Reviewed · SURF LESSONS
Experience Malibu with Exclusive 90-Minute Surf Lessons
Malibu surfing becomes much less intimidating when you have a board, wetsuit, water, and a patient instructor waiting for you. This lesson takes place near Escondido Beach, on a semi-private stretch with less crowded surf spots, so you can focus on standing up instead of dodging a wall of surfers.
I like the small-feeling beach setting and the fact that the lesson includes the main gear you need. I also like the strong teaching record from Steele, Alex, and Anthony, especially with first-timers and children who need a little confidence before they face their first wave.
The main drawback is the firm cancellation policy: your booking is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change. Weather can also affect the lesson, though a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Why this Malibu lesson feels approachable
- Meeting Steele, Alex, or Anthony on the sand
- The first minutes: board, wetsuit, and basic instruction
- What the semi-private surf area adds
- Learning to stand, one wave at a time
- Morning or afternoon: choosing your start time
- What is included, and what still needs planning
- Value for a short Malibu activity
- The cancellation rule deserves attention
- Who will get the most from this lesson
- Practical tips for a smoother first session
- Should you book Always Summer Surf School?
- FAQ
- Where does the surf lesson start?
- Where does the activity finish?
- How long does the surf lesson last?
- Are surfboards and wetsuits included?
- Can I choose a morning or afternoon lesson?
- What happens if the weather is poor or the minimum number of participants is not reached?
Key points to know before booking

- Surf near Escondido Beach: You learn at a semi-private Malibu beach area with less crowded surf spots.
- Morning or afternoon starts: Pick the time that fits your day and your energy level.
- Gear is included: A soft-top board, wetsuit, snacks, and water are provided.
- Good for beginners: Steele, Alex, and Anthony work with people who have never surfed, as well as those looking to improve.
- Meeting point is specific: Start and finish at 31202 Broad Beach Road, Malibu.
- Plan around the policy: The experience is non-refundable unless the provider cancels because of weather or low enrollment.
Why this Malibu lesson feels approachable

Many people like the idea of surfing in Malibu but worry about the first practical hurdles. What board should you use? Where do you change? Will the waves feel too busy? This experience removes several of those questions before you reach the water.
You meet at 31202 Broad Beach Road, near Escondido Beach, and the activity returns to that same point. The setting matters. A semi-private beach and less crowded surf area can give you more room to listen, practice, and recover after a fall.
That does not mean you get a private beach or a guaranteed empty lineup. Surf conditions change, and the information does not give a set class size. Still, the chosen area appears designed to keep the lesson calmer than a packed public break.
The lesson lasts about 90 minutes at its longest advertised duration. That is enough time for an introduction and repeated attempts without taking over your whole Malibu day. You can choose a morning or afternoon start, which works well if you want to pair the lesson with other beach time.
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Meeting Steele, Alex, or Anthony on the sand

The instructors are a major part of the experience. Steele is specifically praised for making beginners feel comfortable and for helping students catch waves. Anthony is noted for turning a first surf attempt into a successful stand-up ride, including during a mother-and-daughter lesson. Alex is also singled out for getting two young girls riding their first waves.
You should not expect a dry classroom lecture followed by a quick photo opportunity. The teaching approach described here is practical and encouraging. You receive instruction, take a board into the water, and work on the basic movements that let you catch a small wave.
Steele is also described as someone who understands the ocean and builds confidence. That matters more than flashy instruction. A new surfer needs to know when to paddle, how to position the board, and how to stay calm when the water moves beneath them.
Anthony and Steele have also worked with people who had taken lessons before. That makes the experience useful beyond the absolute beginner stage. If you already know how to pop up but struggle with timing or balance, coaching may help you make better use of each wave.
The provider is Always Summer Surf School. The listed instructors are Steele, Alex, and Anthony, though you should confirm your assigned instructor if that matters to you.
The first minutes: board, wetsuit, and basic instruction
Your booking includes a soft-top surfboard and wetsuit. That is a useful package for a beginner. Soft-top boards are generally more forgiving than narrow performance boards, and the wetsuit helps you stay comfortable in the Pacific water.
The information does not spell out the exact order of the lesson, so I would expect the instructor to cover basic handling and safety before sending you toward the waves. Pay close attention here. The best use of a short lesson is not simply standing once. It is learning enough about position, balance, and wave timing to repeat the attempt.
You will likely spend part of the session on the shore and part in the water. The exact split depends on the conditions and the group. Use the beach time well. Ask where to place your hands, how to keep your weight centered, and what signal the instructor uses when it is time to paddle.
The soft-top board is a good match for learning because it gives you a broad, stable platform. It will not turn you into an advanced surfer in one session, but it can make the first steps less frustrating.
What the semi-private surf area adds

