2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica

The best part of this Santa Monica lesson is its private format. You get two hours with only your own group, including about 30 minutes on the beach for safety, surf habits, paddling, pop-ups, and wave timing. Then you spend the rest of the session in the water, practicing instead of waiting for a large class to take its turn.

I like two things right away: the instructors focus on learning to surf, not simply standing up once, and they give beginners enough freedom to practice while keeping a close eye on safety. Jake and Jeff also adjust their coaching to the person in front of them, which matters when one student is confident and another is nervous.

The main drawback is the $285 per-person price. That is a serious spend for a two-hour lesson, even with private instruction. It makes the most sense for a small group that values personal coaching, or for someone who wants a stronger foundation before renting a board alone.

Key points to know before you book

• About 30 minutes on the beach: Learn safety, paddling, pop-ups, wave timing, and surf habits before entering the water.
• Private instruction: Only your group participates, so the coach can tailor advice to each person’s level.
• Blue VW bus meeting point: Find the Badass Surf School bus at 2400 Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica.
• Personal coaching from Jake, Jeff, and the team: Instructors work on individual technique, ocean awareness, and confidence.
• Beginner-friendly approach: Children and adults with no surf experience can participate, and service animals are allowed.
• Flexible cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

What the two-hour Santa Monica lesson feels like

This is a learn-by-doing surf lesson, not a sightseeing outing with a quick photo stop. You meet the instructor at the beach, spend part of the session getting ready on land, and then use most of the remaining time in the water.

The lesson is built for first-timers. You do not need to arrive knowing how to paddle or stand on a board. The early instruction covers the habits that make the water safer and the actual surfing easier: how to position yourself, how to move toward a wave, how to get from lying down to standing, and how to ride toward shore.

That order is important. A rushed lesson may push you into the water before you understand what to do. Here, the beach portion gives you a chance to hear the instructions, practice the basic movement, and ask questions before the board is moving beneath you.

The stated schedule allows for roughly 30 minutes on the sand and about 90 minutes in the water. Actual time in each part may vary with the group, the conditions, and how quickly you pick up the basics. Still, the design gives you plenty of practice time, which is exactly what a beginner needs.

Starting beside the blue VW bus

The meeting point is 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, California 90405. The practical landmark is a blue VW bus parked at the beach. That is much easier to spot than a vague instruction to meet somewhere along a long beachfront promenade.

The activity begins and ends at the same meeting point. Pickup is listed as available, but the clearest meeting instruction is to find the bus at the beach. I would confirm the pickup details when booking if you need transportation rather than simply meeting the instructor there.

The operating hours are listed as 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Monday through Sunday, for the stated operating period. That gives you a broad range of possible start times, though your booked time is what controls your actual lesson.

You receive confirmation when you book, and a mobile ticket is available. The area is near public transportation. These details help if you are building the lesson into a full Santa Monica day rather than driving directly to the beach.

The first 30 minutes: safety before the surf

The beach briefing is more useful than it may sound. Beginners often focus only on the pop-up, the movement that gets you from your stomach to your feet. But getting safely through the break, handling your board, and knowing how to paddle are just as important.

The lesson covers safety in clear steps. You work toward paddling past the break and then surfing back toward shore. That goal gives the session a real structure. You are not just being pushed into a wave by an instructor. You are learning the sequence that lets you take part in the process.

Wave timing is another key part of the instruction. A board can feel easy on flat sand and surprisingly awkward once water is moving beneath it. Learning when to paddle and when to hold back helps you avoid wasting energy on waves that are not ready for you.

The instructors also work on surf etiquette and ocean awareness. Jeff Byrnes, in particular, has been praised for teaching those habits alongside the physical skills. That is valuable if you plan to take more lessons or rent a board later. You want to know not only how to stand, but also how to behave around other people in the water.

Pop-ups, paddling, and the first ride

After the beach instruction, you move into practical attempts. The aim is to catch a wave and ride it toward shore, with the instructor offering corrections as you go.

The pop-up is usually the moment beginners remember. It feels simple when demonstrated and less simple when your board is moving. Good instruction breaks it into smaller actions, and the Badass Surf School approach puts emphasis on specific tips rather than a single quick demonstration.

The teaching style also appears suited to mixed ability within one private group. One person may have tried surfing before, while another may never have touched a board. Individual coaching lets the instructor give different advice to each student instead of forcing everyone through the same script.

That distinction comes through in the way the instructors work with children and adults. Jake has taught young children who needed time on the sand before feeling ready for the water. He also coached groups where everyone managed to stand and catch several waves during the session. The point is not that every person will have the same result, but that the lesson can adapt to different comfort levels.

You should still keep expectations sensible. The goal is a strong first experience and useful basic skills, not expert surfing in two hours. Some beginners may stand quickly. Others may spend much of the session learning to paddle, balance, and read the water. Both outcomes can be part of good progress.

About 90 minutes in the water

The water portion is where the private setup earns its keep. In a large class, you can spend a lot of time watching other people receive instruction. With a private booking, your group gets the instructor’s attention throughout the session.

That does not mean the coach holds your hand through every wave. The teaching style described here includes close supervision, but also enough room for you to try, make small mistakes, and learn from repetition. That balance is important. You need safety guidance, but you also need time to build your own sense of timing.

The instructors may help position you for early attempts, then shift toward coaching your paddling and pop-up. As you improve, the advice becomes more specific. You might receive a correction about where to place your hands, when to start paddling, or how to keep your body balanced while riding toward shore.

