ABOUT US
La Vida Laguna “The Laguna Life”
As Laguna’s original and #1-rated outdoor experience company, we have cultivated the good vibe and special stoke that makes guests feel welcome, exhilarated, and safe. Our guides are passionate local watermen and women, mountain bikers, hikers, skaters, skimboarders, and of course, surfers. Their goal is to help guests learn a new skill, gain a new appreciation for their surroundings, and above, have a freaking blast.
We don’t just enjoy the outdoors. We embody it. The ecosystem in Laguna is uniquely beautiful – the ocean, beaches, wilderness, and stunning, vertiginous neighborhoods. With the pristine Pacific Ocean on one side, and 25,000 acres of protected open space on the other, we are an outdoor experiential playground.
We offer daily surf, SUP, bike and kayak lesson and tours, we are also Orange County’s premier group and teambuilding company. We work with every 5-star resort and DMC in the area, and host Fortune 500 companies for multiple day retreats. They like us because of our centrally located retail location. Our bathrooms, shower and changing areas. Our proximity to shops, restaurants, and meeting spaces. But mostly, they like us because we deliver the best programs, day in and day out.
Come hang out at our surf/bike shop, where we outfit you with a wetsuit and board, and where you can shower, change and watch surf films when you are finished.
We have an extensive background in teambuilding programs with a teachable outcome. We have a wellness program with an emphasis on the mind / body connection. We explore nature as a healing modality. We offer historic walking and biking tours, downtown treasure hunts, beach games and beach days. We curate offsite meetings with activity and entertainment components. And we are absolute experts at just having fun.
Meet the Team
Billy Fried
CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER
Birthplace: Baltimore, MD
Favorite Activity / Sport: Music, ski, swim, kayak, body board.
Role at La Vida Laguna: Cheerleader
Best part of the gig: Having board meetings on boards
What makes Laguna special? Perfect weather, pristine water, rocky coastline, protected open space, beautiful homes and neighborhoods, happy, elevated people.
Favorite local restaurant: The Taco Stand, La Sirena, Zinc, Anastasia.
Favorite music: Legendary Laguna reggae – Common Sense, World Anthem, Rebel Rockers + funk, soul, blues, bluegrass, mother African, salsa, samba, bossa nova, and jazz.
Perfect Weekend: Early morning kayak on a glassy, windless sea, yoga at Treasure Island Park, ocean swimming through the kelp, eBiking to the Farmers Market, body boarding at my spot, beach picnic with friends, sunset hike in the wilderness, full moon drum circle at Aliso Beach, jamming harmonica with local bands, and listening to all the great musicians around town.
Doug Oyen
CHIEF ADVENTURE OFFICER
Birthplace: Westchester County, New York
Favorite Activity / Sport: Surfing, Snowboarding, and Hiking (can’t choose one)
Role at La Vida Laguna: I get to dabble in everything that our talented watermen and women, nature enthusiasts, wellness professionals, artist, and musicians offer.
Best part of the gig: Being the conduit that connects my incredibly passionate team with locals and visitors to share the unique Laguna Beach stoke.
What makes Laguna special? The culture of kindness and abundance which allows us to live simply and play full-on in rhythm with nature.
Favorite local restaurant: Tacos please! – I love South of Nick’s, La Serena Grill, Asada, and Taco Stand on rotation.
Favorite music: Keeping it local – Great North Special, Common Sense, and Matt Costa
Perfect Weekend: Saturday: Walk to the Farmer’s Market > cappuccino at Laguna Coffee Company > surf till hunger wins > motorcycle ride to Joshua Tree > dance under the stars until sunrise.
Sunday: Hike until exhaustion wins > nap in the shade > ride home for sunset paddle along north Laguna coves.
Tina Elkins
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Birthplace: Rhode Island
Favorite Activity / Sport: Drumming!
