Zuma Surf & Swim Training

Colin is a gifted teacher and really knows how to break down the elements of surfing so that they are understandable and actionable, which I really appreciated when he taught my son. He started with him on land, showed him the basic moves, and then was extremely patient and encouraging when they were in the water – for a good 2 hours. This was our first trip to LA and when we come back, we will definitely look Colin and Zuma up for more lessons. HIGHLY recommend.

I cannot say enough good things about Kai and Zuma Surf and Swim! We had a two hour lesson for my son and three of his friends for his birthday — it was absolutely perfect! All of the boys (even the ones who initially said they didn’t want to surf) got up on the board, and they all loved it. Kai begins on the sand, talking about the water, safety and what to expect. Then, they get in the water, and with his help, they surf! Seriously, it was the best bday party we’ve had and the price cannot be beat! So much better than other party options, this was a huge hit. Communicating with Kai was great, emails and calls were responded to immediately (unlike some of the other places I contacted) and it couldn’t have been smoother. Thank you so much! We’re thinking of having the boys do a session of camp there this summer!

My girlfriend and I had a fantastic lesson with CJ. He was equal parts chill and competent, making the process fun and laid back and (relatively) easy.
He adeptly read us, matching the challenge to our progress, helping us to achieve as much as possible in our 2 hours without ever pushing us to a place we weren’t comfortable.
Even though our time was up, CJ graciously insisted we keep going until we caught a wave we could be proud of – I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

We booked a lesson with a gift certificate from our wedding. Colin was super nice (when we arrived at the van he wasn’t there because he was taking care of a random guy who had gotten scraped up skateboarding).
We started on the beach to learn tips and rules to stay safe in the water and then the basics of standing up on the board. A few minutes later we were in the water for over 1 hour.
Colin shared stories, asked us about our lives, had a smile on his face the whole time, and made us laugh constantly. It was awesome from start to finish and we can’t wait to go back to use our 2^nd gift certificate!
Here is a video of our lesson:

Had a kick-​ass time learning the basics of surfing with Colin. My girlfriend bought me a gift certificate and I finally got around to redeeming it and I won’t lie, I really wish I had redeemed it earlier. It was a great experience and now I need to make up for lost time on the waves.
Communication with Kai and Josette at Zuma Surf and Swim training was as smooth as it can be. I knew exactly where to go and felt sufficiently prepared.
Colin showed me the ropes at the Rose Ave. beach location. He was extremely attentive and thorough. Once I got in the water I felt like his confidence in me and encouraging vibes really helped me to get up on the board.
Suffice to say, this experience was more than positive and I intend to commune with the waves again very soon.

My husband and I surfed with Kai this past weekend and while we are super beginners, we never really felt that way. We totally enjoyed our experience and will be back to conquer the waves once again! One thing that will always stick with me is that after an hour or so of not succeeding, I told Kai I was disappointed in myself for not being able to «catch the wave» so he encouraged me to give it one last shot, with him doing the majority of the work!, and wa-​la, I finally made it up! Couldn’t have done it without his positive nature and amazing encouragement. Have fun out there!

Surfing is one of those things I’ve always wanted to do and despite living in areas where it’s be accessible (Philippines and Vancouver, Canada), I never did. I was in Santa Monica beach one day watching some kids have a lesson and decided I should go and do it, I was on vacation anyway!
Unilocal led me to Zuma Surf and Swim. I hadn’t realized that it was a holiday (Columbus Day) when I texted their number, but Josette got back to me right away and promptly scheduled me for a private lesson the following day and sent me an email promptly with instructions on where where to meet, directions, and what to expect.
My instructor was Tip. He was very funny and a great instructor. I felt like he did a lot of emphasis on safety which was great. He was very patient and gave me helpful tips on my form. There was a point when the waves were getting a bit brutal, so he took that opportunity to give me some more pointers, rest, and to teach me a bit more about the waves. In our hour and a half together, I managed to get up a few times on the board which he said was great.
When I come back to California, I’d definitely do another lesson. Josette followed up with me after the lesson to get feedback which I thought was great.

