Wavehuggers

(312 reviews)

3.3 mi

I was referred to Corky Carroll's by former employee who was working at hotel we were staying at…read morefor Disneyland. I came back to Huntington Beach 2 weeks later with my boys and booked private lessons for all 3 of us per recommedation from the owners. They matched the instructors with each of us very well. Mine was 6'3" and could easily handle holding my board and helping me figure it out. My 10 yr old instructor had him surfing within 45min on day 1. The young lady instructing my 7yr old adjusted board, and had him up and surfing on day 2. At 56, with 3 knee injuries, including a torn meniscus, was able to stand up finally on day 3, 4 times, in some frothy (yet not too big) waves. The beach area is an ideal learning platform as it has no rocks, coral, or other obstructions underwater except lots of hard packed sand. In the end we had a special father & sons memory of learning to surf together. We were all successful. We had an amazing time, and the staff could not have been more helpful, encouraging, and supportive. I highly recommend private lessons, because I feel like the ROI is 90+% with private lessons, and about 45-55% with group lessons. IMO group lessons can be good later on as refresher.

John was very nice, gave me lots of tips, was patient, and talked me through everything.read more

Coach Dustin and 3 sons after all of them succeeded in catching some waves

Corky Carroll's Surf Camp

See all

Learn2Rip Surfing Lesson and Ocean Academy

(377 reviews)

6.0 mi

We are complete beginners in our 50s and this was our very first time learning how to surf. Cat and…read moreDom are really good and caring instructors who prepared us with solid basic dry land instructions and made sure we are comfortable getting in the water. FYI, we haven't even been at the beach since covid. So, yeah... first time in the water in a while and learning how to surf. With great instructors anything is possible and it is never too late to learn something new. In the water they made sure we were safe and guided us thoroughly. My wife was able to stand on the board on her first wave. It was really fun. I needed more help and they were always there to coach us right along. We are definitely coming back for more surf lessons. If you want to learn give them a call.

I wish I could give 10 stars! From start to finish, this was…read morean outstanding service experience. The communication was excellent, responses were prompt, and the team genuinely cared about helping my niece achieve her goal--standing up on a surfboard (just like she dreamed!). They didn't just focus on the end result--they spent over two hours patiently working with her, correcting her form, and building her confidence every step of the way. Cat is amazing, Bjorn was incredibly patient and encouraging, and Rosa was so sweet! We couldn't have asked for a better team. Highly, highly recommend!

South of Huntington Beach

See all

Clint Carroll Surf School

(183 reviews)

1.4 mi

Fantastic Surf School! They got my son and his friend in for a last minute surf lesson today which…read moremade our beach day so fun and special...James was our instructor and he is so kind and amazing! Both the boys learned so much during their lesson and were already catching some waves....thank you so much!! :D

I got a lesson for my son. Clint was very responsive in getting the session set up. Start to…read morefinish was easy and well coordinated. The price was very reasonable for a two hour private session. My son had a great time. Hayden was his instructor. He was a great guy. Very patient and encouraging. I would highly recommend Hayden and this surf school if you are looking for lessons.

That's my boy for the first time

See all

2instructors and my boys--

Banzai Surf School

(90 reviews)

3.3 mi

What a great experience! I booked a January class expecting the cold and wind yet Justin made it…read moresuch a fun time. He was so knowledgeable while also being upbeat and our time flew by. So worth the money and Banzai has everything you need... just bring a towel !

Went twice with each of my children. Justin Brown was great, we learned a ton, and he took good…read morecare of us as we tired out. Thanks!

See all

Surfriders Academy Surf School

(74 reviews)

0.3 mi

Dallas was my son's instructor. Lahaina native…read more My son had a lot of fun and most importantly, he was safe. He was all smiles after his lesson. Thank you Marcus and Surfriders Academy!

My friend and I had a lesson with Hunter. It was a blast. This was our first ever surfing…read moreexperience. We were 100% happy about the class. Surfing was challenging but fun. Hunter was extremely patient, encouraging and professional. It was convenient that they provided all the equipments. The communication on booking details were excellent! I want to bring my other friends for more surfing lessons.

Koa surfing on a boogie board!!!

Student first time surfing in Huntington Beach.

See all

First time on a surfboard! this young student had that day surfing!

HB Surf School

4.2

(11 reviews)

0.6 mi

first off we never got to go we had a gift certificate and they said it expired. but legally in…read moreCalifornia that's not allowed! secondly we booked a lesson and they cancelled on us and when I tried to call back a few times and left messages he never returned my call and now he won't honor his gift certificate that was paid for??? I will never book this place!

