The surf lessons I've been receiving from Chris is something I will always be glad that I attempted. Surfing was a whole new deal to me so I was very nervous and downright scared at first because all my previous lessons and attempts were sadly unsuccessful. When I first met Chris, he met me on the beach with such a warm reception I felt like I was stepping into his own home. (on the beach where he lives!) He has a wonderful demeanor that is patient and relaxed and always assures me that I would learn and after I learned, that I would get better. I had taken surf lessons before ( in Hawaii) but the way Chris taught was totally different. His technique in teaching me that surfing way more than just standing up on the board and not trying to fall, but, its timing in the paddle and really gauging what you are supposed to do to catch a wave successfully...and how to look at the ocean and see the way its flowing..the way the wind moves. No one ever taught me that except this guy!!! I honestly feel that I am going to be good at this because of Chris. And the best part of it is, he wants me to learn and be the best I can be. He takes his time, hes always in a good mood and you cant beat his rates, he makes it totally possible. I believe can learn to surf with Chris. I've been taking lessons for two months now and I am not going to stop anytime soon. Next year when I go back to Hawaii, I'm going to be so ready for those waves that used to scared the crap out of me. Most importantly I will be able to enjoy myself, and now I can travel to surf spots all over the world! Im hooked on surfing and its changed my life, all thanks to Chris. Hes awesome. read more

I just had to review my epic surf lesson with Chris at Malibu Surf Coach. It was hands down the best surfing experience I've ever had. First of all, Chris was top-notch. He was patient and knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. He instantly put us all at ease, and made us feel confident in our ability to tackle the waves. The lesson itself was incredibly well-structured. We started off with some land based training, where he went over the different parts of the board and helped us practice our pop up technique. He also gave us some tips on reading the waves and finding the best spot to catch them. Once we hit the water, the fun really began. Chris was right there with us the whole time, pointing out good waves and providing feedback on our technique. He was able to give us personalized advice based on our individual skill levels, which was really helpful. One thing that really stood out to me was his emphasis on safety. He made sure we all knew the rules of the beach, and constantly reminded me to watch out for other surfers and swimmers. This made me feel much more confident and comfortable in the water. I would highly recommend Malibu Surf Coach to anyone looking for an amazing surf experience. I can't wait to book some one-on-one private coaching lessons so I can get even better. Thank you!!! read more

Chris came to Hermosa yesterday and gave four 12 year old boys an hour and a half surf lesson. He combined the lesson with ocean safety first, spoke to them about ocean conditions and currents etc. and then on to the basics of balance which began on the shore first (excellent way to go) then to the ocean. The waves were really big so he rotated each boy so that he could concentrate on them individually and be right by their side to help launch them into the surf. This was great! Each boy stood up on the board repeatedly even in tough larger wave conditions. Chris helped them get over the waves wake to prepare for each ride by holding onto the end of the board so they could get a feel for what it will be like when they paddle out on their own. This took a tremendous amount of strength! Again, it was four boys rotating for over an hour. Chris had the stamina to pull it off and provide a successful surf lesson to each kid. Chris used two different sized boards and a point system for a mini contest and the kids liked that a lot. Chris is a very cool guy, excellent with kids and they can't wait to have him back! Two of my friends on the beach including myself now also want surf lessons from Chris!!! read more

This review is long overdue. About 10 month ago my brother-in-law was visiting my husband and me. We decided to do something classic SoCal with him and booked a surf lesson with Chris after intensive Yelp comparisons. Setting up a lesson was super easy. Chris' energy and enthusiasm for surfing are infectious. He also has an inexplicable calming personality that helps soothe the nerves of beginners. The lesson was great. He went over proper technique on land before we started in the water. He was quick to answer any questions, explain theory and somehow managed to keep an eagle eye on all three of us. He also offered tips for improvement in an extremely constructive manner. We had another "free" day planned during my brother-in-law's trip and quickly decided to book another lesson with Chris. For our second lesson he took us to the private spot by his home. We left more seasoned, stoked and with some great board recommendations. We've been surfing regularly ever since. I'm getting ready to contact him again to set up some lessons to take our surfing to the next level, which reminded me I should share the stoke over Malibu Surf Coach on Yelp! Don't go to anyone else! read more

Traveling from the East Coast to CA for a long weekend, I decided to try surfing on my last day, and so was looking for someone to outfit me with the gear, the local knowledge, and some guidance for a few hours. I am so thankful for finding Chris, who took care of everything! Having only surfed on a few vacations, with little past instruction, Chris was able to review my skill level, and immediately helped me to improve my surfing ability. I was up and riding waves immediately, and spent several hours catching waves, improving my technique, and most importantly, enjoying some great conversations with a great guy. My favorite part of traveling and surfing and getting out in the world is getting the chance to meet memorable people who get it, and Chris is one of those guys. After our time in the water, I had an open afternoon before my overnight flight home, and Chris hooked me up with directions for some food, a good parking spot, and a long beach hike along the coast. Perfect end to a short trip, and I look forward to looking up the Malibu Surf Coach any time I travel to the area. Great job Chris! Pura Vida! read more

