Monterey Bay Surf Lessons

My boyfriend and I really wanted to try surfing, so we decided to sign up for beginner lessons under Rick during a weekend getaway in Monterey. Some unexpected moments: Rick took us out further into the ocean in the beginning to see and feel the kelp forest, which was a nice touch. Also, a dolphin surfaced right beside us while we were paddling out in the ocean! The sea is truly beautiful and unpredictable.
Meeting up with Rick was easy — he told us exactly where his moving truck was parked by the beach, and we met up with him to put on our wetsuits (he had plenty of sizes available) and carry our surfboards to the beach.
Rick was incredibly patient, encouraging, and positive. He never once seemed annoyed or frustrated, even after we fell countless times despite his great teaching. (Surfing is a LOT harder than it looks!) He was also evidently very experienced (he surfed professionally a while back), so we felt like we were in good hands. It was obvious that safety was very important to Rick. He taught us to hold the nose of the board above water when walking through the waves, to put our hands over our head when coming up after falling to prevent the board from hitting us, etc.
Come prepared with a swimsuit (to wear under your wetsuit), sunscreen for your face if it’s sunny outside, towels/​dry clothes, and the energy to get back up after falling down a zillion times! The sport is refreshing and especially fun with the likes of Rick around. I was able to surf a few of the waves out of what was probably at least 30… Next time we come back, hopefully my success rate will be a lot higher!

I called last minute to see if I could schedule a first time lesson and they very quickly accommodated me. I registered online and was able to pay that way too. A couple hours later we met them in Carmel close to the beach. What was a little odd but not necessarily a bad thing was that they had their truck parked in a residential area and you met them there. Stored in the back they had boards and suits for use.
The instructor was nice but a little quiet. The lesson lasted 2 hours from when we met which was definitely long enough to learn new skills and get very tired.
Overall a good experience, and id recommend them!

A fantastic experience! First off, I appreciate the integrity. The instructor asked if I would like to reschedule because he wanted to make sure the conditions were good, not just OK. I took him up on it, met the next day, and we had great waves. The experience was good, but the reason it’s an easy 5-​star rating is Ryan was REALLY exceptional as an instructor. I got up, had FUN, felt safe, and would do it again tomorrow. Thanks, Ryan.

I booked my hubby some surf lessons for our vacation in Monterey. That morning a huge swell rolled in. There were 6 foot beach breaks and 50 degree water. Despite the bad weather, his surf instructor Rick was amazing!!! They showed up in a moving truck (yes literally a moving truck!) full of wet suits, boards, and surf equipment. Taught my hubby for a few minutes on the shore things like how to pop up on the board… Then in to the water they went. Rick braved the freezing water and crazy waves, and still taught my hubby to surf! I had a few conversations with the owner Jeano… He is awesome! I had no clue what I was doing, and he walked me trough the booking process, and set me mind at ease about sending my hubby into the ocean! When the weather is better and the waves aren’t taller then me, I will be booking more lessons for the hubby and me!!! Everyone I spoke with in the shop were very professional and knowledgable!!! Would not book anyone else in Monterey for surf lessons!!!

These guys really know what they are doing. They are friendly, professional, and talented instructors who really make learning a difficult sport seem easy and fun! If you want to learn from the best, don’t choose anyone else other MB Surf Lessons!

This place is awesome. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for surf lessons. I will definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for surf lessons. Kris did an awesome job with everything we needed to have a good time. Thanks again Monterey bay surf lessons. You rock! Keep it up

Grew up on the Peninsula and never thought about surfing. Decided to take a lesson at the promoting of my buddies and really enjoyed it. Great instructor and definitely do it again.

Went out to Carmel Beach this morning with Pat. I was able to ride a few by the end of the lesson. Exactly what I was looking for. I’m from the Midwest and have been in the ocean about a dozen times so I didn’t expect much. Pat was a great help from teaching me why I need a wetsuit (who knew the water was that cold?) to riding a few waves and even where I could go to get gear. Great experience and an awesome and fun way to spend the morning.

My wife and I are complete surfing neophytes; city-​slickers through and through. We had a group lesson with another couple, similarly experienced. Our instructor Austin was incredibly patient with us all and seemed legitimately excited for us as, one by one, we all figured out how to ride a wave.
I highly recommend the experience, even on a gray day like we had.

My 16 year old had a great first experience surfing with Nick. I would highly recommend Monterey Bay Surf Lesson to surfing novices of all ages!

I must admit, I’m not any good at surfing and quite frankly, a bit terrified of being out on the ocean… but the Monterey Bay Surf team really helped me step up my game and I had a great time learning! They are patient, encouraging and really know how to instruct you to do what you need to do in order to catch a wave. Having experienced surfers there takes away the frightened feeling you’ll probably experience the first few times you go surfing (if you’re anything like me). I felt safe and satisfied throughout my time with them and shared plenty of laughs along the way. By the end of my lesson I was feeling pretty confident in the water and I can’t wait to go back out!
I would recommend giving them a call no matter what age you are… it’s never too late to learn! Bring your friends too and it’s sure to be a day to remember!

Oh. My. God. If you don’t know how to surf and are totally freaked out about learning, this is the PLACE TO GO! but seriously…
Nick and Mark were my instructors and let me just say that they were some serious eye candy ;) Aside from the obvious, they were super helpful in learning how to surf. Before we even went out we covered basic pop– up and paddling techniques. Finally, we went out and started taking waves. At first the boys were pushing me into the waves, but eventually I got the swing of paddling hard into the wave and started doing it by myself.
They were super encouraging and positive and never made me feel out of place for not knowing how to surf at their level. (: It was a really rewarding experience.
Thanks Nick and Mark! I hope to be back soon!

Full disclosure: I had Miguel and Mark as instructors. And maybe I think so highly of this company because it’s the reason I got into surfing (took one lesson yesterday and I am *so* hooked!). Miguel and Mark are really fun and great instructors. The day was gloomy and cold, but they made the most of it. The first time riding a wave is pretty terrifying, (I think I took at least a gallon of the Pacific into my lungs as well as soiling my wetsuit) so most of us were pretty inclined to just kind of hang out beyond the breaking waves, but Miguel and Mark would not allow this. They kept calling us out individually and walking us through what we were doing wrong/​how we could improve our method. They would give us all the necessary push (literally) to catch a wave as well as coming along with us on some of them. My only (minor) issue was that they didn’t mention we could only pay with cash before coming along (also, the fact that I accidentally flashed a group of nine year olds while taking off my wetsuit — but that had nothing to do with the company). I’d definitely come back here/​recommend it :)

I had a great lesson with South Bay Surf Lessons. I live in the area and wanted to try surfing, but don’t have a board or wetsuit. A friend recommended this company. I called and they set me up with a semi-​private lesson the next Saturday. My first lesson went WAY better than I thought and I actually stood up on a couple waves. Paul was our instructor and he was great! Really professional and encouraging. I recommend this company to anyone in the area looking for a fun summer activity.

I had a great experience with South bay Surfriders. I have had two lessons and both Austin and JP were very patient and completely supportive throughout the entire lessons. They made learning to surf very fun and relieved an anxiety I had! I highly recommend this company for surfing lessons!

Be careful with this company. I reserved lessons, but then got sick the night before. I cancelled in the morning, but they still charged my card for the whole amount of the lessons. After I saw the charges on my account I tracked them down and only then did they offer to make up the lesson, but refused to refund the amount. Horrible costumer service. I would go somewhere else for your lessons.