I took a private surf lesson with Colin this weekend and it was a great experience! Before getting into the water he made sure I understood the safety rules of surfing and we practiced paddling and standing up on the board.
In the water he helped me choose the right waves to catch and always gave me thorough feedback after each wave so I could improve moving forward.
The online reservation system was easy to navigate and all my email communication with the company was professional and prompt! I can’t wait to get back on the board! Thanks Colin and Zuma Surf and swim!

I recently moved to LA and have been surfing with friends a few times, but when my best friend came out to visit we decided to splurge and go for a lesson. I had seen an instructor from Zuma teaching a lesson in the ocean the week before and loved his teaching style so I called them up and scheduled one for us. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, our lesson was held up about 20 minutes, but once we got started it was AMAZING. We had Tip who is new to the company, but is an incredible teacher. He looks like your typical surfer (gorgeous, blonde, etc), but he’s smart, knowledgeable, and funny. He was very professional, gave us the lowdown on the beach about safety while surfing and about the ocean, then we went out. It took us a few tries, but both of us stood up a few times before our two-​hour lesson was over and Tip was really good about talking us through the little things we were missing when we didn’t stand up. He’s an awesome teacher — request him!
In addition, I want to recommend Zuma as a company. I’m big on communication and Kai & Josette, the owners, were amazing with texting, calling, and emailing while we were trying to schedule the lesson. They also followed up after our lesson and were extremely helpful, nice, and professional.
I cannot say enough good things about Zuma and our instructor Tip. If you are in Zuma or Santa Monica, go with Zuma! It’s worth the money, trust me.

We were in Malibu over spring break 2014 and arranged to have surf lessons at Zuma Beach for our son’s 12 birthday. Wow… he had a BLAST! The instructor, Colin, was AWESOME! He is GREAT with kids. Our son enjoyed every minute! I highly recommend Zuma Surf & Swim Training… but even more we highly recommend Colin!!! Thanks!

I have wanted to surf my entire life, having grown up as a Malibu beach bum, not sure why it never happened. My husband expressed an interest in learning how to surf this summer. After talking to several friends that surf, one of my buddies really stressed taking a lesson. Needless to say it was amazing! We got up and caught a few waves! Colin was amazing and explained things that my friends would not have if we have just gone out with friends. We went to Tower 14 at Zuma and conditions were perfect. I would definitely recommend Zuma Surf!!!

I had a great time. I took a class with my sister and Dad. Our instructor was Colin. Learned safety rules and how to study the ocean waves. Be prepared to get tossed and turned by the ocean waves. To the ocean, I was like a leaf in the wind. Once I get the hang of it I know I will start having fun. Thank you again Colin for your patience with us. :)

We chose to go with Zuma Surf & Swim Training with a party of four, and were assigned to Jonathan. He was very knowledgeable, patient, and overall gave us a fantastic experience.
I thoroughly appreciated Jonathan’s teaching style, giving us an hour-​long lecture on the do’s and don’ts of surfing. He provided the group with very helpful tips and encouraged us all throughout the day. Although our session was supposed to be two hours long, Jonathan wanted to ensure that we got a good run at surfing and went a little over time with us.
The group rate is a little less expensive on a per person basis, but my experience with Jonathan makes me think that the best instructor to student ratio for beginners should be 1:2. Having 1:4 ratio made Jonathan work really, really hard and even then it was difficult for him to be able to spread his time evenly with the four students.
I definitely appreciated Jonathan’s effort and instruction, so I’d certainly recommend Zuma Surf & Swim Training to those looking for a positive surf lesson experience.

