2-Hour Group Surf Lesson in Venice Beach

Catching your first wave is the heart of this two-hour group surf lesson, and the format gives you a fair shot at it without demanding a full day or a large budget. You begin with 20 to 30 minutes of beach instruction, spend about an hour in the water with an instructor, then use the remaining time to practice.

I like the practical gear setup: eight- and nine-foot foam boards are supplied, and wetsuits help take the bite out of cool water. I also like the small maximum group size of 12, plus the clear beginner focus. The main tradeoff is that this is still a group class, so individual attention can vary, especially when the session fills.

Key Points

• Two hours in the water and on the beach: Expect 20 to 30 minutes of instruction on shore, 50 to 60 minutes with an instructor in the water, and extra practice time.
• Built for first-timers: The lesson suits beginner and beginner-intermediate surfers, with basic swimming skills required.
• Foam boards only: You’ll use a stable eight- or nine-foot foam-top board. Fiberglass boards are not allowed in group lessons for safety reasons.
• Instructors who work patiently with novices: Keanu and Thiem have helped first-time surfers get upright and catch waves.
• Maximum of 12 people: The class is shared with other participants, though a quiet day may feel more personal.
• $69 with free cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Starting at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica

The lesson begins at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California, and finishes back at the same meeting point. You receive confirmation when you book, and a mobile ticket makes the arrangement easy to keep on your phone.

The meeting point matters because you should arrive ready to change and get organized, not assume you will have a long private changing-room routine. One useful tip is to wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. You may put on the wetsuit in the parking lot, so simple clothing and minimal luggage make the start less awkward.

The activity is described as a Venice Beach surf lesson, while the listed meeting point is in Santa Monica. Check the exact address and allow enough time to reach it before the start. The lesson ends where it begins, which keeps the return simple and avoids figuring out a second pickup spot after you are tired and wet.

The First 20 to 30 Minutes on the Sand

The session starts with instruction on the beach. This is where you learn the basic movements before handling the board in the water. For a complete beginner, those minutes are not filler. They help you understand how to position yourself, how to get from lying down to standing, and how to react when a wave begins to carry the board.

You should expect the instructor to explain the basic process, then give you a chance to rehearse it on land. That early practice is especially useful because the ocean is a poor classroom for remembering several new steps at once.

The lesson is aimed at beginner and beginner-intermediate surfers. If you have never surfed, the beach portion gives you a clear starting point. If you have tried before but still struggle with timing or getting up, it gives you a chance to clean up the basics.

The age minimum is 12. There is no listed maximum age, but you need a moderate level of physical fitness and basic swimming skills. Surfing asks you to paddle, balance, push up, and repeatedly get back on the board. You do not need to arrive as an athlete, but you should be comfortable with the physical work.

Foam Boards That Favor Stability

Group lessons use eight- and nine-foot foam-top boards. These boards are larger and more forgiving than short fiberglass boards, which is exactly what you want while learning balance and wave timing.

The long foam board gives a new surfer more room to lie down and more stability when trying to stand. It also makes the early stages less frustrating. The tradeoff is that it will not feel like a sleek performance board, and an intermediate surfer looking for sharper turns may find it basic.

Fiberglass boards are not permitted in the group class for safety reasons. That rule may disappoint someone hoping to use a smaller board, but it makes sense in a shared lesson where several people are learning close to one another. The supplied board keeps the focus on control and safe practice.

Wetsuits are provided. That is a useful part of the $69 price, especially on a cool day. One participant described a chilly session where the wetsuit kept the experience comfortable, and another noted that it fit well and helped with warmth. Bring a towel, and wear your swimsuit beneath your clothes so you can change with less fuss.

About 50 to 60 Minutes of Instructor Time in the Water

The most valuable part of the class is the 50 to 60 minutes spent in the water with instructors. This is where the beach lesson has to work in real conditions. The instructor helps you identify the right moment, position the board, and try to catch a wave.

Timing is the part many beginners find hardest. You may paddle too soon, too late, or lose balance while trying to stand. Good water coaching can make the difference between repeatedly missing waves and getting one memorable ride.

Keanu has been praised for helping two adults who had never surfed catch waves at the right time. That detail is encouraging if you are older than the typical image of a new surfer. The lesson is not only for teenagers or naturally athletic people. With basic fitness, swimming ability, and patient coaching, adults can take part too.

