Club Highlight: Monterey Surf

Surf Nation is comprised of like-minded coaches and administrators dedicated to our Surf mission to provide the best experiences and opportunities for their athletes. Since 2019, Monterey Surf has been a proud partner of Surf Nation, and we have thoroughly enjoyed the partnership. We have watched their amazing club grow and seen them take full advantage being a part of the Surf brand.

1. What is the greatest benefit to Monterey Surf being part of the Surf Nation community?

The greatest benefit to Monterey Surf being part of the Surf Nation community is Player Development Pathway. By being part of Surf Nation, Monterey Surf has access to a structured and proven player development pathway, allowing players to progress at all levels within Surf Select and our NorCal partners with the support of top-tier coaching, resources, and opportunities to compete at various levels. It helps create a clear route for players to improve their skills, increase their exposure, and eventually move on to higher levels of competition including college. The pathway is critical because it not only focuses on the player’s technical development but also on their holistic growth as athletes. This provides a long-term benefit that aligns with the core values of Surf Nation, setting a solid foundation for the future of Monterey Surf players.

2. Looking towards tryouts ahead of the 2025/2026 season, what are some KPIs you are keeping track of and keeping in mind when identifying players at Monterey Surf?

Depending on the game model, coaching philosophy, and age/stage of development, we are using these KPI’s for our upcoming tryout window:

• Technical/Coordinative
• Ball actions (control, pass, dribble/1v1, shot)
• Motor skill (balance, coordination, etc.)
• Tactical/Cognitive
• Decision Making (with and without the ball)
• Support/Movements
• Reading of the Game
• Speed of Play
• Physical/Conditional
• Speed, Acceleration
• Duels/Challenges
• Endurance
• SocioAffective/Psychological
• Team/Player Chemistry
• Attitude/Responsibility
• Growth Mindset/coachability
• Reaction under pressure/adversity

3. What are some club highlights from the 2024/2025 season that have stood out so far?

Growth on our competitive boys side: we added 8 boys teams in the 2024/2025 calendar year and increased our boys staff with 5 new coaches. Please Welcome- Adrian Moreno, Christian Moreno, Israel Moreno, Chrisopher Gribben and Juan Casique.

We added a full time Goalkeeper Coach, Johnny Saldarriaga Olaya, and a Technical/Speed & Agility Coach, Anthony Velasquez, to our staff this year.

We also hosted an inhouse referee course through US Soccer and licensed most of our 2010 and 2011 boys.  These young referees play a huge role in our recreational program, teaching the game to our grassroots players.

4. Monterey Surf has had several players progress through the Surf Select program where they had the opportunity to play in Surf Cup Spain, Royal Pre-Season Cup, and Surf Cup Southwest among others – can you talk about how those experiences have impacted your players and what they are able to bring back into their team environments?

To best answer this question, we talked to some Monterey Surf parents:

Ryan Aeschliman – (Father of Scarlett 2012) “We have been lucky to participate in the Surf Select program for 4 years now playing in Florida, Spain, San Diego and Northern Ireland this coming summer. The Surf Select program has had a profound impact on our daughter, both on and off the field. Competing against top-level national and international teams challenged her to elevate her technical skills, tactical awareness, and overall intensity of play. She has experienced firsthand the speed, precision, and creativity that define top level soccer programs, pushing her and her teammates to adapt and grow in ways that traditional training alone could not achieve. Equally, if not more importantly, she has had the opportunity to form bonds with her Surf Select teammates from Surf clubs across the nation.

Beyond the game itself, our daughter gained invaluable cultural exposure and a deeper appreciation for the global nature of soccer. Training with talented coaches and engaging in competitive matches helped her develop resilience, adaptability, and confidence in her abilities.

Returning to her local team, our daughter brings a heightened sense of teamwork, improved decision-making under pressure, and a fresh perspective on the game. She has learned to communicate more effectively, embrace challenges, and push herself and teammates to higher standards. The experience has not only made her a better player but also a stronger leader, eager to share her knowledge and inspire those around her. The surf select program is more than just a soccer journey—it was a transformative experience that will have a lasting impact on our daughters development both as an athlete and individual.”

Guadalupe Espinola – (Mother of Raul 2011) “Raul has played in the Surf Select program for several years and has gained more confidence in himself as a player and person through his experiences.  He has been able to bring back to his team a new found passion for soccer.  Raul has gained some new friends from all of the Surf Community and stays in contact with them regularly.  We have been able to travel aboard as a family and had some fantastic experiences learning new cultures and seeing the soccer world from a new perspective.”

5. Monterey Surf does a great job at bridging the gap between the grassroots, recreational level and the competitive level – what are some keys to doing this successfully?

Monterey Surf success in bridging the gap between grassroots, recreational and competitive soccer can be directly attributed to the leadership and vision of Junior Academy Director Gina Kooiman. Her approach integrates several key factors that create a seamless progression from recreational to competitive program:

• Focus on Fundamentals: we ensure that all players, regardless of experience level, develop a strong foundation in basic skills. Mastering fundamentals is key to building confidence and creating a smooth transition into competitive play.
• Creating a Growth Mindset: we promote a culture where kids focus on improving their skills rather than just the outcome of a competition. This mindset is crucial in maintaining a healthy balance between recreational soccer and competitive aspirations.
• Inclusive and Positive Environment: Monterey Surf’s Junior Academy emphasizes a supportive community where both success and failure are seen as opportunities for growth. This supportive environment encourages young players to feel safe taking risks
  and progressing through various stages of their soccer journey.
• Building a Strong Soccer Community: Gina works to create a strong community around the Junior Academy—one that includes not only players and coaches but also families, local supporters, and the wider soccer community in Monterey County. This sense of community can help players feel more supported as they move toward more competitive play.
• Experienced and Supportive Coaches: Our Junior Academy recruits coaches who are not only experienced in soccer but also skilled in working with young athletes at all levels. These coaches play a key role in helping players develop both their technical skills and their understanding of the game.
• Maintaining the Joy of Soccer: Despite the competitive nature of the academy, Gina ensures that fun and enjoyment are always at the heart of the experience.