Our Team

Lance Tompkins, Owner

Lance has been teaching surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding for 32 years. He has been snowboarding for 41 years and skateboarding for 54 years. He is a Master Level Certified Surfing Instructor (NSSIA) and he has been surfing for 51 years!

He created Coastline Adventures Surfing School of New Jersey in 1995 because of his desire to share his love of surfing with others. Lance wanted to offer a safe and easy way for people to learn this challenging sport. His career in board sports has included many surfing and skateboarding contests, fundraisers, endorsements, and product testing. He has been photographed for various surfing and skateboarding magazines and local newspapers.

Glen Friedman of the ‘Dogtown’ movie has also photographed Lance skateboarding and included his picture in his best-selling autobiography. Lance was featured in the new surfing film, “Drawing Lines”. In 2006, he was featured in the TV show “Whata You Do”, shown on the USA Network and the Fox Network.

Lance grew up surfing on the jersey shore. He is grateful to be able to share his passion for surfing at Brick Beach 3 – the very same beach he learned how to surf on under his mom’s encouragement and motivation. Lance has traveled far and wide to surf the waves he loves and enjoys surfing along the East Coast and California.

Jennifer Steffener, Owner

Jennifer is a Master Level  Certified Surfing Instructor for the NSSIA and one of the first women to achieve this status in New Jersey. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation Instructor, and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She has been working and teaching in the health and fitness field for over 32 years. She owns a successful massage and wellness practice and has been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles about surfing, massage, Tai Chi, and Qigong.

Jennifer combines her passion for surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding, and her vast knowledge of the body and movement to create a unique teaching style that inspires and motivates. Her teaching experience, attention to detail, and ability to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere has earned her the reputation for hosting New Jersey’s premier Women’s Surf Retreat. Jennifer is an avid water woman and has over 44 years of ocean, bodyboarding, and surfing experience.

Traveling the globe to follow her passions has taken her through the Americas, across to Europe, and through many islands. Jennifer lived in Hawaii for 8 years where she fell in love with the islands and its people. During her time in Kauai she learned to sail, scuba dive, ocean kayak, and took her surfing and bodyboarding to the next level. Jennifer loves traveling, spending time in nature, eating and preparing vegan food, snowboarding, and studying and practicing Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga when she is not playing in the ocean.

Stephanie Tomasco

Former Lead Surf, Bodyboard, and SUP Instructor/ Lifetime Honorary Crew and Spirit Leader

UPDATE:  Stephanie sustained a life-changing auto accident in 2023. As usual she showed tremendous strength, tenacity, and a positive attitude as she fought for her life and accepted her new abilities. Through hard work and adaptive activities and sports, she continues to challenge herself, inspire others, and remind us all that resilience has no limit.

Stephanie started working with Coastline Adventures Surfing School in 2008 and has been with us ever since. She learned to surf in Atlantic Beach, NC with a lot of positive encouragement from her North Carolina “Surfing Family”. Stephanie moved to New Jersey during her senior year of high school.

She graduated from Monmouth University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Marine and Environmental Biology and Policy. She re-chartered the Monmouth University Surf Club and held the position of President for 2 years and was the Captain of the MU Surf Hawks – their Surf Club team.

She competed in the local Eastern Surfing Association contests in both the Women’s Shortboard and the Women’s Longboard Divisions. She considers herself very lucky to travel to various places to explore and surf. Her travels have taken her all over the east coast of the US as well as many countries including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, El Salvador, Gibraltar, and Costa Rica. She has been able to surf at amazing breaks in Puerto Rico, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Spain, and Portugal.

She won First Place in Central NJ ESA Women’s Longboard Division in 2013, 2014, and 2016 and was a former east coast champion. In June 2015 Stephanie participated, trained, and passed the National Surf and Instructor Certification Course. She was our Senior Level NSSIA Surf and Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor.

Other than surfing, Stephanie enjoys hanging at the beach, listening to music, dancing randomly, and spending time with her friends.

Lindsey J.

Guest Lead Surf, Bodyboard, and SUP Instructor

I grew up in New Jersey and started surfing with Coastline Adventures Surfing School at the young age of 10 years old. I continued to participate in the camps until I was able to surf on my own a few years later. And I’ve never stopped surfing since. I joined the Coastline Adventures Team in 2016 and love passing down what I learned to others. Despite my love for the ocean, I currently live in Buffalo, NY pursuing my career as a clinical research associate at a cancer research center. Aside from surfing, I enjoy hiking, volleyball, and hanging with my cats. My goal is to move near an ocean where I can continue my career and surf whenever I want. I look forward to sharing surfing with you when I visit during the summer months.

Paul S.