A two-to-one student-to-teacher ratio has been used for some lessons, especially when the group included children. The exact staffing for your private booking is not specified, so do not assume that ratio every time. The important point is that this is not an anonymous mass class.

The water time can also reveal the difference between standing up and actually surfing. The school’s coaching puts weight on reading waves, safety, etiquette, and independent practice. That is a better foundation than simply getting photographed on your feet for a second.

Instruction from Jake, Jeff, and the Badass Surf School team

Jake McNulty is identified as the owner and an instructor. He has worked with families, adults, children, and people returning for several sessions. His coaching style appears energetic and personal, with attention to names, personalities, and progress.

Jeff Byrnes is another instructor associated with the school. His teaching includes surf etiquette, ocean safety, surf history, and individual feedback. If you are an adult learning later in life, that sort of calm, repeat instruction can be especially useful.

The team also includes other instructors, so you may not know in advance which coach will lead your session. The supplied information specifically names Jake and Jeff, but it does not promise a particular instructor for every booking. If having one of them matters to you, ask before confirming.

The strongest feature of the teaching is its focus on progress over showmanship. One student described reaching the point after several lessons where renting a board independently felt realistic. That is a useful measure of success. A good beginner class should leave you with enough understanding to keep learning, not just one lucky ride.

Is $285 per person a fair price?

At $285 per person, this is not the budget choice for a quick beach activity. A private two-hour surf lesson costs more than a large group class because the instructor’s time is reserved for your party.

The value depends on how many people share the booking and what you want from the session. For one person, the price is hard to justify unless you place a high value on individual coaching. For a family or small group, private instruction can feel more reasonable because everyone receives attention and the pace can suit the group.

The price also reflects the practical benefit of less waiting. You spend roughly 90 minutes working on the skill instead of standing on the sand while several other students take turns. If your schedule in Santa Monica is tight, that can matter.

I would book this for someone who wants to understand surfing properly, not just try it once. I would think twice if the main goal is a low-cost novelty activity or a short introduction before moving on to something else.

Families, children, and mixed groups

Families are a good match for this lesson, especially if the children have different personalities or experience levels. The instructors have worked with young children who needed patience and a slower introduction. A child can take a break on the beach and return to the activity when ready.

That flexibility matters because children do not always respond to the water as adults expect. A private lesson lets the instructor change the pace without holding up a whole class.

Groups with different ability levels also benefit. One person can receive a correction on wave timing while another works on the pop-up. The instructor can adjust the challenge instead of giving identical directions to everyone.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not give specific physical requirements, age limits, water temperature details, or equipment specifications, so ask the provider about those points if they affect your decision.

What to bring and how to plan the day

The information confirms that the activity provides the surf lesson and that the blue VW bus is the beach meeting landmark. It does not provide a full packing list or specify every piece of equipment supplied.

For planning purposes, allow time to find 2400 Ocean Front Walk and locate the bus before your start time. A mobile ticket is accepted, and the area is near public transportation.

You should also leave room in your schedule after the lesson. The activity ends back at the meeting point, but you may want time to change, dry off, or continue along the beach. The exact facilities available are not stated, so do not rely on the lesson listing for details about lockers or changing rooms.

The school operates daily within the stated hours, and the activity is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 69 days. That suggests popular dates can fill early. I would reserve ahead if you are visiting during a fixed holiday period or need a particular morning.

Cancellation and basic booking terms

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. The activity is private, and only your group participates.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Canceling or changing the booking less than 24 hours ahead does not qualify for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Santa Monica time.

Those rules are fairly clear, but they make last-minute planning risky. If weather, illness, or a change in your schedule might affect your plans, keep the 24-hour deadline in mind.

Who should book this surf lesson?

I would choose this experience for:

• A first-time surfer who wants patient instruction and real water practice.
• Families with children who may need a flexible pace.
• Small groups that want to surf together without joining a large class.
• Adults who want to learn ocean safety, etiquette, and basic wave reading.
• Anyone who hopes to rent a board later and continue practicing independently.

I would look elsewhere if you want a cheap group activity, a sightseeing tour, or a guaranteed advanced surfing session. The two-hour format is aimed at beginners, and your progress will depend on comfort, balance, and the conditions on the day.

Should you book the Badass Surf School lesson?

Book it if you want a serious beginner lesson with a personal feel. The strongest reasons are the private setup, the long water session, and the focus on safety, wave timing, and independent skills. Jake, Jeff, and the wider team appear to care about teaching the whole process rather than chasing one quick stand-up.

The price is the clear caution. At $285 per person, this is a premium beach activity. It becomes easier to justify when shared by a small group, especially if you want direct coaching and a flexible pace.

If your budget allows it and surfing is high on your Santa Monica list, this is a strong pick. You may not leave as an expert, but you should leave with a clearer idea of how surfing works and what to practice next.

FAQ

How long is the surf lesson?

The lesson lasts about two hours.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, California 90405.

How do I find the meeting point?

Look for the Badass Surf School blue VW bus parked at the beach.

Where does the activity end?

The lesson ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $285 per person.

How much time is spent on the beach before surfing?

About 30 minutes is spent on the beach working on safety, surf habits, paddling, pop-ups, and development.

What is covered during the lesson?

You work on catching waves, paddling past the break, wave timing, pop-ups, safety, and riding waves toward shore.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, although the meeting instructions specifically direct you to the blue VW bus at the beach.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.