Venice Beach: Small Group Surf Lesson & Board Rental

Summary

Venice beach surf lesson small group wetsuit board included

You’ll join a small group surf lesson right on Venice Beach—start with basics on the sand before heading into the Pacific with your instructor guiding every wobbly attempt. Wetsuits and surfboards are included, so you just show up ready to get wet (and probably laugh at yourself). There’s space to practice solo at the end—plus that feeling when you finally stand up stays with you.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost bailed when I saw how chilly the Pacific looked that morning in Venice Beach. But our surf instructor, Diego, handed me a wetsuit and grinned like he’d seen this before. “You’ll warm up quick,” he promised. The sand felt cold under my feet but kind of grounding too. We started with some awkward stretches and practiced popping up on these massive foam boards — mine was blue and already sandy from the last person, which weirdly made it less intimidating.

There were just four of us in the group, so it never felt crowded or rushed. Diego showed us how to read the waves (I still don’t get it), then we waded in together. The water was colder than I expected — like a slap awake — but after a few minutes, I stopped noticing. He shouted encouragement over the crash of the surf; at one point I wiped out spectacularly and ended up with saltwater up my nose. He laughed and said, “That’s how you know you’re doing it right.”

The best part? After about an hour with Diego in the water, we got to just mess around on our own for a while. I caught maybe half a wave standing up, but honestly, paddling out and feeling the sun break through those morning clouds was enough for me. Venice Beach is wild — there’s always someone drumming or roller-skating by — but being out past the break felt quiet in a way I didn’t expect. My arms are still sore as I write this, but I keep replaying that feeling of finally balancing for two seconds on my board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Two-hour group surf lesson

• Arrive at Venice Beach
• Train on the beach for 20-30 minutes
• Surf with instructors for 50-60 minutes
• Practice surfing independently

Top questions

How long does the Venice Beach surf lesson last?

The group surf lesson lasts 2 hours total.

Are wetsuits and surfboards provided?

Yes, both wetsuits and soft-top surfboards are included.

What is the minimum age for participants?

The minimum age is 12 years old for this group lesson.

How many people are in each group?

There are a maximum of 4 people per group session.

Where does the lesson take place?

The lessons are held on Venice Beach in California.

Is swimming experience required?

Basic swimming skills are required for all participants.

Are private lessons available instead of group?

Yes, private lessons can be booked separately if preferred.

What’s included

Your session includes use of a wetsuit and an 8- or 9-foot foam top surfboard for both instruction and free practice time after your lesson wraps up on Venice Beach.