I have always wanted to surf and finally decided on my 47^th birthday it was time to cross it off my adventure list! The email contact with Josette was fabulous, easy, timely and professional. I was able to quickly book an appointment. Colin was our instructor, can’t say enough good things about him! He was easy to get along with, knowledgeable and fun! There were two of us for our lesson and Colin made us feel completely safe and well informed. We had sooooooooooooooo much fun and learned a lot! At the end of the session we also met Kai the owner and Jonathan another instructor, l was pleasantly surprised that everyone was helpful and kind.
My friend and I have booked 2 lessons with 2 more on deck. Great place and I am sending anyone I know that wants to surf to them!!! Good people.

I had never taken a surf lesson, but had gone out with a friend on a couple of occasions, which means I was never really taught anything until now. Jonathan took my friend and I out and we had a great time and learned a lot. My friend has more experience than me, but Jonathan was able to teach to our respective levels within the same lesson.
He was patient, encouraging and gave helpful tips and feedback which lead to almost immediate improvement. Managed to get up and ride one wave all the way in, which is all I wanted to accomplish my first real time out.
Had a blast and would recommend these guys to just about anyone regardless of age, experience, level of athleticism, etc.
I’ll be back for more!

What an awesome experience! Surfing has been on my to-​do list since I’ve moved back to SoCal last year and since I haven’t picked up a board in over a decade, I felt some private instruction was warranted. And who wants to do anything alone right? Since most of my buddies are either hungover or just not down with waking up before dawn on a Sunday, why not drag my newlywed brother out of bed at 5:45am to give him a second birthday present and piss off my sister-​in-​law in the process hehe.
We showed up to Santa Monica just before 8am and met up with Colin who was our surf guru for the day. Both of us could not have been more satisfied with the knowledge, interest, and positive attitude Colin displayed as our instructor. After a lesson on the beach talking Xs and Os of current, sets, and basic surf technique we jumped in the water. I got up on my third try but my brother rocked it and rode every wave except his last.
Can’t say enough good things about this company. Everything from the initial communication with Kai via email, to the logistics and maps in the days before the lesson, to the actual experience and instruction from Colin, I will be recommending this place to everyone I know who wants to get out there in the water.

I had an exceptional experience with Kai yesterday.
I moved to L.A. almost 7 years ago, and I always wanted to get in the water and learn to surf… and for one reason or another it never happened.
Finally, I did a little research and Zuma Surf & Swim looked like my best option.
I sent Kai an e-​mail, and received a quick response.
We lined up a session for me + 2 of my friends, and met yesterday morning @ Zuma Beach in Malibu.
Kai greeted us with a smile, had our boards & wet-​suits ready for us, and we made our way onto the sand pretty quickly.
Kai is a natural teacher. He instantly makes you feel comfortable and excited about getting into the water. His enthusiasm for the sport and teaching people how to surf is obvious and genuine. He focuses on safety, and will give you the knowledge you need to get out there and get the hang of this sport.
Before long, the 4 of us were in the water riding waves!
All 3 of us got up several times and actually did some decent surfing!
I went and bought a wet-​suit and board of my own right after the lesson.
I honestly can’t wait to get back out there again.
Kai, I can’t thank you enough.
You taught me a skill that I will use for many years.
Thank you!

Hi! I had a very nice experience with my first surfing lesson — I could not have started from a lowest point: I was rather scared being not very used to be in the water (last time I went to the seaside counted years before), totally out of shape and never in the Ocean before, so I expected the worst from myself.
Actually, the whole experience was great instead: Jonathan was very helpful and patient, he explained everything on the shore before us heading to the waves and kept motivating all the time.
My next step is to book a 2 weeks surf camp in Europe where I live, and hopefully once started getting the knack of it, I will never stop :)
…thanks Jonathan and Zuma Surf!