Bill and his team do an amazing job this was my first surf lesson and I truly enjoyed it. Perfect…read morewater great break and Bill is a world-class instructor highly recommend

Good times were had by all

See all

Learn To Surf

(65 reviews)

1.6 mi

I was just a girl looking for something fun to do at the beach other than perfecting my tan...Then…read moreit hit me...I'll learn to surf!!! When I told my friends of my new project, they suspected that I might have been suffering from Heat Stroke... ..."you are not a strong swimmer"... ..."you're afraid of the water"... ..."I know you're stupid; but this is crazy!"... Undeterred by the critics, I pressed forward. A google search for surf instructors delivered the names of Dan, Jason, and Graham. I decided to take the plunge and take up surfing under the tutelage of Dan, Jason, and Graham soon to be known to me collectively as the "Surf Studs"... Now my friends were right about a few things, I am not a strong swimmer and I was a little afraid...The "Studs" quickly picked up on my trepidation and showed great patience, understanding, and compassion, Dan is even a trained lifeguard! My fears of death by surfing sank to the ocean floor LOL Eventually, due to the skill and care of the "studs" I was able to stand up on my board...Catch a wave...and bring it to the shore... So if you're like me, looking for something to heighten your beach experience, consider surfing, and consider Dan, Jason, and Graham, "The Surf Studs"! They will treat you right and teach you right! If you want proof about the "Studs", go to the beach and look for the girl with the perfect tan riding the waves...and I'll tell you more.

Best experience for a first-time surfer! They really know what they are doing! Nikko is an amazing…read moreteacher! Had such a fun time with my younger niece! It's worth every penny! 10/10 would do it again!

See all

Learn To Surf

(72 reviews)

3.8 mi

First time surfing! Dave was great at teaching us the fundamentals and helping us to get on the…read morewaves! We were able to stand on the board and ride the waves The location is great for beginners to learn. Overall a great experience Parking is street parking so give yourself enough time to find a spot.

I booked surf lessons and clearly communicated three times that I am an intermediate surfer, which…read moremeans the instructor needed to bring an appropriate surfboard. Instead, he arrived with one that had a broken leash and spent 90% of the time going back to shore, leaving me without instruction. This was beyond frustrating and completely unprofessional. To make matters worse, the merchant promised to take pictures during the session for two hours. She showed up late, despite the sky being clear and bright 30 minutes before the lesson was set to start. In the end, she only took photos for half an hour and never sent them to me despite my constant reminders. This experience was a total disappointment and an absolute waste of time and money. I would never recommend this service to anyone. The merchant was also being racist, and accusatory. I have the recording if anyone is interested. Overall, just stay away to keep your insanity. Many other surf schools in Huntington and I trust there are many other non racist people.

Dave always did great job

See all

Positive reinforcement produces competent surfers.

YouGoSurf

I rented a board from these guys for 2 hours and couldn't have asked for a better experience. They…read moredropped it off where I parked, and were even there early (8:50 on a Sunday morning when they were supposed to be there at 9). They even arrived early to pick it up! Everyone I talked to was extremely nice. This dropoff/pickup is so much easier than trying to rent, pack it up, bring it out, pack it back up, and bring it back (especially when you're coming from an hour away!). I'll definitely be using this service again!

I was so impressed with the whole process; easy online reservation, pricing, location, parking,…read moredirections and the lesson was such a great experience for my son. I was nervous about finding the instructor on the beach but the directions given to me were so clear that I was able to locate them with no problem! The instructor was so kind and patient to answer all of my questions (even ones regarding sharks). The lesson included instructions about the ocean, surf safety, and surf etiquette. I really appreciate the fact that the instructor would stay in the water helping my son and others as they tried to catch waves. My son was so thrilled about the entire experience; he was smiling from ear-to-ear. The most exciting part was being able to get several pictures of him surfing. I highly recommend yougosurf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surfing lesson newport beach. yougosurf.com

Surfboards near me

See all

Daughters surfing lesson newport beach

Huntington Beach Adult School

4.5

(71 reviews)

3.5 mi

Thank u Maria u are very kind Amazing staff and very…read morehelpful I'm very glad to be at this campus five stars

I just recently finished the Medical Billing and Coding program here and I can really vouch for…read morethis school. Teachers and staff are very kind and helpful. They truly want you to succeed. I was able to find a job a week after finishing with Arlene's help.

See all

The Learning Experience - Huntington Beach

4.8

(91 reviews)

3.7 mi

After being a stay-at-home mom for 2.5 years, I was ready to go back to work and send my little one…read moreto school for the first time. My husband and I toured several places and nothing felt right (I even left one of the places crying!), but when I walked into TLE I immediately felt like that was the right place for my son to be. The staff was welcoming and my son even got to participate in recess with the other kids during our tour. I noticed all of the students seemed genuinely happy, and the staff knew all the kids' names (not just their own students). The facility itself is also extremely clean and well-maintained and has fantastic security measures in place. There are several locked doors and student checks in place to facilitate safe transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as drop-off and pick-up, which was a huge relief for me as well. While I was planning on easing my son (and myself!) into school/work over the course of 2 weeks, the place that I got hired at wanted me to start just 2 days after my interview. The first day drop-off went fairly well, I definitely cried more than my little one, and by the time I made it to my office just 5 minutes down the street from the school, my son's teachers had already sent me updates in the school's app that made me feel instantly better. The app allows us parents to know our kids' daily activities, diaper changes/potty breaks, meals (did I mention those are provided by the school? Complete game-changer for our busy mornings!!), naps, etc. and also allows us to see pictures of our children throughout the day. This has definitely made going back to work soooo much easier for me, and I couldn't be more thankful for technology like this! My son has been in 3 classrooms now as he has gotten older and more advanced, and the teachers he's had along the way (Ms. Yune, Ms. Gissele, Ms. Mayra, Ms. Johan, and Ms. Angie) have all been absolutely fantastic. Not only is he learning new things every single day, but the school also implements super cool activities throughout the year along with dress-up days every Friday. Most days my son doesn't even want to leave school and I have to force him to go home! You know you've hit the jackpot with a great facility when your little one can't wait to go back every day. I couldn't ask for a better place for my son to be at, and my husband and I can't wait to send our future kiddos here as well! Thank you for all you do for our family and our little one, TLE is truly the best!!

