Los Angeles: Private Surfing Lesson with Equipment Rental

The best part of this Los Angeles surf lesson is its one-to-one feel. You meet your instructor on the beach, learn the basics on the sand, then work on real waves with coaching adjusted to your age and ability. Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach give you three useful location choices, too.

I like the included board and full wetsuit, since renting gear separately can turn a simple beach outing into a small equipment hunt. I also like the flexible sunrise-to-sunset schedule. The main consideration is price: at $149 per person for two hours, this is a premium lesson, especially for a large family, though the private format can make the cost worthwhile.

Key points to know before you paddle out

• Private instruction for ages 4 and up: Kids, adults, and families receive focused coaching without being mixed into a general class.
• Three South Bay and Westside beaches: Choose Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach, depending on the option available when you book.
• Board and full wetsuit included: Surfboards from 6 to 9 feet, leashes, and wetsuits in all sizes are provided.
• A practical two-hour lesson: Start with beach instruction, then practice paddling, standing, balancing, and riding toward shore.
• Early and late time slots: Lessons run every day from 6:00am to 6:00pm, giving you a chance to fit surfing around other Los Angeles plans.
• Patient, family-friendly coaching: Instructor Chad helped an 8-year-old catch good waves, while another family praised the clear teaching and kind approach with children.

How the two-hour surf lesson unfolds

You begin by meeting your personal instructor at the beach. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check that detail carefully before setting out. You are responsible for getting to the beach and paying for parking if you use a beach lot.

The first practical step is getting fitted for a full-body wetsuit and choosing a surfboard. Boards range from 6 to 9 feet, and the school provides full suits in all sizes. Thicker wetsuits are used outside the summer months, which matters in the Pacific Ocean, where the water can feel cool even on a bright Southern California day.

Wear a regular swimsuit beneath the wetsuit. Bring a towel, sunscreen, water, and a hat. You should also have a way to manage your belongings at the beach, since the provided equipment covers surfing gear, not personal items.

Before you enter the water, your instructor explains the basics on the sand. This is not wasted time. You learn how to lie on the board, paddle, place your feet, and perform the pop-up before waves and cold water make those movements harder.

The beach lesson also covers how to approach the ocean safely. For a first-time surfer, that safety briefing is as important as learning to stand. You need to know how to handle the board, move through the water, and return toward shore with control.

After the sand lesson, you head into the Pacific with your instructor. You practice paddling into small waves, getting your timing right, and rising from your stomach to your feet. The goal is not to look polished immediately. It is to get a few useful attempts and learn from each one.

After every wave, your instructor gives feedback. That makes the private setup valuable. If your feet are too far forward, your timing is late, or your balance needs work, the next attempt can address that exact problem instead of following a generic class plan.

The session ends at the beach, with a chance to ask how to throw a shaka. It is a small but fitting finish to a first surf lesson.

Why private coaching matters at $149

The $149 price buys two hours of private instruction and equipment for each person. You are not simply renting a board and hoping the ocean teaches you what to do. An instructor stays with your private group and helps you make sense of each attempt.

That price makes the most sense for someone who wants a real introduction rather than a casual board rental. A first-timer may spend much of a rental period figuring out how to carry the board, where to sit, how to paddle, and when to try a wave. Here, those questions are part of the lesson.

The value is also stronger for families with mixed abilities. A 4-year-old and an adult will not learn at the same pace, and a private instructor can adjust the explanation and level of help. The experience is suitable for children, adults, or the whole family, with groups of one to six people.

There is an important detail for larger bookings. Private lessons can be booked for one to six students, with the stated student-to-instructor arrangement capped at 3:1. Confirm how that applies to your group when booking, especially if six people plan to attend.

For a solo student, $149 is a substantial spend, but the attention is concentrated on one person. For two or three family members, the price may feel more reasonable because you share the private setting while still receiving direct feedback. For six people, check the instructor setup and consider whether each person will get enough time on the water.

Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach

The school teaches at three named beaches: Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. Your choice may depend on where you are staying, how you are arranging transportation, and which option has the right meeting point.

Santa Monica is the most obvious fit if you are staying on the Westside or pairing the lesson with time around the Santa Monica beach area. It can also work well for an early start before a day of sightseeing.

Manhattan Beach is useful for visitors based farther south in Los Angeles. Redondo Beach gives you another South Bay option. The experience itself follows the same broad pattern at each beach: gear fitting, sand instruction, ocean practice, and feedback.

The supplied details do not promise a particular wave size or exact beach conditions. That is worth remembering. Surfing depends on the ocean, so the lesson is about learning technique and water safety, not guaranteeing a long ride every time.

Your instructor will help you work with the waves available that day. Beginners should expect a session built around manageable attempts rather than a dramatic surf performance. If you catch only a few good waves, those attempts can still teach you a lot when the coaching is specific.

Sunrise scheduling and the best time for you

Lessons run daily from 6:00am to 6:00pm. That broad schedule is one of the more useful features for a Los Angeles visit, where a beach activity can easily compete with museums, shopping, meals, or an airport schedule.

An early lesson lets you get surfing done before the rest of your day. It may suit families who want to avoid losing an entire afternoon, or visitors who plan to continue along the coast afterward.

A later session can fit better if you do not want to wake up early. You should still allow time to reach the beach, find the meeting point, park if needed, and change into the wetsuit. The two-hour duration refers to the activity, not necessarily your full door-to-door commitment.

