Best 6 coaches for Surfing lessons near Santa Monica, CA
These coaches teach at top ranked spots and have great lesson fulfillment & student reviews.
🌊 Hi, I'm Jose, Your Surf Instructor! 🌊 With over 10 years of experience riding the waves, I’m passionate about sharing my love for surfing with everyone, from beginners to experienced surfers. My goal is to make every lesson both fun and educational, so you can confidently ride those waves. Whether you're looking to catch your first wave or improve your skills, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Join me on the beach, and let’s ride the waves together! 🏄♂️
"José is an excellent teacher. You will enjoy every minute of the class. Bring your own board and wetsuit so you can derive the most benefit from the class.
Jose
Aloha friends! I’m Mikey and I’m just a dude that has been surfing for 30 years now. I started as a teen to be cool and win over the cute girls but I quickly became obsessed! Surfing is my life and I’m a surfer. I love to share the stoke of surfing! It’s the most exhilarating and rewarding sport. Actually, I would call surfing a lifestyle. I hope to meet y’all and teach you how to catch a bunch of waves and to appreciate the beauty of the ocean. Y’all will also learn to respect the power of ocean so I keep it safe and most importantly super fun! See ya out in the water and stay stoked!
"Mikey’s the best! He’s patient, encouraging, and brings a great attitude to the learning process. He gives concrete specific feedback to improve each session. I’ve had a few surf instructors and he’s definitely one of the best! Highly recommend!
Michael
I’m a beginner-intermediate surf instructor with a passion for helping others catch their first waves and improve their skills. I’m dedicated to creating a fun and supportive environment where students can build confidence and enjoy the thrill of surfing.
Axel
For many years, I've been sharing my love of surfing with others, guiding them to find their joy on the waves. As an avid surfer myself, I understand the challenges and exhilaration that come with the sport and am passionate about helping others experience a deeper connection with the ocean. I would love to work with you to improve your skills, confidence and bliss in the water.
"I loved how each session with Gabriel helps me improve steadily. The lessons are well-paced and encouraging, making progress feel natural and fun. If you want to develop your surfing skills with an upbeat coach, Gabriel’s lessons are definitely worth trying. You’ll enjoy the experience and see yourself getting better every time. 🌊
Gabriel
With over a decade of experience teaching surfing and a background as an avid surfer and waterman, I'm dedicated to helping you ride your first wave or refine your technique. I provide personalized coaching tailored to your goals and skill level, fostering a safe and fun learning environment.
Evan
I grew up in Maui Hawaii since the age of 4. Played in the waves my whole life and grew up learning to swim at one of the most dangerous beaches in the world. Started off body surfing and body boarding when I was young then went to the board at 17 and started teaching since 2024.
"Really awesome coach. Keanu had great vibes and was so enthusiastic to help out. He was also very patient despite our first time surfing!
Keanu
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Frequently asked questions
What to expect when you take a Surfing lesson in Santa Monica
The first lesson for a beginner player
Coach Gabriel
surfing coach
We will surf together on our first lesson and do a fun assessment of the students’ skills. Based on their abilities and questions regarding how to improve, we will focus on achieving those goals by building a practice program that focuses first on the fundamental skills necessary to accomplish more advanced techniques.
The first lesson for an advanced player
Coach Gabriel
surfing coach
We will surf together on our first lesson and do a fun assessment of the students’ skills. Based on their abilities and questions regarding how to improve, we will focus on achieving those goals by building a practice program that focuses first on the fundamental skills necessary to accomplish more advanced techniques.
What do coaches say I need to bring to my lesson?
Coach Claudio
surfing coach
If you have your equipment please bring it if not I can provide boards and some sizes of suits. Also when we go to the water we don’t bring much more than suits and board, so you don’t need much for your lesson with me. Also if you are looking to get good at the art of riding waves, I encourage you to start looking to buy your own suit and board, I can provide help for that.
Coach Tyler
surfing coach
Water can be cold. Now that summers here we can get away without wetsuits but if you get cold easy I recommend renting one. I have all the boards necessary for any skill type All you need to bring is a towel, swimwear and a water bottle is recommended. I have face sunscreen designed for surfing Rash guard can be provided, but not necessary. I personally wear a regular t-shirt in the water when I’m surfing in boardshorts and want to prevent rashes.
What do coaches say about teaching kids and youth?
Coach Keanu
surfing coach
It’s all about patience, discipline, and of course having fun!
Coach Axel
surfing coach
When working with kids in surf lessons, I focus on keeping instructions simple and breaking down skills into easy-to-understand steps. I make the lessons fun by incorporating games and playful activities to keep them engaged while practicing their balance and paddling. Safety is a top priority, so I emphasize basic rules like staying close and being aware of the ocean. We start in shallow, gentle whitewash to build confidence before tackling bigger waves. Most importantly, I provide plenty of encouragement to create a positive and supportive learning environment.
Surfing coaches in Santa Monica, CA
surfing coach with the most lessons taught in Santa Monica
Coach Claudio has taught
60 lessons
The location with the most coaches teaching surfing lessons at
Santa Monica Pier
Average coach player rating
4.98
58 total ratings
and here are the coaches with top player ratings:
Number of certified coaches in Santa Monica
5 certified coaches
Average length of time coaches in Santa Monica have been teaching for
13.21 years on average
How many coaches teach surfing in Santa Monica
26 coaches
Average cost of a surfing lesson in Santa Monica
$91 for weekly lessons