Banzai Surf School

About Banzai Surf School

Banzai Surf School teaches in Huntington Beach, the town that calls itself Surf City USA. It teaches beginners, families and advanced surfers, and says about 90% of its students stand up on their first lesson. Full wetsuits and boards are included, and private lessons run a full two hours.

Two hours is longer than most lessons in Southern California. That extra time matters: the first half hour usually goes to gear, beach drills and getting used to the water, so a longer session leaves more time actually catching waves.

What a lesson looks like

After suiting up, you'll practice paddling and the pop-up on the sand, learn how to spot a rip current and how to fall safely, then head into waist-deep whitewater. Your instructor helps you pick waves and gives feedback after each ride. More experienced surfers can work on paddling out, turning and wave selection instead.

Huntington's waves for learning

Huntington is a long, straight sand beach that faces southwest and picks up swell from almost every direction. That's great for consistency, but it also means it can get big and crowded. The pier is the main landmark: the best surfers crowd the peaks right next to it, while the open beach north toward Huntington Street and south along PCH has more room for lessons.

Beginners do best on 1–3 ft days. Huntington often has light offshore or glassy wind early in the morning before the west sea breeze arrives around midday, so morning lessons tend to be cleaner. Check our HB Pier Southside and Huntington Street forecasts for a Poor-to-Fair size rating with light wind.

Who it's best for

First-timers who want a long session, families looking for a classic Surf City experience, and intermediate surfers who want coaching in a beach break with lots of waves. Book at least a day ahead; summer weekends fill up.

Local tips

Huntington has big paid beach lots along PCH plus metered street parking downtown. Stay well away from the pier pilings in the water. The water is coolest from February to May and warmest in August and September, but with a full wetsuit included you'll be comfortable most of the year.

Check the surf before your lesson

Live forecasts for the breaks where Banzai Surf School teaches.

FAQs

More surf schools in Orange County

• Let's Go Surf School · Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach
• Orange County Surf Coaching · Huntington Beach
• California Surf Experience · Laguna Beach, Orange County

Breaks near Banzai Surf School

Nearby surf spots with live BODI forecasts, tides and wind.