FAQs

Mornings are generally the best. Afternoons can be fun too, but conditions change throughout the day. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Aqua Surf staff regularly checks incoming swells, tides, and winds to determine optimal conditions for your skill level. Our staff will contact you 24 hours before your scheduled lesson if the weather or other conditions are unfavorable.

Package lessons are 90 minutes each.

We suggest 2-hour lessons for more water time to catch more waves (especially if it’s your first time surfing). 90 minutes may be suitable for kids under 7 years old.

Safety is our first priority. All of our surf instructors are experienced in the ocean, certified in CPR and first-aid, and trained in emergency response procedures. We want this to be an experience you will cherish forever, so feel free to contact us for more on our safety standards.

Everyone is different.  We suggest discussing this with your instructor after your first lesson, but if you are a beginner, we recommend taking 6-9 lessons before attempting a solo surf session.  Taking 6-9 lessons will help you build the skills you’ll need to navigate waves with confidence.

Yes, however, we recommend taking at least one lesson before renting equipment.  We charge $45/day per board and $30/day per wetsuit. Rentals are available as early as sunrise and can be returned as late as sunset nearly every day of the year. Overnight rentals are charged for an additional day.

Yes.  We charge $45/day for boards and $30/day for wetsuits. We run from sunrise to sunset nearly every day of the year. Overnight rentals are charged for an additional day.

For your lesson, pack sunscreen, a bathing suit, a water bottle, a beach towel, and a snack.  You will receive an email with this list after completing your reservation. Wetsuits and surfboards are provided, but you are welcome to bring personal gear instead.

Aqua Surf provides all necessary equipment for your lesson. We supply top-of-the-line soft top surfboards and wetsuits in a variety of sizes.  Please contact us directly with special requests.

Your instructor may be flexible, however, lost time may not be made up.  We highly recommend you show up to your appointment on time and call us if you are running late.

Absolutely. We want our students to capture this exciting moment. For safety purposes, however, we ask that you leave your cameras on the sand when we transition to the water. We also request that you refrain from commercial photography or videography unless previously discussed and approved by Aqua Surf School.

We have a $49 cancellation fee. Please see our full refund policy for more information.

Surfing is for all ages. We have taught kids as young as four years old and adults beyond eighty. We welcome students ages 4-94.

We do our part to keep the beach clean by participating in regular beach cleanups. We also enforce a strict clean-up policy at our beach locations.  Our team’s motto is to always leave the beach cleaner than when we came. Additionally, we pay our government 15% to 20% in surcharge fees from every person taught. These fees help fund the government’s ability to maintain a clean beach environment. Our Santa Monica Beach location regularly receives an A+ Wet and Dry rating from the Heal the Bay Beach Report Card.

The best way to make a reservation is through our website. For assistance, call us at 310-902-7737

Yes, each participant must have their own release form filled out and turned in before the lesson.  A parent or guardian must sign the release forms of participants under the age of 18.

Yes! If your requested instructor is available, we will assign them to your lesson.

Yes, we have instructors suited to teach all skill levels.  When reserving a lesson, note your specific goals in the “tell us about yourself/group notes section” so we can pair you with an appropriate instructor.

We offer a number of locations including Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and many others throughout Southern California.  We often recommend Santa Monica, because it offers a safe and fun environment for beginners. View our full list of surf lessons locations.

We try to be as flexible as possible. Please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate any rescheduling requests.

Not at all. Our wetsuits will keep you warm when the water is cold.

The wetsuits are a snug fit, so you’ll want to wear lycra, tight briefs, a bikini, or a one-piece.

No, you can book your lessons for any available day and time until your package expires.

Yes. Birthday Surf Parties provide an exciting safe atmosphere for party-goers to celebrate while learning something new. Please contact us with the date, party size, ages of the participants (are they kids, teens, or adults).

Yes. We offer photo packages starting at $150 and video packages starting at $300. Our in-house photographer will edit and email your package to you within 1-2 weeks of your lesson.

 If you join our email list, and follow our social media you will have the opportunity to take advantage of our special promotions regularly.

Our office can be reached via text, phone, or email from Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.

The Instructors and beach administrators will collect any property left behind, but Aqua Surf School is not responsible for lost items. Please call ASAP if you believe you left an item on the beach.