2h of Private Surf Lesson for Beginners in Santa Monica

A first surf lesson can be a lot more than standing briefly on a board for a photo. At Santa Monica, Badass Surf School uses about 30 minutes on the beach to teach safety, surf habits, paddling, wave timing, and the pop-up before you enter the water. The remaining time is for practicing, catching waves, and working toward a ride all the way to shore.

I like the private setup, since the instructor can adjust advice to your level instead of giving one speech to a large class. I also like the school’s practical goal: helping you learn enough to keep improving, not simply pushing you upright once. Jake, Jeff, and the other instructors focus on individual tips, surf etiquette, and ocean awareness.

The main drawback is the price: $285 per person is a serious cost for two hours, especially if you are booking for a family. You are paying for private attention and a small-group experience, so it makes the most sense when personal coaching matters more than finding the cheapest introductory lesson.

Key Points for Your Santa Monica Surf Lesson

• About 30 minutes on the sand: Learn safety, paddling, wave timing, pop-ups, and good surf habits before entering the water.
• Private instruction: Only your group participates, allowing Jake, Jeff, or another instructor to tailor coaching to each person.
• Blue VW bus meeting point: Find the school’s bus at 2400 Ocean Front Walk on the beach.
• A real beginner goal: The lesson aims to help you catch waves and ride them toward shore, not only stand up once.
• Family-friendly teaching: Instructors have worked patiently with young children, including a five-year-old who needed time to feel comfortable.
• Flexible booking window: Lessons are offered daily from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.

What Your Two Hours at Santa Monica Beach Look Like

The lesson begins at 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, where you look for the school’s blue VW bus parked at the beach. That detail matters. Santa Monica’s shorefront is long and open, so having a clear visual marker is easier than hunting for a generic meeting spot.

Pickup is offered, but the provided details do not explain its exact range or schedule. Confirm that point when booking if you need transport. The activity ends back at the meeting point, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a second pickup location.

Your first half-hour takes place on the beach. This is not filler. You work on the basics that make the water time safer and more useful: how to handle the board, how to paddle, how to time a wave, and how to move from lying down to standing in the pop-up.

You also get instruction on safety and surf habits. That can include how to get past the breaking waves, how to behave around other surfers, and how to make sensible choices in the water. The precise lesson will depend on your group and conditions, but the stated aim is to prepare you to paddle past the break and surf toward shore.

Then you head into the water for the rest of the two hours. The school describes this as your chance to shred, but beginners should think of it as repeated practice rather than a nonstop string of perfect rides. You will likely spend time paddling, resetting your position, trying the pop-up, and learning how a moving wave feels beneath the board.

The value of the beach briefing becomes clear here. If you already know where to place your hands and feet, you can spend more of the water session testing those skills. You are not starting from scratch every time a wave approaches.

Why the Private Format Matters

This is a private activity, meaning only your group takes part. That is a major difference from a large beginner class. You may still share an instructor with people in your own booking, but the group is not mixed with strangers.

Private teaching is especially useful when people in the same group have different levels. One person may have tried surfing before, while another has never stood on a board. Instructor Jeff Byrnes has worked with mixed-ability pairs by giving each person different, specific advice instead of forcing both students through the same routine.

That format also helps families. A parent may need a safety reminder, while a child needs help with confidence or balance. An adult beginner may want details about wave reading and etiquette. The instructor can shift attention as needed.

The school’s strongest teaching theme is progression. Jake McNulty, the owner, has built the instruction around helping people become more capable surfers, not merely arranging a single successful stand-up. After several lessons, some students have felt ready to rent a board and practice independently. A two-hour session cannot turn you into an experienced surfer, but it can give you a better base than a quick photo opportunity.

The tradeoff is cost. At $285 per person, a private two-hour class is expensive compared with a shared group lesson. If everyone in your party needs close coaching, the price may feel justified. If you mainly want to try surfing once at the lowest possible cost, compare the total price with other Santa Monica schools before booking.

Jake, Jeff, and the School’s Teaching Style

Jake McNulty is the owner and one of the instructors. His approach combines clear instruction with a relaxed attitude. He has taught first-time surfers, adults learning later in life, groups of friends, and children.

Jeff Byrnes is another instructor connected with the school. His coaching puts strong attention on ocean safety and surf etiquette, along with practical feedback. That is useful because beginners often focus so hard on standing up that they forget where to paddle, how to avoid another surfer, or when not to take a wave.

The school has also handled lessons with very young children. A five-year-old became nervous and needed time to run around on the beach before returning to the water. Jake adjusted the session instead of forcing the child onto the board. A younger sibling even joined briefly for a few waves.

That story is encouraging for families, but it is not a promise that every child will surf. Children have different comfort levels, and the water can feel intimidating. The useful point is that the teaching style allows some patience and flexibility. If you are booking for a child, share the child’s age and experience in advance.

