2-Hour Group Surf Lesson in Venice Beach

The best part of this two-hour surf lesson is the quick move from beach practice to real waves. You spend 20 to 30 minutes learning the basics on shore, then about 50 to 60 minutes in the water with an instructor. The rest of the time is yours to keep practicing on the provided board.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which gives the lesson a more personal feel than a big beach class. I also like that wetsuits and soft foam boards are supplied, making this a friendly first step for beginners. The catch is simple: you need basic swimming skills, moderate fitness, and a willingness to share instruction with other people.

Key points

• Beginner-friendly boards: You use an 8 or 9-foot foam-top surfboard, not a hard fiberglass board.
• Useful water time: About 50 to 60 minutes are spent in the water with instructors.
• Named instructors: Keanu and Thiem have helped first-time surfers get to their feet, while an Argentine instructor is praised for patient teaching.
• Wetsuits are provided: Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel.
• Age and fitness limits: You must be at least 12 and able to swim at a basic level.
• Flexible booking terms: Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund, subject to the weather and minimum-participant rules.

Starting at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

Your lesson begins at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California 90401. The activity finishes at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location after your time in the water.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are spending the day around Santa Monica and Venice Beach without a car. Your mobile ticket is confirmed at booking, so keep it available on your phone when you arrive.

Plan to arrive ready to change into a wetsuit. One useful practical tip is to wear your swimsuit under your regular clothes. The wetsuit is put on in the parking lot, and a towel will make the after-surf change much easier.

The information provided does not specify a separate locker service, changing room, or storage arrangement. I would keep valuables to a minimum and ask the instructor where to leave anything you do not want near the sand or water.

The first 20 to 30 minutes on the beach

The lesson begins with shore-based training. This is where you learn how to handle the foam board, position yourself, and prepare for the moment a wave carries you forward.

That short beach session matters. Surfing is not just standing on a board. You need to know how to lie on the board, where to place your hands, how to push up, and how to keep your balance. Practicing these movements on land lets you make your early mistakes without a wave working against you.

For a first-time surfer, the instruction can be the difference between flopping around and understanding what to try next. A 12-year-old beginner received very good instruction, and adults in their late 40s and early 50s also managed to catch waves during their first experience. That is a useful sign that the teaching is aimed at ordinary beginners, not only athletic beach regulars.

You should still expect a physical lesson. Getting up repeatedly takes work, and you will spend time paddling, pushing up, and carrying or controlling a large board. The requirement for moderate fitness is fair.

Moving into 50 to 60 minutes of coached water time

After the beach practice, you head into the water with the instructors. This is the core of the session, with roughly 50 to 60 minutes of guided surfing before you get additional time to practice independently.

The instructors help you work on timing. That is often the hardest part for a beginner. You can have the right body position and still miss the wave if you begin too soon or too late. Keanu is specifically praised for helping complete beginners catch waves at the right moment, which is exactly the sort of help you want during a first lesson.

Thiem is another named instructor associated with the experience. He is described as helpful and approachable, and his instruction helped a first-time surfer and a friend on a second session both get upright on their boards.

Your results will vary. The goal is not guaranteed surfing mastery in two hours. A successful first lesson may mean standing up once, riding a short wave, or simply learning how to read the water and control the board. That first rise from your knees to your feet can be a memorable moment, but do not measure the whole session by how many waves you catch.

The water portion may also feel chilly, depending on the day. Wetsuits are supplied, and one session took place in cool weather. The suit helped keep the participants warm, but you should still expect that getting into the ocean takes some adjustment.

Foam boards make the first lesson safer

The class uses 8 and 9-foot foam-top surfboards. Fiberglass boards are not permitted in the group lesson for safety reasons.

That choice makes sense for a beginner class. Foam boards are large and stable, giving you a better platform while you learn to balance. The soft top also reduces the risk of a hard board causing an injury when you fall or lose control.

The size can feel awkward at first. An 8 or 9-foot board is not a small item to carry, turn, or push through the water. But stability matters more than style during your first session. You are there to learn the basics and catch a few waves, not to perform advanced maneuvers.

The board policy also tells you something about the level of the class. This is designed for beginner to intermediate surfers. If you already surf confidently on hard boards, you may find the equipment basic. If you are new, it is the right sort of board for learning.

Group size and the value of shared instruction

This is a group lesson, with a maximum of 12 participants. You will be combined with other people rather than receiving guaranteed one-on-one coaching.

That setup keeps the price at $69 per person, which is a reasonable entry cost for a two-hour lesson that includes instruction, a surfboard, and a wetsuit. You are paying for a structured introduction without having to buy or rent all the gear separately.

The group format has a few tradeoffs. The instructor’s attention must be divided, and some people may progress faster than others. You might spend a little time waiting for your turn or watching another student try a wave. For many beginners, that is not a problem. Seeing someone else get the movement right can make the lesson easier to understand.

