About the Surf 'N Slam

For the past 33 years, the Surf ‘N Slam Hoop Classic has been a popular event for high school basketball teams from across the country. It offers beautiful scenery and tough competition, making it a memorable experience for thousands of athletes and coaches who have joined us in the last week of December. The tournament takes place in San Diego, a wonderful tourist destination and perfect spot for a holiday trip with your team. With 70 miles of sandy beaches, plenty of sunshine, and endless sightseeing opportunities, your team will have plenty to do when they’re not on the court. Interested in bringing your team to San Diego? Check out our 2024 Tournament Guide or get in touch.

Get in the Game

All games are live streamed on BallerTV.  Follow Surf ‘N Slam on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

The Official Basketball of the 2023 Surf 'N Slam

Tournament Details

2023 Brackets
2023 Flight Manifest/Arrivals
2023 Game Site Bus Schedule
Game Sites
Christian High School
2100 Greenfield Drive
El Cajon, CA  92019
 
Helix Charter School
4200 Lowell Street
La Mesa, CA  91941
 
La Jolla Country Day School
9490 Genesee Ave.
La Jolla, CA  92037
Hotels

San Diego Marriott Mission Valley

The Surf ‘N Slam is based in the heart of San Diego at the Marriott Mission Valley Hotel. The Marriott Mission Valley is the ideal hotel for experiencing the best of San Diego. Enjoy easy access to San Diego State University, SDSU Mission Valley, and the new Snapdragon Stadium from the hotel. Hop on the Rio Vista Trolley and explore Mission Bay, Sea World, Old Town, and Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp District. Gather in refreshed meeting spaces, including an event lawn ideal for memorable outdoor gatherings. Enjoy a host of amenities and services, from views and casual dining at DEN to their fully equipped fitness center and outdoor pool with a waterfall. Well appointed hotel rooms and suites offer 55 SMART TVs, high speed Internet, and balconies, perfect for teams and families visiting San Diego. Explore the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley.

 

Family & Friends: Book your group rate for Surf ‘N Slam 2023

 

Surf ‘N Slam Family Block Dec 26-31, 2023

Start Date: Tuesday, December 26, 2023

End Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023

Last Day to Book: Friday, December 1, 2023

Group rate:

  • San Diego Marriott Mission Valley for $199 USD per night
  • Discounted overnight self-parking of $25 per car, per night
  • 3-night minimum stay requirement

Springhill Suites

The Springhill Suites are a brand new hotel within walking distance of the Surf ‘N Slam host hotel (Mission Valley Marriott).

Family & Friends: Book your group rate for Surf & Slam 2023

 
  • Guests understands that a one-night room and tax will be charged to the individual guests’ credit card on file for any no shows. 
  • Guests understands that all reservations are subject to an early departure fee of one-night room and tax to the credit card on file. Guests understands that they must make Hotel aware of early departure at least 24-hours  (by 12:00 PM of new departure date) in advance to avoid penalty. 
  • Overnight self-parking fee applies; $25.00 per night. May vary based on membership level. 
  • Rates include complimentary hot breakfast buffet and WIFI
About San Diego

San Diego, the nation’s seventh-largest city, offers even more than its relaxed resort. This sparkling waterfront city pulses with a new urban sophistication. Downtown has evolved into an exciting urban center with new hotels, major shopping complexes (Horton Plaza and the Paladion), and continuing renewal in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. A renovated cruise ship terminal welcomes cruise ships from many destinations. The harbor bustles with restaurants, shops, and sightseeing excursions. Enjoy the year-round sunshine, 70 miles of beaches, and unlimited outdoor activities. The dazzling array of attractions include Balboa Park, Sea World, Seaport Village, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Wild Animal Park. Also enjoy unique shopping, spectator and participant sports, and the lure of nearby Mexico. The city is fast making a name for itself as an important and diverse cultural center as well, offering a kaleidoscope of opera, ballet, museums, and world-class, Tony Award-winning theatre. Whether the agenda calls for deep-sea fishing and boating along the coastline, ballooning or golfing in North County, shopping in Mission Valley, exploring East County’s mountains and deserts, or doing it up downtown, San Diego is the perfect destination!

Things to do
San Diego Zoo (click here)
 
Sea World (click here)
 
Old Town (click here)
 
Little Italy (click here)
 
Mission Beach (click here)
 
Visit San Diego State Campus (click here)
 
Seaport Village (click here)
 
San Diego State Women’s Basketball
December 30th – vs. Colorado State at 1pm
 
University of San Diego Men’s Basketball
December 29th – vs. Fresno State at 7pm
 
University of San Diego Women’s Basketball
December 30th – vs. Brown at 2pm
 

Additional San Diego Attractions and Events

  • Disneyland 
  • California Adventure
  • La Jolla
  • USS Midway
  • Holiday Bowl Football game 
  • Balboa Park 
Sanctioning

The 2023 Surf ‘N Slam is sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (Click Here)

FAQs

Where do I fly into?

San Diego International Airport also known as Lindbergh Field.

 

What is the weather like?

Usually sunny and temperatures range from 65-75 degrees.  Cools down to the high 40’s to low 50’s in the evening.

 

How many games would we play?

Each team is guaranteed 3 games over 3 days (1 game per day) Dec. 27, 28, and 30.

 

When will the brackets be released?

To avoid multiple bracket versions floating around, we typically release the brackets in November. Please keep in mind that it is very typical for teams to add or drop last minute, causing a shift in bracketing.

 

How many brackets are there and which will we play in?

The number of total boys’ and girls’ brackets depends on how many total teams sign up. Each team is asked to fill out a questionnaire to best help us determine which bracket they should play in.

 

Will we be able to practice?