Thiem has also led sessions for first-time and second-time surfers. His calm, helpful approach was especially appreciated during a chilly day when only two people attended. An Argentine instructor has also been described as patient, friendly, and clear in her teaching. Instructors can vary by date, so you should not assume one particular person will lead your class, but the teaching style described here points toward a supportive beginner lesson.

The water portion is not a private coaching session. You share the area and instruction with other participants, and the maximum class size is 12. That is small enough to keep the class manageable, but it does not guarantee constant one-to-one attention. If you want every correction directed at you, the operator also offers private lessons.

Extra Practice After the Main Coaching

After the beach training and guided water time, the remaining part of the two-hour session is yours to practice with the supplied boards. This gives you room to repeat what you have learned instead of ending the moment the instructor finishes the formal portion.

That extra time is valuable because surfing improves through repetition. Your first successful stand may be brief. You may fall several times before you understand what went right. Having additional time lets you try again while the instructions are still fresh.

The exact feel of this practice period depends on the day, the group, and the conditions. You should treat it as a chance to work on your new skills, not as a promise of uninterrupted private coaching. If the class is full, you may need to share space and wait for a suitable wave.

The lesson requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the activity can be canceled and you will be offered another date or a full refund. That weather safeguard is useful for a water activity, though it means your schedule should have some flexibility.

What $69 Buys You

At $69 per person, this is a reasonable introduction to surfing if you want instruction, a board, and a wetsuit in one short session. The price is easier to justify than a lesson that requires separate equipment rental, particularly if you are visiting Santa Monica and only have part of a day available.

The value comes from the structure. You receive shore instruction, guided water time, and a practice period, rather than simply being handed a board and pointed toward the waves. The supplied foam board also removes the need to decide which board to rent as a beginner.

The price does not buy a private class. You are combined with other participants, and the maximum is 12 people. On a quiet day, the group may be very small. One session had only two people because of chilly weather, creating a private-lesson feel without the private-lesson price. You should see that as a pleasant possibility, not something guaranteed.

For a first attempt, the cost is strongest when you want a clear introduction and a reasonable chance to get upright. If you already surf confidently and want technical coaching, a private lesson or more advanced board may give you better value.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this class to adults and children age 12 or older who are new to surfing or still working on the basics. It suits you if you want an active Santa Monica outing with a clear time limit and do not need a full-day surf program.

It is also a good fit for friends or family members at different early skill levels. One person can be trying for the first time while another has surfed once or twice, and both can use the same beginner-friendly equipment.

Basic swimming skills are required. You should also be comfortable with moderate physical activity, getting wet, paddling, standing up from the board, and falling into the water. The lesson is not presented as a gentle sightseeing activity.

Children younger than 12 cannot join this group lesson. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those details may help with planning, but you should still think about the physical demands before booking.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Session

Wear your swimsuit beneath your regular clothes. This is the simplest way to handle the wetsuit change, especially since you may get ready in the parking lot.

Bring a towel. It is an easy item to forget and one you will want at the end.

Arrive prepared for a shared class. You will be combined with other people, so do not expect the instructor to focus only on your technique. If personal attention is the main reason you are booking, ask about the private option instead.

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. The activity is often reserved about 23 days in advance, which suggests that waiting until the last minute may not work well during busy periods.

Keep your schedule flexible if possible. The lesson depends on suitable weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants, so a session can be changed or canceled if that minimum is not reached.

Cancellation and Booking Flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

If poor weather cancels the session, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

That policy is fairly useful for a water activity, but pay attention to the cutoff. A last-minute change of plans can mean losing the full $69.

Should You Book This Surf Lesson?

Book it if you want an affordable first taste of surfing, can swim, and like the idea of learning with a small shared group. The lesson offers the right mix for beginners: stable foam boards, wetsuits, beach instruction, substantial water coaching, and extra practice time.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a first-time surfer who wants a real chance to stand up, not just a brief demonstration. The experiences led by Keanu and Thiem show how much a patient instructor can matter when timing and balance are still new.

Think twice if you need a private class, dislike changing outdoors, or want advanced technique on a fiberglass board. For everyone else, $69 is a sensible way to spend two active hours near Santa Monica, with the added pleasure of possibly catching your first wave.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson start?

The lesson starts at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at 20 Bicknell Ave.

How long does the group surf lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $69 per person.

What ages can join?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

Do I need swimming skills?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required.

What kind of surfboard is provided?

Group lessons use eight- and nine-foot foam-top surfboards. Fiberglass boards are not allowed in group lessons for safety reasons.

Is the lesson private?

No. This is a group lesson with a maximum of 12 participants. Private lessons are also available from the operator.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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