Ulap Surf

Cloud 9 is a fine place to start surfing. Ulap Surf keeps the lesson private, focused, and friendly, with an instructor coaching only your group at Siargao’s famous Cloud 9 surf area. I especially like the stable 9-foot soft-top board for first-timers and the personal photos and videos that let you see exactly what you are doing. The main catch is the $190 price for about two hours, which is far more than a basic shared lesson.

The teaching plan is clear: a short safety briefing, beach practice, about 90 minutes in the water, then video review. I also like the emphasis on correct foot placement, pop-up technique, and surf etiquette, areas that can make the difference between a fun first ride and a frustrating one. Since the session depends on good weather and requires moderate fitness, you should keep your schedule a little flexible.

Key things to know before booking

• Private coaching at Cloud 9: Only your group takes part, so the instructor can focus on your balance, timing, and board position.
• About 90 minutes in the water: The session includes land instruction first, then sustained practice with the instructor beside you.
• Ana Mae Alipayo and the Ulap team: The school is praised for careful coaching, warm hospitality, and strong technical instruction.
• Photos and video are included: A personal photographer records your session, followed by a review of what worked and what needs changing.
• Soft-top longboards suit beginners: The wide, sturdy board gives you a more forgiving platform while you learn to stand and balance.
• Meet at Cloud 9: Transportation is not included, so you need to reach the Cloud 9 Surfing Area in General Luna on your own.

Why Cloud 9 works for a first surf lesson

Siargao has earned a serious reputation among surfers, and Cloud 9 is the island’s best-known surf area. For a beginner, that name can sound intimidating. Ulap Surf makes the setting more approachable by teaching the basics before asking you to paddle out.

Your lesson starts at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area, listed at R578+F36 Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte. The activity begins and ends at this meeting point. Since private transportation is not included, plan your own way there and allow enough time to arrive ready for the opening formalities.

The first part is simple and useful. You meet the team, sign a waiver, hear what is included, and settle payment. Then the instructor shows you the surf area and explains how the ocean moves. This briefing lasts about 10 minutes, which is enough to cover the essentials without turning the morning into a classroom lecture.

For a first lesson, that safety talk matters. You need to understand where you will practice, how to handle the board, and how to respond to the water before trying to stand. Ulap Surf puts that information at the front of the session, not as an afterthought.

The beach lesson: learning the pop-up before the waves

Before you enter the water, you warm up on the beach. You learn how to place your hands, bring your feet under your body, and find a balanced stance. The instructor also explains where your feet should sit on the board.

This groundwork may feel less exciting than catching a wave, but it is where a first-timer gains control. A poor pop-up can leave you kneeling, twisting, or stepping onto the board with the wrong foot. Ulap Surf’s approach is to rehearse the movement first, so you have a clearer idea of what to do when the water starts moving the board.

The included board is a soft-top longboard measuring about nine feet, or three meters. That size gives beginners a broad, steady surface and makes balance less demanding than it would be on a short performance board. You are not being pushed into advanced equipment before your body understands the basics.

The board choice also helps keep the lesson accessible to people who have never surfed. You still need to paddle, get up, and hold your balance, but the equipment is designed to be forgiving. That does not remove the physical work. You should expect repeated attempts and a moderate level of exertion.

Ninety minutes at Cloud 9 with your own instructor

After the land practice, you spend about 90 minutes in the water. Your surf guide stays close and coaches you through each wave. The private format is the heart of this experience.

In a large group, an instructor must divide attention between several people at different stages. Here, your coach can watch your feet, timing, and posture, then give advice that fits your exact mistake. If you are standing too far forward, paddling at the wrong moment, or losing balance after the pop-up, the correction can come quickly.

That personal attention is especially useful for a beginner who wants more than a single lucky ride. The goal is not only to get upright once. It is to understand why that ride worked and how to repeat it.

The teaching also covers paddling, maneuvering, speed, and surf safety. Ana Mae Alipayo receives especially strong praise for detailed coaching, while Coach Loloy is also identified as part of the professional teaching team. The feedback focuses on fundamentals rather than showing off. You learn how to position yourself on the board, how to improve your stance, and how to approach the sport with better habits.

Safety and etiquette are important parts of that foundation. The experience includes a beginner safety guide delivered through Google Slides, along with a beginners course certificate. Those additions do not replace practical instruction, but they give you something to review after the lesson.

Why the photo and video package is worth attention

Many surf lessons end when you walk out of the water. Ulap Surf includes a personal photographer who captures photos and video during your session. Afterward, you review the footage and discuss what worked, what needs to change, and what to try next.

I see two clear benefits here. First, you receive a record of the experience to share. Second, video makes the instruction easier to understand. A beginner may feel as if the pop-up happened quickly and correctly, yet the footage can show a late hand placement, a narrow stance, or a loss of balance.