After leaving LePort Montessori, we were a little hesitant about enrolling our daughters (ages 2.5…read moreand 4.5) in a new school. Transitions can be tough for little ones, but since starting here in January, the experience has been absolutely amazing. Our girls had such an easy and positive transition, and a huge part of that is because of the incredible staff. From the teachers to the front desk and administration, everyone is so warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in the kids. The entire team creates an environment that feels like family. A special shoutout goes to Ms. Martha, the director -- she is truly wonderful and sets such a positive tone for the whole school. You can tell everyone loves being there, and that energy carries through to the children. My daughters' teachers are amazing and definitely help meet wherever my daughters are at. My oldest is a bit on the shy side and Ms Rocio has been so great in helping support and give her confidence and she's had tremendous progress in such a short time with her writing, letters/sounds and drawing! my youngest daughter is also thriving and loving her teachers Ms Giselle and Ms Mayra. We def feel so grateful and lucky to have amazing teachers! Two of the biggest perks for our family are that all food is provided (which makes mornings so much easier!) and the app that keeps parents connected throughout the day. I receive at least two photos daily of my daughters, which I absolutely love because I get to see what they're learning and experiencing. It gives me such peace of mind. The school also has cameras in every classroom and a very secure setup with double-entry key fob access, which adds an extra layer of safety and reassurance. We truly wish we had found this school sooner, but we're so grateful to be part of this community now. Most importantly, our daughters love going to school every day -- and as a parent, that says everything. We couldn't be happier with our experience here!

See all

Grace Preschool & Child Care

(8 reviews)

4.7 mi

Recently took a tour here with my wife and had a wonderful experience with Tina. They have separate…read morerooms and play areas for infants and children ages 2 - 6 years old. The home is very clean and spacious with tons of natural lighting. Their pricing is extremely reasonable and they are super transparent on their procedures and everything else they have to offer kids. We are hoping that our daughter can join Grace Preschool beginning of next year. This seemed like a really loving and warm place for her future daycare.

We've been going here for several months now and our almost 2 yr olds been enjoying it. He…read moreespecially likes playing outside, the art projects and the other kids. We'd recommend Miss Nancy and her team for anyone looking for childcare.

Christmas sweater day

See all

Waterworks Aquatics Huntington Beach

4.4

(227 reviews)

6.3 mi

I almost don't want to write this review, because I want to keep the gem of an instructor, Isabella…read moreK., at this location a secret. Six months seems like a good time to really attest to the quality of swim lessons my sister has with Isabella, her swim instructor. We went in hoping with all our might that my sister would be paired with a good instructor who has experience with individuals with special needs. At the beginning, I tried to find reviews on specific instructors and times that worked best, and ultimately, with sheer dumb luck, we chose Isabella. That decision has been a very fortunate luck of the draw for my sister to have Isabella for her instructor. We had very low expectations for my sister's goal in learning to swim. However, with Isabella's guidance, care, compassion, and immense patience, my sister's progress has exceeded our expectations. Isabella is a wonderful instructor who embodies warmth, positivity, and is firm even when she brings on new challenges for growth, which is perfect for my sister. With her compassion and kindness, Isabella has managed to make major progress with my sister to allow swimming goggles to be placed over her eyes. For nearly all her life, my sister has hated being submerged under water, goggles over her eyes, or anything over her face, but Isabella has been able to change that and help my sister grow in less than a year. Isabella is efficient and effective as a swim instructor. Isabella offers a safe and welcoming space for her students, including and especially those with special needs. Waterworks Aquatics is lucky to have such a great instructor as Isabella K., whose technical skills are just as wonderful as her care and empathetic nature to her students and the family she works with. She deserves to be recognized for her work, kindness, and patience. I do want to mention, this location is a heated pool facility, with a separate play look, is kept clean overall, and the bathrooms are decent in cleanliness. Parking also usually isn't an issue. My only complaint, and this is regarding the application/portal, is that often from my use, it has glitched where I can't always find the specific instructor. I've had to screen cap and send this over so the company can work with IT but it has happened a few times now. This is more of a technical critique and not related at all to the instructor nor facility.

My family all swim here, the price is affordable for free swim session which is $12. However it is…read morepretty hard to reserve on the app. Good thing that they limit people per land ( only 2 for each hour).

