2-Hour Group Surf Lesson in Venice Beach

Your first stand on a surfboard can be a small, unforgettable victory. This two-hour lesson gives you a practical start: a short session on the sand, coaching in the water, then time to practice on an 8- or 9-foot foam board.

I like the clear mix of instruction and independent practice, which gives you both guidance and room to try things at your own pace. I also like that instructors such as Keanu and Thiem have helped complete beginners catch waves, while the small-group cap keeps the class to 12 people.

One thing to plan around: this is a group lesson, so you share the instructor’s attention and may be paired with people at different skill levels. The experience is listed as a Venice Beach surf lesson, but the meeting point is in Santa Monica, so check the exact location details before you set out.

What to know before you book

• Two hours with a useful progression: Expect 20 to 30 minutes of beach training, 50 to 60 minutes of coached water time, then time to practice on your own.
• Foam boards only: The lesson uses 8- and 9-foot foam-top boards. Fiberglass boards are not allowed in group lessons for safety reasons.
• Small group, not a private class: The maximum is 12 participants, but you will be combined with other people who book the group lesson.
• Beginner-friendly, with a minimum age: The class suits beginner and intermediate surfers, with a minimum age of 12.
• Bring a towel and wear your swimsuit: Wetsuits are provided, and changing in the parking lot may be part of the routine.
• A fair price for a first lesson: At $69 per person, you get instruction, a board, wetsuit use, and practice time, without paying for a private session.

Starting on the sand before heading into the surf

The lesson begins at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica. Since the experience is called a Venice Beach lesson but lists a Santa Monica meeting point, I would confirm the exact meeting arrangements before leaving. The location detail matters: it is better to resolve that small question in advance than to be searching for an instructor with a surfboard under your arm.

The first 20 to 30 minutes take place on the beach. This is where you get the basic instruction before you try to manage a board in moving water. For a first-timer, that order makes sense. You can listen, watch, and practice the basics on land rather than trying to learn everything while waves are pushing you around.

The beach session is short enough to leave most of the lesson for the water. It also gives the instructor a chance to explain how the group will work and what to focus on once you paddle out. The available details do not specify a fixed list of techniques, so don’t expect a particular skills syllabus. The promise is straightforward: a beach introduction followed by guided practice in the water.

Getting coached in the water

The lesson’s main instructional block lasts about 50 to 60 minutes in the water. You will be with an instructor, working on the timing and balance needed to catch a wave. If you have never surfed, the first challenge is often simply coordinating what you have just learned on the sand with a moving board and changing water.

Instructor Keanu has helped first-time surfers get onto waves, including adults in their late forties and early fifties. Thiem has also been praised for being patient and helpful with newer surfers. An instructor from Argentina was described as patient, smiling, and clear in her teaching, though her name was not available. The practical takeaway is that the class is not only for athletic teenagers who already know the basics. Adults and younger beginners can take part, provided they meet the age and swimming requirements.

The exact amount of individual coaching will depend on the group. With a maximum of 12, the class is capped at a manageable size, but it is still a group lesson. You will not have an instructor focused on you alone for the entire session. If you want continuous one-to-one attention, the operator also offers private lessons.

Conditions can shape the feel of the session. One participant described a chilly day when the group was small enough to feel almost private. That is a pleasant possibility, not something to count on. The lesson requires good weather, and the operator may reschedule or refund you if poor conditions force a cancellation.

The foam board and what it means for beginners

Group lessons use 8- and 9-foot foam-top surfboards. These are the boards supplied for the class, and fiberglass boards are not allowed in group lessons for safety reasons. For a beginner, the important point is that you do not need to bring your own board or choose among different styles. The lesson provides a board suited to the group format.

The boards are part of the experience, not just a rental item. You learn with the same kind of equipment you will use during the coached portion and the free practice afterward. That keeps the session simple: listen, try, adjust, and try again rather than sorting out unfamiliar gear.

If you have surfed a little before, this lesson is still intended for beginner to intermediate levels. It may help you refresh the basics or build confidence, but it is not described as advanced coaching. The long foam boards and group setting signal a focus on learning and getting comfortable, not technical performance.

Practice time after the instructor-led portion

After the beach instruction and coached time in the water, the remaining part of the two-hour session is yours to practice with the provided boards. Based on the stated time ranges, this may work out to roughly 30 to 50 minutes, though the exact balance can vary. It is useful time: surfing is a physical skill, and a few more attempts can help you make sense of what the instructor has just shown you.

