Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

At Venice Beach, you get a real ocean lesson, not a quick paddle on a beginner board. Fun Surf LA gives you a private two-hour session with an instructor working directly with you, first on the beach, then in the water. Guides such as Alex, Eden, Jonathan, Alejandro, and Nick have all been praised for patience and clear coaching.

I like the one-on-one attention, especially if you are nervous or want help with a specific skill. I also like that the instructor stays with you for the full session and adjusts the lesson to your ability, rather than forcing every student through the same routine.

The main consideration is the ocean itself. Water can be very cold, waves can be rough, and conditions are not under the instructor’s control. One past booking also involved confusion over the meeting address, so check the location carefully before leaving.

Key points to know before you book

• Private coaching at Venice Beach: Only your group takes part, so the instructor can focus on your balance, timing, and confidence.
• Two hours on land and in the water: The lesson includes movement coaching on the beach, practice in the surf, and help catching waves.
• Good for ages seven and up: Children, teenagers, adults, couples, and mixed-age families can take part.
• Boards and wetsuits included: You do not need to bring the main surf equipment.
• Strong record for patient instruction: Instructors including Johnathan, Alex, Eden, Alejandro, and Nick have been singled out for kindness and careful guidance.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations inside 24 hours are not refundable.

What the private Santa Monica surf lesson is really like

This is a practical introduction to surfing at one of Los Angeles’s best-known beach settings. You meet at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica, then work with your instructor for about two hours. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The lesson is designed around your current ability. If you have never stood on a surfboard, the instructor starts with basic movement and board technique. If you already have some experience, the session can focus more on catching waves, improving your pop-up, or getting better timing in the water.

That flexibility matters. Surfing has a steep learning curve, and a beginner can spend a whole group class simply trying to keep up. Here, the instructor can slow down when you need it, repeat a movement, or send you toward smaller waves when confidence is still building.

The private format also works well for families. Several sessions included children and teenagers, with instructors staying close and offering steady support. Mixed-age groups have also used the lesson, including one group ranging from 12 to 49 years old.

Starting on the beach with movement coaching

The first part takes place on land. This is where you learn the basic body position, practice standing on the board, and get a feel for the movements before dealing with moving water.

That beach practice may sound simple, but it is one of the most useful parts of a first surf lesson. You can concentrate on foot placement and balance without also worrying about waves, current, and timing. One solo participant specifically described beginning with movement coaching on the beach before heading into the surf.

Your instructor will also use this time to judge your ability. A complete beginner needs a different introduction from someone who has already caught a few waves. The class is advertised for all skill levels, from first-timers to more advanced participants, so this early assessment helps shape the rest of the session.

I would pay close attention here instead of rushing toward the water. The goal is not to look graceful on the sand. It is to make the first water attempt less confusing.

Taking the board into the water

After the land instruction, you head into the water with the surfboard and wetsuit supplied by Fun Surf LA. The instructor trains and helps you in the water for the rest of the class, offering direct guidance as you try to catch waves and stand.

For a beginner, the first success may be brief. Several people managed to stand at least for a moment, sometimes on an early attempt. That is a sensible goal for a first lesson. You are learning to read the wave, push up, place your feet, and keep your weight centered, all while the board is moving beneath you.

A private instructor can help with the part that is giving you trouble. If you are missing the pop-up, you can work on that. If you are standing but losing balance, the instructor can focus on stance and body position. If fear is holding you back, encouragement becomes just as important as technique.

This is where the named instructors have made a clear difference. Eden was praised for a supportive style with a nervous beginner. Alejandro was described as patient and thorough, helping a group with no prior experience get upright briefly. Nick was especially effective with an 18-year-old learning for the first time, helping him feel comfortable enough to attempt waves within minutes.

Those details point to the value of a private lesson. You are not simply handed a board and told to try. The instructor is present to help you make each attempt safer, calmer, and more useful.

The instructors make the biggest difference

The instructor roster can change, so you may not get a particular person unless the operator confirms that in advance. Still, the feedback gives you a good idea of the teaching style to expect.

Johnathan has been praised for patience with children and for keeping the mood light. Jonathan was also described as professional and easy to learn from. Alex received repeated praise for being patient and explaining things clearly, while Alexei was noted for working well with teenagers and helping them feel comfortable.

Other names come up for different strengths:

• Eden: Supportive and encouraging, especially for a nervous first-timer.
• Alejandro: Kind, patient, and thorough with people who had no experience.
• Nick: Passionate about surfing and especially good at building confidence.
• Anto: Balanced instruction with plenty of time helping students catch waves.
• John: Patient with families and calm when an unexpected problem arose.
• Jorge: Worked successfully with two children in a private lesson.

You should not assume every lesson will feel identical. Surf instruction depends on the guide, the conditions, and your own comfort in the water. But the repeated praise for patience, encouragement, and personal attention is a strong sign that this is aimed at teaching, not simply renting equipment.