Role at La Vida Laguna: Accounting & help with Operations
Best part of the gig: Great people to work with
What makes Laguna special? Crystal clear ocean water
Favorite local restaurant: Saigon Beach Vietnamese Pho
Favorite music: Belly dance music
Perfect Weekend: Pilates, Beach Time, Dancing, Drumming, and Family
Mick Donoff
LEAD GUIDE
Birthplace: Noblesville Indiana
Favorite Activity / Sport: Mt. Biking, Skiing, Travelling, and Hiking
Role at La Vida Laguna: Biking and hiking
Best part of the gig: Working with and enjoying younger people who really enjoy what they do for work at La Vida Laguna. You really can’t call our activities work. LOL
What makes Laguna special? Laguna Beach is a small beautiful piece of this earth. From the waves to the hills it is just real special place to relax, renew, and revitalize your body and spirit.
Favorite local restaurant: Brussel Bistro
Favorite music: Rock and Roll baby, 60-80’s
Perfect Weekend: Skiing power at Mammoth Mountain with friends
Jaeson Plon
LEAD GUIDE
Birthplace: OC
Favorite Activity / Sport: Music, ski, swim, kayak, body board.
Role at La Vida Laguna: Cheerleader
Best part of the gig: Having board meetings on boards
What makes Laguna special? Perfect weather, pristine water, rocky coastline, protected open space, beautiful homes and neighborhoods, happy, elevated people.
Favorite local restaurant: The Taco Stand, La Sirena, Zinc, Anastasia.
Favorite music: Legendary Laguna reggae – Common Sense, World Anthem, Rebel Rockers + funk, soul, blues, bluegrass, mother African, salsa, samba, bossa nova, and jazz.
Perfect Weekend: Early morning kayak on a glassy, windless sea, yoga at Treasure Island Park, ocean swimming through the kelp, eBiking to the Farmers Market, body boarding at my spot, beach picnic with friends, sunset hike in the wilderness, full moon drum circle at Aliso Beach, jamming harmonica with local bands, and listening to all the great musicians around town.
Mary Dellene
NUTRITION AND WELLNESS COUNSELOR
Birthplace: Mt Vernon, Illinois
Favorite Activity / Sport: Surfing, Snowboarding, and Hiking (can’t choose one)
Role at La Vida Laguna: I get to dabble in everything that our talented watermen and women, nature enthusiasts, wellness professionals, artist, and musicians offer.
Best part of the gig: Being the conduit that connects my incredibly passionate team with locals and visitors to share the unique Laguna Beach stoke.
What makes Laguna special? The culture of kindness and abundance which allows us to live simply and play full-on in rhythm with nature.
Favorite local restaurant: Tacos please! – I love South of Nick’s, La Serena Grill, Asada, and Taco Stand on rotation.
Favorite music: Keeping it local – Great North Special, Common Sense, and Matt Costa
Perfect Weekend: Saturday: Walk to the Farmer’s Market > cappuccino at Laguna Coffee Company > surf till hunger wins > motorcycle ride to Joshua Tree > dance under the stars until sunrise.
Sunday: Hike until exhaustion wins > nap in the shade > ride home for sunset paddle along north Laguna coves.
Jake Brown
ALL SPORTS
Birthplace: Laguna Beach
Favorite Activity / Sport: Drumming!
Role at La Vida Laguna: Accounting & help with Operations
Best part of the gig: Great people to work with
What makes Laguna special? Crystal clear ocean water
Favorite local restaurant: Saigon Beach Vietnamese Pho
Favorite music: Belly dance music
Perfect Weekend: Pilates, Beach Time, Dancing, Drumming, and Family
Rob Nicholas
HIKING BIKING, AND COLD PLUNGE
Birthplace: Pontiac, Michigan
Favorite Activity / Sport: Mt. Biking, Skiing, Travelling, and Hiking
Role at La Vida Laguna: Biking and hiking
Best part of the gig: Working with and enjoying younger people who really enjoy what they do for work at La Vida Laguna. You really can’t call our activities work. LOL
What makes Laguna special? Laguna Beach is a small beautiful piece of this earth. From the waves to the hills it is just real special place to relax, renew, and revitalize your body and spirit.
