My girlfriend and I have been surfing with Tom for more than 4 years. He's our surf guru (and my girlfriend's "wave caddy"). When we first met Tom, neither of us had ever surfed before. We were interested in learning and I wanted a no-nonsense teacher who was gonna get us surfing. A surfer friend instantly recommended Tom. Our first lesson was at Zuma beach (though these days we usually surf with Tom at Sunset Beach in LA). Tom brought us wet suits and booties. Before we went out, he spent about 30-45 minutes with us in the sand. He explained how to get into the water, how to handle the board in the white water, how to be safe when inside the break, and the basics of paddling and the pop up. (I've seen him give this presentation enough times now that I could do it myself - complete with sea kelp polyp to represent the surfboard). By the time we got into the water I was nervous, but knew what i needed to do to be safe. 10 minutes later I was riding my first wave. Tom goes into the water with swim fins and helps to position his students in the perfect spot to catch each wave. (In 4 years I have only seen him teach from his board once). "Ok, here's your wave. Get organized" is your cue. Then he starts slowly, increasing his tone and cadence until you are riding: "paddle, paddle, Paddle, Dig HARD . . . UP!" At the beginning, Tom will even give you a push to make sure you catch the waves and get as many chances to ride as you can. In between waves Tom hangs off the end of your board and shares stories from his decades in the water and out. He's one of the sweetest guys I know and a pleasure to surf with and learn from. I have recommended Tom to many students and recently took a friend from out of town to Tom for his first ever surf. He was riding waves within 30 minutes of arriving at the beach. My friend is still smiling about his surfing adventure. You cant go wrong with Tom. He's knowledgeable, caring, safety conscious and a wonderful guy. read more

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I must have called around six (6) different surf school companies I found listed on the web. I got a hold of one person who wanted to charge almost $150.00, per person for a semi (3 to 4 people) private two (2) hour lesson, one company called me back two days later and the rest never returned a call or my email asking for an appointment. Tom of Surfing L.A. was available, professional, well prepared (has pay pal on his website for easy payment) and always returned every single phone message I left. He charges $65.00 per person for a group lesson (usually around 5 people total) that he says is 1.5 hours but our lasted over 2. He gave great instructions, was patient, funny and a real pleasure to join in the ocean at 6:30 am on a Sunday morning and start catching waves. I had never surfed before and was able to stand on the board for a few moments and feel satisfied that I had accomplished, thanks to him, my first attempt at surfing. I highly recommend him, I plan to take more lessons and eventually include my 4 year old son as well. Tell him Marla sent you, you'll love him! read more

I had a blast. Tried to surf on Sunday, but Mother Nature didn't like that idea. Tom rescheduled, taught me the basics on shore & we spent 90 plus minutes in the water. With two delightful women that come to Tom for lessons regularly. I caught a couple of waves on my own & rode a few waves in. Do it!!! read more

Surfing L.A., Surf School - Surf Schools Near Me

I Learned to surf from Tom back in 2007. Took a total of 8 classes and by the end I was already miles ahead of where I should be had I tried it on my own. I bought my girlfriend a lesson from him. she already had two lessons before at other schools, but this was her first REAL surf lesson. Tom was great! Got her up and riding on her very first time! In fact she caught soooo many waves on her first day that she was glad when he told her "1 more ride!" she was spent. She has booked a second lesson with Tom already. read more

I signed my 18 year old daughter up for a private lesson with Tom. It was her first time on a board. All of our correspondences prior to her lessons (both phone calls and emails) were all professional and detailed. Tom was very personable. We liked him from the moment we met him. He was very respectable, sensitive, encouraging, instructional, attentive and patient. If we ever get out to this area again, we will take another lesson from Tom and we highly recommend him. As for the person who gave Tom a one star review....clearly you made a mistake. This is not the same person. read more

Surfing L.A., Surf School - Surfing lessons with Tom on Sunset Beach June 2015 - Surf Schools Near Me

I highly recommend Tom Grubb's LA Surf School. Whether you're interested in really learning the art of surfing so you can build it into your lifestyle and as my friend said, "Be like Gidget by the end of the summer," learn enough to hold your own on a surf trip with friends, take an occasional lesson for a fun-filled thrilling few hours out in the ocean or simply cross surfing off the bucket list,Tom's your man. His preliminary lesson on the sand (and provided wetsuit and surfboard) equip you with everything you need to feel confident when you get out in the waves and after several early morning outings bringing friends for lessons, his instruction allows almost everyone to get up and surf a wave their first time out. For those wanting to go out and hang 10, I give LA Surfing a 10. read more

