2-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

The most useful feature here is one-on-one coaching. Instead of trying to follow a general class, you get a lesson shaped around your own balance, paddling, standing, and wave-catching skills, with time on land before you enter the water. I also like the quiet setting at a more remote part of Venice Beach and the fact that boards and wetsuits are included.

The biggest praise goes to Jonathan’s patient instruction. One surfer credited him with fixing years of self-taught habits and finally catching waves properly, while a parent and son both made progress in the same session. The point to weigh is the price: $99 per person is fair for two hours of private attention, but it may cost more than a larger group class.

Key points to know before you book

• Private coaching for your group: Only your party participates, so the instructor can adjust the lesson to each person’s ability.
• Two hours on land and in the water: The session includes detailed preparation before you paddle out, followed by active instruction in the surf.
• Suitable from age seven: The lesson welcomes complete beginners through advanced surfers, with a moderate fitness level advised.
• Jonathan earns especially strong praise: His patient approach has helped first-time surfers and riders trying to correct long-standing habits.
• Boards and wetsuits are included: You do not need to arrange the two main pieces of surf equipment separately.
• Meet in Santa Monica: The stated starting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, with the activity ending back there.

What the two-hour Venice Beach lesson is really about

This is not simply a board rental with a quick safety talk. Fun Surf LA sets aside two hours for instruction, and the lesson is adjusted to your current ability. That matters because learning to surf is rarely just a matter of standing up once. Small habits involving posture, balance, board control, and timing can decide whether you enjoy the session or spend it falling off.

A complete beginner can start with basic instruction on land. Someone with prior experience can use the same private format to work on a specific weakness. One surfer arrived with two years of self-taught practice on a six-foot shortboard and had made little progress. A single session with Jonathan helped correct several problems and led to catching waves in a more effective way.

That example also tells you something useful about expectations. This is not limited to children or first-timers. You can book it to build a foundation, regain confidence, or improve existing technique. The coach is meant to work with your ability rather than push everyone through the same routine.

Starting at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

The listed meeting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California 90401. The activity also ends back at this meeting point, so you should plan your day around returning there rather than assuming the lesson finishes at a different beach location.

The information provided does not spell out transport from the meeting point to the surfing area. It does say that the lesson takes place at a remote part of Venice Beach. For that reason, confirm the meeting instructions when you book and allow yourself enough time to arrive at 20 Bicknell Avenue before the scheduled start.

The mobile ticket makes the booking practical for a day out in Santa Monica. You can keep confirmation on your phone, and confirmation is provided at booking. Since the lesson is commonly reserved about 21 days ahead, booking early is sensible if your beach day falls on a specific date.

The land lesson comes before the waves

The land portion is one of the most valuable parts of the session, especially for a first-time surfer. You can learn the basic movements without the added trouble of moving water. The coach can explain what to do, watch your form, and give you a chance to repeat the motion before you take the board into the sea.

For a beginner, this preparation helps make the water time less confusing. You are not trying to figure out the board, the instructor’s directions, and the next wave all at once. You get a chance to focus on the sequence first, then carry that practice into the water.

For a more experienced rider, the land lesson offers a chance to talk through goals before the active part begins. You might use it to address a habit that has held you back, though the exact focus depends on your ability and the coach’s assessment. The key benefit is attention directed at you, not a standard demonstration aimed at a whole class.

In the water with a lesson built around your ability

Once you move into the water, the instructor continues helping you for the rest of the class. The session is not split into a short lesson followed by unsupervised rental time. That makes the $99 price easier to assess, since the fee covers coaching on land and in the water, along with the board and wetsuit.

A first-timer should expect the instructor to help with the basic process of getting comfortable on the board and attempting to catch waves. The supplied information does not promise a certain number of rides or a particular wave size, so it is best to treat success as personal progress rather than a guaranteed performance.

That said, the coaching can produce a real breakthrough. One participant who had struggled on a shortboard for two years said Jonathan helped straighten out several problems and finally catch waves properly. This is especially useful advice for anyone who has taught themselves from scattered practice and is unsure which habits need changing.

A parent and son also took the class together, with the instructor offering patient help to both. The parent managed to surf a few waves during the lesson. Since the class is private, your group can share the experience while still receiving instruction suited to each person.

Why the private format matters

A private activity means only your group participates. That is the main reason to choose this lesson over a less costly shared class. If you are nervous, need repeated explanations, or want to work on a narrow technical issue, the coach can spend more time with you instead of dividing attention among unrelated students.

It is also a good arrangement for families or friends with different abilities. A parent and child can attend together, while the instructor adjusts the help each person receives. A complete beginner and a more practiced surfer do not have to pretend they have the same needs.

