Private Surf Lessons in Malibu

Catch your first Malibu wave. This private lesson pairs one-on-one coaching with the long, gentle breaks of Surfrider Beach, a famous local surf spot that works well for first-timers. Ric, a lifelong Malibu resident and surfer, adjusts the lesson to your ability instead of forcing everyone through the same routine.

I like the personal instruction, especially for anyone who has struggled with surfing in a larger class. I also like the setting: you learn at a scenic beach with a local who can explain both technique and surf etiquette. The main thing to check before booking is the equipment fit. One serious complaint involved a participant over the board’s stated weight capacity, and that limit had not been made clear ahead of time.

The session costs $135 per person and lasts about 90 minutes. It begins with 15 to 20 minutes on the sand, then moves into the water for practical coaching. The activity is private, so your group gets the instructor’s attention rather than sharing the lesson with strangers.

Key Points Before You Book

• Surfrider Beach is the classroom: Its long, gentle waves make it a sensible place for beginners to try standing on a board.
• Ric teaches with patience: His coaching has helped first-time surfers, older beginners, teenagers, and people returning after an unsuccessful first lesson.
• The lesson starts on land: You practice paddling, standing, and surf etiquette before entering the water.
• Expect real water time: The stated goal is to help you catch and stand on as many waves as possible during the session.
• It is a private activity: Only your own group participates, which allows the instruction to fit your pace.
• Check board suitability first: Ask about weight limits and equipment before paying, especially if anyone in your group weighs more than 180 pounds.

Why Surfrider Beach Works for a First Lesson

Surfrider Beach, at 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, is not just a photogenic stop along the Malibu coast. It is a working surf beach with a reputation for long, gentle waves. That matters when you are learning because a slow, manageable wave gives you more time to paddle, push up, and find your balance.

A beginner needs more than a pretty view. You need a beach where the conditions can give you a fair chance. Surfrider Beach is presented as suitable for first-time surfers and more experienced riders, so the setting can work for a mixed group too. A parent and teenager, for example, may be at different skill levels without needing separate activities.

The setting also adds a sense of place. You are not practicing in an indoor pool or an anonymous lesson area. You are learning at one of the region’s best-known surf beaches, with Malibu’s coastal scenery around you and local surf culture close at hand.

That fame can bring one small tradeoff: a popular beach may have other surfers in the water. Ric has been praised for finding a workable space in the crowd, but you should still expect a real public surf spot rather than a private stretch of ocean.

The First 15 to 20 Minutes on the Sand

The lesson begins with a beach briefing. This opening takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes and covers three basic skills: paddling, standing, and surfing etiquette.

That order makes good sense. Many new surfers focus only on standing, but paddling gets you into position and helps you catch the wave. Practicing the movement on the sand lets you think through the steps before the board begins moving beneath you.

Standing up is taught as a sequence rather than a lucky jump. You practice how to move from lying on the board to a stable stance, then apply that motion in the water. Beginners often need several attempts before the movement feels natural, so this dry-land practice gives you a simple pattern to repeat.

The etiquette lesson is just as useful. Surfing has rules about sharing waves and moving safely around other people. Learning those basics before paddling out helps you avoid the most common beginner mistake: treating every wave as if it belongs to you.

This portion is short, but it is not filler. It gives the rest of the session some structure. You are not simply handed a board and pointed toward the surf.

Getting Into the Water With Ric

After the beach practice, the lesson moves into the water. This is where the private format earns its price. Ric can watch your paddling, tell you when to go, and give quick corrections after each attempt.

The aim is straightforward: catch and stand on as many waves as possible. That goal keeps the lesson practical. You spend less time listening to a long lecture and more time trying the movement that brought you to Malibu in the first place.

The strongest praise for Ric centers on patience and individual feedback. One beginner who had already tried surfing with limited success finally stood on the board after receiving more specific instruction. Another first-timer, age 52, reportedly caught waves within half an hour. Those details suggest that the lesson is built around quick adjustments rather than a fixed speech for every participant.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. Surfing is physical, and even a good instructor cannot control every wave or guarantee a perfect ride. The lesson can improve your chances, but balance, timing, and comfort in the water still take effort.

Several comments also point to the relaxed tone. Ric has been described as easygoing, friendly, and encouraging, with a style that removes some of the pressure from a first attempt. That matters when you are learning in front of family or friends and do not want every fall to feel like a public performance.

What Makes the Private Format Worth $135

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to stand on a surfboard. The value comes from the ratio of instruction to water time. You are paying for a private activity, a lesson tailored to your ability, and direct help during the part that usually causes the most trouble.

A larger group lesson may cost less per person, but the instructor must divide attention among several boards. In a private session, you can ask questions, repeat a technique, and get feedback that relates to your own stance and timing. That is especially useful if you have tried surfing before and know exactly where things went wrong.

The price also makes more sense for a small family group or a pair of friends who want to learn together. You share the experience while keeping the lesson focused on your group. Parents can watch their teenagers receive direct coaching, and adult beginners do not have to feel out of place beside much younger students.