The group can also be smaller in practice. On one chilly day, only two people attended, creating what felt like a private lesson. That is not something you should count on, but it shows how conditions and bookings can affect the feel of the class.

If you want guaranteed individual attention, a private lesson is available separately. The group option is the better value if you are comfortable sharing time and want a lower-cost first try.

What the remaining practice time is really worth

After the formal beach and water instruction, you have time to keep practicing with the supplied surfboard. This part gives you a chance to repeat the movements while the lesson is still fresh.

The extra practice is useful because surfing depends on repetition. The first successful stand may come after several falls, and you need room to try again without feeling that the formal lesson has ended too soon.

Do not expect a separate advanced coaching period during this time. The stated structure gives you instruction first, followed by your own practice and fun with the board. If you need constant correction, pay attention during the coached water portion and ask questions while an instructor is working with you.

I like this arrangement because it gives you both guidance and freedom. You get a clear starting framework, then a chance to test it at your own pace.

The instructors are the main strength

A surf lesson depends heavily on the person in the water with you. The specific praise for Keanu and Thiem is useful because it points to the teaching style you can hope for: patient, encouraging, and focused on helping you catch the wave at the right time.

Keanu worked with people who had never surfed before, including two adults aged 48 and 50. That matters if you worry that surfing is only for teenagers or very fit young adults. You still need moderate fitness, but you do not need prior surf experience.

Thiem helped a first-time surfer and a friend on a second session. That combination suggests the lesson can serve people at slightly different levels, at least within the beginner-to-intermediate range.

An Argentine instructor is also praised for being patient, friendly, and clear. Her name was not provided, but the description reinforces the central strength of the experience: calm instruction can make a new physical skill feel manageable.

No instructor can control the waves, the weather, or how quickly you learn. Still, good timing advice and clear correction can turn a frustrating attempt into a successful ride.

Who should book this lesson

I would recommend this class to first-time surfers, families with children age 12 and older, and adults who want to try surfing without committing to a private session.

It also suits a pair of friends with different experience levels. One person can be brand new while the other has surfed once or twice, and both can use the same beginner-friendly equipment.

The lesson is less suitable if you cannot swim at a basic level, dislike cold water, or want a quiet private session. It is also not the right pick for an experienced surfer looking to work on advanced technique, since fiberglass boards are not allowed and the lesson is built around foam boards and basic skills.

You should be comfortable with a moderate physical effort. The session involves time in the water and repeated attempts to get onto the board. If you have health concerns about that activity, consider your own limits before booking.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69, the lesson offers solid value for a first attempt. You receive about two hours of activity, beach instruction, coached water time, additional practice, a foam board, and a wetsuit.

The value is strongest if you have no equipment. Buying or arranging those items separately would add cost and hassle, while this experience gives you the basics in one booking.

The price does not buy a private class. You share the experience with other participants, and the group may include people who learn at different speeds. That is the main reason to compare this option with a private lesson before booking.

For a first surf in Santa Monica, I think the group price makes sense. You can find out if surfing suits you without paying private-lesson rates or purchasing gear you may not use again.

Booking ahead and handling bad weather

This experience is often booked about 23 days ahead, so I would reserve early if your schedule is fixed. The mobile ticket is confirmed when you book, and the experience is offered in English.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Weather is an important factor. The activity requires good conditions, so a weather cancellation can lead to another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Since the experience ends at the original meeting point, leave some flexibility in your day if the timing changes.

What to bring and wear

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes. The wetsuit is put on in the parking lot, so this simple step saves time and makes changing easier.

Bring a towel. It is an especially useful item after the water portion, when you will be wet and ready to change out of the wetsuit.

Keep your phone and other belongings secure and limited. The supplied details do not promise lockers or a dedicated place for valuables, so bring only what you need for the lesson.

You do not need to bring a surfboard or wetsuit. The class supplies an 8 or 9-foot foam board and wetsuits.

Should you book the two-hour surf lesson?

Book it if you want a practical first taste of surfing, can swim at a basic level, and are happy to learn in a group. The strongest reasons are the patient instruction, soft beginner boards, included wetsuit, and nearly an hour of coached time in the water.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to families with a 12-year-old beginner or adults who think they may be too old to start. The experience has helped complete beginners get upright, including older first-time surfers.

Choose a private lesson instead if you want all the attention or have very specific technique goals. Otherwise, $69 is a sensible way to test the waves, learn the basics, and perhaps remember the first time you stood on a surfboard for years.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson begin?

It begins at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours.

How much time is spent in the water with instructors?

You can expect about 50 to 60 minutes with the instructors in the water.

What equipment is provided?

The lesson provides an 8 or 9-foot foam-top surfboard and a wetsuit. Fiberglass boards are not allowed in the group lesson.

What age do you need to be?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

Do you need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.