Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

The best thing about this private Santa Monica surf lesson is the personal coaching. You are not left to copy a group while an instructor races from one beginner to the next. The lesson is shaped around your ability, from first-time nerves to the basics of turning and wave selection.

I like the patient teaching style praised again and again, with instructors such as John, Jonathan, Eden, Alex, Alejandro, Alexis, and Nick helping people feel safe enough to try. I also like that the lesson works for families, with children as young as seven and adults learning side by side. The main catch is the ocean itself: cold water, rough waves, and changing conditions can affect how many times you get up.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours of private coaching: You work with an instructor on the beach and in the water for the full session.
• Good for mixed abilities: Total beginners, older children, teens, and people with some surfing experience can all take part.
• Boards and wetsuits are included: You do not need to arrange the main equipment yourself.
• Venice Beach setting: The lesson takes place amid one of the Los Angeles area’s most recognizable beach scenes.
• Patient instructors matter here: Names praised in past sessions include John, Jonathan, Eden, Alex, Alejandro, Alexis, Nick, and others.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund, while late cancellations are not refundable.

Starting at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

Your lesson begins at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, and ends back at the same meeting point. That simple out-and-back setup is useful because you are not dealing with several pickup locations or a long transfer before getting to the beach.

Take the meeting details seriously. One unhappy customer arrived at the wrong address after receiving confusing information and had trouble reaching the operator. That appears to be an exception among otherwise strong feedback, but it is a good reason to check your confirmation carefully before leaving your hotel. Save the meeting address on your phone, allow time to find the right place, and confirm any last-minute instructions.

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That makes it a better choice than a large class if you want the instructor focused on your child, partner, or personal goals. The $125 price is per person, and group discounts are available, though the exact saving depends on the booking details.

What the first beach lesson covers

The two-hour session begins on land. You can expect the instructor to explain basic movement and surfing technique before you enter the water. A review of a session with Pepe specifically notes movement coaching on the beach before the practical part began, which is the right order for a first lesson.

This early instruction is not filler. Learning where to place your hands, how to move from lying down to standing, and how to keep your balance gives you a better chance of handling the first small wave. It also gives the instructor a chance to see how you move and adjust the lesson to your level.

If you are new to surfing, you may feel awkward at first. That is normal. Several instructors were praised for being patient and encouraging with beginners who had never stood on a board. Alejandro helped a group with no experience get upright, at least briefly, while another instructor had one beginner standing by the second attempt.

You should not judge the lesson by whether you become a polished surfer in two hours. A more realistic goal is to learn the basic movement, catch a few waves with help, and leave with enough confidence to continue.

Moving from the sand into the water

After the land instruction, your instructor takes you into the water and stays involved for the rest of the session. The coaching is not simply a beach demonstration followed by free time. Instructors help you position the board, time your attempt, and work toward catching waves.

That personal attention is especially useful for children. Families describe instructors staying with the kids while they surf, giving them direct help rather than watching from a distance. John was singled out for patience with children, and one instructor handled a young participant’s nosebleed calmly and professionally. Those details matter because a child’s first impression of surfing can depend as much on reassurance as on technique.

Conditions will shape the water portion. One session had rough waves, yet the participant still managed to pop up several times. Another family found the water very cold and appreciated being given extra wetsuit protection. You may have a smooth, easy lesson, or you may spend more time learning to manage the board in less friendly water.

That uncertainty is part of the sport, but it is also the main limit of the experience. The instructor can improve your timing and technique. No instructor can order perfect waves.

Why private coaching is worth the price

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours at the beach. The value comes from the attention. If you are nervous, inexperienced, or teaching a child, you are paying for an instructor who can correct you right away instead of giving the same advice to a large group.

The private format also helps when people in the same booking have different needs. A family may include an eight-year-old, a teenager, and adults. One child may need help with balance, while another wants to catch more waves. The instructor can adjust the pace instead of forcing everyone through the same routine.

The price includes the surfboard and wetsuit, which removes two major equipment costs. Photos are not included, so you should not book this expecting a formal photo package. Some instructors have taken pictures during a session, but that has been an occasional personal touch, not a listed part of the experience.

Group discounts may improve the value for families or couples. Since the price is listed per person, check the final cost for your party before committing. For a solo participant, the price buys the maximum personal attention. For a family, the total can rise quickly, but the private setup may be easier than coordinating several separate activities.

Instructors who make a difference

The strongest pattern here is the quality of the personal teaching. This is not tied to one named instructor, and the staff names vary by availability, but several teachers have left a clear impression.