The value is less clear if your main goal is simply to rent a board and spend time at the beach. In that case, a lesson may feel costly. But if you want an efficient introduction, help with technique, and a better chance of standing up, the private instruction adds something meaningful.

One important condition affects that calculation. Ask about board size and weight capacity before booking. A complaint described a participant weighing more than 180 pounds being turned away because the available boards were not suitable. The problem was not only the missed lesson, but also the lack of clear warning and the way the situation was handled. This is the one issue I would settle in writing before committing.

A Good Match for Families, Teens, and Solo Beginners

This lesson suits people who want a low-pressure introduction to surfing. Beginners are welcome, and the instruction has worked for solo participants, couples, families, and groups of friends.

Families with teenagers may find the format especially useful. Teens can be eager to get into the water, while parents may need a slower explanation of the basics. The lesson allows everyone to work at a suitable pace, and the private setting keeps the group together.

It can also work well for an adult with a bucket-list goal. First-time surfers in their 50s have taken part successfully, and the tone appears to be encouraging rather than competitive. You do not need to arrive with surf experience, though you should be ready for a workout.

If you have surfed before, the lesson can still make sense. Ric adapts the tutorial to your skill level, and direct feedback may help with paddling, timing, or form. The experience is not limited to people who have never touched a surfboard.

The physical requirement is worth taking seriously. The activity calls for moderate fitness, and surfing uses your arms, core, legs, and balance. You will be paddling, pushing up, getting back on the board, and repeating the process. The hour and a half may sound short, but the water portion can be tiring.

What the Reviews Reveal About Ric’s Teaching Style

The rating is 4.8 from 38 reviews, with 95 percent of participants recommending the experience. The praise is unusually consistent around a few clear points: patience, useful feedback, friendly communication, and plenty of time in the water.

Ric is often described as calm and attentive. That style seems to help people who are nervous about failing in front of an instructor. Several first-time surfers got up after only a few tries, while one family reported that everyone in the group stood on waves by the third attempt.

The comments also describe more than basic instruction. Ric has shared information about Malibu and introduced people to locals, adding a local connection to the surfing lesson. That is a pleasant extra, though the main value remains the coaching and water practice.

Parents may appreciate his patience with children and teenagers. Solo participants also seem to get the same level of care, rather than being treated as an afterthought. The best descriptions portray Ric as someone who wants people to enjoy the session, not just complete a set of drills.

There is one clear negative experience, and it should not be ignored. The participant who exceeded the board limit felt embarrassed and believed the communication was condescending. Even though this is the only serious complaint provided, it points to a practical question every larger-bodied surfer should ask before booking: what board will be available, and what weight range does it support?

Timing, Meeting Point, and Weather

You meet at 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so the arrangement is simple once you arrive.

The location is near public transportation, which may help if you are not driving. Still, the available information does not promise a particular transit route or parking arrangement, so confirm the practical details when you book. A mobile ticket is provided, and the activity is offered in English.

The experience takes about 90 minutes. Since the first part is on the beach and the second part is in the ocean, allow yourself enough time to arrive ready for both. The meeting point is also a sensible place to confirm equipment and ask any last questions before the lesson starts.

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The experience is often booked about 12 days ahead. That is useful planning information if your Malibu visit has a fixed schedule. Booking early may help you secure a time that fits your wider California trip, especially if you want to surf on a particular day.

How to Prepare for a Better Session

You do not need advanced surf skills. The lesson is designed for beginners, and the first 15 to 20 minutes explain the basic movements before you enter the water.

You should arrive with a moderate level of physical readiness. Expect repeated paddling, standing attempts, and falls. The session is fun, but it is not passive sightseeing.

Before booking, send a clear message about everyone in your group. Include ages and any relevant weight information, then ask which boards will be available. This is the most important practical step because the equipment concern is the one issue that could prevent someone from participating.

Keep your expectations focused on progress, not perfection. Standing once can be a major win, especially if you have never surfed before. A successful lesson may mean catching several small waves, learning how to paddle correctly, or gaining enough confidence to try again later.

The instructor’s goal is to help you stand on as many waves as possible, but the ocean sets the terms. If you relax, listen closely, and repeat the advice after each attempt, you give yourself the best chance of making the most of the session.

Should You Book Private Surf Lessons in Malibu?

I would book this experience if you want a personal introduction to surfing in a famous Malibu setting. The combination of a private lesson, beginner-friendly waves, direct coaching, and a patient instructor gives you more than a simple board rental.

It is a particularly good choice for first-time adults, families with teens, and anyone who tried surfing before but never managed to stand. The $135 price is easier to justify when you value personal feedback and actual water practice.

I would pause before booking if anyone in your group may exceed the available board’s weight limit. Contact Hana Paddle Boards first and get a clear answer about equipment suitability. If that point is confirmed, this looks like a friendly, practical way to make a first surf attempt at Surfrider Beach.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson meet?

The meeting point is 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265. The activity ends back at the same location.

How long does the private surf lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The first 15 to 20 minutes take place on the sand, followed by time in the water.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners are welcome, and Surfrider Beach is described as suitable for first-time surfers as well as more experienced riders.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What does the lesson cover before entering the water?

The beach portion covers paddling, standing, and surfing etiquette.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.