A less crowded surf spot can change the mood of a first lesson. You have fewer boards and bodies to watch, fewer distractions, and more chance to hear the instructor. That makes a real difference when you are trying to remember several new movements at once.
The location near Escondido Beach also gives the lesson a distinctly Malibu setting. You are not practicing in a generic indoor pool or an artificial wave facility. You are learning at the coast, with the natural rhythm of the ocean setting the pace.
The tradeoff is that the ocean is not controlled. Conditions can change, and your success depends partly on the day. A small, manageable wave may give you an easy first ride. Another session may require more patience.
The provider can cancel when weather makes the activity unsuitable. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent into poor conditions, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.
A few more Malibu trips worth weighing up
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Learning to stand, one wave at a time

The most encouraging part of this lesson is the clear focus on first successes. Beginners have been able to stand and ride small waves, and children have been helped onto their first rides. You should still keep your expectations sensible. Surfing has a learning curve, and no instructor can promise that every person will stand on the first try.
What the instructors can do is break the task into manageable pieces. Start with balance on the board. Learn how to paddle and position yourself. Then try to move from lying down to standing while the wave carries you forward.
I like this kind of lesson for families because it gives you a shared challenge without requiring prior experience. A parent and child can encourage each other, and the session can become a memorable activity rather than another passive beach afternoon.
The experience also suits adults who have always wanted to try surfing but never found the right entry point. You do not need to arrive with a board or wetsuit, and you do not need to know the local breaks. The instructor helps you make sense of the water.
If you have taken lessons before, tell the instructor what you can already do. One person specifically improved after earlier surf classes with Steele and Anthony. That suggests the coaching can be useful for more than a first taste, though the exact amount of advanced instruction is not specified.
Morning or afternoon: choosing your start time

Morning and afternoon start times are available. The best choice depends on your day rather than on a guaranteed promise about conditions, since no specific tide or weather schedule is provided.
A morning lesson can work well if you want to surf before other plans. It may also leave the rest of the day open for Malibu sightseeing, beach time, or a meal. An afternoon start suits you if you prefer a slower morning or want to build the lesson into a longer day along the coast.
I would choose the time when you are most alert and least rushed. Surfing asks for attention. If you are managing children, an earlier session may be easier if they tend to lose energy later in the day. If your morning is already packed, an afternoon slot may produce a more relaxed experience.
Arrive at the stated meeting point, 31202 Broad Beach Road, Malibu, and plan to finish there as well. The experience is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not identify a particular route or stop. If you depend on public transport, check your route before booking.
What is included, and what still needs planning

The useful basics are covered: soft-top surfboards, wetsuits, snacks, water, and instruction. That gives the experience good practical value, especially if you are visiting Malibu without beach equipment.
The included snacks and water are a small but welcome touch. Surfing takes more effort than it appears to from shore, and having refreshments included means you do not need to stop your session to find something nearby.
You should still plan your personal beach needs. The supplied information does not list lockers, changing rooms, towels, sunscreen, or personal storage. Bring or arrange anything you need beyond the listed equipment, but do not assume those extras are provided.
The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The description does not provide a special physical accessibility breakdown, so if you have mobility, medical, or water-safety concerns, contact the provider before booking.
Value for a short Malibu activity