The instructors also seem comfortable working with adults who want more than a novelty lesson. Several sessions may be needed to build consistency, and the school’s coaching can continue into wave reading, confidence, and better decisions in the water.

The Water Session: What You Are Really Learning

The goal is to catch a wave and ride it toward shore. For a first-timer, that is a meaningful target. The hard part is not only standing. You need to paddle at the right moment, keep the board moving, place your hands correctly, rise quickly, and aim the board in a useful direction.

The instructors teach wave timing before you head out. That can save you from exhausting yourself by paddling too early or too late. You also learn how to swim or paddle beyond the breaking section, an important part of surfing that is easy to overlook in a lesson focused only on the pop-up.

The school’s instruction includes swimming back and forth between students during water practice when the group needs close support. That suggests an active lesson rather than one where the instructor watches from a distance. You should still expect to do your own work. Surfing requires repeated attempts, and the instructor cannot paddle every wave for you.

You may stand up on a board during your first lesson, but conditions and individual ability will affect the result. Some people make progress quickly. Others need more time to coordinate paddling and standing. The school’s best feature is the emphasis on useful habits, since those habits remain valuable after the lesson ends.

Safety is another key part. You learn how to move through the surf and how to share the water. This is particularly important if you later rent a board on your own. A lesson that only teaches the pop-up leaves you unprepared for the rest of the session.

Families, Friends, and First-Time Adults

This activity suits a family that wants a shared beach experience with close supervision. The instructors have taught children as young as five, but you should consider each child’s comfort, swimming ability, and willingness to enter the water. A child who is anxious may need patience rather than pressure.

It also works well for a small group of friends. One group of four had a lesson together and each person caught multiple waves. A private format gives friends the fun of learning together without placing them in a much larger class.

Adults should not feel out of place. The school has worked with people learning later in life and with students who wanted a stronger grasp of safety and etiquette. You do not need to arrive athletic or confident. You do need to be ready to paddle, fall, reset, and try again.

People with different levels can also share a session. Tell the school about those differences when you book so the instructor can plan suitable coaching. A private lesson is most valuable when it solves this kind of mismatch.

The activity is offered in English. A minor language barrier did not prevent one student from feeling comfortable, but clear communication matters when safety instructions are involved. If you have questions about the language support available, ask before booking.

When to Book and How to Plan the Cost

The lesson is available Monday through Sunday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM during the listed operating period, which runs through December 13, 2026. The exact start time is worth choosing carefully. A morning slot may fit better with a full day of sightseeing, while a later lesson can work for a relaxed beach day.

The experience is booked an average of 69 days ahead. That does not mean every date sells out, but it is a useful warning if your schedule is fixed. Private lessons have less flexibility than large classes, especially during busy Southern California periods.

At $285 per person, the price reflects private instruction rather than a basic group introduction. Ask yourself three questions:

• Do you want personal feedback instead of general coaching?
• Are you booking for people with different ages or skill levels?
• Would you value learning safety, etiquette, and wave timing well enough to practice later?

If your answer is yes, the price can make sense. If you only want to stand on a board once, it may feel high. Group discounts are offered, but the available details do not state the exact discount or minimum group size, so confirm the final price before paying.

The activity has a 5 out of 5 rating from 25 ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, though it should not replace your own check of the price, schedule, and comfort level.

Meeting Point, Gear, and Practical Details

You meet at 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, California 90405. Find the blue VW bus at the beach. The tour ends at that same meeting point.

The supplied information says the school brings all the gear. That reduces the amount you need to arrange before arriving. The details do not list every item included, so ask about board size, wetsuit availability, and anything you should bring if those points matter to you.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information does not provide a detailed physical requirement or swimming standard. If you have a health concern or mobility question, contact Badass Surf School before reserving.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted. Build in some planning room if your schedule or beach plans are uncertain.

Should You Book This Santa Monica Surf Lesson?

Book it if you want a serious first step into surfing, close instruction, and a private session built around your group. It is especially well suited to families, friends, mixed-level groups, and adults who want to learn safety and surf habits instead of simply posing on a board.

Think twice if $285 per person strains your budget or if you only want a brief introduction. You are paying for attention, patience, and a lesson designed to help you keep learning. For the right group, that makes this a memorable Santa Monica activity and a useful beginning to surfing.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson start?

It starts at 2400 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Find the Badass Surf School blue VW bus parked at the beach.

How long is the experience?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours. About 30 minutes is spent on the beach learning safety, surf habits, paddling, wave timing, and pop-ups. The rest takes place in the water.

Is this a private lesson?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The provided details do not specify the pickup area, so confirm the arrangement with Badass Surf School when booking.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners and children?

Yes. The lesson is designed for beginners, and the school has taught children, including a five-year-old. Most people can participate, but you should discuss any specific concerns with the provider.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.