The schedule also gives you flexibility during a longer stay. If weather, family plans, or tired children affect your day, you can choose a more suitable starting time when availability permits. Reserve now and pay later is offered, and cancellation up to 24 hours before the lesson brings a full refund.

What the instructor teaches on the sand

The sand portion lays out the basic sequence in plain steps. You learn how to approach the ocean, paddle the board, pop up, balance, and ride the wave toward the sandy shore.

The pop-up is usually the movement beginners most want to master, but it only works well when the earlier steps are in place. Your paddle creates the forward motion. Your timing connects that motion to the wave. Your foot placement helps you stay balanced after you rise.

The instructor also explains safe ways to enter the water and manage the board. That is especially important for children, who may have enthusiasm before they have much control. An English-speaking instructor teaches the lesson, and the private format allows explanations to be repeated or simplified when needed.

You do not need to arrive knowing surfing vocabulary. The lesson is designed for beginners, and the instructor introduces the basic movements before you try them in the water.

How this works for children and families

The age minimum is 4, so this is one of the more accessible surf lesson choices for families with young children. Still, the ocean is demanding, and every child will respond differently to cold water, a wetsuit, waves, and physical effort.

The private format helps because the instructor can focus on a child’s comfort and pace. A particularly useful example comes from Chad, who was described as patient and clear while helping an 8-year-old catch some good waves. That detail gives parents a practical sense of the teaching style to expect.

Another family praised the instructor’s gentle, easy-to-follow approach with children. The children enjoyed the activity so much that the two hours passed quickly for them. That is a good sign for parents who worry that a surf lesson might become a struggle.

You should still prepare children for the basics. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and a hat. Explain that the wetsuit is provided but that they will need to wear a swimsuit underneath. Smoking is not allowed during the activity.

For a family group, consider the ages and confidence levels before booking. Young children may need more direct help, while older children or adults may want more time working on technique. A private lesson can accommodate those differences better than a large shared class.

Equipment included, and what you still need

The equipment package is straightforward:

• Surfboards from 6 to 9 feet
• Full-body wetsuits in all sizes
• Thicker wetsuits during non-summer months
• Surfboard leashes

That covers the items you would otherwise need to find at a rental shop. The board size range also suggests that equipment can be matched to different students, rather than giving everyone the same board.

You must bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, and hat. The swimsuit goes beneath the full wetsuit, while the other items are useful before and after the lesson. Sunscreen matters even on a cool day, since you will spend time near the water and may not notice the sun as quickly.

Instructor gratuity is optional and not included. If you feel the coaching was helpful, a tip is appreciated by the instructors. Plan for that separately if you like to budget all activity costs in advance.

Access, transport, and small planning details

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not explain the exact beach access arrangements or equipment assistance. If a member of your group uses a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking to confirm how the meeting point and beach portion will work.

Transportation to and from the beach is not included. Parking is also your responsibility if you drive, and beach parking can affect how much time you need before the lesson. Check the meeting point tied to your selected beach and arrive with enough time to park and find the instructor.

The lesson is offered in English. That is important for safety instructions and technical coaching, especially if you are not fully comfortable following spoken English in a noisy beach setting.

The private group setup means you are not mixed with unrelated students. That gives you more privacy and can reduce the pressure some beginners feel in a public class. It also means you should book with the people you want in your group, rather than expecting to meet a larger class.

Who will get the most from this lesson

I would recommend this experience to a first-time surfer who wants guidance instead of a self-directed rental. It is also a strong choice for parents who want their children to receive close attention in the water.

It suits you if you value:

• A private instructor rather than a general group class
• A choice of lesson times from early morning to early evening
• Equipment included in the booking price
• A family activity open to children age 4 and up
• A two-hour introduction that combines safety, technique, and real waves

It may be less suitable if you are looking for a cheap way to spend an hour at the beach. At $149 per person, this is not the budget option. It is also not designed as an advanced performance clinic. The emphasis is on learning the fundamentals and getting useful coaching during your first attempts.

Experienced surfers may find the introductory material too basic. The lesson is best for beginners or people who have tried surfing but still need help with paddling, timing, standing, or balance.

Final decision: should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want a private, beginner-friendly surf introduction with the main equipment already handled. The strongest reasons are the personal coaching, flexible schedule, family age range, and the chance to receive feedback after each wave.

I would especially consider it for a family with children, a solo visitor who wants focused instruction, or a small group that prefers not to share a class with strangers. Chad’s patient work with an 8-year-old and the clear coaching described by another family suggest that the instructors can make the lesson approachable for younger students.

Think twice if $149 feels high for a two-hour activity, if you already surf confidently, or if you want a guaranteed series of long rides. The Pacific decides what the waves will offer. But if your aim is to learn the basics safely, try the pop-up, and leave knowing more than when you arrived, this private format offers a sensible way to get started.

FAQ

How long is the private surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours.

Where does the lesson take place?

Lessons are taught at Santa Monica Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option booked.

What ages can participate?

The activity is suitable for ages 4 and up. Children under 4 cannot participate.

Is surfing equipment included?

Yes. The booking includes a surfboard, surfboard leash, and a full-body wetsuit. Surfboards range from 6 to 9 feet, and thicker wetsuits are used during non-summer months.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear to wear beneath the wetsuit, a towel, sunscreen, water, and a hat. You are also responsible for your own transportation and beach parking if you drive.

Can I cancel the booking?

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