On our recent trip to Malibu, me and my boyfriend decided to be spontaneous and try and find someone to give us surf lessons. It was super last minute, but we looked up places in the area and they came up. We spoke with Tony, who would become our instructor, he was super accommodating and met with us within the next hour and a half. We set the time and place and he met us there. He was very nice and supplied us with wet suites. Then we made it down to a beautiful part of Zuma beach and started the lesson. He taught us everything we needed to know and then took us out into the water. You could stand easily in the water for about a mile out which made it easier. Tony was very chill and extremely professional at the same time, you could tell he had a passion for what he did and was very skilled. By the end of the session both me and my boyfriend had stood up and rode out a few waves, having no prior experience. We had so much fun, it was easily the highlight of our trip. And we would definitely do it again! read more

Level: Beginner / Intermediate Long story short: Tony helped me catch the best waves of my life!!! On Land: The lesson began on land with an assessment of the current conditions and he provided me with important safety tips such as how to keep reference points on shore to avoid danger spots. Next we worked shortly on my pop-up technique and foot positioning; Things were looking good so we paddled out! On Water: Once we were out on the water he taught me about timing and where to position myself to catch the best wave while staying out of harms way. My first couple waves I dropped in too steep and wrecked pretty hard (we shared our first of many laughs that day). After some words of encouragement he quickly adjusted my technique on the drop-in and stayed patient until I was riding waves all the way to shore! I can't recommend Tony enough. Great guy. He has a wealth of knowledge and truly cares about your safety and well-being on the ocean. 5 stars. read more

With a five-star review, it surely goes without saying that this is an incredible experience. However, the devil is really in the details. These instructors make you feel like you're already part of the family from the moment you meet them on the beach. They laugh with you, make you feel comfortable and help you get into (and out of) the necessary wet suits - those things are sticky! When it's time to go into the ocean, they are nothing but encouraging, giving you pointers and telling you where to lean or place your body and feet. Whether you make it all the way to the beach or totally wipe out in the tow, they constantly cheer you on. High fives all around each and every time. They know when you need a moment to breath and let you just relax on the board and watch the waves come through. It was all simply divine and I highly recommend their service to anyone coming to the coast or who lives here already looking to have a fun morning on the waves! read more

WOW 5 Stars. I would give 10 stars if such an option existed. My wife and I just had an amazing Sup lesson with Spencer Regan. Patience and skill are just a couple words to describe Spencer's professionalism. He didn't rush us through the lesson...clear explanations to make things easy he even took extra time to ensure we learned proper body mechanics on land and water. He went above and beyond and shot videos of myself and wife standing and wiping out lol. And just when you thought we were finished we had body boards we never used. Spencer could have easily said, "sorry lessons over I have to move on" but no way. My man Spencer again went above and beyond and provided visual demonstrations and cues on how to use the newly purchased body boards. It was my wife's first time and he made her day. Super happy. We will definitely book more sup lessons and even surf lessons with Spencer. Thanks MSC for having this awesome guy on your team. read more

I've had two lessons with Malibu Surf Coach now, and both were great experiences. Last summer, I had my first beginners lesson with Lewis. He was an awesome guide to introduce me to surfing, and got me up on a lot of waves. There was a big crew there that day in July and they all made it really fun, which is ideal for a beginner. I've been surfing a handful of times since then, so this spring I took a second, more intermediate, lesson with Stingray to work on skills I need for solo surfing and catching bigger waves. He took me out past the break, got me on some 3-5 footers, taught me new ways of paddling, turning before catching a wave, catching the face and turning into the pipe. He was truly a coach and helped me understand where I need to improve (I'm in my mid-30s and have a lot of bad surf habits from decades of snowboarding). Thanks, Stingray, I'm looking forward to practicing what I learned and coming back again to learn more. read more

On the 2cd of December I had my first class of surf ever. At the time and place as we agreed, Jason and Chris, my instructors, was waiting for me with all the equipment ( in really good shape) necessary to surf with a lot of fun! Furthermore Jason and Chris are wonderful men who know how to make a connection with their apprentice. So we went on the beach and Jason learned me the basics of surf. After only 10 minutes we were in the sea and I catch my first wave! My instructor gave me helpful tips to give more power to my paddling which is the first basic to catch a wave. He was also taking care to give me good habits to surf safe. During the class, Chris, took the time to take pictures of me sliding on the water! It always cool to see yourself surfing. In conclusion, it was my first experience of surf and I enjoyed it a lot. Even better, it allowed me to go to Hawaii during two weeks and surf tons of good waves! read more

