🏄♂️ Meet Our Instructors
Experienced surfers. Patient teachers. Ocean lovers.
At Flagler Surf School, surfing ability is only the beginning. Our instructors are selected not only for how well they surf, but for how well they teach. Every instructor is background checked, CPR/First Aid certified, trained in ocean safety, and committed to providing patient guidance, clear instruction, and genuine encouragement.
We proudly welcome students of all ages and abilities, including children with special needs, and work to ensure every student feels comfortable, supported, and capable in the water.
Our team brings more than 60 years of combined surfing experience, led by owner Katie Jagocki, who has 27 years of surf instruction experience across California, Hawaii, and Florida. We intentionally keep our student-to-instructor ratios small so every student receives personal attention, develops real skills and ocean confidence, and progresses at the level that is right for them.
Licensed & Insured | CPR/First Aid Certified | 5-Star Rated
🌺 Katie – Owner & Surf Instructor
CPR/First Aid Certified | 27 Years of Teaching Experience | California, Hawaii & Florida
Katie began teaching surf lessons 27 years ago in Southern California, where she built a thriving surf school, coached celebrity clients, and appeared on national television. She later spent 10 years in Hawaii, teaching private lessons on iconic North Shore breaks and leading immersive surf retreats.
After meeting her husband, a Flagler Beach native, on the North Shore of Oʻahu, Katie eventually made her way to Florida, where they now live with their twin boys (who first rode on surfboards at just 10 months old).
Katie brings a wealth of experience, ocean expertise, and a thoughtful teaching approach that makes every student feel confident, supported, and excited to learn. Her lessons are fun, empowering, and grounded in a deep passion for helping others thrive in the water.
🗨️ "I love sharing the joy of surfing. Watching someone catch their first wave never gets old. Their smile says it all. I can’t wait to help you experience it too."
🌀 Gaetano Scarol – Surf Instructor
CPR/First Aid Certified | Competitive Longboarder | Local Flagler Surfer
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Gaetano (pronounced Guy-Ta-No) is a Flagler Beach local who has been surfing for 13 years and teaching for six. A former competitive longboarder, he competed in NSSA Regionals and Loggerhead events and placed seventh in College Longboard at the 2025 NSSA East Coast Championships while representing UNF.
Now a recent college graduate, Gaetano brings extensive surfing and teaching experience to every session. Whether he is helping a beginner stand up for the first time or guiding a developing surfer toward stronger technique, he teaches with patience, encouragement, and pure stoke.
🗨️ “Surfing is such a big part of my life and I hope to share that same joy with you. Mahalo!”
🌴 Kyle Purdy – Surf Instructor
CPR/First Aid Certified | 32+ Years Surfing | Surf Dad
Born in Boynton Beach, Kyle moved to Flagler Beach at age 10 and began surfing at 12. With more than 32 years of surfing experience, he has surfed throughout Florida, Costa Rica, and North Carolina.
Ocean safety and instruction run in Kyle’s family: his wife is a swim instructor, his daughter is a lifeguard, and both of his children surf. Exceptionally patient and kind, Kyle enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities, including beginners and children with special needs. He helps every student feel comfortable, build confidence, and experience the excitement of catching a wave.
Kyle is also a talented guitarist and pianist, and our resident surf camp musician during snack breaks. 🎸
🗨️ “There’s nothing better than helping someone catch their first wave and seeing their face light up.”
🌊 Ivan – Surf Instructor
CPR/First Aid Certified | Competitive Surfer | International Surf Experience
Born and raised in California, Ivan learned to surf at four years old and has spent as much time in the ocean as possible ever since. He is a competitive surfer who has traveled and surfed around the world, including Europe and Central America.
Ivan has experience coaching surfers and helping them improve their skills, build confidence, and feel more comfortable in the water. He brings an encouraging, positive attitude to every lesson and loves helping students have fun while learning.
Outside of surfing, Ivan is a musician and trumpet player who enjoys sharing his passions with others.
🗨️ “I love teaching others the sport that makes me feel most alive.”