Favorite local restaurant: Brussel Bistro
Favorite music: Rock and Roll baby, 60-80’s
Perfect Weekend: Skiing power at Mammoth Mountain with friends
Jeffrey Lamperts
ALL SPORTS
Birthplace: Santa Ana, California
Favorite Activity / Sport: Surfing, standup paddling and swimming. My favorite activity is painting and creating art. I also love yoga.
Role at La Vida Laguna: I teach and lead kayak tours and stand up paddle tours.
Best part of the gig: I get to go into the beautiful Pacific at Fisherman’s Cove and enter the rocky coastline environment to show people its beauty (it never gets old.)
What makes Laguna special? There is just so much action going on, beautiful places to dive in and look underwater, as well as fun people and of course, art, art, Art! What’s not to like?
Favorite local restaurant: Sapphire Grill. They have a delicious burger I think they call it the “winemaker.” Also, love the tacos at La Sirena Grill also. Oh, yeah, and don’t forget Rasta Taco.
Favorite music: A Summer night at the Sawdust Festival up on the main stage boogying with all the other smiley Lagunatics who know where it’s at.
Perfect Weekend: Doing some kayaking early morning. Then, taking the mask and snorkel for a few dives into the kelp beds. Tacos for lunch in our wet trunks and T-shirts. The afternoon is for chilling and maybe going down to Wood’s Cove to hang and visit with friends. Then clean up for a night of fun on the town, cruising our E-Bikes around and finding places to dance. Feeling alive under the Laguna sky. The moon shines on the water, and we take the beach route home to crash for the night. Will there be waves tomorrow?
Hunter Smith
SURFING, BIKING
Birthplace: Laguna Beach
Favorite Activity / Sport: Surfing and mountain biking
Role at La Vida Laguna: Surfing!
Best part of the gig: I am deeply committed to my role, which centers on educating individuals in the art of surfing. It goes beyond acquiring a skill; it’s about embracing a lifestyle. With dedication and consistency, they can savor the rewards of this enduring surf culture.
What makes Laguna special? Growing up here, I’ve learned to appreciate this rad coastal town more and more, especially when I travel elsewhere. It’s here that I’ve discovered the true sense of camaraderie. Laguna Beach offers stunning natural landscapes, a vibrant arts scene, and a friendly surfing community. Teaching surfing on Anita Street, affectionately known as “Hakama” by the locals, you’ll find perfect waves for learning. The mountain biking trails here are world-class, attracting enthusiasts from all over the globe.
Favorite local restaurant: La Sirena Grill, The Pantry or Adolfos!
Favorite music: Funky house, dub, sludge metal, techno
Perfect Weekend: A perfect blend of outdoor activities and relaxation. I start with an early morning surf lesson, and the best part is seeing my students have the time of their lives, which gives me a real stoke. Afterward, I grab a chicken wrap at The Pantry and then head to the dog park with my furry friends. A quick nap recharges me, and a workout keeps me active. The evening features a thrilling mountain bike ride on the gnarly Telonics trail, with a sunset view to top it off. I finish the day by winding down with friends at Laguna Beach Brewery, enjoying local brews and savoring good company.
David Shermet
WALKING TOURS
Birthplace: Long Beach
Favorite Activity / Sport: Baseball.
Role at La Vida Laguna: Walking tours
Best part of the gig: Welcoming guests to our city.
What makes Laguna special? The close-knit community.
Favorite local restaurant: Carmelita‘s.
Favorite music: Classic rock.
Perfect Weekend: Any weekend at the beach is the perfect weekend
Braydyn Deleeuw
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah
Favorite activity: Surfing
Role at La Vida Laguna: Surf Lessons & Kayak Tours
Best part of the gig: Always being out in the water teaching people what I love most.
What makes Laguna special? All the pristinely preserved and untouched beaches. As well as all the wild life in and out of the water. Just such beautiful and unique town as a whole.
Favorite local restaurant: La Siren Grill
Favorite music: Classic Rock
Perfect weekend: Some good waves and a couple joyrides down the coast of on my motorcycle.
