Over 3,500 students trained in 10 years at the Oceanside Pier

You and your family will have a great time learning to surf. 

Most people are riding in the first lesson and having fun.

Oceanside Private Lessons for Individuals, Families, and Groups

Recommended for 10 yrs by Surf Shops, Hotels, and Trip Adviser

Licensed by the City and Insured

Surf Boards Included

760-696-7149

Surf Lesson Times:

 1>9 a.m. 2> 10:30 a.m. 3> 12:30  4> 2:30 p.m.  5> 4:30 p.m. 

 (For two or more people, it is the total price, not each)

TWO HOUR LESSONS:

(for two or more people, its total price)

One Person    $90

Two People   $100

Three People $140

Four People   $160

Five People    $180

Six People     $220

ONE AND A HALF HOUR LESSONS

One Person    $70

Two  People  $80

Three People $120

Four People    $140

Five People    $160

Six People      $200

ONE HOUR LESSONS

One Person    $50

Two People   $60

Three People $100

Call for bigger groups. Have taught up to 24.

We meet at Life Guard Tower 2, just north of the Pier

This will take you my other website that has a secure page with Pay Pal.  See Payment Page

We meet at Life Guard Tower 2, just north of the Pier

Wet Suits are $12 for three hours at Asylum (310 Mission Ave.760-722-7101) 2 blks from beach. Wet suits available on the beach from the Beach Hut south of the Pier at Life Guard Tower 1 ($10)

Read the full description of what you learn (below)

Call 760-696-7149   Mark Kaplan Owner/Instructor

I start most teens and adults on a 9′ board . In lesson series, I reduce size to 8′ and use 8′ for kids.

Hi Mark!
Thank you again!  The boys fell in love with surfing!  D. Herzic, Ill.

“Mark you were the BEST instructor too! I am so thankful that we were able to meet you – and take lessons from you! You really made our day! Diana C. Georgia.

“Most awesome day of my life and the best instructor possible…” Frank Berner, Pittsburg

“Awesome lesson, you rock”  Jeshua Frederick, AZ

“I’m so glad my kids had you instead of those other guys..”  Jim Vigil, WA

Call me to reserve a time.  760-696-7149  PST  Mark Kaplan owner, instructor. Mobile Number.

What I Teach in Oceanside Surf Lessons

Every student wants to be an expert, but there are several fundamentals

that make the experience more fun. First, we want to be comfortable in

the ocean. We learn how to handle the surf board in the waves and not get

hurt. We start off waist deep for all students.

Then we want to learn how to paddle, stay balanced, and catch waves.

With the right techniques students can practice on their own after the

lessons or take their learning to other beaches in the world.

The athletic part is getting from the lying down position to the standing position.

We call this the pop up. The posture on the board has to be just right or

students fall off the board. Read on to learn the pop up technique.

In the Water

I give students a four count for the pop up. On one, we paddle until we catch the wave.

On two, we place our hands in a man’s push up position. Three, we push

off the board and bring our front foot forward to the middle of the board.

On four, we are standing in the perfect posture with shoulders and hips

squared to the beach. In the water is where the real instruction occurs.

Getting Better

Some students advance very fast in an hour lesson. As soon as

students can catch waves and pop up, I start advancing them.

They learn to paddle out through the waves, turn around and

catch the next wave. They learn how to carve turns while riding

toward the beach on foam waves. Some even learn to start riding

real waves.

Confidence Builds

I am amused at how some students start saying they want to

catch bigger waves as their confidence builds on the small waves.

It is not uncommon for students to start paddling out further

and trying to catch bigger foam waves closer to the main break.

Sure they get wrecked, but they laugh and often catch big waves

for long rides. They’re hooked for life.

Longer Surf Lessons

An hour takes everyone through the basics

to practice on their own. A longer surf lesson allows

students to practice with my supervision and

comments and advance to more techniques. It

takes more stamina, but certainly kids and teens

have no trouble with longer sessions.

A second or third day has students feeling at one

in the water like fish. They master all the basics and

are thoroughly enjoying the techniques without having

to think about them.

Which Surf Board to Use

I start kids and teens on 8′ or 9′ soft top boards

depending on their size and coordination. The

larger the volume of the board, the easier it is

to learn the fundamentals.

I start all adults on a 9′ surf board. As students

get better on the 9′ board, I move them to the

8′ size. The 8′ board is easier to handle but more

difficult to paddle, catch waves, and ride.

Surfing Fitness

A lot of seniors wonder if they are fit to surf.

Age is functional. Three physical aspects are important:

Stretching, upper body strength, and stamina. Anyone

who visits the gym, does yoga, runs, rides bikes, or so

many other pursuits will be just fine.

Kids don’t really have the upper body strength,

but they can scramble on the boards and their weight doesn’t

upset the balance if they are careful.

Adults have to be able to follow the pop up procedure to

maintain balance on the board. I suggest they begin practicing

at home or certainly after the lessons if they want to continue

surfing in their future.

Join me and let’s have some fun. How far can you go?

Read my online book if you want an 80 page thorough explanation

of everything I have talked about above (below)

Follow these external links for more surf instructions:

Surf Lesson Tutorials. These may not be exactly as I teach but they are helpful

This instructor gives a good overall video lesson on learning to surf

Another good pop up video. Each instructor has his style but the basics are the same.

Get My 17 Page Introductory Surf Guide for $1.
Buy Now and Down Load  $1

Oceanside Surf Lessons  [the ebook]

“I’ve read and watched so many on-line tutorials and I’ve gotta say your book is the coolest, most succinct and comprehensive I’ve seen. So good!” A. Parker, OR.

Purchase my 80 page eBook Surf Instructions: Beginner to Advanced 

to begin your adventure.

All the lessons I have learned from my students about

what makes learning to surf a fun adventure.

Buy Now and Begin Reading   $8.62.

Oceanside Surf Lessons