Lead Bodyboard and Assistant Surf Instructor

Paul is an avid waterman and advocate for the oceans, beaches, and waves. He grew up in Toms River. He started bodyboarding and surfing at Ortley Beach at the age of twelve. Paul has lived in Maryland and California where he was able to enjoy many different beaches and water sports communities. Paul has surfed up and down the east coast of the United States as well as in the country of Barbados. In addition to bodyboarding and surfing, Paul enjoys snorkeling, open water swimming, stand up paddle boarding, and kayaking, He is a member of the Jersey Shore Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and worked with various organizations throughout the state to help pass the plastic bag ban in New Jersey.

Away from the ocean Paul has been a high school social studies teacher at Toms River High School North for the past twenty years. He holds a Masters of Educational Administration and Leadership degree from Georgian Court University. He teaches United States History II and loves to share his passion for history with his students. Paul is an ardent supporter of environmental preservation. He and his wife have spent the past eighteen years turning their property in Toms River into a certified wildlife habitat. Paul is also a student of Tai Chi, Yoga, and United States Black Cat Kenpo Karate.

Lou Maresca

Guest Lead Surf Instructor

Lou began surfing in Lavalette, NJ in 1965 at the age of 14. He won the Treasure Coast ESA Masters Division at age 35 and was invited to the US Surfing Championships in Hawaii in 1987, where he placed 10th. Lou has surfed all over the world including many destinations such as Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Great Britain, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico and Hawaii. He continues to compete and has either placed or won numerous surf competitions, including the Costa Rica National Championship in the Masters’ Shortboard Division in 2006.

Lou started teaching surfing professionally in 1991 and is considered a pioneer in the surf school industry. He assisted founder Bruce Gabrielson with the original teaching manual for the National Surf School and Instructor Association Certification Program. He is licensed to teach in Hawaii and instructed there for many years. Lou joined the Coastline Adventures team in 2022 and both our team and guests enjoy his welcoming aloha spirit, professionalism, and dedication to sharing his passion for surfing with others.

Bruno L.

Lead Surf and Bodyboard Instructor

Hi, my name is Bruno and I have been surfing since I was just 10 years old. I learned how to surf with Coastline Adventures when I was in 5th grade. I knew I had just found a new hobby and skill that I would take on for the rest of my life. This is my second summer working for Coastline Adventures and I love it.

Down the shore, I also love skim-boarding and being with my family. Back up North, I am entering my Senior year at Glen Rock High School, there I play hockey and lacrosse at the varsity level. I spend my winter breaks up in Vermont with my family where we all ski together at Killington’s mountains.

Finn D.

Assistant Surf and Bodyboard Instructor

Hi, my name is Finn and I’ve been surfing ever since I was about 7 years old. I’ve surfed in Costa Rica many times, Panama, Puerto Rico, and plan on going to El Salvador soon. Along with surfing, I love fishing, sports and pretty much anything having to do with the outdoors. If I’m not surfing, I’m most likely in school, at Virginia Tech, where I am wave deprived. I try to make the most out of my summers at the Jersey Shore and look forward to sharing my passion for surfing with you.

Amy S.

Lead Bodyboard and Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor

Amy has been a lover of the ocean since she was a little girl. Her family spent summers at the beach. She’s a former lifeguard who is currently AED, CPR and EPI pen certified.

Amy started as a client of Coastline Adventures. She enjoyed Ray’s SUP classes. Amy was impressed with Coastline Adventures when her daughter attended their surfing camp.

As an elementary school teacher of 25 years, she brings another perspective to our Coastline Adventures team:  students learn best when they are comfortable and confident.

James D.

Lead Surf and Bodyboard Instructor

Hi, I’m James and I’m sixteen years old. I’ve been surfing for over 6 years. I took surf lessons with Coastline Adventures and knew I wanted to work for them as soon as I was old enough. This is my second summer working for Coastline Adventures and I love it. This summer I surfed in California and a few years back I surfed in Costa Rica. When I am not surfing, I ride dirt bikes and go to the gym for fun.

Patricia W.

Lead Bodyboard and SUP Instructor

Hi, my name is Patricia. I am sixteen years old and going into my junior year at Brick Memorial High School. I have grown up on the Jersey Shore and have loved the water for as long as I can remember. I grew up body boarding and over the past couple years have been stand up paddle boarding. When I am not in the water, I am usually playing softball, with family and friends, or relaxing with a tv show. I look forward to teaching others what I have learned to love so much.

Bernadette Williams

Photographer

Hi! I’m Bernadette Williams and I’m the photographer. I’m a school photographer going on 11 seasons. My experience includes individuals, class groups, clubs, and panoramic images. I love my job and am having a great time here at Coastline Adventures. This kids are so much fun and seeing them enjoy themselves really shows in the pictures. I’m also a mom to two teenagers who keep me busy as well. I also like to travel and sleep when I can.

Tyler Nunnally-Duck

Photographer

Native of a small Kansas town, Tyler relocated to the east coast to pursue a graduate degree. She’s been here ever since, staying mostly for the beaches. When she’s not teaching high school math, she considers herself a “student of life”—constantly exploring, learning, and trying to perfect her craft. It’s easy to take pictures, but it’s nothing short of a hustle to cultivate a company while taking care of a family and an existing career.