Los Angeles: Private Surfing Lesson

The best thing about this lesson is its private format. Instead of trying to follow a group while you puzzle out which way is up on a surfboard, you get an instructor focused on one or two people. Beginners can take extra time on the sand, while intermediate surfers can head toward the lineup sooner.

I like the practical setup: boards and wetsuits are included, and your belongings can be locked in the surf school van. I also like the choice of setting, from famous Venice Beach to Santa Monica or Redondo and Torrance Beach. The main drawback is that surf and weather can force a change or cancellation, and basic swimming ability is required.

Key points to know before booking

• Private two-hour coaching: Book for one person or bring a friend and learn at a pace that suits you.
• Three possible beach areas: The lesson may take place at Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, or Redondo and Torrance Beach.
• Useful beginner training: Expect instruction on the sand covering pop-ups, ocean awareness, and safety before entering the water.
• Full board and wetsuit rental: Choose from included 8- or 9-foot surfboards, with a wetsuit provided.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica, beside the parking lot near the white Ford E-250 van or blue surf school bus.
• Strong recent feedback: The activity holds a 4.8 rating from 75 reviews, with recent comments praising the fun, clear instruction, and motivation from the surf coach.

Why a private lesson works better for first-time surfers

Surfing looks easy from shore. You lie down, catch a wave, pop up, and glide. In practice, the timing, balance, paddling, and board control can feel like several new skills arriving at once.

That is why a private lesson can be worth paying for. Your instructor can slow down the land training if you need it, repeat the pop-up drill, or move you along if you already have experience. You are not waiting for a dozen other people to receive the same correction.

The booking covers one or two people. Bringing a friend can make the lesson more social, but you should expect the attention to be shared between you. If your main goal is fast, focused progress, going alone gives the instructor only one learner to watch.

The lesson is suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. That range matters. A complete first-timer may spend more time learning how to handle the board and read basic water conditions. An intermediate surfer may spend less time on the sand and more time working with the instructor in the water.

You do need basic swimming ability. This is not a dry-land introduction with a quick photo in the surf. You will enter the ocean, so you should be comfortable enough in the water to participate safely.

Meeting at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

The stated meeting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California 90401. The instructions direct you to enter the parking lot, turn right, and look for either a white Ford E-250 van or a blue surf school bus on the right side of the lot.

That detail is useful in a busy beach area. You are not simply told to meet somewhere along a long stretch of sand. Still, give yourself enough time to locate the parking lot and vehicle, particularly if you are unfamiliar with Santa Monica.

The activity information also lists Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, and Redondo or Torrance Beach as possible lesson locations. The meeting instructions are specifically for Santa Monica, so confirm the final beach details when you book or before the lesson. Beach choice can affect parking, traffic, and how much time you have before entering the water.

The instructor speaks English or Spanish. That gives you a useful choice if you are more comfortable receiving safety instructions and technical coaching in Spanish.

Getting fitted with an 8- or 9-foot board and wetsuit

Before heading down to the beach, you will be fitted with a wetsuit and surfboard. Both are included in the $99 price per person, which keeps the booking simple and avoids the need to arrange separate equipment rental.

The boards are listed as 8 and 9 feet long. Larger beginner boards are generally easier to balance on than short performance boards, and the supplied sizes fit the teaching purpose described here. The exact board you use will depend on the lesson setup and your level.

Bring your own swimwear to wear under the wetsuit. You should also pack a towel, sunscreen, and water. A wetsuit helps with comfort in the ocean, but you still need sun protection. Beach sessions can leave you thirsty, especially when paddling and repeatedly getting back on the board.

Your belongings can be stored in the locked surf school van. That is a helpful arrangement because you do not want a phone, wallet, or car keys sitting unattended beside the water. Keep your personal items limited to what you need for the lesson.

Sand training: pop-ups, ocean basics, and safety

The land portion is not filler. Your instructor uses it to explain the basic mechanics before you deal with moving water.

You will learn how to pop up on the board, the move that takes you from lying down to standing. You will also receive an introduction to the ocean and finish the sand lesson with safety guidance. For a beginner, this order makes sense: learn the body movement first, then hear how to behave around waves and other people.

The amount of sand instruction depends on your level. A first-timer may receive an extended training session before going into the water. An intermediate surfer may move more quickly toward the lineup.

I would pay close attention during the safety portion, even if you are eager to get wet. Surfing is not only about standing up. You need to understand how to handle the board and move in the water before trying to catch waves. The lesson is designed to make you more comfortable, not simply to get you on a board as fast as possible.

The recent feedback supports this teaching approach. A German participant described the lesson as fun and said the instructor taught, guided, and motivated them well. That combination is important. Clear instruction tells you what to do, while encouragement helps you keep trying after a few awkward attempts.

The water session and the pace of the lesson

After the land training, you spend the remaining lesson time in the ocean with the instructor. The exact balance between sand and water will depend on your experience and how quickly you grasp the basic movements.

A first lesson often includes plenty of repetition. You may work on getting into position, paddling, timing your attempt, and recovering when the board or your feet do not cooperate. The private format means your instructor can watch your specific habits and adjust the advice.

Intermediate surfers can benefit in a different way. You may already know how to stand, but still want help with confidence, timing, or board control. The activity description does not promise advanced performance coaching, so book it as a personalized lesson rather than a specialist training camp.