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. I can still explain what you are paying for: an instructor, a soft-top board, a wetsuit, water, snacks, and access to a less crowded surf setting for about 90 minutes.
That bundle may be worthwhile if you would otherwise need to rent equipment and find an instructor separately. It is also useful if you are fitting surfing into a larger Malibu visit and want a focused activity rather than a full-day surf course.
The value is strongest for first-timers and families. You are not buying a long training program, and you should not expect mastery after one session. You are buying a well-supported introduction that may help you decide if you want to continue.
For returning surfers, the value depends on your goals. The instructors have helped experienced students improve, but the available information does not describe video review, private coaching, or specialized performance work. Ask about the format if you want advanced technique rather than a general lesson.
Group discounts are available. That could make the experience more appealing for families or friends booking together, but the discount amount and group limits are not stated.
The cancellation rule deserves attention
This booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, you do not receive the amount paid back.
That is stricter than many activities, so do not book until your plans are firm. The main exceptions involve cancellations made by the provider. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.
This is one reason to avoid scheduling the lesson at the most fragile point of a tightly packed holiday. Give yourself some flexibility if surfing is important to you.
Who will get the most from this lesson
I would recommend this experience to:
- First-time surfers who want equipment and instruction handled in one booking
- Families with children ready to try a new water activity
- Couples or friends looking for an active Malibu experience
- Surfers with some past experience who want help with basic improvement
- Visitors who prefer a less crowded beach setting
- Anyone who wants a roughly 90-minute activity rather than a full-day course
I would be more cautious if you need a fully private lesson, a guaranteed class size, advanced technical coaching, or a flexible cancellation policy. None of those features is confirmed here.
This is also not the best choice if you dislike uncertain weather or want a completely predictable outdoor activity. Ocean sports always involve conditions you cannot control, and the provider may need to reschedule.
Practical tips for a smoother first session
Wear something comfortable for arriving and leaving, and plan around getting wet. The wetsuit and board are supplied, but the available details do not say that towels or storage are included.
Keep your first goal modest. Standing for a few seconds on a small wave is a real beginning. Trying to force a long ride can make you tense, and relaxed balance is more useful than raw effort.
Listen closely to the instructor’s advice about the water. Steele, Alex, and Anthony are praised for making people comfortable, but you still need to follow directions and respect the conditions.
If you are booking for children, tell the school their ages and experience level when possible. Alex and Anthony have worked successfully with young beginners, but the experience data does not give a minimum age or child-specific equipment details.
Bring your booking confirmation, which is issued at the time of booking. Choose your morning or afternoon start with enough time to reach 31202 Broad Beach Road without rushing.
Should you book Always Summer Surf School?
Book it if you want a friendly, gear-included introduction to surfing in Malibu, especially if you are a beginner, bringing children, or looking for a less crowded place to learn. The strongest case is the combination of a semi-private surf area, soft-top boards, wetsuits, refreshments, and instructors who have helped nervous first-timers stand and ride.
Think twice if you need a refundable booking, guaranteed private coaching, or a clearly defined advanced program. The strict cancellation rule is the main concern, and the exact group size, price, and lesson breakdown are not provided.
For the right person, this is a practical way to turn a Malibu beach day into an active memory. Go in expecting instruction, repeated attempts, and perhaps a short ride rather than instant mastery. If you are willing to let the ocean set the pace, Steele, Alex, or Anthony can help make that first step feel within reach.
FAQ
Where does the surf lesson start?
The lesson starts at 31202 Broad Beach Road, Malibu, California 90265, near Escondido Beach.
Where does the activity finish?
The activity ends back at the meeting point at 31202 Broad Beach Road.
How long does the surf lesson last?
The advertised duration is approximately 1 minute to 1 hour and 30 minutes, with the experience generally described as a roughly 90-minute surf lesson.
Are surfboards and wetsuits included?
Yes. A soft-top surfboard and wetsuit are provided, along with snacks, water, and instruction.
Can I choose a morning or afternoon lesson?
Yes. Morning and afternoon start times are available.
What happens if the weather is poor or the minimum number of participants is not reached?
If the provider cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.
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