lifeguard✦ARC Instructor✦Suffolk County Certified✦Est. Atlantic✦ISA Surf Judge✦ISA Instructor✦Ocean Lifeguard✦ARC Instructor✦Suffolk County Certified✦Est. Atlantic✦
Salt in the veins
Since day one.
01 — About
The ocean isn't a backdrop. It's the curriculum.
DRYFT Adventures is built around one principle — respect the water, read the water, then ride it. Whether you're paddling out for the first time or sharpening competition form, every session is taught with the eyes of a judge and the instincts of a lifeguard.
10+
Years coaching
4
Certifications
∞
Sets caught
Our Story
It all started when…
After a 30 year hiatus, Elizabeth Finkle Sans got the itch to start surfing again. She researched surf adventures in Central America and selected Coco Loco Eco-Resort — and a Nicaraguan legend was born, "Mama Liz".
While surfing California, Long Island, and Central America, Mama Liz started repping boards. But like most entrepreneurs she felt she could build a better mousetrap — and thus DRYFT WATERSPORTS began its journey in 2017, offering custom and pre-packaged surf and yoga adventures.
2017
DRYFT founded
2018
First hand-shaped boards delivered
Today
Coaching, judging & global retreats
Credentials
Certified by the bodies that set the standard.
01
ISA
International Surfing Association
Certified Surf Judge
02
ISA
International Surfing Association
Certified Surf Instructor
03
SCPD
Suffolk County
Approved Ocean Lifeguard
04
ARC
American Red Cross
Lifeguard Instructor
02 — Services
Four disciplines. One ocean.
02Events / Heats
Competition Judging
ISA-certified judging for contests, scrimmages and training heats. Scoring, head judging, and athlete debriefs.
Book now→03Rescue / Safety
Ocean Lifeguarding
Suffolk County approved ocean rescue, beach safety consulting, and event water-coverage.
Book now→04Certification
ARC Instructor Courses
Full American Red Cross Lifeguard certification courses — CPR, AED, and water rescue, taught hands-on.
Book now→03 — The Crew
Watermen and women who live it.
Founder · Surf Coach
Liz Sans
Aka Mama Liz. Founded DRYFT in 2017 after rediscovering surfing in Nicaragua. Coaches lessons, retreats and women's clinics from Long Island to Central America.
Lead Instructor
Brett Mills
Long Island waterman and instructor. Brings years of ocean experience to every session — from first pop-ups to refining advanced technique.
Lifeguard Instructor
Ben Bertuch
Swordfish Beach Club lifeguard and ARC instructor. Leads ocean safety training and certification courses with a calm, no-nonsense approach.
04 — FAQ
Questions, answered.
01What's the minimum age to take a Red Cross lifeguard course?
+
What's the minimum age to take a Red Cross lifeguard course?
15 years old for Red Cross pool, waterfront, water park and aquatic-attractions lifeguarding.
02What's the minimum age to become an ocean lifeguard?
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What's the minimum age to become an ocean lifeguard?
16 years old. Ocean lifeguarding has stricter physical and skill requirements than pool or waterfront certifications.
03How long is the lifeguard training course?
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How long is the lifeguard training course?
Candidates must complete a minimum 20-hour training course, not including CPR. CPR/AED is required and runs separately.
04What swimming standard do I need to pass?
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What swimming standard do I need to pass?
You must swim a minimum of 300 yards of continuous freestyle without breaking stroke. Strong swim skills are non-negotiable — inadequate swimming will not allow a candidate to progress through the modules.
05What does a proper ocean rescue entry look like?
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What does a proper ocean rescue entry look like?
A dynamic entry into the surf zone on the upsweep of the buoy — knowledge of sweep direction is critical. High-step knees entering the water, knowing when to make the first dive (porpoise), and beginning to swim at waist-level depth. Keep your head up only enough to maintain visual on the victim.
06What rescues will I learn?
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What rescues will I learn?
Strong demonstration of the 3 major rescues, plus the supplemental rescues we teach. You'll be prepared for the physical skills exam and for real-world rescues we've encountered — including techniques specific to certain beaches.
07Do you teach beach-specific rescue technique?
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Do you teach beach-specific rescue technique?
Yes. Alongside the standard curriculum we teach additional rescues we've developed in the field, tailored to the conditions of specific local beaches.
08Where are sessions held?
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Where are sessions held?
Our home base is Westhampton Beach, NY. Surf instruction, judging and lifeguard training all run on Long Island's Atlantic coast — with retreats in Central America.
03 — Our Base
Westhampton Beach, NY.
PO BOX 442
Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
USA
mamaliz@dryftwatersports.com →Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
USA
40.8043° N · 72.6404° W
◉ DRYFT HQ
04 — Get in the water
Tide's up. You in?
Choose between courses, lessons and retreats — all on the booking page. Roll with the dryft.