There is a tradeoff. Private instruction usually makes the cost per person more noticeable, and $99 is not the cheapest way to try surfing. Group discounts are available, but no discount amount is provided, so check the final price for your party before deciding. If your top priority is the lowest possible cost, a shared class may appeal more. If you value focused instruction, the extra expense has a clear purpose.

Boards, wetsuits, and physical demands

Surfboards and wetsuits are included. That removes two common planning jobs and helps keep the listed price in perspective. You do not need to arrange those items separately for the lesson.

You should still arrive ready for moderate physical activity. Surfing requires effort, and the class includes work both on land and in the water. The provided guidance calls for a moderate fitness level, so this is not a passive sightseeing activity.

The minimum age is seven. That gives families a clear starting point when planning, but the lesson remains private rather than a children-only program. The instructor can work with participants from beginner to advanced level, so the same booking may suit different members of your group.

The information does not provide details about changing areas, personal storage, towels, or what clothing to bring. Those are sensible points to confirm before the day. The key equipment listed as included is the surfboard and wetsuit.

A coach praised for patience and clear help

Jonathan is the instructor named most often in the available comments, and patience is the quality that comes through most clearly. A parent said he helped both father and son learn, while another surfer described having a great time and wanting to repeat the experience.

That combination matters. Surf instruction can become frustrating when explanations feel rushed or when a learner is made to feel awkward after several falls. The strongest indication here is that Jonathan kept the tone encouraging while still addressing technique. His help was not limited to cheering people on. He reportedly corrected habits well enough to help an experienced self-taught rider catch waves more effectively.

Your assigned coach may not be Jonathan, so I would not treat his involvement as guaranteed unless Fun Surf LA confirms it. Still, his approach gives you a useful picture of the kind of instruction to seek: patient, personal, and focused on practical improvement.

Communication also received specific praise. The booking contact was described as clear and reliable, which is helpful for an activity that depends on meeting details and weather. Keep the provider’s messages handy, especially if you need to confirm the meeting point or any changes.

Picking the right day for the beach

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That weather provision protects your payment, but it can still affect a tightly packed Santa Monica schedule.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a cancellation inside that window is not refunded. The cut-off uses local time, so do not wait until the last moment if your plans change.

I would avoid placing this lesson at the very end of a short trip if surfing is a main goal. A weather change could require flexibility, and the experience is best treated as a planned activity rather than something to squeeze in between fixed commitments.

Is $99 a fair price for two hours?

At $99 per person, the value depends on what you want from your beach time. You are paying for a private lesson, instruction on land and in the water, a surfboard, and a wetsuit. Compared with paying for equipment and trying to learn alone, the coaching can make the session far more productive.

The value is strongest for beginners who want direct help instead of guessing at technique. It is also strong for intermediate surfers who know something is wrong but cannot identify the problem. The example of a self-taught rider improving after one session shows why a focused lesson can save time and frustration.

The price is less compelling if you only want to stand on a board for a few minutes or spend most of the morning at the beach. Two hours is a set lesson period, not a full-day surf rental. Photos are not included, so anyone wanting a record of the session must handle that separately.

Group discounts may improve the cost for a party, but the amount is not stated. Compare the final group price with a shared class, keeping in mind that only your group takes part in this activity.

Who will get the most from this lesson?

I would recommend this for a first-time surfer who wants a calm, focused introduction. The land instruction gives you a chance to understand the basic movements before trying them in the water, and the coach remains involved throughout the session.

It also suits a family with a child aged seven or older, provided everyone is comfortable with moderate physical activity. The parent and son example shows that the format can work for two people learning together without turning the lesson into a large group event.

An experienced surfer may also benefit, particularly if self-taught habits are getting in the way. Bring a clear goal if you have one. The more directly you can explain what you struggle with, the more useful private coaching is likely to be.

I would be less likely to choose it if your only aim is to find the cheapest beach activity, if you dislike committing to a weather-sensitive plan, or if your fitness level makes active water instruction difficult. The private format has value, but it is not designed as a low-cost equipment rental.

Should you book the Fun Surf LA lesson?

Book it if you want personal instruction rather than a quick introduction. The two-hour format, included equipment, private setting, and land-to-water coaching give you a solid structure, and Jonathan’s reported patience is a strong reason to ask whether he is available.

For beginners, families, and surfers trying to correct bad habits, the $99 fee can be worthwhile. Go in with realistic expectations: the lesson offers coaching and practice, not a promise of a specific number of waves or a guaranteed transformation.

If you book, reserve ahead, confirm the meeting details at 20 Bicknell Avenue, and keep your schedule flexible for weather. That preparation lets you focus on the useful part of the day: learning how to read your board, your body, and the water with a coach paying attention to you.

FAQ

Where does the surfing lesson begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the private surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What equipment is included?

Surfboards and wetsuits are included.

What age can participate?

The minimum age is seven years old.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. The lesson is suitable for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced surfers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.