Monterey: Private Surfing Lessons

Monterey’s surf lesson is less about looking cool on a board and more about learning how to handle the Pacific with good gear and calm instruction. Big Surf Adventures begins on the beach with a clear demonstration, then moves into supervised practice, covering everything from board choice and paddling to surfer etiquette and basic oceanography.

I like the one-on-one option, which gives a beginner more time to correct small mistakes before they become habits. I also like the practical equipment package: a warm 4/5mm wetsuit, comfort-fit booties, gloves, hoods, and a board matched to your level. The main consideration is the ocean itself. The beach and start time can change with conditions, and a lesson may be canceled if the water is unsafe.

Key points to know before booking

• Your beach is chosen for the day’s conditions: Big Surf Adventures selects one of five Monterey-area locations and contacts you one day before the lesson.
• The two-hour lesson is built around practice: A short beach demonstration leads to extended supervised time in the water.
• Private means genuinely small: Book alone for one-on-one coaching, or bring two to four people for a private group lesson.
• Cold-water gear is included: You receive a 4/5mm wetsuit, booties, surfboard, leash, gloves, and hood.
• The instruction goes beyond standing up: You also cover board selection, surf reports, etiquette, positioning, and ocean basics.
• Omar has earned special praise: One recent 5-star rating specifically names Omar as a very good instructor, while the activity holds a 4.9 rating from eight reviews.

Starting with Monterey’s cold Pacific water

Surfing in Monterey is not a casual warm-water paddle. The Pacific can feel cold even on a bright day, so the supplied gear matters. Big Surf Adventures provides a professional-grade 4/5mm wetsuit, comfort-fit booties, gloves, and hoods. Young children can also receive life jackets if needed, and sunscreen is available when required.

I see this as one of the strongest parts of the lesson. You do not need to arrive with a closet full of surf gear, and you do not have to guess which board or wetsuit will suit a first attempt. The equipment is designed to keep you warm through the lesson, including on the coldest days of the year.

You also receive a surfboard and leash. The boards come in a range of sizes for different ability levels, so the lesson can focus on balance and technique instead of forcing a beginner onto equipment meant for an experienced surfer.

The lesson is held year-round, but that does not mean every booked session runs in every kind of weather. The ocean must be safe. If conditions prevent surfing, the lesson is canceled and a refund is issued. That policy is reassuring, though it means you should keep a little flexibility in your Monterey schedule.

Choosing the right beach on the right day

You are not sent to one fixed meeting point regardless of the forecast. Big Surf Adventures chooses from five possible locations based on the conditions in the water, then contacts you one day before the lesson with the final meeting place.

That flexible setup is useful for a beginner. Surf conditions vary, and a beach that works well one day may not be the best place for a first lesson the next. The changing location can make planning slightly less tidy, since you may not know the exact beach far ahead of time, but the tradeoff is a better chance of learning in suitable water.

The setting is part of the appeal. You are learning along the Monterey coastline rather than in an indoor pool or an artificial surf park. The coast gives the lesson a real sense of place, with open water and changing conditions that your instructor can explain as part of the class.

Still, do not book this expecting a guaranteed postcard beach or a specific famous stretch of sand. The final location depends on safety and surf conditions. The goal is a useful lesson, not a fixed photo stop.

The first beach lesson: position, paddle, and pop up

The session begins with instruction on land. Your instructor demonstrates the basic movement before you try it yourself. This dry-land portion may feel simple, but it is where you learn the sequence that matters most: how to lie on the board, how to position your body, how to paddle, and how to move into a standing position.

The pop up is the moment most beginners think about, but it is only one piece of the lesson. Good positioning comes first. If your weight is too far forward or too far back, the board will not behave as you expect. If your hands and feet are in the wrong places, standing quickly becomes harder.

Your instructor also explains how to choose the right board. A larger, more stable board is usually the sensible starting point for a new surfer, while different shapes and sizes suit different skill levels. You are not simply handed a board and sent toward the waves.

