Shared 2 Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

Catch your first wave in Santa Monica. This two-hour lesson gives you a friendly introduction to surfing, with beach practice, ocean coaching, and time to try the board yourself. I like the foam boards and wetsuits included, and I like the small groups, capped at four students for the lesson itself.

The price is $85 per person, which feels fair if you want more than a quick board rental. The main caution is that the experience depends on the instructor and the day: most instruction sounds warm and hands-on, but one poor experience involved a late start, an early finish, and too little coaching in the water.

Key points before you book

• Two hours with beach and water practice: Expect 20 to 30 minutes of instruction on the sand, followed by roughly 50 to 60 minutes with an instructor in the water and extra time to practice.

• Small teaching groups: The surf lesson group has a maximum of four people, although the activity’s overall maximum is listed as 10.

• Made for beginners and improving surfers: You need basic swimming skills, moderate physical fitness, and an age of at least 12.

• Boards and wetsuits are supplied: Lessons use 8-foot and 9-foot foam-top boards. Fiberglass boards are not used in group lessons for safety reasons.

• Easy Santa Monica starting point: Meet at Fun Surf LA, 20 Bicknell Avenue, near public transportation and close to the Santa Monica and Venice Beach scene.

• Book ahead in popular periods: The experience is often reserved about 16 days ahead, and several time slots are offered during the day.

Starting at 20 Bicknell Avenue in Santa Monica

Your lesson begins at 20 Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica. The meeting point is described as easy to find, with a blue van in the parking area serving as a useful visual clue.

This is a practical location for a beach day. You can pair the lesson with time around Santa Monica or Venice Beach, where the atmosphere shifts from polished beach town to the more eccentric boardwalk culture associated with Venice. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup.

I would allow extra time to locate the meeting spot, get settled, and avoid turning your lesson into a race against the clock. The operator offers multiple start times, which helps you fit surfing around the rest of a Los Angeles visit. Since the lesson is booked an average of 16 days ahead, I would reserve your preferred time before your trip rather than waiting for a free morning.

The first 20 to 30 minutes: learning on the sand

The lesson begins with basic instruction on the beach. You learn how to position yourself on the board, where to place your hands, and how to move from lying down to standing. This dry practice matters more than it may seem. The ocean is not the place to learn the basic sequence for the first time.

The instructors also explain how to handle the board and how to approach a wave. Several students have managed to stand during their first lesson, sometimes riding one or two waves. That is a realistic but encouraging goal. You should not expect polished surfing after two hours, but you can reasonably hope to understand the motion and perhaps experience a few short rides.

The teaching style seems to vary by instructor. Names praised in past sessions include Jackson, Nico, Melanie, Jonathan, Francesco, Francisco, Walker, Laura, John, Aeden, and Etienne. The strongest comments describe instructors who were patient, funny, supportive, and willing to show more than one way to get onto the board.

That personal attention is especially useful during the beach portion. If you are nervous, ask questions here. Once you are wet and working with waves, clear knowledge of the basic movement will make the lesson less tiring.

Moving into the water with foam boards

After the beach instruction, you head into the ocean. The formal water coaching lasts about 50 to 60 minutes, with the remaining lesson time available for practice and fun using the supplied boards.

The 8-foot and 9-foot foam-top boards are a good match for a first lesson. Their size gives beginners more stability than a smaller board, and the soft surface is used for safety in a group setting. Fiberglass boards are not permitted in these lessons, so this is not the place to test a sleek shortboard or advanced surfing equipment.

Basic swimming ability is required. You do not need to be an accomplished swimmer, but you should be comfortable in the water and able to work your way back out after a wave. Surfing takes more effort than the short rides suggest. You repeatedly paddle or move back toward the next wave, climb onto the board, attempt a stand, and start again.

One useful piece of preparation is physical conditioning. A past student described the experience as rewarding but tiring, especially when swimming back out after each attempt. Two athletic teenagers were reportedly spent after about an hour in the water. I would treat this as an active lesson, not a passive beach activity.

What the small group changes

The group format is one of the better features of this experience. A maximum of four people in the small lesson means the instructor can watch each person more closely than in a large class. It also gives the session a social side without making it feel like a crowd.

You may be grouped with other participants, so the lesson will not be built only around your family or friends. That can work in your favor. A mixed group creates a friendly learning atmosphere, and people at different skill levels can encourage one another. It can also mean you spend some time waiting while another student tries a wave.

The overall activity limit is listed as 10 people, while the small lesson itself is capped at four. I would confirm the exact group arrangement when booking if having the smallest possible class is important to you. If you want instruction designed only for your party, Fun Surf LA also offers private lessons.

One serious complaint described a session in which one instructor spent too much attention on one person, leaving another instructor with the rest of a larger group. That is not the experience most people seek when paying for a small lesson. The large number of positive comments about individual coaching suggests that this was not typical, but it is a fair reason to speak up if you are not receiving enough help.