See all

BrightStar Learning Centers

4.7

(26 reviews)

5.0 mi

If I could give them a 100/10 I would. The care givers here are so kind and loving and are very…read moreunderstanding with new parents. Our son has been going here since he was 5 months old and he loves it. The pricing is also very reasonable especially considering the attention and care they give the students. I hope the Bright Star Learning Center and continue to operate in the city of Huntington Beach to support future children.

Where do I begin. This is hands down the best daycare I could've sent my son to. We unfortunately…read morehad to move due to the military but he was enrolled from 4 months old to 18 months and we couldn't have asked for better teachers or environment. Everyone is so kind and helpful. My son learned so much while being in the infant and toddler room, and he made so many friends. Forever grateful for the amazing staff for keeping our little one safe and giving us tips along the way as we are new parents.

Playhouses on the pre-school playground.

Yellow Suns Housekeeping

See all

Welcome to the Infant room!

Fountain Valley Montessori

4.4

(38 reviews)

3.9 mi

Locally owned & operated

Certified professionals

A year ago, I had to withdraw my daughter from her preschool midway through the school year because…read morethe program wasn't challenging enough for her. Finding a new school at that time wasn't easy. When I first visited FVM, there were no spots available, but I was impressed by how well-organized everything was--from the classrooms to the curriculum. I even asked Ms. Sneha, the school director, if I could pay a higher tuition just to secure a place for my daughter because I wanted her to attend so badly. Fortunately, a family was about to leave, and we were able to enroll her. That turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Since then, my daughter has thrived with teaching tailored to her abilities rather than her age (she has a late birthday, so in the public school system she would still be at the preschool level). Thanks to the support of her teachers, she has excelled academically. After a year at FVM, she took the GATE exam through the school district. Not only was she able to skip a grade, and she was also accepted into the GATE program. I truly believe this wouldn't have happened if she hadn't attended FVM. I'm incredibly grateful to FVM and all the staff. Ms. Sneha is such a kind and caring person. Without her, my daughter wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn here. Ms. Neranja, one of my daughter's primary teachers, holds strong teaching principles, and whenever I speak with her, I feel confident that my daughter is in good hands. My daughter often talks about her teachers at home, especially Ms. Neranja and Ms. Erika. Although my daughter has only been at FVM for a short time, the experience has had a profoundly positive impact and laid a strong foundation for her future educational goals. I cannot thank everyone enough--I am truly grateful.

We recently wrapped up our time at Fountain Valley Montessori and our family could not be more…read moregrateful. We decided to keep our child here for an additional year instead of moving on to TK. While TK would have been a great transition, this extra year allowed our child to truly come out of their shell. There are some things worth investing in, and while I am a big supporter of public schools, FV Montessori gave my children a foundation that is absolutely priceless. Ms. Gloria is simply the best. She created a nurturing, safe environment for our child to grow, while also providing the structure and rules that are so important. This chapter has officially closed for us, but we will always be thankful to Ms. Gloria, Ms. Gurpreet, Ms. Vivian, Ms. Lindsay, Ms. Sneha, Ms. Jahaira, Ms. Remington, Ms. Madelyn, Ms. Bea, Ms. Alicia, Ms. Paula, Ms. Ana, Ms. Neranja, Ms. Enoka, and all the other incredible teachers and staff who make this school such a gem. Daycare, childcare, preschool--picking the right one can be daunting, but I highly recommend checking out Fountain Valley Montessori. You will not be disappointed.

See all

O.C. Riptide Aquatics Club

(3 reviews)

3.6 mi

My kids have been in Splashball (beginner water polo) for a few seasons and it has been an…read moreincredible experience for our family. As long as your child can swim independently and are familiar with a few different swim strokes, they are allowed to join. I have found these classes to be a great way to strengthen their swimming skills and getting them used to drills in the water. Beginner classes are 1 hour long on T/Th from 5-6pm and your kid will get a great workout! They also learn how to move their legs to swim in place, how to swim holding the ball, pass the ball, score and block. When they have enough skill they can move on to the next level, which is M/T/Th from 5-6:30pm. My son has loved this year-round team; even in the winter he is excited to show up. From my observations, these swim sports help children develop some serious grit; rain or shine, they go in the water ready to practice. The coaches have been great too (shout out to coach Jake! And the others too, I just haven't learned their names). They RARELY cancel practice, unless there are thunderstorms. And the absolute best part of this club: canceling/starting a subscription is SUPER easy. As long as you give them notice in a timely manner, they just pause/restart your subscription without penalties or tricks like a lot of other places do. I highly recommend!

Our granddaughter, 10yrs. old, has attended O. C. Riptide Aquatic's, located at Oceanview High…read moreSchool in Huntington Beach, speciality swim programs for the past 2 years. This years coach, Mark Johnson, coached the Junior Life Guard Preparation (our granddaughter attended 3 months, and successfully glided through Huntington Beach State Junior Guard assessment testing) and Summer Swim Team Introduction program. Both programs were coached exceptionally by Coach Mark! Coach Mark is an outstanding swim instructor with a longstanding, exceptional background in instructional aquatics, both in the pool and the ocean. His interpersonal skills and teaching methodology with kids was outstanding. Our family highly recommends O.C. Riptide Aquatics and Coach Mark Johnson.

