My new years resolution was to learn how to surf! My boyfriend and I finally made the decision while we were vacationing in Pismo beach to try surf lessons. There were so many options on Yelp I had no idea what to choose. I started calling around and found most were around the same price. This company was the only one who actually answered when I called the first time. I give them 5 stars because our surf instruction STEVE was AMAZING! Steve is not who booked our appt as I believe the owner of the company is the one who actually booked it for the next day. The owner texted me a address of where to meet them and it was very easy to find their mobile truck. The only problem was when we showed up that day no one was there after 15mins. Finally after 20 mins I decided to call. The owner answered again and completely apologized as they had double booked or did not write it on the schedule. He gave us a small discount and it was fine because the best thing though our instructor was there within 10 mins. The view of the beach is amazing so we were not worried. Our instructor Steve was fantastic! He was so go with the flow, knew exactly how to teach us what we should and should not do. He was very patient with me and was right beside me every second in the beginning when we paddled out. Once he saw I was a bit more comfortable he went out to my boyfriend and helped him go follower out. It was a blast, tiring lol but so much fun. And Steve made is safe, comfortable and fun for both of us. I would highly recommend this company and ESPECIALLY STEVE AS YOUR INSTRUCTOR. He even gave us some excersie to help build out arm strength that we could everyday to help for the next time we go surfing. Check out the photos because I actually stood up for a few seconds and it is thanks to our instructor Steve. Happy surfing!! read more

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Justin was easy to talk to and coordinate with months in advance and a day before. Rented 10 boards and 8 wetsuits for 2 hours. He showed up at Morro Bay 1/2hr early with extra materials, got my friends fitted, and even gave a simple tutorial to renting newbies on the beach. My mom, who learned that day, said it was the most fun she's had in a long time. All boards were goalies, and some had air bubbles, but all were great beginner boards with three fins, leashes, and soft tops. read more

Very helpful and friendly!! Easy to work with and very nice people. Had a fun day and would definitely recommend Avila Beach Surf School to potential surfers that are looking to learn! Shaka read more

Justin and Mike at ABSS were great! I was on a soul-searching, solo road trip around California last summer for my birthday and decided that I was tired of my own excuses and needed to get in the water and learn to surf. From the moment I contacted ABSS, I knew I was in good hands. I was told the best time for surf so I could maximize my lesson, what to bring, and what to expect. The surf lesson was fun and put me at ease being in the water. I was nervous about etiquette (and eventually being on my own and getting in people's way), but came out of the lesson confident that I would not only be able to hold my own as a beginner, but that I wasn't going to tick anyone else off too much out there once I didn't have my instructors around to help me. I highly recommend paying them a visit if you are visiting the central coast. I was so impressed that a few months later, I brought my daughter down for her own lesson. Again, we had a great lesson and they made sure to take the extra time to go over water safety and pace the class appropriately for my scaredy-cat kid. We're both hooked... as a matter of fact, I just bought my first surfboard last weekend. read more

My friend and I (we're both 23) were traveling down the coast for vacation and stopped here for surf lessons en route to SoCal from Monterey. It ended up raining and since we decided to take the scenic route down Highway 1, we ended up being close to an hour late to our lesson. They were SO accommodating and STILL let us surf even after we were annoying and called them a million times for directions and updates on our location. John was our instructor and he was extremely helpful,very patient with us newbies and also attractive, just saying. Feel free to ignore that last part. Also, I ended up hurting my ankle right in the beginning of the lesson. Real talk, I rode one wave in and sprained my ankle. It was 100% my fault because I'm an idiot but they still didn't make me pay for my lesson. My friend continued hers so she obviously payed her end. ANYWAY..... I highly recommend this place for surf lessons and will definitely be back next time I'm on the west coast. read more

We all had a blast & our surf instructor Jacob was great!! Would definitely recommend this place for beginning surfers! read more

Avila Beach Surf School - Surf Schools Near Me

After an hour lesson, with fun-loving, caring instruction by the owner, Justin, and plenty of action in the "wave machine" I felt compelled to write a review. it is pretty apparent and quite lovely the driving force behind ABSS-to expose you (fair prices) to succeeding at experiencing the best part of surfing (they make it as easy as humanely possible to help get you up catching waves) in an effort to give back to you what the sport has given to them. Pure and simple- their reward is showing customers a fun, accessible, and healthy outlet. The passion is there and the instruction that leads is tailored to fit an individual to succeed-no matter what level. Thank you ABSS for an awesome adventure and the inspiration! read more

Had a great lesson with Cat who walked us through everything from stretching to getting comfortable in the water to educating us on the different parts of the board and overall having a great time out there! read more

My son, Andy (8 years old) just finished a week of Surf Camp, with Avila Beach Surf School. We are very happy with our choice in surf schools. His instructors, Matt and Kiera, were terrific. Andy is hooked! Their camps focus on surf instruction but the kids could also just play in the waves. He had a great time and has hinted towards his own board but also asked if he can do camp again. read more

Avila Beach Surf School - Surf Camp success! - Surf Schools Near Me

In town for a wedding in paso came out for some surf fun. Rebecca was awesome highly recommend! read more

