Bio

Growing up in San Pedro in coastal Los Angeles, Dylan Sohngen developed a deep connection to the ocean that has shaped both his life and career. A lifelong waterman, Dylan has spent decades surfing, sailing, diving, and spearfishing -and has dedicated his life to sharing the joy, freedom, and transformative power of the ocean.

After surfing through childhood and having the best experience on the San Pedro High Surf Team, he began teaching surfing while studying Ecology at UC San Diego, an experience that sparked a lasting passion for ocean education, youth mentorship, and community leadership. That passion continues to guide his work today as Owner and Executive Director of Aqua Surf School in Santa Monica, where he leads one of Southern California’s most trusted surf programs, teaching over 1000 students per year.

A committed waterman, Dylan actively surfs around the world and embraces every opportunity to mentor the next generation in ocean knowledge and surf culture. Whether leading summer surf programs, coaching the local high school surf team, learning to sail, spearfishing for his dinner or chasing swells abroad, he lives in the pursuit of knowledge and action; to be both a scholar and a shredder.

Ocean Experience & Philosophy

Surfing has been a constant in Dylan’s life for over 20 years. What began as a personal pursuit has grown into a lifelong commitment to enjoying, learning and sharing the ways of the ocean.

Dylan’s background as an experienced LA City Open Water Lifeguard, Certified Fii Freediver (20m), and B.W.R.A.G. Surf Responder informs Aqua Surf’s safety-first culture and teaching methodology. His approach blends technical surf instruction with environmental awareness, surf etiquette, and emotional intelligence – meeting each student where they are and helping them grow at their own pace.

At Aqua Surf, these philosophies come to life through programs such as:

Dylan helps his students & staff experience the joy, challenges, and personal growth that come through surfing. As he says, “the ocean has the lessons.”

Professional Background

Before stepping fully into surf education and youth programming, Dylan built a foundation in scientific research, non-profit initiatives and youth work that continue to influence how he runs Aqua Surf today.

Previous/Other Experience Includes:

  • High School Surf Team Coach – Pacifica Christian High School Surf Team in Santa Monica (Current). See here.
  • One Watershed Program – Event lead in collaboration with Surfrider Foundation LA providing free surf lessons to inner-city youth in Los Angeles with 3-5 events per summer. Over 700 kids have surfed through the program. (2019 – Present)
  • Los Angeles City Open-Water Lifeguard

  • Swim “Guru” & Fundraiser Organizer, Swimdo (501(c)(3) drowning-prevention nonprofit in Indonesia.) Helped develop drowning prevention curriculum for indonesian youth. Taught survival swimming to kids ages 6-16 in pools & rivers. Trained children and youth staff CPR and helped raise over $50,000 for year-after-year success. Swimdo continues to have a massive impact in the communities it works, building a culture of water safety and fun(!) in rural villages.

  • Regulatory Analyst, Advanced Orthopaedic Solutions  (Biomedical Engineering)

  • Lab Technician – Southern California Coastal Research Project (S.C.C.W.R.P.) Worked on the San Diego Public Health – Surfer Health Study which correlated ocean water quality sampling and adverse health effects for over 600 surfers across over 1000 surf sessions. Surfing meets science.

  • Entomology Department, San Diego Natural History Museum.  Entomology lab, multi-day expeditions to Baja Mexico and the Mojave Desert collecting and studying unsurveyed regions.

  • Equestrian Instructor – Metropolitan Los Angeles YMCA at Camp Whittle

  • Researcher, UC San Diego (Ecology, Behavior & Evolutionary Biology) – Drosophila Lab

This mix of science, research, operations, and education shapes Dylan’s analytical yet people-first approach to leadership, safety systems, and program design.

Media

Through his work with Aqua Surf, Dylan has been featured in regional, national, and international media highlighting surf education, community impact, and ocean safety, including:

These features reflect the broader mission of Dylan and the Aqua Surf team: using surfing as a tool for connection, inclusion, and positive impact – especially for youth and underserved communities.

Dream Trip

Dylan’s favorite surf experiences share common themes: adventure, good waves, wild nature, remote places, a little discomfort and really good friends. And there have been many.

A dream trip doesn’t have to be on the other side of the world though, Dylan has no problem finding adventure close to home in California. But when summer is over… he’s liable to be making his way to a coastline far away with his crew.

Aqua Surf School Instructor Best Surf camp in Santa Monica
Aqua Surf School Instructor Best Surf camp in Los Angeles
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Pacifica High School Surf Team
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