See all

Big Blue Swim School

4.3

(91 reviews)

2.3 mi

Update: After…read moreposting this review, we did finally receive a voicemail from management apologizing for the experience and acknowledging the communication breakdown. While I appreciate the outreach, it came after more than five weeks of repeated requests made both in person and by phone. During that time, we were consistently told that someone would contact us, yet no one ever did. Unfortunately, by the time management reached out, we had already made the decision to cancel our membership and move on. We have since found a private certified swim instructor who is able to provide one-on-one instruction at half the cost of what we were planning on paying with Big Blue . More importantly, the communication was immediate, straightforward, and responsive. This review was never about whether private lessons were available. It was about customer service, follow-through, and communication. Had someone simply returned one of our many requests with an honest update, we likely would have remained customers. I genuinely appreciate the instructors who worked with our son over the past two+ years and wish them the best. However, the lack of responsiveness from management ultimately led us to take our business elsewhere.

Highly recommend Big Blue swim school! The swim school is professional from the office to the…read moreinstructors. We were looking to build on swimming skills for our 10-year-old son and we couldn't be any happier with the results. Instructors, Derek and Michelle are fantastic. They knew how to work with our son to teach him proper form, swim speed and confidence in the pool. Thank you, Big Blue Swim School!

Involve parents and caregivers at every step of their kids swimming lessons journey

Manage schedules and track progress within the Big Blue App

See all

Build kids' confidence through weekly swimming lessons

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

175 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

V H.

12 years ago

I used Wave Huggers for my second surf lesson this summer. What I liked about them is that I was able to book a lesson within 24 hours and at one of the locations I requested. (At peak surfing season, too.) Wave Huggers offers surf lessons up and down the coast of SoCal. I called and requested a lesson for my daughter and me at either El Porto or at Zuma Beach. Helina called back and said she could book us for Zuma at 9am. After, I booked it online, she promptly emailed me back with a confirmation of the exact location, lifeguard station number, instructions of what to bring, and the name and phone number of our instructor. I was a little late arriving, but I was able to call our instructor, Quinn, and let him know. Quinn was super nice and a seasoned surfer. After our lesson on the beach we got in the water. The waves were slightly bigger than what I had hoped for, as this was my daughters first surf lesson. I asked Quinn to take my daughter out and stay with her. He was very good with her even though she got a little scared and finished early. I went back out and Quinn helped me catch a few waves. I mostly fell off the board, but I was laughing and smiling the whole time. I will definitely use Wave Huggers again. read more

Beau B.

9 years ago

All. About. It. Called about 2-3 surf schools before Wavehuggers and they were the only ones that actually answered the phone, glad they did. They hooked me up with this good looking surfer dude, Dale, who was not only cool as s**t he started the lesson with knowledge about the ocean. How the swells come into Hermosa (where I took my lessons) in the summer vs the winter, how to scope out the waves, who has priority on the wave based on the break...all this before we even talked about being on the board. I found that pretty cool...made me start feeling like a surfer. Through Dale's guidance, actually caught a wave on my first time out!!! He was just as excited as I was, yelling and shaking his fist as I rode it in. Since then, I've started taking clients out (I'm in sales) and it's been great. My female clients love Dale even if they don't catch a wave. I've never had any problems with communication with the school. Dale actually gave me his number and occasionally I'll hit him up after being out and try to figure out what I was doing wrong. Overall, it's been a great experience. Would highly recommend this school if you're looking to catch your first wave. read more

Megan P.

9 years ago

I'm from Minnesota and was in El Segundo for 8 weeks for work, so decided I couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn how to surf while I was out there. I called with hopes of booking a lesson that same day, but unfortunately reached their voicemail saying they were out on the water. I was a bit disheartened, thinking it was too short notice, so I didn't leave a message. Within 10 minutes I received a call back saying they saw they missed my call and that fast she was on the phone with an instructor and got me booked for a lesson that afternoon! Instructor Jake was very patient, supportive, and kept high energy when I missed the wave or was unable to stand up. He was so excited for me when I finally got up and continued to cheer me on for the rest of the lesson. I can see why he's an instructor; he truly loves what he does! In addition, he was a few minutes late due to traffic from a surf competition on the same beach, so he extended the lesson without hesitation to compensate, which was unexpected and very much appreciated. I can only imagine the other instructors are just as awesome, and I would choose Wavehuggers again in a heartbeat, no doubt about it! read more

Chris S.

13 years ago

Wavehuggers is a professional company that truly cares about people wanting to learn how to surf and gain an appreciation for the ocean. I took my first lesson with Helina and she was a phenomenal instructor. She demonstrated on the beach the "pop up" and then critiqued me on mine before we headed out in the water. She continued to make me feel comfortable and constantly gave me feedback on my surfing. Her positive energy and encouragement got me up and riding my first wave all the way to the beach. She was super cute too! ;) I took my second lesson with Quinn. He was an awesome instructor as well! Since I had already learned the basics with Helina, Quinn really pushed me to improve and to gain the ability to surf on my own. He helped me perfect my paddling technique so that I could paddle into waves on my own. By the end of the lesson, I was even starting to turn the board! Quinn is clearly full of surf knowledge and is enthusiastic about sharing it with others. I would recommend WaveHuggers to anyone and everyone who wants to learn how to surf and is also looking for a great experience in the ocean! You'll be "stoked" on these surf lessons! read more

MJ W.

