Los Angeles: Private Surfing Lesson with Equipment Rental

Los Angeles gives you a fine place to learn surfing: warm sunshine above, cool Pacific water below, and sandy beaches that make early mistakes less painful. This two-hour private lesson begins on the sand, then moves into the water for repeated practice with your own instructor.

I like the one-to-one attention and the fact that board and full wetsuit rental are included. It is also a good family option, with lessons for children from age four and groups of up to six arranged as private instruction. The main drawback is practical: you must handle your own transport, parking, towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and water.

Key points to know

• Choose your beach: Lessons take place at Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach, depending on the option booked.
• Private coaching: You are not mixed with unrelated students, so the instructor can adjust the lesson to your ability and pace.
• Equipment is included: Boards from 6 to 9 feet, full wetsuits in all sizes, and leashes are provided.
• Good for families: Children age four and up can take part, and the lesson can be booked for one to six people.
• Flexible timing: Choose a start time between 6:00am and 6:00pm, subject to availability.
• Bring the basics: Pack a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and water. Smoking is not allowed.

Starting on the sand before meeting the waves

Your lesson begins at the beach, where you meet your English-speaking instructor and get fitted with a wetsuit. Wear your regular swimsuit underneath it, and bring a towel for afterward. Full wetsuits are supplied in all sizes, with thicker suits used outside the summer months.

The board size depends on the student. Equipment ranges from 6-foot to 9-foot surfboards, with a leash included. A larger board can offer a steadier platform for a first lesson, while a smaller board may suit someone with more experience. Your instructor makes that call based on the student rather than leaving you to guess.

Before you enter the water, the instructor explains the basic sequence on the sand. You learn how to lie on the board, paddle, push up, and move into the standing position, known in surfing as the pop-up. This part may look simple, but it gives you a chance to sort out hand placement and balance before the board starts moving.

The safety briefing matters just as much. You learn how to approach the ocean and handle the board safely. For a first session, that preparation is more useful than rushing straight toward the waves. It also helps younger children understand what will happen next.

Learning the pop-up in the Pacific

The water portion is built around practice. You paddle out with your instructor, wait for a suitable wave, and try to ride it toward the sandy shore. After each attempt, you receive a correction or suggestion before trying again.

That repeat cycle is the main reason a private lesson can be worth the price. In a larger class, you may spend more time waiting for your turn. Here, the instructor can focus on your timing, balance, and body position. A child who needs several explanations gets them. An adult who is nervous about standing can work at a slower pace.

The lesson is not a guarantee that every participant will make a long ride. Ocean conditions, confidence, age, and coordination all matter. The clear benefit is that you get direct help on every wave rather than a general talk followed by guesswork.

You should expect to get wet, paddle, fall, and try again. That is the normal rhythm of an introductory surf lesson. The instructor’s job is to make those attempts safer and more productive, not to remove every wobble.

What makes the private format useful for families

The lesson is suitable for ages four and up, making it a practical choice for a family with children at different stages. One child may be ready to stand quickly, while another may still be learning how to lie correctly on the board. Private coaching gives the instructor room to work with those differences.

The supplied feedback points to this family focus. Instructor Chad was described as patient and clear, and an eight-year-old student managed to catch some good waves during the session. That detail is useful for parents: the lesson is not only aimed at athletic adults or teenagers.

Another French-speaking family review praised the instructor’s patience and teaching style with children, noting that the children enjoyed the activity and did not notice how quickly the time passed. The instruction is in English, but the reported experience suggests that the teaching is structured and friendly for young participants.

Groups can include one to six people, with a minimum instructor ratio of 3:1 listed for the private lesson arrangement. Because group details can affect how much individual water time each person receives, check the exact setup when booking if you have a larger family or mixed-age group.

Picking between Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach

The exact meeting point depends on the option you choose. The lesson is taught at Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach, so location should be part of your decision rather than an afterthought.

Santa Monica may fit best if you are already staying near the central Los Angeles coast or planning other activities in that area. Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach may be more convenient if you are based farther south. The supplied information does not promise a specific beach for every booking, so confirm the location and allow enough time for traffic and parking.

You are responsible for getting to and from the beach. If you drive, beach-lot parking is also your responsibility and is not included in the $149 price. That extra cost can affect the real budget, especially for a family. I would check the beach location before choosing a lesson time, then plan to arrive early enough to find parking and meet the instructor without rushing.

The meeting point may vary by the selected option. Read that information carefully when you reserve, since the wrong assumption about the beach could turn a relaxed morning into a hurried one.

Choosing the best two-hour time slot

Lessons are available every day from 6:00am to 6:00pm, with specific start times based on availability. That wide window is helpful if you want to fit surfing around a sightseeing day or a family schedule.

An early lesson gives you a chance to surf before a busy day of activities. It may also suit families whose children are happiest in the morning. A later time can work better if you need a slower start, but you should leave room for changing afterward and drying off before your next plan.