Avila Beach Surf School - First time catching the wave - Surf Schools Near Me

I love being in the ocean and have been a diver since I was a kid. Yet, in all that time the one thing I wanted to do that I never did was learn to surf. A company trip to Avila Beach provided the perfect opportunity. I contacted Justin at Avila Beach Surf School and he made the whole process a breeze. He does an amazing job of assessing your capabilities and tailoring the lesson accordingly. I had so much fun that I continued to surf on my own for two more days. The whole time I kept hearing Justin's voice in the back of my head giving me the instruction I needed to succeed at the sport. Now, if I could only move closer to the Ocean! I highly recommend ABSS. It is the perfect combination of fun, safety, and thorough instruction, that still retains a healthy amount of surfer chill. read more

We called Avila Beach Surf School and spoke with Daniel. He was very professional and friendly while scheduling our lessons. When we arrived he was awesome at getting everyone going. Our boys, 14 and 15, were paired with instructor Carter who was great with them! They had the most fun ever and said that Carter made it even better. He was genuinely excited for them and helped them succeed and have a great time! They can't wait to go back! read more

Avila Beach Surf School - Our boys with their instructor Carter after a very successful lesson! - Surf Schools Near Me

Let me first say that our kids loved their week of surf camp. They had a blast, learned to stand up on a surf board, and were suitably exhausted after each day. I was, however, very disappointed when I showed up to watch them surf 1.5 hours after I dropped them off. I searched through all of their surfers in the break and could not find mine. They had not been in the water yet and had spent all morning doing sand castles... and it was just about time for their lunch break! I understand that most days they would take breaks later in the day when they were tired or when the wind made the surf less appealing. Then they would find some other fun beach activity to keep them busy. But the instructors should understand this is a "surf" camp and the primary objective (according to the parents footing the bill) is to surf. Maybe my kids were not encouraged to surf because if was Friday and they had a lot of private lessons to take care of. I don't know. But my recommendation is to keep an eye on things and probably not sign up for Fridays. I would also recommend you make sure your children know to keep applying sun screening throughout the day because they will not get reminders from their instructors. Ours all got nasty sunburns and it took a few days to realize why... no one was helping remind them to reapply sunscreen... This helped me realize just how young and somewhat inadequate their instruction was. But... again... our kids had fun. We will just have put up with several days of listening to the groaning about their rashes from surf suits and their extreme sunburns. read more

Great time for a couple of newbie surfers from northern BC. Kevin our instructor was super patient and gave a great lesson and tips,and had us up catching a couple waves before long! Really low key group with no pressure at all. Price was very reasonable as well. Thanks Kevin! read more

My 13 year old daughter and 15 year old son took surf lessons for their first time. I beleive the instructors name was Jonathan? He was AWESOME! There were 8 kids in the class. They all seemed close to the same age; pre-teen to young teen. This guy hustled. People tipped at the beginning; some have had their kid w/ ABSS before. I wouldn't have known to tip otherwise. Gave him $20 at the end. He more than deserved it. This guy was so friendly and patient and really did an amazing job with the kids. Each kid got to ride a wave. If there wasn't one big enough, Jonathan would push them and help them balance; especially if the child didn't have a "natural" knack for the sport. My kids had an awesome experience and will be surfing a whole lot more! The kids surfed at Pismo because the waves were better there than Avila that day. read more

Great Job today with my young one, Mike and Chris treated us like family and met the challenge of teaching a beginner with world class service. Had a blast and I have video of a lifetime. Stellar! read more

For my 32nd birthday my wife and I decided to take surf lessons with Avila beach surf school. Justin, our instructor was awesome. I wasn't expecting to ride as many waves as we did our first time, but Justin was very patient and encouraging. If you are near Avila and want to check out surfing, I highly recommend Avila beach surf school. read more

Great teacher - helpful, attentive, informative and friendly. I want to go surfing again now!! So much fun.

An amazing experience. The instructors were kind and helpful. In just two hours I was able to ride a wave with no prior experience! Definitely the highlight of my trip to SLO. read more

My mother decided to buy lessons for my 12yr. old son this summer,after he began to show interest and was already trying on his own 7ft.beater board(which he starting standing prior). My husband and I were under the impression he would be learning how to read the waves( I believe that's key for safety and to understand the ocean and conditions for a better and safe ride), how to paddle out, and duck dive. He was instead taken repeatedly to the same spot day after day(how can the waves be good everyday in the same spot). To top it off the instructor convinced his grandmother to purchase a huge tahunga board(which we feel is like throwing floaters on a kids arm and telling them they can swim now!),because it's easy to stand on a 4ft. wide board. Now my son can barely duck dive, can't rip it cause it's as big as noahs arc which he's dying to do, can't carry it on his own to go surf whenever he feels the urge(which is always,and we encourage him to go on his bike or walk because we live 4blocks away). My son came back knowing no more and even less than when he started and my mom bank account is 700$ less!!!!!! What was the point and where's the lessons????? The only lesson taught here was....... we need to keep those old school morals like "practice makes perfect", "never give up" and "put your money where your mouth is!" Huge waste...... read more