2 years ago

What an experience! My husband and 3 kids did the 6 lesson package on our road trip through Southern California. We took our surf lessons in Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Encinitas, and La Jolla. We had 3 different surf instructors, Sabina, Craig, and Cady were all fantastic! It was such a unique experience getting to learn to surf and letting the waves guide us down the coast through Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. The wetsuits and surfboards were in great shape, but scheduling was easy and the customer service team seemed to genuinely care about making sure we were picking time slots and beaches with good surf conditions based on the tides. My one and only complaint is that after the lesson is over, you have to give the surfboards and wetsuits back with no option to rent for another a couple more hours to keep surfing on your own. Not a big deal, a couple of us were pretty satisfied after each lesson and there are surf shops in the different beach towns that rented gear to us a couple of the days after our lessons with Wavehuggers. We will definitely be back!! read more

Melody M.

13 years ago

A Total Bucket List Experience I took my 6 and 8 year old granddaughters to Surf at Huntington Beach and Disneyland for Fall Break. I booked with Wave Huggers two months prior to our departure. I spoke with Helina who arranged for the lesson. She was most efficient, pleasant and helpful to make sure our first experience at surfing would be a good one! IT WAS FANTASTIC! Our surf instructor, Quinn, was AWESOME! I never dreamed both of my granddaughters would be able to learn beginner techniques so quickly. My youngest granddaughter got up the first time and rode three waves in. The oldest granddaughter got to her knees and rode the wave in. Then they did it again and again. Quinn was so patient and kind. He made all of us feel at ease. He was so positive and was able to build my granddaughters confidents that they would be able to surf. Actually, by the end of the lesson my granddaughters were so excited and happy with their accomplishments and I am sure Quinn was completely worn out. Kudos to QUINN and WAVEHUGGERS for providing us with an incredible first lifetime surf experience. M read more

Paul S.

11 years ago

My brother and I are from the Midwest and have never been on a surfboard before. We traveled to LA and had reached out to Helina for lessons. This company was very organized and accommodated our schedule as we only had a specific time that we could include this into our plans. They provided everything we would need and made it very easy to meet them for the lesson. Connor was our instructor and did a good job of helping us understand what to do. Connor and Helina were both their and made the whole experience very fun. We both got up on the board several times throughout the session which is the memories we'll have for a long time. I don't think any out of state person could expect more great service then we received. It was easy to sign up and coordinate the lessons, they accommodated our schedule, it was easy to meet them on the beach, they had all the supplies we would need to surf, they gave great instruction, they made the overall experience a lot of fun with their encouragement, and we were even successful to get up on the boards. Thanks for the great time! read more

Jamie W.

167

11 years ago

What a ride! From the very start, Helina was wonderful. She got in contact with me right away about how the surf conditions were not the best for the day we picked and worked with us to find a better time for surfing while we were in Cali. Thanks for that-- my boyfriend and I saw the waves on the day we had originally picked and they were giant and terrifying, I am very grateful that she took the time to look out for our safety! I love that Helina also took the time to sit on the beach and talk with us-- like really talk to us, we got to know each other a little and then we were given the run down. Everything from how to walk into the ocean to how to properly fall of the board and exit the ocean. She was a magnificent instructor- She was even kind enough to show us a little of her own skill! I could go on and on about all of the wonderful things that happened during our 2 hour lesson- but sign up, go out there and experience it for yourself. My boyfriend and I will be doing a lesson every time we visit California. Thanks for a wonderful adventure Wavehuggers! read more

Robert C.

12 years ago

I was just visiting So Cal with my daughter and we purchased a lesson from WaveHuggers. The lesson was a private two hour lesson at Manhattan beach. First I should point out that their web site was very informative and accurate. When I called someone answered right away. The lesson was easy to schedule and pay for. Confirmation was emailed promptly. Nothing else is required. Wet suit and surf board are provided. Very, Very easy. The instructor was very professional and knowledgeable. She put me at ease right away and I had full confidence that my 12 year old daughter was in excellent hands. For parents with kids, do not pass this up! The only other point I would like to make is that we should have made arrangements to rent a surf board so that my daughter could follow up with the lesson. The rentals are cheap. By the way in the scope of things to do in the L.A. area with your kids, the lesson is cheap, by comparison I spent $350.00 at the Dodger game the night before. Good Luck and peace. read more

Ron B.

7 years ago

I was visiting Hermosa Beach from Victoria, BC, Canada on a short vacation and wanted to try surfing for the first time in my life. I signed up for a 2 hour lesson. My instructor turned out to be the very lovely Cady. From the start Cady was positive, supportive, professional and immediately instilled confidence in me. After getting into our wetsuits, Cady explained the basics to me, primarily focussing on the surfboard itself and then position on the surfboard all initially done on the beach. After making sure I was comfortable on land, we moved into the water to try some small waves. Unfortunately, the weather conditions were not great for a beginner such as myself, but that didn't prevent us from having a great time. Cady remained completely positive and supportive throughout my lesson and I credit her with making my first experience a genuinely amazing one. I would highly recommend booking a lesson with Wavehuggers if you have the opportunity. Ron read more

Lauren W.