This structure also gives the lesson a nice rhythm. You begin with explanation, get direct help while you are learning, then have some space to repeat the movements without waiting for a full new lesson. If you catch a wave during the coached section, you can try to recreate that feeling. If you do not, you can keep working on the basics.

Remember that practice time is not the same as private coaching. You will still be in a group environment, and the information provided does not promise an instructor beside you for every remaining minute. Think of it as supported practice, not an extended one-to-one session.

What to wear and bring

Wetsuits are provided, which is particularly useful on a cool day. A wetsuit helped one first-time surfer stay warm during a chilly session, and the fit was reported to be comfortable. Conditions and personal comfort vary, so bring a towel and wear your swimsuit under your clothes. That makes changing simpler, especially since you may put on the wetsuit in the parking lot.

You should also be ready for a physical activity. Participants need a moderate level of fitness and basic swimming skills. Those requirements are worth taking seriously: you will be in the water and need to be comfortable enough to swim. If you are booking for a child, the minimum age is 12.

The lesson is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those details can help with planning, but the provided information does not spell out specific transit routes, parking arrangements, or other facilities at the meeting point.

Is $69 a good value?

At $69 per person, this is a reasonably complete introduction to surfing rather than a brief board rental. The price covers a two-hour experience with beach instruction, coached time in the water, use of a foam board, and wetsuit provision. For someone who wants to see if surfing is for them, that combination is more useful than simply taking a board out without guidance.

The value is especially strong for first-timers who want someone to help with the first attempts. A successful ride can make the lesson feel worth the cost, but you should not treat catching a wave as guaranteed. The aim is to learn and practice, and conditions, confidence, and group dynamics all affect how quickly you progress.

Private instruction would be a better fit if you want the instructor’s attention to yourself. This group option is the lower-cost choice, with a firm cap of 12 but no promise that the group will be tiny. It is also booked, on average, about 23 days in advance, so planning ahead is sensible if you have a fixed date in mind.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded. If the activity is canceled because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you will be offered another date or a refund.

Who will enjoy this lesson most

This class is a good fit if you are a beginner who wants a first taste of surfing without buying equipment or arranging a private instructor. It also suits a family with a child aged 12 or older, as long as the participant has basic swimming skills and is comfortable with moderate physical activity. A 12-year-old beginner has had good instruction here, so it can work well as a shared family activity.

It can also suit adults who are curious but not especially experienced. The instruction has helped people in their forties and fifties get onto waves for the first time. You do not need to arrive as a natural surfer, but you do need to be willing to listen, get wet, and keep trying.

I would look elsewhere if you want advanced surf coaching, guaranteed one-to-one attention, or complete control over the lesson’s pace. Those are not promises of this group format. If your goal is to learn the basics, have a coach nearby, and spend time practicing, the setup is sensible and the price is appealing.

The main practical detail to settle before booking is the meeting point. The title refers to Venice Beach, while the listed address is in Santa Monica. Confirm where to meet and where the water session takes place so the day starts with surf, not an unnecessary walk in the wrong direction.

Should you book this surf lesson?

Book it if you want a beginner-friendly introduction with equipment included, a coach in the water, and some time to practice afterward. The mix of land instruction and water coaching gives you a real first lesson rather than just access to a board, and the $69 price is fair for that package.

Skip it if you need private attention or are looking for advanced instruction. Before you commit, confirm the precise meeting location, bring a towel, wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and make sure everyone in your party is at least 12 and can swim. Do those things, and you will be set up for a straightforward, active morning or afternoon by the coast.

FAQ

How long is the group surf lesson?

The lesson lasts about two hours.

Where is the meeting point?

The listed meeting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The activity title refers to Venice Beach, so confirm the exact location before setting out.

What age can take part?

The minimum age is 12.

Do I need swimming skills?

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

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is designed for beginner and intermediate surfers.

What happens during the two hours?

You spend 20 to 30 minutes training on the beach, 50 to 60 minutes with instructors in the water, then use the remaining time to practice.

Are surfboards provided?

Yes. The lesson provides 8- and 9-foot foam-top boards. Fiberglass boards are not allowed in group lessons.

Are wetsuits provided?

Yes. Wetsuits are provided.

How many people can be in the group?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants. It is a group lesson, and you may be combined with other people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.