OMG Tom is amazing!!! I had tried surfing about 5-6 times with different instructors and never stood up. He actually gets in the water with you and focuses on you, the student, and how he can help. The first lesson the first attempt I STOOD UP!!!! I cried I was so happy, I had it really in my head it would be sooo difficult to surf and TOM made it a piece of cake! I love surfing now and I have recommended Tom to whopping total of 7 of my friends, all who love him as well!!! Thank you Tom for being such an amazing instructor, so patient fun and great! If you want to learn to surf you must meet this MAN!! XO, KAREN read more

I just got back from my first trip to the West Coast and I keep telling everyone about the surfing lesson my friends and I had with Tom. In short it was incredible - he spent 25% of the time on the beach with us going over the basics (safety, position of the board, paddling, and most importantly standing up) and the remainder was in the water actually catching waves. Gnarly. I should point out at this stage that I'm English and have no place on a surf board! Or so I thought. I'm not the most balanced of guys but Tom positioned us (there were 4 in the group) in front of a wave, instructed us to paddle hard to keep speed with the wave and then yelled UP! at just the right time. This made surfing easy and insanely good fun. I'm totally hooked. On a personal level, Tom's a fascinating and very personal guy and his enthusiasm and can-do attitude rubs off on you instantly. At $85 per person per lesson, I think the price is a little steep although it does include the board, wetsuit and booties, as well as excellent tutelage. I would certainly use him again (and will make a point of doing so next time I'm out in Santa Monica). read more

I have taken lessons from Tom multiple times and am now working toward qualifying for the World Surf Tour. Half of the previous statement is true. I live in Michigan, where surfing is not possible, During a visit to LA a friend of mine suggested that we take surfing lessons from Tom. He and his wife had worked with Tom in the past and said it was a blast. I was pumped to try surfing during sunrise on Malibu beach. Tom was waiting for us when we arrived and was quick to get us in wet suites and onto the beach. After a 10-15 minute tutorial on the beach we hit the water. I was one hungover rookie but within no time I was standing up and riding a wave. I can't say enough good things about Tom's patience and willingness to teach, I am sure is he is a stud surfer, but his attitude never shows it. He wades in the water and helps you line up the wave before giving you a push while you try to stand up. After each attempt, he provides pointers that really shorten the learning curve. After an hour or so in the water, I grasped the concept of surfing and was completely hooked. Each stop in LA now requires a visit to see Tom. He always remembers me and dials up the lessons knowing that I have the basics down. At a minimum, I know about 20 other friends who have taken lessons from Tom while visiting our buddy in LA and they are all hooked. The only depressing part of the lesson was when a 7 year old went cruising by on her board and was hitting every wave. I am 31 and was getting shown up by a kid. Turns out she was a local who Tom taught how to surf. I need to move to CA... In three words, Tom is knowledgeable, patient, and encouraging. If you are near LA and have an interest in surfing, regardless of skill level, Tom is your man. read more

Two of my friends and I had a group lesson with Tom and would unreservedly recommend the experience. The three of us are all beginners, but were at slightly different skills levels (from never having touched a surfboard in life to having had a few lessons), and Tom was able to help each of us get better over the course of the lesson. From reaching out to make a reservation through the end of the lesson, Tom was great - clear, friendly, funny, efficient. read more

My life has changed as a result of surfing with Tom. He is the best surfing instructor you could ever hope to find. I love each and every day I am able to take a lesson from him. I have greatly improved and credit him for turning me into a surfer. read more

We had a great day with Tom today on the water! Anybody would be apprehensive learning any new sport, let alone surfing. Tom takes the time to prep you before getting in the water and is right there next to you setting you up for the first wave. Get off the fence and book Tom. You won't be disappointed. read more

Finding Tom and learning to surf with him is one of the true highlights of my adult life. I've learned and now love a great sport and also feel like I've made a great new friend. Tom has changed my life and I'm blessed to have found him. read more

Tom is the best! Makes you feel very safe. Very thorough and fun! Great guy. Highly recommend to everyone.

I took my first surf class with Tom last weekend, with two of my girlfriends. I was a little nervous getting out there for the first time. Tom was so professional, prepared and thorough that I was quickly put at ease. I was thrilled that I was able to stand on my board twice (on the water!), which I attribute to Tom's teaching ability. If you want to learn how to surf, Tom is your guy! read more