The ocean portion is also where the weather and surf conditions matter most. The provider may reschedule or cancel if conditions are unsuitable, with contact expected the day before. That can disrupt a tightly planned Los Angeles day, but it is preferable to forcing a lesson in poor conditions.

At the end, the instructor takes you to an outdoor public shower so you can rinse off. This is a basic beach cleanup, not a private changing-room experience. Bring a towel and plan your clothing accordingly.

Venice Beach atmosphere, Santa Monica convenience, or South Bay shore

The possible beach settings give the lesson different surroundings.

Venice Beach is the most colorful choice. It is known for eccentric local characters, beach culture, and the famous public stretch where people gather under the Southern California sun. If you want the surf lesson paired with people-watching and a memorable beach scene, Venice has plenty going on before or after your class.

Santa Monica is the stated meeting area and may be the simplest option for this booking. Meeting near Bicknell Avenue gives you a clear starting place, and the beach setting places you close to one of Los Angeles’s best-known coastal districts.

Redondo and Torrance offer a South Bay alternative. The supplied details do not promise one specific beach for every booking, so treat the location as part of the operational plan rather than a guaranteed sightseeing feature. Ask for the confirmed beach if the setting matters to you.

The beach is part of the appeal, but the quality of the lesson depends more on conditions and instruction than on the name of the shore. A famous beach does not guarantee ideal waves. The provider’s ability to adjust the lesson or reschedule is therefore important.

Is $99 per person good value?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to stand on a surfboard, but it includes a two-hour private lesson, an instructor, a wetsuit, and an 8- or 9-foot board. For a first-timer who wants personal help rather than a large class, the price is reasonable.

The value improves if two people book together and already know they want a shared lesson. You split the experience with a friend while keeping the group small. The value is less clear if you are only looking for equipment rental or a casual beach activity, since the main product here is instruction.

Think of the fee as payment for coaching and confidence, not just for the board. A beginner who receives clear safety guidance and learns a workable pop-up may get more from this than from renting a board alone.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 75 reviews. Recent verified bookings from Germany and Austria describe the experience as perfect or very enjoyable, with particular praise for the instructor’s teaching and motivation. That does not guarantee your exact surf conditions, but it does point to consistent satisfaction with the basic lesson format.

The booking also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Los Angeles schedule is still taking shape.

Who should book this Santa Monica surf lesson?

This lesson suits you best if you have always wanted to try surfing but do not want to learn in a large class. It also fits an intermediate surfer who wants a focused session without committing to a full surf camp.

It is a good choice for:

• A solo beginner who wants direct coaching
• Two friends who want to learn together
• An intermediate surfer seeking a refresher
• Visitors who want a beach activity with real instruction
• People comfortable receiving coaching in English or Spanish

Children under seven cannot join. The basic swimming requirement also rules out anyone who is not comfortable participating in the water.

You should also leave room in your schedule. The lesson itself lasts two hours, but you need time to find the meeting point, get fitted with equipment, train on the sand, surf, and rinse off afterward. Do not place a nonrefundable appointment immediately after it.

What to bring and how to prepare

Arrive with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. These are simple items, but missing one can make a beach lesson less comfortable.

Wear something easy to change out of after the session. You will be working in a wetsuit, spending time in salt water, and using an outdoor public shower afterward.

Prepare for a lesson rather than a guaranteed perfect ride. Your first session may include plenty of practice before you stand successfully. The instructor’s role is to teach the movement, explain the ocean, and help you progress safely.

Check your phone and booking information for any update the day before. Surf and weather conditions can lead to a rescheduled or canceled activity, and the provider says you will be contacted if that happens.

Should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want a personal introduction to surfing and value an instructor who can adapt the session to your pace. The included board and wetsuit, English or Spanish instruction, two-hour format, and clear safety training make it a practical first step.

I would especially choose it over a larger class if you are nervous about learning in front of strangers or if you want to bring one friend. I would hesitate only if your schedule cannot handle a possible weather change, or if you are looking for advanced surfing rather than beginner and intermediate coaching.

For most first-timers with basic swimming ability, $99 buys more than beach equipment. It buys a structured lesson, a safer start, and a fair chance to discover if surfing belongs in your California plans.

FAQ

How long does the surf lesson last?

The private surf lesson lasts two hours. The activity is listed as valid for one day, with starting times depending on availability.

Where does the lesson meet?

The stated meeting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Enter the parking lot, turn right, and look for the white Ford E-250 van or blue surf school bus.

Which beaches may be used for the lesson?

The activity may take place at Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, or Redondo and Torrance Beach. The meeting instructions are provided for Santa Monica, so confirm the final location before the lesson.

Are surfboards and wetsuits included?

Yes. The lesson includes wetsuits and 8- or 9-foot surfboards.

Can a beginner take this lesson?

Yes. First-time surfers are welcome, and the instructor can provide extended sand training before you enter the water. Basic swimming ability is required.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. Personal belongings can be stored in the locked surf school van during the lesson.

Can I book for two people?

Yes. The private lesson can be booked for one or two people. Private or small-group options are available.

What happens if the surf or weather is poor?

The activity may be rescheduled or canceled because of surf and weather conditions. You will be contacted the day before if this happens.