The demonstration also gives you a chance to ask questions before getting wet. That is especially useful if you have never worn a surf leash, handled a board in moving water, or tried to read a breaking wave.

Putting the lesson into practice on the water

After the beach explanation, most of the value comes from practice. You spend extended time in the water with instructor guidance and supervision, working through the basics you just learned.

A private single lesson offers the most direct feedback. Your instructor can watch your position, paddling, and pop up closely, then offer a correction before you try again. For a complete beginner, that may make the difference between simply falling repeatedly and understanding why the board is reacting in a certain way.

You should not measure success only by how long you stand. The useful progress may be learning to catch a small wave, getting your feet into the correct position, or understanding when to paddle. Surfing has a short learning curve in the first few minutes, but it also has plenty of small details that take time.

The lesson is guided and supervised for two hours. That provides enough time for a proper introduction rather than a rushed demonstration followed by a quick turn in the water. It also gives you room to adjust to the cold, the board, and the pace of the waves.

Big Surf Adventures emphasizes safety throughout the lesson. That includes supervision in the water and instruction in basic surfer etiquette. You learn how to behave around other people in the surf, an important part of becoming someone who can eventually practice without constant help.

What you learn beyond the pop up

A useful surf lesson should leave you with more than one lucky ride. This one includes a practical introduction to surf reports and oceanography, along with board selection and etiquette.

The surf report section can help you make better choices after the lesson. You begin to understand that waves are not random bumps. Conditions, water movement, and the shape of the beach all affect how suitable a session may be for a beginner.

Basic oceanography also adds context. You learn why the water behaves as it does and why your instructor may choose one area over another. For a first lesson, this information may be brief, but it gives you a safer way to think about the ocean later.

The goal is that after your first lesson, you can rent or purchase suitable equipment and surf with more confidence. That is a sensible promise. Two hours will not make you an expert, but it can give you a working foundation and help you avoid the most common beginner errors.

I especially value the etiquette instruction. Surfing is not just an individual sport. Knowing where to sit, how to take a wave, and how to avoid getting in someone else’s way matters for your safety and for everyone around you.

Private lessons, small groups, and parties of five or more

A single private lesson is the best choice if you want the most personal attention. It also suits a beginner who feels self-conscious about learning in front of friends or family. You can move at your own pace and spend more time on the areas that cause trouble.

The private group option covers two to four people. This works well for a family or a few friends who want to learn together while keeping the lesson focused. You share the instructor’s attention, so the time available for individual correction will not be quite the same as in a single lesson, but the group format adds a social side to the day.

For five or more people, additional instructors are involved. That matters for safety and supervision, since a large group can spread out quickly once everyone is in the water. The format is built to keep participants supported while giving each person a chance to practice.

Large groups can be fun, but I would choose the format carefully. If one person in your party is nervous, inexperienced, or needs extra help, a smaller group may be the better value. If your main goal is to share a new activity with a larger family gathering or organized party, the additional instructors make the larger option practical.

The activity is listed as a private group experience, so you are not being mixed into a random public class. That is a helpful point for families and friends who want to learn together.

How much value do you get for $90?

At $90 per person, the price includes two hours of instruction plus the equipment you need: wetsuit, booties, surfboard, leash, gloves, hood, and required safety items. You are also paying for a certified instructor, beach instruction, and supervised water time.

I consider that reasonable value for a first session, especially if you do not own cold-water surfing equipment. Buying or renting the pieces separately would add cost and effort, and you would still need someone to show you how to use them safely.

The value is strongest for a private single lesson or a small private group. One-on-one coaching can help you make faster corrections, while a group of two to four keeps the lesson personal without requiring each person to pay for a completely separate session.

The price is less compelling if you already surf confidently and only need a board rental. This is an instructional session, not a simple equipment hire. You are paying for a structured introduction and an instructor’s attention.