Whether you’re reading this review because you’ve never ever surfed or you’re looking for a coach that can take you to the next level in your surf practice, you’re fortunate to be learning about Zuma Surf Training.
Zuma Surf Training is essentially three extremely qualified surfing coaches: Kai, Colin, and Jonathan. Therefore it’s a personal vs. corporate experience. I’ve had one two hour session with Kai and one two hour session with Colin and both were excellent coaches.
I’m an experienced beginner. I’ve been out «surfing» a few times each year for the past 10 years but am deciding to take it up as a practice as a 40 year-​old. I want to be legit surfer by the time I’m 50. I took a trip to Costa Rica to surf Guiones for 8 days with a coach about a month ago. I valued two things from that trip: the benefit of learning and practicing for consecutive days and the benefit of having an experienced surfer with me for wave selection and to observe and correct my habits.
To live the experience I wanted to find someone who I could check in with over the next year as I work into a more regular surf practice. A quick Google search turned up this LA Weekly «Best Of» listing that said Kai Sanson (of Zuma Surf) was the Best Surfing Instructor in LA —
. I shot Kai an e-​mail saying I was interested in improving my surf and he immediately replied with a plan of action to get me in the water.
I opted for private solo lessons — (pricing is available on their website
).
Kai immediately inspires confidence. He looks like a guy that knows about surfing. He’s been surfing for 28 years and teaching for 15.
Even though I’ve been «surfing» dozens of times, I started learning from Kai right from the beginning. As we stretched he emphasized the importance of watching the ocean for at least 10 minutes to ensure I observe the full cycle of what the waves are doing. There were constant smaller waves, but every few minutes a set of larger waves would come through. If you don’t watch the water for 10 minutes, you may paddle out and then be surprised and unprepared for a set of waves larger than those breaking before you got in the water.
Throughout my next two hours with Kai he continued to provide perspective and pointers that changed the way I thought about my body position and what the waves were doing.
I’m at a point in my surfing progress where I need a lot of repetition of catching waves. I’m working on sizing up the wave, positioning myself, paddling to glide into the wave, and my pop-​up. The beach at Santa Monica was perfect for my first time out with Kai, I caught my waves, and learned some key things I’d been completely unaware of the prior 10 years.
I was eager to build on my progress and booked my second coaching session the next Sunday. Kai had a conflict, so I went out with Colin. It was apparent Colin respects Kai’s experience, even though he’s been surfing for 18 years himself. Colin coached me progress on some basic skills such as improving my speed and control turning around from eyeing waves to paddling into them and built my confidence about padding through breakers to get out to the green water.
My plan now is to continue working on my wave catching fundamentals for a few weeks on my own to get the habits down. Colin thought I was focusing on the right elements and executing well enough to drill through that sort of practice.
Conversations are easy and interesting while you’re sitting our with Kai or Colin between sets.
You can be a local like me looking for ongoing instruction or a tourist vising Los Angeles, CA only for a few days and getting on a board for the first time. Either way time and money spent with Kai and Colin are well spent.
I’m keeping a blog to keep me focused on improving my surf skills —

Out of all the surf lesson places, I chose Zuma because it gets excellent reviews on Unilocal.What a great decision!
From my first interaction, things went great. After calling on the phone and letting them know my available times, we set up a time a day or so later and they sent me an email confirming the time. It had great, very specific directions for where to meet in Santa Monica. It gave me the payment options (cash/​check in person, or Paypal for Credit card in advance). When there was a last minute change to my instructor, they sent me a text just to let me know. Excellent customer service.
My lesson was given by Colin, who was great. We developed a great rapport right off the bat. We laughed together when I told him I wanted to take a surf lesson because it was the ultimate SoCal cliché and then he told me that when he wasn’t teaching surfing he was… wait for it… an actor! All joking aside, the lesson was amazing. The equipment was great. Colin did a great job of explaining what to do prior to starting while we practiced on the beach, so it was no problem getting started in the water. He was also really helpful in the water, where he was spotting the waves (key in the somewhat gray weather we had) and giving me a push to get me going. By the end I was able to get up on the board, albeit briefly!
Overall, I couldn’t recommend Zuma more. Great experience. Thanks Colin!