My 1.5 Hour Surf Lesson in Laguna Beach Review (2025)

You know, the idea of surfing in Laguna Beach has, like, always been this picture-perfect postcard in my head. So, the sunlight, the blue water, and just the whole Southern California vibe, you know? Anyway, I finally just decided to book one of those 1.5-hour lessons you see advertised, which is actually a pretty common starting point for people like me. I mean, I was a little bit nervous, to be honest, wondering if I’d just spend the whole time falling off the board. Still, the pull of the ocean was, in a way, stronger than my worries. I was just really hoping to stand up once, more or less, and get a feel for what all the excitement is about.

What to Honestly Expect When You Arrive

Frankly, finding the meetup spot was sort of easier than I expected, which was a nice start. Right, so our teacher was there with a couple of big foam surfboards, just chilling by the sand. The person had, like, a super calm and friendly way about him that, honestly, put me at ease pretty quickly. There were a few other people in the group, and obviously, we all had that same look of nervous excitement. Getting the wetsuit on was, you know, kind of a workout by itself. It’s a bit of a strange feeling, being zipped up so tightly, but you’re almost instantly thankful for it once you touch the water.

The whole beginning part is actually very low-key and not intimidating at all. I mean, the teacher just makes sure everyone has the right size board and wetsuit. We spent a few minutes just talking about the ocean, like, where the good spots are to go in and what the waves are doing that day. As a matter of fact, it felt less like a formal class and pretty much more like a friend was just showing you the ropes. This friendly setup, sort of, makes a big difference when you are trying something new and a little scary.

The On-Land Training: More Than Just Waxing a Board

So, before you even get your feet wet, there’s a really important session on the sand. Basically, this is where you learn the absolute fundamentals of what you’re about to do. Our guide drew a surfboard in the sand and, you know, had us practice paddling while lying on the board. Honestly, you feel a little silly at first, just lying there on the beach, but it’s where you build the muscle memory. We then went over the most talked-about move: the pop-up. This is, you know, how you go from lying on your stomach to standing on the board in one kind-of-smooth motion.

We practiced that pop-up again and again, like, maybe ten or fifteen times on the sand. The instructor would shout “Paddle, paddle, paddle… Pop up!” and we’d all try our best. Seriously, this part is so helpful because it breaks the action down into simple steps. You sort of get a sense of the body position without the added challenge of a moving wave underneath you. It’s actually a lot about foot placement and keeping your center of gravity low, stuff you just wouldn’t think about on your own.

Finally in the Water: Paddling, Waiting, and the First Wave

Alright, getting into the Pacific Ocean with this giant board was, like, a whole other thing. That first brush of cold water is a bit of a shock, you know, but the wetsuit does its job almost immediately. We paddled out to where the waves were breaking into white foam, which is basically the perfect training ground. You are not dealing with big, scary waves; you’re literally just working with the leftover energy. The teacher was, honestly, right there in the water with us, which was incredibly reassuring. The person helps you turn the board to face the shore at just the right moment.

Then, you know, you hear, “Okay, a wave is coming, start paddling!” You paddle like crazy, and then the teacher gives the back of your board a good push. For a second, you just feel this amazing glide. My first few attempts were, well, complete wipeouts. I’d get to my knees and then just fall off. But our guide kept giving small tips, like, “look forward, not down,” and “use your arms more.” And then, it happened. I popped up, wobbly and for maybe three seconds, but I was standing. At the end of the day, that feeling is just pure fun.

Is 90 Minutes Really Enough Time? A Realistic Look

So, the big question is, you know, is ninety minutes actually long enough to learn anything? To be honest, it is the perfect amount of time for a first go. You are getting a real feel for paddling, timing, and trying to stand up, but you finish before you get completely and totally exhausted. Surfing is, as it turns out, a very physical activity, and your arms will likely feel like jelly by the end. The lesson is structured, sort of, to give you a maximum fun-to-effort ratio.

You, like, get all the excitement of catching your first few waves without feeling totally wiped out for the rest of the day. It’s just a great introduction, honestly.

By the end of the hour and a half, you are not going to be a pro surfer, obviously. But you will, you know, very likely have stood up on a surfboard. You will understand the basic safety and technique, and more importantly, you’ll know if surfing is something you want to do again. For a vacation activity or just to try something new, it’s kind of the ideal length. It gives you a great story and some amazing pictures, you know, without taking up your entire day.

Some Tips for Your First Laguna Beach Surf Lesson

Okay, if you do decide to go for it, here are just a few thoughts that might, like, help you out:

• Seriously, you should really wear a ton of waterproof sunscreen, especially on your face. The California sun is no joke, even on a cloudy day.
• You know, it’s a good idea to eat a light snack and drink some water beforehand. Paddling is kind of tiring, and you will need the energy.
• Basically, just listen to your teacher. They do this all day, every day, and honestly know how to get you standing on that board safely.
• Try to just relax and have a good time with it. Honestly, everyone falls. Laughing it off is pretty much part of the fun.

Read our full review: 1.5 Hour Surf Lesson in Laguna Beach Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Laguna Beach Surf Lesson)