2-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

The best part of this lesson is the one-to-one coaching. Instead of trying to copy a group instructor while waves roll past, you get a session shaped around your balance, paddling, pop-up, and current skill. Jonathan has a patient teaching style, and one well-timed correction may do more for you than hours of guessing alone.

I like the private format and the fact that both land instruction and water practice fill the two-hour session. I also like that boards and wetsuits are included, so you need not sort out the basic equipment yourself. The main consideration is physical effort: surfing requires a moderate fitness level, and two hours can feel long if you are not used to paddling or repeatedly getting back on a board.

Key points to know before you book

• Private coaching: Only your group participates, so the lesson can match your ability and pace.
• Land and water instruction: You receive detailed preparation before putting the skills to work in the ocean.
• Remote Venice Beach setting: The lesson takes place at a quieter part of the beach, away from the most crowded areas.
• Jonathan’s patient approach: He has helped beginners catch waves and helped a self-taught surfer correct long-standing technique problems.
• Equipment included: Your surfboard and wetsuit are provided, while photos cost extra if you want them.
• Age and timing: The minimum age is 7, and the lesson lasts about two hours.

Why a private lesson makes sense at Venice Beach

Surfing looks simple from shore. Lie on the board, paddle, stand up, and ride. In practice, small errors in body position or timing can keep you from catching even gentle waves. A private lesson gives you someone watching those details instead of leaving you to repeat the same mistake.

That is especially useful if you have already tried to teach yourself. One surfer arrived after two years of working on a six-foot shortboard with little progress. A single session with Jonathan helped correct the technique and made catching waves feel possible again. I would not read that as a promise of instant mastery, but it does show the value of having an instructor assess what you are doing in real time.

The private setup also works well for a parent and child. You can take the lesson with your son or daughter, and the instructor can adjust the pace to suit different levels. At age 7, a child meets the minimum age requirement, though the participant still needs the moderate fitness needed for a water-based activity.

The setting adds another practical benefit. The lesson is held at a more remote part of Venice Beach, giving you some privacy while you work through the awkward early stages. You can expect less of a public performance and more room to concentrate on the instructor’s advice.

Meeting at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica

Your stated meeting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California 90401. The activity ends back at this meeting point. The supplied details identify the lesson as a Venice Beach experience, so you should read the confirmation carefully for the exact meeting instructions and any directions between the meeting point and the beach practice area.

This is a mobile-ticket activity, and confirmation is provided at booking. I would save the confirmation on your phone before setting out. The provider is Fun Surf LA, and communication has been praised as clear, which matters when a lesson depends on meeting at the right place and time.

The listing does not provide a pickup service, transportation details, parking information, or a precise beach address. Plan your own way to 20 Bicknell Ave and allow extra time to get there. That small bit of preparation helps keep the two-hour lesson focused on surfing rather than on finding the meeting point.

The first stage: land instruction before the water

The lesson begins with detailed land instruction. This is not filler. For a beginner, the beach work is where you learn the basic movements without also handling a moving board, shifting water, and the pressure of an incoming wave.

Your instructor can use this time to assess your skill and tailor the program. A total beginner may need help with the fundamentals of balance and standing. An improving surfer may need more focused work on paddling, timing, or the pop-up. The program is based on your personal skills and abilities rather than a fixed group routine.

This approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private lesson. In a larger class, the instructor has to move at a common pace. Here, you can spend more time on the part that gives you trouble, then move ahead when it starts to make sense.

I would treat the land portion as a chance to ask direct questions. If you have been using the wrong technique, explain what has not worked. The instructor can then watch for that issue once you reach the water. The aim is not just to stand once for a photograph, but to understand how to repeat the movement.

The second stage: putting the lesson into the waves

After the land work, you move into the water with the instructor helping throughout the rest of the class. The coach is not simply watching from shore. The stated program includes training and help on land and in the water for the entire two-hour session.

