2-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Venice Beach

A private surf lesson gives you something a crowded group class can’t: a coach focused on your movements, questions, and comfort in the water. This two-hour session starts with instruction on land, then moves to the surf, with the lesson adjusted to your ability.

I like two things here: the one-to-one attention, which can help you spot what’s holding back your progress, and the chance to learn at a quieter part of Venice Beach. Jonathan is praised for patient, fun coaching, and one self-taught surfer credited a session with finally helping them catch waves and stand up properly.

The main consideration is that surfing takes effort, and the lesson calls for a moderate level of fitness. You’ll need to be comfortable with physical activity, and the session depends on good weather.

At a glance

• Two hours with a private coach: The lesson is for your group alone, not a shared class.
• Instruction on land and in the water: Your coach works with you throughout the session and adjusts the program to your skill level.
• For beginners through advanced surfers: You don’t need to arrive with experience, though the minimum age is seven.
• Surfboard and wetsuit included: Photos are not included.
• Meet in Santa Monica: The starting point is 20 Bicknell Ave, with the activity ending back there.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may mean a new date or a full refund.

A private lesson built around your level

The strongest reason to book this experience is its private format. You and your party get the instructor’s attention for the full two hours, rather than splitting it among a larger class. That matters in surfing, where a small adjustment to your stance, timing, or approach can make the difference between another wipeout and a satisfying ride.

The lesson is designed for a wide range of abilities, from someone who has never surfed to a more experienced rider hoping to improve. That flexibility is useful if you’re booking with a family member or friend who has a different level of experience. The coach can tailor the session to personal skills and abilities instead of following one fixed script.

Jonathan is specifically associated with patient, encouraging instruction. One notable example involved a surfer who had spent two years trying to teach themselves on a six-foot shortboard, with little progress or enjoyment. A single coached session helped them correct their approach and catch waves. That’s a good reminder that more time in the water is not always the answer; clear feedback can help you understand what to change.

Still, don’t treat one person’s breakthrough as a promise that you’ll be standing on every wave by the end. Surf conditions, your comfort level, and your starting skills all affect what you can accomplish. The practical benefit is focused instruction, not a guaranteed result.

Starting on land before heading into the water

The session includes a detailed land lesson before you move into the surf. That first part gives you a chance to hear the coach’s instructions and work through the basics before you have to manage them in the water. For a beginner, it can make the first attempts feel less like guesswork.

Your coach stays involved on land and in the water for the full two hours. The exact content depends on your ability, so there is no set sequence of skills promised for every participant. If you’re new, the lesson can be shaped around learning the fundamentals. If you already surf, use the private time to explain what you want help with, such as a technique that has stalled or a skill you’d like to improve.

That’s one of the advantages of booking privately: you can ask questions as they come up. A group lesson may have to keep moving to suit several people. Here, the instructor can respond to your progress and spend time on the parts that are giving you trouble.

The coaching may also suit a parent and child. A parent who took a lesson with their son described a patient teaching style and managed to catch a few waves. The minimum age is seven, but the data does not set out separate age-specific teaching arrangements. If you’re booking for a child, consider their comfort with physical activity and ask the operator about any concerns before you go.

Quieter Venice Beach, with a Santa Monica meeting point

The lesson takes place at a remote part of Venice Beach, an appealing detail if you would rather learn away from a busy stretch of shore. A quieter setting can help you focus on the coach’s guidance and your own attempts. The exact beach access point is not specified, so don’t assume the meeting address is directly on the sand.

You meet at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, and the activity ends back at the same point. The experience is described as being in Venice Beach, while the meeting address is in Santa Monica, so check your route and timing carefully before setting out. No transportation between the meeting point and the lesson area is described. Confirm how the group gets to the beach when you arrange the session.

The booking is private, meaning only your group participates. That can make the lesson easier to fit around different confidence levels, but the price is listed per person at $99. Group discounts are available, though no discount amounts or group-size limits are provided. If you’re booking with family or friends, ask how the group rate applies before paying.