The instructors make the biggest difference

Surfing is difficult to teach from a distance. You need someone to notice your stance, timing, balance, and board position in real time. The best sessions here seem to succeed because the instructor stays close enough to give useful corrections and encouragement.

Walker was praised for staying near a student in the water, which helped that person feel secure while practicing. Aeden and Etienne were remembered for humor, safety, and showing several ways to get onto the board. Jackson was singled out for making a first lesson feel so enjoyable that a parent and daughter wanted to surf again.

That pattern matters. Beginners do not just need technical advice. They need an instructor who can keep the mood relaxed after a fall and offer a clear next step instead of a long lecture. I would tell your instructor if you prefer gentle encouragement or direct correction. One past student found the teaching a little harsh, even while describing the lesson as very good overall.

The operator’s high overall rating, 4.8 out of 5 from 144 ratings, and 94 percent recommendation rate point to a strong record. Still, a surf lesson is partly dependent on who is assigned to your group and how closely that person works with you. The instructor is the most important variable in the day.

Santa Monica waves, Venice energy

The setting gives this activity more character than an indoor lesson or a simple board rental. Santa Monica is one of Los Angeles’s best-known beach areas, and the nearby Venice scene adds a looser, more eccentric feel. You get the ocean experience while staying close to a part of the city known for beach culture.

The conditions will not be identical every day. One especially happy family session had good waves, while another took place in cold, wet weather. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle, even if the day begins cool. One lesson supplied two wetsuits to help a student stay warm, but it is still sensible to prepare for changing beach conditions.

You might also see more than waves. One group noticed leopard sharks in the water. That is an occasional wildlife sighting, not something to book the lesson expecting, but it shows the kind of small surprise that can make an ocean outing memorable.

The local setting also works well for a full day. After the lesson, you can continue exploring Santa Monica or head toward Venice Beach. Since the activity returns to its starting point, you can make your own plans without being tied to a tour bus schedule.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, the lesson costs more than simply renting a surfboard, but you are paying for instruction, equipment, and a structured introduction. The board and wetsuit are included, which makes the price easier to understand. You do not have to buy or carry specialized gear for a first attempt.

The value is strongest if you have never surfed or have tried once and need help with the basics. A good instructor can save you from wasting the whole session lying awkwardly on the board or missing every wave. Getting even one or two short rides can make the lesson worthwhile.

The value is less clear if you already surf confidently. Group lessons use foam boards and are aimed at beginner to intermediate levels, so experienced surfers may prefer a private lesson or their own equipment.

You can also repeat the lesson. One family wished they had booked it near the start of their vacation because they would have returned once or twice. That is sensible advice. Your first session is spent learning the mechanics, while a second session could give you more time to work on timing and balance.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The advertised duration is about two hours. The planned structure is 20 to 30 minutes on the beach, 50 to 60 minutes of coached water time, and additional practice time. One past complaint described a late start and a session closer to 90 minutes, so keep an eye on the clock and politely ask the staff if the lesson appears to be running short.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The lesson requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. That policy is useful for a weather-dependent activity, but I would avoid placing an important, nonrefundable plan immediately after the surf lesson.

Who should book this lesson?

I think this is best for first-time surfers, families with children aged 12 and older, friends who want an active morning, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting a few people while learning something new. It also suits an athletic teenager or adult who wants a proper introduction rather than a photo with a surfboard.

You need basic swimming skills and a moderate level of fitness. If you tire easily in the water, you may find the repeated paddle-outs demanding. You should also be comfortable with a group format and the possibility that the instructor’s style may be more direct than you prefer.

The lesson is not suitable for children under 12, and it is not designed as advanced coaching. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation. English is the offered language.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson begin?

The meeting point is Fun Surf LA at 20 Bicknell Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401.

Where does the activity end?

The lesson ends back at the meeting point on 20 Bicknell Avenue.

How long does the surf lesson last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

How much beach instruction is included?

The lesson includes about 20 to 30 minutes of training on the beach before the group enters the water.

How much time do I spend with an instructor in the water?

You can expect about 50 to 60 minutes with the instructors in the water, followed by remaining time to practice and have fun with the boards.

What equipment is provided?

A surfboard and wetsuit are included. Group lessons use 8-foot and 9-foot foam-top boards.

Can I use a fiberglass board?

No. Fiberglass boards are not allowed in group lessons because of safety concerns.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Basic swimming skills are required, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Should you book Fun Surf LA?

I would book this lesson if you want a friendly, practical first taste of surfing in Santa Monica. The included gear, small teaching groups, flexible start times, and strong record with first-time surfers give it good value at $85.

Book it early if your schedule is tight, and leave room around the lesson in case the ocean or meeting process slows things down. Bring sunscreen, water, and patience. You may not become a polished surfer in two hours, but with the right instructor and a little stamina, you have a solid chance of standing up, catching a short wave, and wanting another turn.