• John and Jonathan were praised for patience, especially with children and first-timers. Jonathan was also described as warm and fun, which can help when you are struggling to stand.
• Eden was valued for a calm, supportive approach that helped a nervous beginner relax.
• Alex and Alexei were praised for clear explanations and patience with couples and teenagers.
• Alejandro helped complete beginners get up on the board and made them feel safe and confident.
• Nick was remembered for his enthusiasm and for making a young adult feel supported rather than judged.
• Pepe and Anto were noted for balancing instruction with time spent helping participants catch waves.

Instructor assignments can change, so you should not assume a particular name is guaranteed unless the operator confirms it. Still, the range of positive feedback suggests that the teaching approach is not dependent on only one person.

A good fit for children, teens, and families

The minimum age is seven, and this lesson has a strong family angle. Parents have booked it for children and teenagers, with instructors giving young participants close attention in the water. That is a useful advantage over a casual board rental, where your child must learn through trial and error.

Children should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing asks you to paddle, push up, stand, balance, and deal with moving water. The lesson is not described as a passive beach activity, so consider your child’s comfort with physical effort before booking.

The water may also feel cold, particularly at certain times of year. Wetsuits are provided, and one instructor used extra wetsuit layers to help a family stay comfortable. Even with that equipment, cold water can make a session tiring faster than expected.

For teenagers, the lesson offers a good mix of challenge and independence. One parent described a 15-year-old’s first session as both fun and educational, while another family booked for ages 12, 21, and 49. That broad age range shows why a private lesson can work well for a family with different confidence levels.

What beginners should realistically expect

You may stand on the board during your first lesson, but you should not count on it. One participant managed to get upright on a second try, while another could only pop up a few times in rough conditions. Both outcomes can represent a useful session.

Your first success may last only a second or two. That is still enough to learn how the board responds and what your body needs to do next time. The instructor can help you understand why one attempt worked and another did not.

The best attitude is to treat the lesson as an introduction, not a complete surfing course. You will likely learn the basic sequence on land, practice it in the water, and get guided chances to catch waves. If you enjoy it, a second lesson will give you more time to build consistency.

People who feel embarrassed about being uncoordinated should take comfort from the teaching style described by past participants. Instructors are repeatedly praised for patience, humor, encouragement, and safety. You are expected to be a beginner, not to arrive already knowing how to surf.

The Venice Beach setting

The lesson takes place amid the scenery of the Santa Monica and Venice Beach area, giving you more than a pool-style introduction to surfing. Venice is an iconic part of Los Angeles, and the beach setting adds a strong sense of place to the activity.

The setting also means you are dealing with a real ocean, not a controlled training area. Waves, water temperature, and conditions can vary. A good day may give you forgiving waves and quick progress. A rough day may produce fewer clean rides but more practice with balance and timing.

One participant raised concern about water pollution readings discovered after the lesson. The operator responded that it works to provide a safe experience, but the concern is still worth taking seriously. If water quality is important to you, check current local conditions before entering the water and ask the operator about any advisories on the day of your lesson.

That is not a reason to dismiss the activity. It is simply part of being a careful ocean visitor. Weather and water conditions affect both safety and enjoyment, and you should be willing to reschedule if conditions are poor.

Practical details that affect your day

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation, and the experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refundable.

Poor weather is handled differently. If the activity is canceled because conditions are unsuitable, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since weather decisions use local time, keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone.

Bring a moderate level of fitness and plan around getting wet. Boards and wetsuits are included, but photos are not. If you want a record of your first ride, ask the operator whether your instructor can take a picture, but do not treat that as guaranteed.

The tour is booked, on average, 32 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your Los Angeles schedule is fixed, especially for a family trip or a particular date. The high booking rate may also reflect limited private lesson times.

Who should book this Santa Monica surf lesson?

I would choose this experience if you want direct instruction rather than a simple equipment rental. It is particularly well suited to:

• First-time surfers who want help with every step
• Families with children aged seven and older
• Couples who prefer a shared private activity
• Teenagers looking for a memorable beach experience
• Solo beginners who want an instructor’s full attention
• People with some experience who want to work on basic technique

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold water, have limited physical fitness, or need guaranteed perfect waves. The ocean does not follow a schedule, and two hours may pass without the steady progress you hoped for.

Should you book it?

Book it if you value patient coaching, want to learn in a small private setting, and understand that success may mean one brief pop-up rather than a long ride. The included board and wetsuit help justify the price, while the instructors’ patience is the real reason to choose this over going alone.

Before booking, confirm the meeting point, check the weather and water conditions, and make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with moderate physical effort. If your party includes children or nervous beginners, the personal attention can make the $125 per person price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the private surf lesson start?

It starts at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California 90401. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours, including instruction on land and in the water.

What equipment is included?

Surfboards and wetsuits are included in the price.

Are photos included?

No. Photos are not included as part of the activity.

What is the minimum age?

Children must be at least seven years old to participate.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. The lesson is designed for complete beginners as well as people with some surfing experience, and the instructor adjusts the program to your ability.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.