What the $99 price includes

At $99 per person, the main value is two hours of individual coaching, with a surfboard and wetsuit supplied. Renting the essential gear separately would add cost and effort, so having both included makes the price easier to assess. You also avoid having to choose and bring your own board for a first lesson.

The most valuable part, though, is the instructor’s time. A private coach can focus on your particular challenge, whether you are learning from scratch or trying to fix habits formed while practicing on your own. For a beginner, that attention may make the first session more useful than simply spending two hours in the water without guidance.

Photos are not included. If you want pictures of the lesson, ask the provider whether you may bring someone to take them or arrange another option. The details supplied do not say whether photography can be added, so don’t count on it as part of the package.

The price is per person, not a flat fee for the whole group. That distinction matters if you are comparing a private lesson with a group class or booking several people together. Since group discounts are available but not specified, get the final price for your party before booking.

Who is likely to get the most from it

This lesson makes the most sense if you want personal instruction rather than a large class, or if you’ve tried surfing and aren’t sure what to change. The self-taught surfer who made progress after coaching is a useful example of how a private session can help someone who already knows a little but has hit a wall.

It can also work for a first-time surfer who wants close support while learning the basics. The coach adapts the session to the participant, and the land lesson offers a chance to prepare before going into the water. If you’re nervous, you can tell the instructor what feels difficult and ask for guidance at your pace.

Families can consider it too, provided participants meet the minimum age of seven and have a moderate level of fitness. A parent and child have taken the class together, and the instruction was described as patient. But there is no guarantee that every family member will progress at the same speed, so be ready for the coach to adjust attention based on what each person needs.

More advanced surfers may find value in the individualized format, but the details do not promise advanced maneuvers or a specific technical curriculum. If you have a precise goal, such as improving a particular turn or learning a new skill, contact Fun Surf LA before booking to check whether the lesson can address it.

Effort, weather, and planning ahead

Surfing is active work. The experience calls for moderate physical fitness, and you’ll be spending part of the session in the water. A wetsuit is included, but there is no further information about what clothing or personal items to bring. Ask the provider for preparation advice, especially if you have questions about fitness or what to wear.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the session, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. That gives you a reasonable fallback, but it is still wise to avoid building a tightly scheduled day around the lesson if conditions may change.

The average booking lead time is 21 days. That is not a required advance-booking period, but it suggests you should reserve ahead if you have a particular date in mind. Confirmation is received at booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted for a refund or change. The cutoff follows local time, so check the start time and time zone when making plans.

Is this the right surf lesson for you?

I’d consider booking if you want a coach focused on your group, appreciate having a board and wetsuit included, and are ready for an active two hours. It looks especially worthwhile for a beginner who wants guidance from the start or a self-taught surfer who needs help correcting technique. The private format and patient coaching associated with Jonathan are the clearest strengths.

Think twice if you’re not comfortable with moderate physical activity, need a guaranteed instructor, or expect photos to be included. Also confirm how you’ll get from the Santa Monica meeting point to the Venice Beach lesson area, since that transfer is not explained.

For $99 per person, the appeal is not just time on a surfboard. It is two hours of instruction tailored to your abilities, with essential gear supplied and space to ask for help as you go. If that kind of focused coaching is what you need, this is a practical way to give surfing a proper try.

FAQ

How long is the private surf lesson?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours, with instruction on land and in the water.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $99 per person. Group discounts are available, but the discount amount is not specified.

Where does the lesson start?

You meet at 20 Bicknell Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What ages can take the lesson?

The minimum age is seven years old.

Do I need surfing experience?

No. The lesson is suitable for all skill levels, from total beginners to advanced surfers.

Are a surfboard and wetsuit included?

Yes. Both are included in the price.

Are photos included?

No. Photos are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

You’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.