At two hours, the lesson is also long enough to feel like a real activity rather than a brief tryout. You should expect time on the beach, time getting comfortable with the equipment, and repeated practice in the water. The lesson is not designed to guarantee advanced skills in one visit.

The instructor and the feel of the lesson

Instruction quality matters a great deal when you are learning in moving water. The activity is taught in English, and Big Surf Adventures uses safe, certified instructors. Omar is specifically named in a recent 5-star rating, with the short but clear assessment that he was very good and made the experience enjoyable.

The overall rating is 4.9 from eight reviews. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee that every lesson will feel identical. Still, the strong score and the direct praise for Omar support the idea that the instruction is a major part of the appeal.

The lesson is meant to be enjoyable, but it is not presented as a stunt show or a thrill ride. You will spend time listening, practicing, falling, and trying again. That makes it a good fit if you want a real introduction rather than a quick photo of yourself standing on a board.

The ocean can be humbling, even with an instructor. You may spend much of the session learning to manage the board instead of riding long waves. Go in with that expectation and the lesson is more likely to feel rewarding.

Who should book this Monterey surf lesson?

I would recommend it to first-time surfers, families with children aged six and older, couples, friends, and small private groups. It is also a sensible choice if you are visiting Monterey without surf equipment and want a guided introduction instead of trying to work everything out alone.

Young children may receive life jackets if required, but the activity is not suitable for children under six. It is also not suitable for people with visual impairments, mobility impairments, or pregnant women.

If you are uncertain about your fitness or comfort in the ocean, contact the provider before booking. The supplied information does not describe a gentle, shallow-water alternative or a special adaptive program, so you should not assume one is available.

The cold-water clothing helps, but it does not remove every challenge. You still need to be ready for physical activity, repeated attempts, and time in the Pacific.

Planning your day around the two-hour session

The starting time varies, so you need to check availability when booking. Since the final beach is chosen one day ahead, leave some flexibility in your plans and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the lesson for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Monterey plans are still shifting. If the ocean is unsafe, the lesson is canceled and a refund is issued.

Bring a flexible attitude. You may have pictured one particular beach, but the actual location is selected for conditions. That choice is in your interest, even if it makes the day’s planning a little less exact.

Should you book Big Surf Adventures?

Book this lesson if you want a proper introduction to surfing in Monterey, with warm cold-water gear, certified instruction, and plenty of supervised practice. I especially like the choice between one-person, small-group, and large-group formats, since you can match the lesson to your party instead of accepting a one-size-fits-all class.

Choose the private single lesson if personal correction matters most. Choose two to four people if you want to share the day with friends or family while keeping the instruction focused. For larger parties, the extra instructors make the format workable.

Skip it if you only want to rent a board, need a guaranteed beach location, or cannot accept the possibility of a weather cancellation. For everyone else, the $90 price buys more than equipment. It buys a safe starting point, practical instruction, and a fair chance to learn how Monterey’s cold Pacific works.

FAQ

How long is the Monterey surfing lesson?

The lesson lasts two hours, including guided instruction, beach demonstrations, and supervised practice in the water.

What equipment is included?

You receive a 4/5mm wetsuit, comfort-fit booties, a professional-grade surfboard and leash, gloves, and a hood. Life jackets for young children and sunscreen are available if required.

Where does the lesson meet?

The lesson location depends on ocean conditions. Big Surf Adventures chooses one of five locations and contacts you one day before the lesson with the final meeting point.

Can I book a private lesson for just myself?

Yes. You can choose a private single lesson with one-on-one instruction.

Can friends or family take the lesson together?

Yes. Private group lessons are available for two to four people. A large-group option is available for parties of five or more, with additional instructors involved.

Is the lesson held all year?

Yes. Lessons are held year-round, and the supplied equipment is designed to keep students warm in cold conditions. The lesson remains subject to safe weather and ocean conditions.

What happens if the ocean is unsafe?

The lesson is weather permitting. If the ocean is not safe for surfing, the lesson is canceled and a refund is issued. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.