John Fitzgerald
DRUM CIRCLES
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Favorite Activity / Sport: Hiking, visiting museums, going to the beach
Role at La Vida Laguna: Drum Circles and Rhythm Event
Best part of the gig: Seeing people connect with their creativity, and uniqueness and recognize it in others.
What makes Laguna special? Laguna is not only a beautiful environment, there is a “vibe” there.
Favorite music: World Music, Jazz
Perfect Weekend: BBQ on Friday night with a friend having great conversation, take a day trip somewhere to hike Saturday, spend Sunday playing music, and just being home.
Christopher Ramirez
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
Favorite Activity / Sport: American football / Basketball
Role at La Vida Laguna: Motivational Rhythm Facilitator
Best part of the gig: Working with a capable and professional event planner. Drumming with great clients. Beautiful locations. Bringing a drumming experience that is interactive and inclusive that builds community and creates human connection through rhythm.
What makes Laguna special? What makes Laguna special is the professional leadership and crew. Their attention to detail for customer satisfaction and the engaging variety of activity options they offer.
Favorite music: World Music /Reggae/African/Latin/Indian/Mid-east/Pop
Perfect Weekend: Time with my wife, drum on the beach, live music,
Sleeping in late.
Liz Campbell
YOGA
Birthplace: Laguna Beach, CA
Favorite Activity / Sport: Yoga, Pilates, Strength Training
Role at La Vida Laguna: Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation and Breathwork
Best part of the gig: Seeing how much better my students feel after practicing a class with me!!
What makes Laguna special? The community and the coves!!
Favorite local restaurant: Thai Bros
Favorite music: anything that makes me want to dance
Perfect Weekend: waking up without an alarm, enjoying some excellent coffee in the mornings, getting a really satisfying yoga practice in, eating delicious, healthy food followed by a nice walk to the beach.
Avatara Levine
SOUND BATH MEDITATIONS
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Activity / Sport: Kayaking, Yoga, Skiing, Biohacking, Deep Meditation, Learning, Exploring Art and Nature!
Teach/Lead at La Vida Laguna: Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Meditation, Sound & Sensory Bath Experiences, Sensory Wellness Classes (Sound Healing, Aromatherapy, Color Therapy, Crystal Therapy, etc.) for Health & Efficiency, Tea Ceremony etc.
Best part of the gig: Creating programs that help people and businesses has been very rewarding. As well as spending time with amazing people and teaching what I absolutely love and believe in!
What makes Laguna special? Laguna is truly a gem! Its one of the most gorgeous pockets along the coast in Cali that rivals locations around the world. The art scene inspires and calls in the most delightful creative healthy community… and it has been my favorite place to call home thus far!
Favorite local restaurant: I love Starfish Asian Fusion!!!
Favorite music: I am incredibly eclectic so it may be easier to list what I dont like;) However I love electronica, world, jazz, ambient and more.
Perfect Weekend: One of my perfect weekends would involve; fun travel, self-care, good food, with people I love, in a gorgeous location.
Braydyn Deleeuw
SURFING
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah
Favorite Activity / Sport: Surfing
Role at La Vida Laguna: Surf Lessons & Kayak Tours
Best part of the gig: Always being out in the water teaching people what I love most.
What makes Laguna special? All the pristinely preserved and untouched beaches. As well as all the wild life in and out of the water. Just such beautiful and unique town as a whole.
Favorite local restaurant: La Siren Grill
Favorite music: Classic Rock
Perfect Weekend: Some good waves and a couple joyrides down the coast of on my motorcycle.
Christopher Ramirez
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
Favorite Activity / Sport: American football / Basketball
Role at La Vida Laguna: Motivational Rhythm Facilitator
Best part of the gig: Working with a capable and professional event planner. Drumming with great clients. Beautiful locations. Bringing a drumming experience that is interactive and inclusive that builds community and creates human connection through rhythm.
What makes Laguna special? What makes Laguna special is the professional leadership and crew. Their attention to detail for customer satisfaction and the engaging variety of activity options they offer.
Favorite music: World Music /Reggae/African/Latin/Indian/Mid-east/Pop
Perfect Weekend: Time with my wife, drum on the beach, live music,
Sleeping in late.
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