The duration is two hours. That includes meeting the instructor, getting fitted with equipment, learning on the sand, practicing in the water, and receiving feedback. It is long enough to give a beginner several attempts, but not so long that the session becomes an exhausting all-day commitment.

Bring water, since paddling and repeated attempts can be tiring. A hat, sunscreen, towel, and swimsuit are also on the required packing list. Sunscreen is especially worth applying before the wetsuit goes on, since you will still have exposed areas around your face, neck, and hands.

Understanding what the $149 price covers

At $149 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours at the beach. The price makes more sense if you value private instruction and would otherwise need to rent a board and wetsuit separately.

The fee includes a dedicated instructor, a surfboard, a full wetsuit, and a leash. Board sizes run from 6 to 9 feet, and thicker wetsuits are available during non-summer months. Those inclusions remove several common add-on costs and mean you do not need to arrive with surfing equipment.

Private coaching is the bigger part of the value. You are paying for time with an instructor who can watch your attempts, offer corrections, and help you manage the ocean safely. That can be worthwhile for a complete beginner who wants a clear introduction rather than a casual equipment rental.

The value is less convincing if you already surf confidently and only need a board. In that case, instruction may be more than you require. It also becomes a larger family expense when several people book at once. Still, families often gain more from organized coaching than from renting boards and trying to teach one another.

Gratuity is optional and not included. A tip is appreciated if you feel the instruction was particularly helpful, but it is not part of the listed price.

What to wear and pack for a comfortable session

Wear a swimsuit beneath the provided full wetsuit. The wetsuit is intended to keep you comfortable in the Pacific, and thicker versions are used outside the summer months. You do not need to bring your own board, leash, or wetsuit.

Pack these items:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Water

A towel may seem obvious, but it is easy to forget when the activity provider supplies the major equipment. You will want it immediately after changing out of the wetsuit.

Smoking is not allowed. The activity is wheelchair accessible, though the practical details of getting onto the beach and into the water can depend on the selected meeting point and should be confirmed when booking.

The instructor’s role after every wave

The strongest feature of the lesson is the steady feedback. After each wave, the instructor helps you understand what happened and what to change on the next attempt. That might involve paddling earlier, adjusting your balance, or improving the pop-up.

This approach is especially useful for children, who may not know why one attempt worked and the next did not. Clear, patient instruction keeps the session from becoming a string of random falls. It also gives adults a better chance to improve within the two-hour window.

The available feedback highlights patience and clear teaching. Chad is specifically praised for working well with an eight-year-old, while another family found the instructor very patient and kind with children. A separate comment describes the coaching as fantastic. Taken together, those details point to an experience centered on instruction rather than simply handing you a board.

At the end, ask the instructor how to throw a shaka. It is the small finishing touch for a surf lesson, and a fun way to mark your first session.

Who should book this Los Angeles surf lesson

I would recommend this for first-time surfers, families with children age four and up, and adults who want private coaching without buying equipment. It also suits people who prefer a scheduled activity with a clear beginning, instruction period, and guided practice.

It is a particularly good fit if one person in your group feels nervous. A private instructor can give that student more reassurance without slowing down a completely different class of strangers.

I would think twice if you dislike cold water, do not want to paddle or fall, or are looking only for a board rental. The lesson is active, and the Pacific is not a swimming pool. You should also consider the cost of transport and parking before deciding that $149 is the complete expense.

The age rule is firm: children under four are not suitable for this activity. For older children, the family feedback is encouraging, but every child’s comfort in the ocean will vary.

Booking details worth checking first

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the lesson for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful when your Los Angeles plans depend on weather, family schedules, or changing transport arrangements.

Check the exact beach, meeting point, and available time before you finalize the booking. Lessons run from sunrise hours at 6:00am through 6:00pm, but not every time may be open on your chosen date.

The experience is private, taught in English, and available for groups of one to six. If you are booking for a larger family, confirm how the instructor ratio applies to your group so everyone knows what kind of attention to expect.

Should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want a proper introduction to surfing with equipment, safety guidance, and personal coaching included. The private format, patient instruction, and family-friendly age range make it more useful than simply renting a board and hoping to work out the pop-up on your own.

Skip it if you already surf well or want the lowest-cost beach activity. Also budget for parking, transport, and your own beach supplies. For a first ride in the Pacific, though, $149 can be fair value, especially when Chad or another dedicated instructor helps your group turn nervous paddling into a few real waves.

FAQ

Where does the private surfing lesson take place?

Lessons take place at Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach, depending on the option booked. The meeting point may vary, so check the selected option carefully.

How long does the surfing lesson last?

The lesson lasts two hours. It includes equipment fitting, instruction on the sand, water practice, and feedback from your instructor.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a surfboard from 6 to 9 feet, a full wetsuit in all sizes, and a surfboard leash.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit to wear beneath the wetsuit, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and water.

What ages can take part?

The lesson is suitable for children age four and up. Children under four are not suitable for this activity.

How many people can join a private lesson?

Private lessons can be booked for groups of one to six people. The listed minimum student-to-instructor ratio is 3:1.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.