Surf's Up at The Westin Los Angeles Airport
Underwater spinning, bouldering, Richard Simmons’ Slimmons Studio back in the day, goat yoga - there’s no workout you haven’t tried, no adrenaline kick you haven't chased, no superfood smoothie you haven't conjured within the holy chamber of your Vita-Mix. And yet, in a lifetime spent aligning body, mind, and soul, you’ve yet to experience one of the greatest workouts ever - one that's steeped in culture, nature and spirituality; the one where you get to walk on water. You’re ashamed to say, you’ve never gone surfing.
Your reasons for not making it to the beach are plenty—maybe you live in Ohio (or east of La Brea). Maybe the wild Pacific intimidates you in a way that Richard Simmons never could. Maybe you’re scared of getting strung out on surf…because you’ve heard that can happen. Also, you’re kind of super busy, a professional who doesn’t always have a lot of extra time on their hands.
Then one day, you decide it’s time to stop watching Point Break re-runs and you book the Surf Lesson Room Package at The Westin Los Angeles Airport, conveniently located a mile from LAX and the only hotel in L.A. with its own dedicated year-round Surf Concierge.
The complimentary airport shuttle is just one of the hotel's amenities, which include an outdoor heated pool, WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio and the Westin Executive Club Lounge. After you check in, you stroll up to the reception, tell them you’re ready to set your inner Johnny Utah free and catch your first tube.
A beautiful girl steps forward—her name is Jenny, and she’s The Westin's Surf Concierge. “I’ll help you find your first wave,” she says, adding that she'd be delighted to organize a personalized surf session for you at El Porto in Manhattan Beach, just two miles down Pacific Coast Highway. Lessons are provided by The Westin's partner, Campsurf, and include a surfboard and wetsuit for each surfer, and are suitable for all ages and abilities.
You nod, affirmative. Sounds awesome.
El Porto attracts surfers from all over the South Bay, thanks to an underwater canyon that creates perfectly surfable swells year round. Which would you prefer, asks Jenny—the Dawn Patrol where she takes surfers out when the clouds are pink and fiery, or the family Surf Camp Experience when the sun's high in the sky?
Before long, you’re in a wetsuit with sand running through your toes as you learn the basics of surf technique. The ocean beckons. God, it’s beautiful. “I can’t believe it’s taken me this long,” you whisper as you paddle out; some dolphins leap in the surf ahead of you. You think about daredevil big wave surfers like Garrett McNamara; about Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys; about the Polynesians who shaped the first wood boards and birthed this divine sport.
Then you wipe out—once, twice, dozens of times you tumble underwater, but it’s all worth it for the rapture that flows through your veins when you finally stand up on your board for the very first time, hearing a faint theremin wail as you travel on water, experiencing the horizon the way God—i.e. Kelly Slater—intended.
To celebrate, you treat yourself to lunch at Fishing with Dynamite, featuring the coastal cuisine of Chef David Lefevre. The raw bar is always a popular option, whether it's a dozen oysters on the half shell or a shellfish platter like the S.S. Minnow for two: 4 oysters, 2 clams, 3 shrimp, 6 mussels and a half lobster. Classics from the Old School section include New England Clam Chowdah' and Maryland Blue Crab Cake. If you're in the mood for New School, try the grilled octopus, hamachi, or yellowtail tacos.
If your surfing session ends in the afternoon, raise a pint on the patio at Simmzy’s, a local favorite with 20+ rotating beers on tap. Then it's back to The Westin for all-American fare at the hotel's Daily Grill Restaurant & Bar.
After a nightcap at the Lobby Lounge, you quickly fall into a deep sleep in the signature Heavenly® Bed, dreaming of chasing waves in the Endless Summer.
The Westin Los Angeles Airport
5400 West Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 216-5858