For a beginner, the first goal may be learning how to handle the board and attempt a safe, controlled stand. For someone with some experience, the focus may shift toward catching waves in a better position or correcting the mechanics of a takeoff. The session is suitable for all levels, from a complete beginner to an advanced surfer, so the content should reflect what you can already do.

One particularly useful detail is the help with dropping in and catching waves the right way. A surfer who had been struggling on a shortboard found that Jonathan’s instruction corrected several issues in one session. If you have been catching waves inconsistently, private coaching can help separate a timing problem from a board or body-position problem.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. Two hours is enough for focused instruction and meaningful practice, not for becoming an expert. Ocean conditions and your starting level will affect how much you accomplish. The value lies in getting clear feedback and a better method to practice afterward.

A quieter part of Venice Beach

The lesson takes place at a remote part of Venice Beach. That wording is useful for setting expectations. This is not presented as a crowded beach demonstration or a large school gathering. You get a more private setting for learning, which can make a difference when you are still working out how to stand and balance.

Privacy is helpful for families and first-timers. You can make mistakes without feeling that an audience is watching every attempt. It also gives the coach a better chance to focus on your group rather than splitting attention among many students.

The tradeoff is that the supplied information does not describe the exact beach conditions, wave size, water temperature, or typical crowd levels. Surfing is weather dependent, so conditions may shape the session. The provider requires good weather and will offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

What the $99 price includes

At $99 per person, this lesson is priced as a private experience rather than a basic group introduction. The value comes from the instructor’s time being devoted to your group for roughly two hours. If you are a complete beginner, that one-to-one attention may be more useful than paying less for a class where you receive only occasional corrections.

The price includes a surfboard and wetsuit. Those inclusions matter because renting both separately can add cost and create extra steps before the lesson begins. You can arrive ready to learn rather than worrying about finding suitable equipment.

Photos are not included. If you want a record of your first successful ride, you will need to handle that separately, and the available details do not give a photo price. I would put the money toward instruction first, especially if your goal is to improve rather than simply collect a beach snapshot.

Group discounts are available. That makes the lesson more appealing for families or small groups, though the activity remains private and only your group participates. Check the final price for your party when booking, since the listed rate is per person.

Who will get the most from this lesson

This is a good match for a first-time surfer who wants personal attention and does not want to learn in a large class. You can ask questions freely, repeat a movement, and receive corrections tied to your own body position and ability.

It also suits a surfer who has some experience but feels stuck. The shortboard example is important here. Someone can spend years practicing alone and still carry one or two habits that block progress. A private coach may spot those habits quickly.

Families can also make good use of the format. A parent and child can share the experience, and the instructor can work patiently with both. The minimum age is 7, but everyone should be comfortable with the moderate physical demand of the activity.

I would be more cautious if you are looking for a relaxed beach outing with little exertion. Surfing means paddling, balancing, falling, and trying again. The two-hour length gives you useful practice time, but it also asks for steady effort.

Timing, fitness, and cancellation details

The lesson lasts approximately two hours. That includes the land and water portions, so you receive instruction from start to finish rather than a short talk followed by unsupervised rental time.

A moderate fitness level is required. The activity may be challenging for anyone who has difficulty with repeated movement in the water or getting up from a low position. The supplied information does not state a specific swimming requirement, so you should contact Fun Surf LA if you need clarification about your own fitness or water comfort.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that same period are not accepted. Since weather can cancel the activity, keep some flexibility in your schedule. If poor weather stops the lesson, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fun Surf LA lesson?

Book this if you want focused coaching, need help getting past a technical block, or are introducing a child to surfing in a private setting. The included board and wetsuit improve the value, while Jonathan’s patient instruction is a strong reason to choose this over trying to teach yourself.

Skip it if you want a cheap equipment rental, a very short introduction, or a no-effort beach activity. You will work for those waves. For the right participant, though, $99 buys two hours of attention, useful land preparation, and guided practice in a quieter part of Venice Beach. That is a fair deal for a lesson designed around you.

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 during that time.

Where does the activity begin?

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

Is the lesson private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

What equipment is included?

A surfboard and wetsuit are included. Photos are not included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 7 years old.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.