Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

The best part of this Santa Monica surf lesson is the private coaching. You are not trying to follow a crowded class or wait your turn while an instructor helps someone else. Your teacher works with your group on the beach, then stays involved in the water, adjusting the lesson to your balance, confidence, and ability.

I like two things right away: the equipment is included, and the lesson welcomes children as young as seven. Instructors such as Johnathan, Alex, Eden, Alejandro, Alexis, and Nick have earned praise for patience and encouragement, especially with first-timers and teenagers. The main consideration is the ocean itself. Cold water, rough waves, and changing water conditions can affect the session, so do not expect perfect beginner waves every time.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours of personal instruction: Your instructor teaches on the sand and in the water for the full lesson.
• Private format: Only your group participates, making this a good choice for families, couples, and friends who want direct help.
• Equipment included: Surfboards and wetsuits are provided, which keeps the price easier to judge.
• Ages seven and up: Children, teens, and adults can learn together, with coaching adjusted to each person.
• Venice Beach setting: The lesson takes place amid the famous beach scenery of the Santa Monica and Venice area.
• Strong customer rating: The experience has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 47 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it.

What the two-hour surf lesson is really like

This is a lesson for people who want more than a quick board rental. You receive instruction from the start, and the teacher remains involved through both the land and water portions of the class.

The exact plan is not fixed. A complete beginner needs a different lesson from someone who already knows how to paddle or stand, so the instructor bases the session on your personal skill level. That makes the private format especially useful if people in your group have different amounts of experience.

You begin at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return ride. The lesson itself takes place around the iconic Venice Beach area, giving you a classic Los Angeles beach setting rather than an indoor or pool-based introduction.

On land, expect movement coaching and an explanation of the basic actions needed to handle the board. One participant described starting with movement work on the beach before heading into the surf. That order matters. You can practice the motion of getting up before the water adds speed, balance problems, and a little nerves.

After the beach instruction, you move into the water with your instructor. The teacher helps you catch waves, corrects your position, and gives guidance as you try to stand. The strongest part of this setup is that the instructor is not simply pointing from shore. The program says the teacher trains and helps you in the water for the entire class.

That hands-on support can make a big difference during a first lesson. Several participants managed to stand up at least briefly, including one person who got to their feet on the second attempt. That is not a promise for every session, since wave conditions and individual fitness vary, but the coaching is clearly aimed at getting you active rather than leaving you to figure out the board alone.

Why private instruction helps beginners

Surfing has several moving parts at once. You need to listen, paddle, judge a wave, push up, and find your balance. In a large class, it is easy to miss a correction or spend much of the time waiting. A private session gives the instructor room to focus on your particular problem.

If you are nervous, that personal attention is valuable. Eden was praised for a supportive teaching style that helped a hesitant beginner feel more confident. Alejandro was described as patient, kind, and thorough, while Alexis was noted for being encouraging with two people who had never surfed before.

The private setup also works well for children. Parents described instructors staying close to kids while they surfed and giving them plenty of attention. Jorge worked with an eight-year-old and an 18-year-old in the same private session, showing how the lesson can suit different ages within one family.

Ages 12, 21, and 49 also shared a lesson successfully. That is useful context if you are planning a family activity with mixed ages. You do not need to be a fit young surfer to take part, but the experience does require a moderate level of physical fitness.

You will be climbing onto a board, paddling, pushing up, and handling the movement of the water. The minimum age is seven, but a parent should still consider a child’s comfort with water and ability to follow instruction. The experience is designed for beginners, but it is not a passive sightseeing activity.

From beach coaching to catching your first wave

The land portion sets up the water work, but the water is where the lesson becomes memorable. Your instructor helps you put the earlier movements into practice and works with you as you attempt to catch waves.

The amount of instruction can vary based on what you need. Anto was praised for giving the right amount of explanation and then spending most of the lesson helping with waves. That balance is important. Too much theory can leave you standing on the beach, while too little instruction can make the water feel confusing.

You should expect to make mistakes. Surfing is not tidy on a first attempt, and part of the fun is learning to recover when the board gets away from you or you lose your balance. Jonathan was remembered for keeping the mood light and laughing along with a couple who were learning together.

That relaxed approach can help you keep trying. A strict lesson may teach technique, but a friendly instructor can make it easier to accept a few tumbles and try again. The most praised instructors here combine patience with attention to safety and personal confidence.

Nick received especially warm praise for helping an 18-year-old beginner lose his fear quickly. The lesson was described as personal and encouraging, with the instructor’s passion for surfing coming through in the way he taught. If you can request a preferred instructor, names including Nick, Alex, Alejandro, Eden, Alexis, Johnathan, Jorge, and Yew have all been associated with strong experiences.

Instructor availability can change, so a request should not be treated as a guarantee. Still, mentioning a name when booking may be worthwhile if a particular teaching style appeals to you.

