Where to learn how to surf: Surf lessons in New Jersey

Grab your board.

Swim out past the breakers.

Find tranquility and excitement, all at once.

"It's the most healing, therapeutic sport there is," says surfing instructor Becky Burt. "It's not about being the best. It's about getting out there and having fun."

As a Jersey Shore native, Burt says she "grew up in the ocean," although she didn't learn how to surf until she was 17 or 18.

Burt is now introducing the sport to younger girls, teaching through her surf school, Pink Pineapple Surf, which she founded in Manasquan in 2014.

Children as young as 4 years old can learn the elementals of surfing at Pink Pineapple.

If you're a lot older than that, don't worry. Teens also can take lessons or attend surf camp through Pink Pineapple. Adults can catch a wave with surf schools anywhere from Asbury Park down to LBI.

Here is a sampling of surf schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties:

Coastline Adventures Surfing School

Private surf and stand-up paddleboarding (S.U.P.) lessons and camps. Go: Brick Beach 3, 440 Route 35 North, Seneca Dunes, Brick; 732-300-5115, njsurfschool.com.

Girls Wave Riding

Private surf and ocean safety lessons for girls. Surf camp with yoga and arts and crafts. Go: 1 Deal Esplanade, Deal; 908-489-3907, girlswaveriding.com.

Hammer Surf School

Classes and private lessons for all ages, on the beaches of Spring Lake, Lavallette and Seaside Park. Various locations. Go: 732-966-6430, hammersurfschool.com.

Pink Pineapple Surf

Private surf lessons, surf camp and surf birthday parties. Owned by women, run by women, for girls ages 6 to 18. Go: Whiting Avenue, first jetty North of the Manasquan inlet. (GPS: 378 First Ave., Manasquan, NJ 08736); 908-770-3449, pinkpineapplesurf.com.

Summertime Surf

Private surf and stand-up paddleboard (S.U.P.) lessons, kids' surf camps.On the beaches of Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Belmar, Point Pleasant, and on the Manasquan River. Various locations. Go: 732-599-2700, summertimesurf.com.

Surf With Nicole

Private lessons, kids' camp for ages 8 to 16, Grom Squad for ages 4 through 7. Various locations on Long Beach Island. Go: 609-389-9736, surfwithnicole.com.

Hi, there! I'm Kelly-Jane Cotter. As a kid, I learned how to swim at the beach clubs in Sea Bright. I loved jumping waves in the waters off Sandy Hook and Beach Haven. Read more of my stories in the links below, follow me @KellyJaneCotter, contact me at kcotter@gannettnj.com, and how about subscribing so you don't miss a thing? 

SUMMERTIME STORIES:

ABUNDANCE:Too many zucchini? Check out this guy's garden in Point Pleasant

TIME FLIES:Back to school: 3 things that will change for your kids as summer ends

THINGS TO DO:7 fun things to add to your summer bucket list at the Jersey Shore

CRITTERS:Tiny jellyfish on beach and in waves are actually salps, not sea lice