Why two hours is a useful length

Two hours gives you time to learn, make mistakes, and try again. A shorter session might introduce the basics, but it could end just as you begin to understand how to catch a wave.

The time is split between land and water, although the exact balance depends on your ability and the day’s conditions. If you are new, you may need more beach instruction. If you understand the basic movements quickly, you may spend more time attempting waves.

One participant liked receiving the right amount of instruction while spending most of the session trying to catch waves. That is a good description of the balance you want: enough teaching to make progress, but not so much explanation that you never get to surf.

You should also set a reasonable target. Standing up once is a success. Staying upright for a longer ride is a bonus. The lesson is valuable even if you leave with better balance and a clearer idea of what to practice next.

Cold water, rough waves, and changing conditions

The ocean can be the weak point of any surf lesson. Several sessions took place in cold water, and one family found it cold enough that the instructor suggested doubling up on wetsuits. The supplied wetsuit helps, but it does not make the sea feel warm.

Conditions can also be rough. One participant still managed to pop up several times during a difficult session, but the experience was naturally harder. Your results will depend partly on the waves available that day, not just on your effort or the instructor’s skill.

The activity requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent into unsuitable conditions, but it also means your schedule needs some flexibility.

One past participant raised a concern about water pollution readings discovered after the lesson. The available information does not provide daily water-quality data, so I would check current local advisories before you go, especially after heavy rain or if you are sensitive to water conditions. This is a sensible habit for any ocean activity.

What the $125 price includes

The listed price is $125 per person for about two hours. That is not the cheapest way to try surfing, but it includes the two pieces of equipment you need most: a surfboard and a wetsuit.

The bigger part of the value is the private instruction. You are paying for direct coaching rather than simply borrowing equipment or joining a large class where the instructor’s attention is divided. If you are nervous, traveling with children, or want to make the most of a single lesson in Los Angeles, that personal help can justify the cost.

The price may make less sense if you are already comfortable surfing and only want time in the water. In that case, a rental or less intensive option might suit you better, though this activity is specifically built around instruction.

Group discounts are available, which may help families or couples compare the cost. Because the price is per person, check the total carefully when booking for several people. Photos are not included, although one instructor took photos for a family during a lesson. Treat that as a personal extra, not a promised feature.

Who will enjoy this most

This lesson suits first-timers who want a supportive introduction without being lost in a large class. It also works for people who have tried surfing before but still need help with balance, timing, or confidence.

Families are a particularly good match. Children age seven and older may participate, and the instructors have experience working with young children, teenagers, and adults in the same family. The private setup lets the teacher give closer attention to younger students while still helping older participants.

Couples and friends can also use the session as a shared activity. The format is private, so only your group participates, and the instructor can adjust the lesson to the abilities within that group.

I would be more cautious if you have low physical fitness or are looking for a relaxed beach activity with little exertion. You need a moderate level of fitness, and surfing involves repeated attempts, balance work, and time in the ocean.

Meeting point and planning advice

The stated meeting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, California 90401. The activity ends at that same location.

Because one past booking involved an incorrect address and trouble reaching the operator, I would confirm the meeting details before setting out. Save the address on your phone, check the confirmation message, and allow time to find the correct spot. If you are driving, parking is not included in the activity price, so plan that separately.

Bring only what you need for the lesson and avoid assuming that photos will be provided. Boards and wetsuits are included, but photos are not. You should also keep the day flexible enough to handle a weather-related change.

Booking about a month ahead is sensible. The activity averages roughly 32 days of advance booking, which suggests that popular dates can fill before your trip, especially during busy periods.

Cancellation rules in plain English

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, you cannot receive a refund, and changes are not accepted.

The cut-off follows local Santa Monica time. Poor weather is handled differently: if the operator cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That makes early planning easy, but last-minute changes risky. Do not wait until the morning of the lesson to decide unless you are comfortable losing the amount paid.

Should you book this Santa Monica surf lesson?

I would book it if you want personal coaching, have never surfed, or are bringing children and want an instructor who stays involved. The repeated praise for patience, encouragement, and safety makes this a stronger choice than a casual group introduction, and the included board and wetsuit keep the price from climbing further.

I would skip it if you only want to rent a board, dislike cold water, or need a guaranteed calm sea. Conditions can be rough, water temperatures can be uncomfortable, and the experience depends partly on the day’s waves.

For most beginners, though, this is a sensible way to try surfing in an iconic Los Angeles setting. Book ahead, verify the meeting address, check water conditions, and measure success by progress rather than by how long you stay standing.

FAQ

Where does the private surf lesson start?

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

How long does the surf lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours. Instruction takes place both on the beach and in the water.

What ages can take part?

Adults and children age seven and older can participate. The lesson is designed for beginners through advanced participants.

Are surfboards and wetsuits included?

Yes. Surfboards and wetsuits are included in the price. Photos are not included.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the instructor adjusts the session to your skills and abilities.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.