Venice Beach views, with real ocean conditions

The setting is part of the appeal. You are learning in the Venice Beach area, one of Los Angeles’ best-known coastal places. The beach scenery gives the lesson a strong sense of place, and the water session puts you right into the setting rather than leaving you to watch surfers from the sand.

But the Pacific is not a controlled training pool. One lesson took place in rough conditions, yet the participant still managed to pop up several times with good coaching. Another family found the water very cold and said the instructor doubled up wetsuits to help.

The included wetsuit is essential, particularly outside the warmest part of the year. Even with one, you may notice the cold. Ask about extra warmth if you need it, and bring a practical attitude toward changing conditions.

Water quality is another sensible point to check before you go. One participant only noticed pollution readings after the lesson. This does not establish a problem for every date, but it is a reminder to check current local water conditions yourself before entering the ocean.

Weather can also cancel the activity. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose a new date or receive a full refund. The operator’s weather policy is helpful, but it cannot guarantee that your replacement date will bring ideal waves.

What is included, and what you still need

The $125 per-person price includes the two-hour private lesson, a surfboard, and a wetsuit. That is a fairer value than the headline price might first suggest, since you do not need to rent the two main pieces of equipment separately.

The strongest value comes from the instructor’s time. You are paying for direct teaching before and during the water session, not merely access to a board at the beach. For a first-timer who wants help standing and catching waves, that makes the lesson easier to justify.

Group discounts are available, which may help families or friends booking together. Since the charge is per person, calculate the total before you commit, especially if several members of your group will participate.

Photos are not included. Some instructors have taken pictures for participants, but that has happened as a personal extra rather than a listed part of the service. Bring your own way to capture memories only if it can be used safely and does not distract from the lesson.

The experience uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. You should arrive at the stated Santa Monica meeting point, 20 Bicknell Ave, and keep the address handy. One person had a serious problem after receiving an incorrect address and being unable to reach the operator, including an unnecessary parking charge. That appears to be an isolated but important warning: check your confirmation details carefully before leaving.

Who will get the most from this lesson

This is a strong fit for a first surf lesson, particularly if you are traveling with a spouse, child, teenager, or small group of friends. The private structure means the instructor can slow down for a nervous beginner or move ahead with someone who catches on quickly.

Families are a natural match. Children as young as seven can participate, and several successful lessons involved parents and kids of noticeably different ages. Teens also appear to do well, especially when the instructor keeps the mood friendly and gives clear support.

Couples can enjoy the lesson as a shared activity rather than taking turns watching each other. One couple described laughing through the class, while another said the instructor gave them the right mix of instruction and water time.

Solo participants can benefit too. A private teacher gives you a direct point of contact, which can feel less intimidating than joining a larger group of strangers. If you are celebrating a birthday or marking a special trip, the lesson offers a more active memory than a standard beach walk.

This may not suit you if you want a quiet, low-effort outing. The lesson requires physical work and comfort in the ocean. It is also not ideal if you need guaranteed warm water, calm waves, or perfect weather.

Timing, cancellation, and practical planning

The session lasts about two hours, and the meeting point is also the end point. Build in extra time around the lesson for getting to Santa Monica and dealing with parking, since the only clearly stated meeting arrangement is to arrive at 20 Bicknell Ave.

The experience is often booked about 32 days ahead. That does not mean you must reserve a month in advance, but it suggests that popular dates can fill. If your Los Angeles schedule is tight, booking early is sensible.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local time, so do not wait until the last evening based on your home time zone.

The weather exception gives you some protection if conditions are poor. You will be offered another date or a full refund if the operator cancels for weather. It is still wise to keep some flexibility in your schedule, since surfing depends on conditions that can change.

Should you book the Santa Monica private surf lesson?

I would book this if you want a real introduction to surfing with direct help, especially for a family, couple, or small group with mixed experience. The strongest reasons are the private format, included board and wetsuit, and the consistent praise for patient instructors who stay involved in the water.

The $125 price makes the most sense when you value instruction rather than simply renting equipment. You may stand up on your first lesson, as some participants did, but the better measure is whether you leave with a clearer idea of how to improve and enough confidence to try again.

Go in ready for cold water, imperfect waves, and a workout. Check the meeting address, review current water conditions, and keep your booking outside the 24-hour cancellation window. If you accept those limits, Fun Surf LA offers a practical and personal way to try surfing in the Venice Beach area.

FAQ

How long does the private surfing lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours. Instruction takes place both on land and in the water, with the instructor helping throughout the class.

What age can participate?

Adults and children age seven and older can take part. The lesson can be adjusted for different abilities within the same private group.

Is this lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. The class is designed for all skill levels, from people who have never surfed to participants with some or advanced experience.

Are surfboards and wetsuits included?

Yes. The price includes a surfboard and wetsuit for the lesson. Photos are not included.

Where does the activity start and finish?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.