11 years ago

Our Wavehuggers surf lesson with Helina was great. There were three unexperienced fourty-somethings in our group and Helina was professional and patient with us all. Booking was easy and Helina met us at a convenient location with everything we needed to surf. Because we were beginners she began the lesson on the sand and demonstrated everything we would be doing in the water. She was very knowledgable about safety and actual surfing techniques. Then she has us practice on land first, providing feedback to each of us. I particularly appreciated that Helina demonstrated multiple techniques to stand up on the board and allowed us to figure out what would work best. Once we were in the water Helina helped us position ourselves for the best chances of success. We all had a blast and I would definitely recommend Helina and Wavehuggers for beginners and more advanced surfers alike! read more

Tara W.

12 years ago

I got in touch with Helina to obtain a private surf lesson for my boyfriends 37th bday. He can now mark it off of his bucket list of things he wanted to accomplish in his life!! His instructor was Tamer. Incredibly nice, respectful, knowledgeable (on EVERY aspect of surfing as well as the personality of the ocean on everyday of training), Tamer was not at all a know it all and certainly did not act like he was the "bomb" at surfing either. Although...The guy can surf!! I couldn't have asked for a better instructor for my boyfriend. We were both super impressed and I will refer Wavehuggers AND Tamer, specifically, to everyone!!! Thank you to Helina and MOST DEFINITELY Tamer!!!! He really is incredible and my boyfriend enjoyed learning from him. The price was amazing too!! read more

Hector C.

8 years ago

SAN DIEGO, CA. - La Jolla Easy to set up appointment. Received an email confirming my appointment and the name of the instructor (Briar) and his cell number to call him as soon as I was near the site in La Jolla. Briar was the absolute best. His attitude, his upbeat personality was very contagious. My 3 boys were excited to learn from him. I wondered how he would handle my 3 boys each one with a different personality and attention span. He did AMAZING. My 20 yr old was on his feet catching waves within the first 30 minutes. My 11 yr old was also on his feet catching waves very fast. My 7 year old was able to stand once, and had a blast. I heavily recommend Briar, you will have an enjoyable experience. read more

Rhamy M.

12 years ago

Wavehuggers is awesome! I scheduled a lesson for me, my wife and two of our kids while we were visiting family in the South Bay. First of all, whoever helped me over the phone was super helpful. She asked questions to assess our abilities, our location, etc., and she even suggested the best time of day for our lesson. Our instructor was Quinn and he totally made our day. He made the whole experience fun and laid back, which can be challenging with 10 and 8-year old boys who tend to get frustrated when something isn't immediately easy. We all had smiles on our faces all day long, and the 8-year-old went home talking about how he wants to surf every time we visit L.A. Thanks, Wavehuggers!!! read more

Anthony A.

4 years ago

I have done surfing lessons before and was usually impressed by the instructor's ability to get me going, ride a couple of waves, and get my surfing fix. The time and lesson spent with Jake was way different and on another level. He was by far the most courteous, friendly and effective TEACHER. He taught us all of the fundamentals both in and out of the water. Right from effective stretching on land to understanding the characteristics of a good developing wave in the water. We learned so much and actually put it to work to have a great time. Most importantly, I can now bring those skills with me wherever I travel ... although I will still ping Jake whenever I'm in SoCal! T read more

Andrea S.

13 years ago

We were recently in the Los Angeles area for our daughter and her friend to attend a sailing event and decided to give them the whole California experience and do a surfing lesson. Helina was extremely easy to work with. She arranged for the instructor to meet us at the Santa Monica Beach location which was perfect for a vacationing family. The instructor Quinn was fabulous! He was friendly and the kids both felt very comfortable with him. They both got up on their first wave and enjoyed their 2 hours so much that I am sure surfing will be a new passion. Thank you Helina and Quinn for making Hallie and Bryce's vacation a memorable one. read more

Jaclyn S.

111

9 years ago

This was my first time surfing (at age 35) and I was a little worried about being able to do this. My instructor, Max, was calm and informative so I felt ready to give it a go. He was so patient and gave me little pointers as I tried to stand up repeatedly with no success. Eventually I started to get the hang of it and I actually stood up on the board - I SURFED! A pod of dolphins also swam by where we were surfing - for icing on the cake! I had such a positive experience and I wish I had booked it earlier in the week so I'd have time to go again before leaving town. I highly recommend Wavehuggers, such an amazing experience! read more

Valeriya S.

13 years ago

I just took my 3rd surf lesson with Helina this morning. After mastering the "pop up" in the last two lessons, she had me paddling and catching waves myself! With her advice and positive critique, I was able to ride the waves all the way to the sand. I highly recommend booking your surf lesson with wavehuggers. they make it very easy to book lessons, offering service wherever and whenever you want. they are also very informative about the conditions, allowing you to choose the best date and location for your abilities.I definitely want to keep improving my surfing and will definitely be booking more lessons with wavehuggers soon! read more

Damaris Muriel N.