No practices are provided. If you are able to find a court to practice on, you are responsible for getting there and back. 

 

 Do we need to bring balls?

No, but please bring BOTH sets of uniforms. Home and away teams will be assigned when brackets are released.

 

Where will the games be played?

We use multiple host sites each year. This year, our sites are Helix Charter School, Christian High School, and La Jolla Country Day School. 

 

Are there special rules to be aware of?

The tournament is sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation. 

 

What is there to do when we are not playing?

See the “Things To Do” section for ideas. We suggest making a plan for activities ahead of time and checking with tournament staff so that your plans do not interfere with game times

 

Can we stay for less than 5 nights?

We strongly suggest arriving on Dec. 26 and departing on Dec. 31, You never know what travel complications may delay your team’s arrival. Additionally, check-ins are not guaranteed until 3:00 p.m. MST. If your team plays in the later games on Dec. 30 and chooses to depart that same night, you will be subject to late check out fees to hold onto your rooms. If you must depart on Dec. 30, aim for a departure time no earlier than 11 p.m. MST.

 

What other costs should we budget for?

Each participant receives 3 breakfast coupons per person. You should have a plan for all lunches and dinners. Team activities and laundry are also costs to keep in mind.

 

How does laundry work?

There are a few options at the hotel. 

 

How does transportation work?

We provide team airport transfers and game transportation. Anything outside that (laundry, dinners, activities, etc.) must be organized on your own.

 

Olivia Onnen

Marketing Specialist

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Ayumi Sumile

Executive Assistant

Ayumi is the Executive Assistant for the partners at GSE. She is a highly versatile and experienced EA with a proven track record of success. She has supported executives from healthcare, technology, and broadcast including Pfizer Inc. and Time Warner Cable. In addition to supporting the partners at GSE, she assists the company with project management, graphic design and creative projects.

Erik Evans

Partner, Logistics

Erik Evans has been organizing international tours for teams and schools since 1992 and has executed over 200 tours alone. He has personally led over 40 groups overseas and his primary countries of expertise include Spain, Australia, and Costa Rica. Additionally, Evans is the tournament director of one of the longest-standing and largest highschool tournaments in the nation, the Surf ‘N Slam. 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the Surf ‘N Slam, which welcomes athletes, coaches, families and fans to the San Diego region. Evans played basketball and tennis during his undergraduate years at Seattle Pacific University and currently lives in Seattle with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children.

Brian Ratzliff

Managing Partner

A long-time entrepreneur and technology manager, Brian has spent the last twenty years holding successive positions of leadership in companies generally focused on leveraging technology to bring a compelling consumer benefit to the marketplace. For the last year, Brian has led the strategic thinking and growth strategy for Basketball Travelers, Inc., and BTI Events. Out of these strategic sessions has come the core management team and approach for Global Sports & Events.

From 2010-2018, Brian was the co-founder and President of WhatCounts, Inc., a leading permission email and social media platform that was sold to Mansell Group (Atlanta) and Riverside (NY). Previously, Brian was part of the leadership team at ShareBuilder.com, an innovative online brokerage, and financial services firm. He began his technology career in 1994-1998 during the dawn of the internet commercialization phase when he was a member of the product management and business development teams at Internet pioneer – Starwave Corporation, a Paul Allen company.

Brian holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, Canada, where he graduated Dean’s List and a BA from Trinity Western University in Vancouver, Canada where he played varsity basketball.

Sean McShane

Partner, Business Development

Sean has a 25-year career successfully organizing and executing NCAA events both nationally and internationally. Sean has both played and coached at the collegiate and professional levels and brings a high-level sporting background that has seen him compete and manage successful teams and coordinate elite sporting events in many countries throughout the world. With a passion for the Bahamas, Sean has directed Men’s and Women’s events in Freeport and Bimini for the last 15 years. Sean has an uncanny ability to develop top competitive talent. Sean has served as a Director of Financial Services and has held deciding roles in Business Development and in 2016 founded InReach Community DX, where he currently serves as the CEO.

Jason Sarkies

Partner, Operations & Finance

With almost three decades of experience, Jason is an industry veteran in the logistics of tours and tournaments. Before co-founding GSE, he led the organization of dozens of collegiate and high school events in his 25+ years in the business with Basketball Travelers, Inc, specializing in over 100 foreign tours. Additionally, Jason is the tournament director of the Cactus Jam, a Girls and Boys High School basketball tournament held after Christmas in Phoenix, Arizona in its 24th year. Jason holds a Master’s degree in Athletic Administration from Ohio State University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Willamette University and Seattle Pacific University. Jason also played football during his years as an undergrad.

Sara Mosiman

Partner, Strategy

Mosiman oversees strategy and new business development for GSE, including expanding to new markets and broadening its vision. Her passion for closing diversity gaps, impacting athletes, and the benefits of sports aligns with the shifting landscape in amateur athletics and the broadened scope of GSE.

Prior to joining GSE, Mosiman ran The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, a player health and safety organization launched in partnership with the NFL. She was responsible for the Institute’s strategy, growth, fundraising and financial sustainability. She also directed the units that built and deployed digital health technologies, programs and other innovations in sports safety and participation. Previously, she was the director of business development at Basketball Travelers, driving expansion and growth while running DI tournaments in the Bahamas and Las Vegas.

A Seattle-native, Mosiman was a captain and four-year letterwinner at the University of Washington, where she played basketball for the Huskies. She returned to UW’s Foster School of Business for her MBA and was inducted into Delta Airlines Ones to Watch, a program honoring upward mobile leaders in key industries nationwide. She currently serves on the UW Foundation board, Positive Coaching Alliance advisory board, Seattle Sports Commission, volunteers at the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship, and coaches for the Special Olympics.