I recently took surf lessons from Chris, and I had an unforgettable experience! I was kind of nervous, as I have never tried surfing before, but he made me feel very comfortable and confident. He was very patient with me, and supportive. I wasn't sure if I was even going to stand up for my first lesson, but I was even turning by the end of it!! All equipment was provided. I really would love to get better at surfing, so I booked a 3 lesson package as he made it affordable for me. For our second lesson, he took me to his secret spot at a gorgeous private beach just below his house on Point Dume. The waves were so fun, as they broke a lot longer. Chris taught me all about how the ocean and the waves work. Ive learned so much from my time surfing with him, and I would highly suggest taking some lessons with MALIBU SURF COACH!!!!! read more

We were in town from Oregon visiting Universal Studios and Disneyland. The kids had always said they would love to try surfing. So we decided, what the heck, let's sign them up for a surfing lesson during our trip. Malibu is a short 50 min drive from Studio City, where we were staying. We left during rush hour but hardly had any traffic, which we found surprising. The drive into Malibu area is stunning. Based on the yelp reviews we chose Malibu Surf Coach. Chris was very friendly and explained the best time of day for our lesson, based on the tide. The kids had a blast and were standing on their boards quickly. The wet suits provided, kept them nice and warm. Chris even filmed them with a go-pro which was an added bonus. Chris was very kind and gracious - thank you so very much. It was the highlight of our kids' So. California trip! read more

Decided to treat myself to a surf lesson while visiting family in the area. I've surfed at home (Washington State), Hawaii, Mexico, and even New Zealand in the past but I am far from an advanced surfer. I always find it easier in a good way to get introduced to the area by getting out with someone who knows the breaks, swells, etc. Plus it's nice to have someone show up with a wetsuit and board for you when you're traveling. There was a slight snafu with the timing of my lesson, but Tony Z. showed up and made everything right. He went above and beyond to make sure I had a good experience. I highly recommend going out in the water with him to anyone looking for good surf tips and an easy going vibe. Will definitely be asking for Tony the next time I'm in the area visiting family and have half a day to get in the water. read more

Malibu Surf Coach! Scheduled my nieces, Rachel & Jordan for a session. They are from the east coast and so why not give them the full California experience with some surfing in Malibu. Looked at the reviews and crossed my fingers. Needless to say the girls had an awesome experience and more so some great fun! They cant stop talking about the time they had with Steele their instructor. I stood on the sidelines and got to watch, take pictures and video. Damn I wish I took a lesson after watching all the fun they were having out there. So yes the reviews were spot on and I cant say enough about Steele the guy was truly awesome with the girls and both girls got up on their boards and surfed!!! Thanks Steele and thank you Malibu Surf Coach! My nieces said you guys ROCK! read more

Had a lesson with tony z yesterday after being away from the water for way too long and it was beyond amazing and couldn't recommend him more. Firstly, a great person and a FANTASTIC coach! Not only did he point out every detail while I was on the wave and he was on his board too so I could see it firsthand too, and taught me a ridiculous amount of useful things on positioning that you'd never know on your own, and all around knowledge of anything and everything while on a board. Needless to say, with him giving priceless advice an a quiet sea with great waves we pretty much caught and rode every wave in sight, and would recommend him to anyone in every skill level! Unrelated- there were seals chillin in the water, and that was cool too. read more

Chris aka StingRay was phenomenal! Wish I could give 10 Stars!!! He really took the time to instruct us on the sand and in the water. He kept his eye on us and watched our attempts and would give suggestions that made our surf lesson a success! BTW, he was in the water with us as well........ encouraging us and taking pics!!! He was very hands on and at the same time allowed us to experience with the water and boards. Can't wait for another lesson! So if you are considering surf lessons and want someone who is knowledgeable, attentive, very much aware of your safety, and hands on while allowing you to have a personal experience..... book StingRay! I guarantee......it won't be your last lesson with him. read more

I only have the best things to say about this surf school. I previously took six lessons at a different surf school, and although I practiced frequently afterward, I was unable to do anything on my own. I finally decided to give this surf school a try. I booked a single session and my instructor, Tony Z, was incredible. After one session I was able to stand up on my own. In one lesson, Tony taught me more than I had learned in 6 lessons at the previous school. I bought the six pack of lessons after that, and in my second lesson with Tony he had me standing up on 4 foot waves confidently. I highly recommend learning to surf here, and requesting Tony in specific. You won't regret going here! read more

Amazing experience!! We flew in from Ohio and made the drive from San Francisco to LA. The trip wouldn't be complete without some surfing in Malibu. Booked lessons for me and the kids with Malibu Surf Coach. Our instructor was Tyler and it was an absolutely amazing experience. Tyler was so good with the kids and had us laughing and having fun the whole time. He was a great coach too! We all were able to get up even though the conditions weren't great. He even got my two youngest 9 and 12 up on a board together! Such a special experience and something the kids will always remember. They all said the surf lessons were their favorite part of the whole trip. read more