11 years ago

I had an amazing experience with Wavehuggers! Helina accepted me for four surfing lessons in February 2016, so winter time in California. Because of the bad weather and for security reasons I could only do two lessons. I'm grateful that Helina was honest with me and told me it wasn't going to be fun in the stormy sea. But even with two lessons I felt more safe by every wave I caught and Helina encouraged me. After the second day I was even brave enough to start doing turns. Helina is very kind and attentive, even to the smallest improvement-options. I'm very happy with my lessons and can only recommend Wavehuggers! read more

Jack O.

244

13 years ago

We took our first surfing lessons with Wave Huggers and it was phenomenal. Helina was an amazing instructor and person, not only did she work with us all the way from the beach to being in the water, but you could clearly tell she has a deep passion for the sport of surfing which translates into the lesson. Both my sister and I learned a lot and while there weren't a whole lot of waves for us to try she got us up and riding by the end of the lesson. Easily the best surfing lessons on the west coast, if your ever in Southern California I highly recommend Wave Huggers. Great vibes, great lessons, and great people. read more

See more unrecommended reviews

Wavehuggers - surfschools - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Wavehuggers also viewed

Banzai Surf School

(90 reviews)

Went twice with each of my children. Justin Brown was great, we learned a ton, and he took good…read morecare of us as we tired out. Thanks!

Learn To Surf

(72 reviews)

Learn2Rip Surfing Lesson and Ocean Academy

(377 reviews)

Clint Carroll Surf School

(183 reviews)

Endless Sun Surf School

(120 reviews)

Great experience with awesome instructors - patient, cool - exactly what you'd hope…read more I can say I've surfed after the experience

*****Perfect***** My…read moreyoungest is an avid swimmer in the pool and in the ocean. She swims and body surfs. She already had fins and knows the Newport and Laguna waters well. She even has done Laguna and Crystal Cove Junior Guards. However, she just wouldn't try surfing with me. So, I enrolled her in a private lesson. I spoke to Amy on the phone and she understood. She recommended Jorge because he has kids of his own. Jorge was great. Right away she hopped up and rode wave after wave. He was proactive at identifying good waves and giving her a slight push with verbal instructions. Afterwards, she kept asking me for a board and to go back surfing.. Even if you are a great surfer, there are many advantages of getting a lesson for your child. They have wet suits and giant foam boards. This saves money instead of going out and spending two or three hundred when your kid might not even like it. Using a larger board is the way to go and it eliminates the frustrations of learning on a shorter board. Jorge was great. He was proactive, engaging, and well versed with kids. I ended up buying a used foam board for her to practice more on. As she progresses, she can get a regular board This is a great place to take a lesson. Open communication and the follow-through makes me a fan and then some! Don't just go to the beach and take selfies to post. That behavior ruins the beach and it's a stupid way to live a fake life. Take a lesson and get in the water. Enjoy the ocean for all it has and have someone else take real pictures of you enjoying it! A nickel says you will have a blast Or, give your kids a great experience they will always remember. They make it easy here!

Corky Carroll's Surf School

(312 reviews)

John was very nice, gave me lots of tips, was patient, and talked me through everything.read more

Blue Bus Surf Lessons

(43 reviews)

Absolutely incredible experience! This surf school exceeded every expectation from start to finish…read more The instructors were patient, knowledgeable, encouraging, and made everyone feel comfortable in the water regardless of skill level. My son felt confident with Rich as his instructor. The equipment was great, the instruction was clear, and the entire experience and now my son has the confidence to go out on his own. If you're looking for a surf school that combines professionalism, positivity, and success, I recommend Blue Bus Surf Lessons. Highly recommend for kids, teens, beginners, families, or anyone wanting to learn how to surf.

Griffin and Todd made this such a fun experience. They were super attentive, encouraging, and eager…read moreto ensure we all had fun!

Newport Surf Camp

4.8

(63 reviews)

Great camp! My son has been going for 3 summers now and always has the best time. It is well run…read moreand such a worthwhile experience.

This surf camp is EVERYTHING. We have done this camp two years and my kids love it. The price is…read moreamazing, the staff is kind, gentle, and warm, and the safety and instruction absolutely EPIC. The way they teach the kids to get up and help them consistently while in the water creates confident and adventurous surfers. We have loved watching our kids develop their skills ever since they started with Newport Surf Camp. Highly recommend!!

M & M Surfing School

(96 reviews)

Great day for some surfing lesson with great instructor and groups. Clean and easy instruction…read morewith great attitude and patience.

Had fantastic lessons after reading about this school in Peter Heller's book Kook, where he and his…read morewife Kim learned to surf when he was in his 40s. Hes a famousctravel writer. 10 books at least. I flew to LA from SF to stay a week and take lessons after I read the chapter about M and M, and Michael Pleiss, the Saint of Seal Beach, and Michael Pleiss Jr, his son, are 2 of the best teachers in the world I think. Thats what everyone says. People fly in from all over the world. I loved it and can't wait to go back.

One Wave Surf School