Lars Svanberg

At 65, Lars Svanberg has spent a lifetime built around waves, wind, and salt water. He owns and operates Main Beach Surf Camp and Main Beach Outfitters in East Hampton, offering surf camps for kids, guided tours of local waterways, and a full range of rentals including surfboards, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, wetsuits, life jackets, and paddles. His mission is simple: get people into the ocean and on the water safely, and make sure they have the time of their lives.

Lars grew up loving sports and the outdoors, but he originally took a more traditional path. After earning a bachelor’s degree in economics, he spent two years on Wall Street as a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch. The city never felt like home, and he soon followed his instincts to the place he truly belonged: the beaches of East Hampton. Drawn by the ocean and the small-town coastal lifestyle, he moved east, immersed himself in the local surf community, and never looked back.

In 1987, Lars opened a surf and sports shop in East Hampton, a hub for surfers, athletes, and ocean lovers that he owned and operated for more than three decades. Alongside the shop, he launched Main Beach Surf Camp, teaching kids from about seven to their mid-teens how to surf, respect the ocean, and enjoy the beach safely. After COVID, Lars stepped away from the brick-and-mortar store to focus fully on what he loves most: running his surf camp and outfitter business, and working directly with families on the sand and in the water.

Lars is not just a coach; he is an accomplished endurance athlete. Over the years, he has completed nine Ironman triathlons, hundreds of Olympic-distance triathlons, and around 50 marathons, as well as countless distance running, cycling, and swimming events. That depth of experience shows up in his coaching style: patient, encouraging, safety-focused, and grounded in a deep understanding of how bodies move and learn in challenging environments.

Surfing, though, has always been the main love of his life. Lars has traveled the world chasing waves and leading surf trips, from the South Pacific and Hawaii to the West Coast, up and down the East Coast, the Maldives, and beyond. He brings that global experience back to East Hampton, where he guides private lessons and tours from ocean beaches to quiet back bays, giving guests a closer connection to the unique marine environment of the Hamptons.

A trained and certified ocean lifeguard and experienced aquatic instructor, Lars teaches surfing, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking, including adaptive aquatic instruction. His greatest joy is sharing his ocean knowledge with younger generations, watching campers grow from first-timers to confident surfers, and often seeing them return as teens and adults. He plans to keep teaching, guiding, and paddling out with new surfers for as long as he can—hopefully well into his nineties.

Meet the Team

  • Sebastian Gonzalez

    My name is Sebastian Gonzalez, head surf instructor at MBX Surf Camp. I was born and raised on the East End and have spent most of my life connected to the ocean and local beach culture.

    I started skateboarding at 12 years old, skating everywhere from Southampton to Montauk before spending several years living in Brooklyn. During the summer of 2020, I began spending more time in the water and never looked back. Surfing quickly became my main passion, motivation, work, and lifestyle.

    I’ve surfed consistently throughout the East End in everything from beach breaks in East Hampton to point breaks in Montauk, and have also spent time surfing the North Shore of Maui and Rincón. Growing up body surfing and bodyboarding helped me become a strong ocean swimmer with a deep understanding of local conditions, ocean safety, and lineup awareness. I am also an East Hampton Ocean Certified lifeguard and primarily work with kids and beginner surfers.

    My teaching style is supportive, motivating, and confidence-building. Since I was learning not too long ago myself, I can relate to students and help make surfing feel approachable and fun. I also spent 9 years as a counselor at Hayground Camp, where teaching and mentoring became a natural part of who I am.

    Surfing has shaped me mentally, spiritually, and physically, making me more disciplined, confident, and connected to both nature and community. I’ve always believed surfing is a privilege, and with that comes respect for the ocean, the beaches, the locals, and the environment we’re lucky to call home.

  • Annabel

    Hi my names Annabel I’m from Philly and I’ve grown up surfing in East Hampton and Montauk every summer! I love the surfing and boogie boarding, just about everything that involves the water! This is my second summer working for MBX and the counselors and kids are awesome!! I’m going to Southern Methodist University (SMU) next fall, and cannot wait for this summer!

  • Jake Notley

    Jake Notley was born in 2003 on Maui and currently lives in Haiku on the North Shore with his family. A lifelong waterman, Jake grew up surfing his home break at Ho'okipa Beach Park and has spent most of his life in and around the ocean.

    Jake earned his lifeguard certification at Baldwin Beach Park and spent many summers helping his uncle at MBX Surf Camp, where he developed a passion for teaching and sharing the aloha spirit with young surfers.

    In 2025, Jake spent a year in Australia attending Griffith University while reconnecting with his Australian family on his dad’s side. During his time abroad, he surfed many of the world-class breaks along the Gold Coast and also earned his Australian lifeguard certification.

    After returning home to Maui, Jake launched his own successful car detailing business, combining his strong work ethic with his entrepreneurial spirit. In May 2026, he traveled to Indonesia with a group of friends to spend three weeks surfing in Bali, always looking for new opportunities to push his surfing and waterman skills to the next level.

    Jake loves being part of the MBX family and enjoys teaching kids how to surf, build confidence in the water, and have fun in the ocean. Hopefully you’ll get the chance to meet him this summer. See you on the waves!

  • Dylan Notley


    Dylan Notley was born in 2003 and raised on the North Shore of Maui in Haiku, where he currently lives with his family. Growing up surrounded by the ocean, Dylan has spent his entire life in the water and has developed into a true Maui waterman. Whether he’s surfing, diving, fishing, or exploring hidden waterfalls around the island, Dylan is always chasing his next adventure.

    Dylan earned his lifeguard certification on Maui and has a passion for teaching kids how to enjoy and respect the ocean on every level. From surfing and fishing to diving and outdoor exploration, he loves sharing his knowledge and helping young campers build confidence in and around the water.

    By trade, Dylan is a plumber, but when the work week ends, you’ll usually find him camping and fishing in some of the most remote parts of the island. No matter how busy life gets, Dylan always manages to spend time in the ocean every day — especially when the surf is pumping at his home break at Ho'okipa Beach Park.

    Dylan has been part of the MBX family for years and joins his uncle Lars each summer as an instructor at MBX Surf Camp. Known for his natural teaching ability, adventurous spirit, and positive attitude, Dylan creates a fun and encouraging environment that kids instantly connect with.

    When winter arrives, Dylan can often be found snowboarding in Japan or Canada, while summers often take him to Balito enjoy world-class surf with friends. In 2025, Dylan participated in the Paddle for Humanity charity paddle to Block Island and was one of the few participants to successfully paddle a surfboard from Montauk to Block Island.

    A true adventurer at heart, Dylan is always eager to explore new places, push his limits, and share his love for the ocean with others. His well-rounded personality, energy, and sense of fun make him an instructor that kids genuinely love spending time with both in and out of the water.