The video review also gives the lesson a stronger sense of progression. Instead of relying only on a coach’s spoken advice, you can see your position on the board. That is particularly useful if you plan to surf again during your Siargao stay.

Do not treat the footage as a professional surf film. The practical value is in the feedback, not in polished production. The available information confirms that photos and videos are included, but it does not specify the number of files, delivery method, or exact turnaround time. Ask about those details when you arrange the session.

The people behind Ulap Surf

The school’s strongest praise centers on its instructors and personal approach. Ana Mae Alipayo is named as a professional surfer and coach, and several comments highlight her ability to teach technique in a calm, detailed way. She is also praised for making beginners feel welcome, including people who specifically wanted a female instructor.

The tone of the teaching matters. Surfing can be awkward at first. You may fall repeatedly, lose track of your feet, or hesitate when a wave approaches. A good coach needs to correct you without making the session feel like a test.

Ulap Surf presents itself as a family-oriented operation, and Ana Mae and her family are praised for warm hospitality. That does not change the physical demands of surfing, but it may make the experience easier for a nervous first-timer or a parent booking for a child.

The coaching is also suitable for someone who has surfed before but wants to improve. The emphasis on technical pop-ups, board placement, maneuvering, speed, and video analysis goes beyond a basic stand-up lesson. Still, the listed product is specifically a beginner course, so advanced surfers should confirm that the session matches their goals before booking.

What the $190 price really buys you

At $190, this is a premium lesson. You are paying for privacy, instructor attention, board rental, a photographer, footage, and a post-surf review. The price makes more sense for a small private group that values focused teaching and wants a lasting record of the session.

For a solo beginner, the cost may feel steep for two hours. A shared class could offer a lower price, though the supplied information does not provide a competing rate. If you are comparing options, ask whether other schools include a private instructor, video analysis, and photos, not just a board and a short lesson.

For a couple or family that can share the private session, the value may improve. Only your group participates, and the instructor can adjust the lesson to different comfort levels within that group. The details do not state the maximum number of participants, so confirm group size before booking if you are traveling with several people.

The certificate and safety guide are useful extras, but I would not book this experience for the certificate alone. The real value is the instruction during the 90-minute water session and the chance to study your technique afterward.

Timing, fitness, and practical details

The published operating information lists Monday hours from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM for the stated date range, which runs from June 12, 2021, to January 14, 2027. Because the available schedule information is limited, check your chosen date and start time carefully before committing.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing involves paddling, pushing up from the board, standing quickly, and repeating the process after falls. The experience is aimed at beginners, but beginner does not mean effortless.

Wear what you can comfortably surf in, though the supplied details do not specify required clothing or equipment beyond the included soft-top board. Since transportation is not included, you are responsible for reaching the Cloud 9 meeting point. The location is near public transportation.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. That timing matters if your Siargao schedule is tight. Leave room for a response before planning the rest of your day.

Bad weather can cancel the activity. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should book Ulap Surf

I would recommend this lesson to:

• A first-time surfer who wants close instruction rather than a large class.
• A couple or small private group willing to pay more for personal attention.
• Someone who wants photos and video instead of relying on memory.
• A beginner who cares about proper technique, safety, and surf etiquette.
• A surfer with some experience who wants detailed feedback on stance and pop-up technique.
• A parent booking a structured activity for a child who meets the fitness requirements.

I would hesitate if your main goal is the cheapest possible introduction to surfing. I would also hesitate if you have very little schedule flexibility, because the lesson depends on suitable weather and confirmation is subject to availability.

The two-hour format is long enough to include instruction, water time, and feedback without taking the entire day. It is a concentrated session, not a full surf camp. If you want several days of repeated practice, you will need to arrange additional lessons separately.

Should you book this Cloud 9 lesson?

Book Ulap Surf if you want a private, technique-focused introduction and value the video review. The sturdy longboard, one-on-one coaching, safety briefing, and 90 minutes in the water create a solid setup for a first attempt. Ana Mae Alipayo and the Ulap team also bring a personal touch that can help you relax when the first few waves feel strange.

At $190, it is not a bargain lesson. It is a focused private experience with extras, and the value depends on how much you care about close coaching and recorded feedback. If you are happy to pay for better attention and a clear path toward independent surfing, this is a strong choice at Cloud 9.

FAQ

Where does Ulap Surf meet participants?

The meeting point is the Cloud 9 Surfing Area at R578+F36, Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Where does the activity finish?

The session ends back at the Cloud 9 meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours, including the briefing, beach warm-up, water session, and video review.

How long are you in the water?

The water portion lasts about 90 minutes.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private lesson.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You must make your own way to the Cloud 9 meeting point.

What type of surfboard is provided?

A soft-top longboard is included. The board is about nine feet, or three meters, long and is intended to be stable for beginners.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos from the surf session are included.

Is a surf guide included?

Yes. The package includes a surf guide and private instruction.

What happens if bad weather cancels the session?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.