My husband LOVED his surf lesson with Zack. He had always wanted to try surfing but never pulled the trigger to book a lesson himself. Upon planning our baby moon I contacted iSurf to surprise my husband with a private lesson and to ask a few questions. I spoke to Thomas who was extremely helpful and answered all of my questions. After the call I knew this was the company to book through. We received a text letting us know the location of the session the day before as well as a text the morning of. When we arrived at the location the team was super friendly and energetic. The lesson was thorough and my husband spent quite a bit of time in the water. I was able to spot him catch a few waves as well! Thanks Thomas, Zack and the iSurf team for such a wonderful experience! Looking forward to going back to Santa Barbara and taking a lesson myself! read more

iSurf is amazing! If you want to learn to surf the right way with an instructor who is knowledgeable, encouraging and has a ton of patience then iSurf is for you!! I have had lessons with other surf schools but nothing compares to iSurf!!! I am actually surfing now! We go to different surf spots and experience different surf breaks!! ISurf is awesome and I recommend any woman who wants to learn to surf go here! read more

Thomas, Thank you so much for our lesson on Saturday. Kathryn and Hannah couldn't stop talking about it and I scored a "coolest Aunt" comment on the way home:). Have a good day and maybe I'll sign-up again. I really enjoyed it too! Karen read more

Exactly what I was going for when I signed up for the lessons. Thomas is a really cool guy, the private lesson is really great for learning a ton about positioning on the board, paddling, standing up on the board, and maintaining balance. I was standing on the board on the first day, and hopped into group lessons the next day. It was super easy to coordinate, and Thomas even recommended the Airbnb place I ended up staying at in Summerland, which turned out great. Definitely was a major highlight on my trip to Santa Barbara. Would recommend iSurf to anyone wanting to learn how to surf. read more

Hands down best Summer camp experience my kids have had the privilege of participating in...and they've participated in many! This is our second year of iSurf camp and it's even better than the last. Thomas, Zach and all the counselors are so skilled at teaching these kids the fundamentals of surfing, building their confidence and instilling a love of / respect for the ocean. Our girls have picked up surfing and developed such excitement for the sport in a way we always hoped they would (we've tried... they don't listen to us :)They come home happy, exhausted and looking forward to the next day. Wish this could go on forever! We're so fortunate to have an option like iSurf in Santa Barbara. Thank you! read more

Zach was super rad and helped me practice my skills in the water!! Such a fun experience and great energy. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get into surfing. They make the experience very comfortable and I will definitely come back again to this company! read more

Knowledgeable instructors and flexible schedules. They were very understanding when we had delays to our schedule while on vacation. We had a great time and would definitely go back again. read more

My first lesson I booked by my friend's recommendation, now I'm recommending Isurf to my friends! Thomas has different options, I tried few and they all were very beneficial for me. Learning surfing is fun, specially if you have professionals next to you who make you feel safe in a water!! read more

We signed up our 8 year old girls for a Saturday session at the last minute and they were able to accommodate us without issue. The girls went out with Zach and had a great time. Both wanted to go back. On Monday we called to get all 4 kids in and were initially were told that there was no way that they would be able to accommodate us on that short of a notice. Thomas called back and was able to work us into a lesson that day. When we finally met him to thank him he told us that he just couldn't disappoint the kids. Great experience all around! read more

My kids did the iSurf summer camp this summer (through Parks and Rec) and absolutely LOVED it! I particularly loved the convenience of the downtown pick up and drop off location and my kids really liked that it was a "travel" camp so they got to check out different beaches and surf spots. The kids raved about all of the instructors and are already begging to go back next summer. I loved the responsiveness of the iSurf staff whenever I had questions...seriously a great experience. read more

Best Surf Instructor Ever!! I found iSurf through Yelp while I was in Santa Barbara for a few days. I've had a lot of lessons in the past and Thomas is hands down the best instructor. He broke me of some bad habits and taught me lots of little maneuvers that helped me tremendously to be more efficient with my energy in the water. I am not a beginner, but I had to go back to the basics to reprogram my muscle memory. Thomas was great about taking me out during the right conditions and to the ideal spot for the type of lesson I wanted. He is really good at reading the waves and where to position yourself in the water for optimal rides. If you're a beginner, start with Thomas so you learn the techniques correctly. If you're a frustrated surfer like I was, take a lesson with Thomas to get dialed in correctly. I absolutely plan on getting more lessons from iSurf. Worth every penny!! And the service is great too! On time and convenient. You just show up and he has everything ready for you. read more

I had such a great time surfing with the crew at iSurf! Travelled to Mexico for a ladies camp and everything was pretty perfect (despite the small waves). I felt safe and well taken care of the whole time. The lodging, meals and surf excursions were well organized, and the instructor was super knowledgable and accommodating. Not to mention the camaraderie - all the ladies were fun and upbeat. A very enjoyable experience all around! read more

Five stars for our instructor -- but two stars for the idea of "group" surfing classes. iSurf's group class is a great way to get a taste of whether you'd like to surf, but not an ideal way to actually learn to surf. That's what I concluded after my 12-year-old daughter and I used iSurf's Groupon offer to try surfing for the first time. That Groupon is a *fantastic* deal, and I'm really glad we were able to try surfing for $30/person rather than $100/person, as with just about every other option I looked at. That class was enough for me to realize five things: 1. You can't learn to surf alongside your kid -- at least, not if you are the kind of parent who worries about their kid drowning. I realized I was too nervous to take my eyes off my daughter while she was on a board, so I waited on the shore until she tired. HUGE kudos to our instructor for the attention he paid to her -- he stayed so close by that I wasn't concerned for my daughter's safety at all, and she actually did get a chance to try (but fail at) standing up. 2. Surfing involves getting a LOT of water in your face. Honestly, I felt like I was being waterboarded. If I were serious about trying, I'd spend a few days in the heavy surf, wearing a wetsuit, so that I could get used to being whacked in the face by waves before I tried getting on a board. 3. Surfing is HARD and scary. I couldn't figure out how our instructor came by his crazy intense upper body musculature -- until we started paddling out into the waves. It is WORK. I love swimming, so that wasn't too daunting, but it *was* daunting to swim right into massive waves. This is why I think I'd do better one on one: the only time I got far enough out to try surfing back in, I'd accidentally ended up far from the rest of the group, and I had no idea how to get back to them without getting slammed by a wave from behind, so I didn't even try. One-to-one instruction would be worth the investment, particularly if I did the work of getting used to big waves in advance. That said, two of our fellow classmates did great and were up and surfing by the end of the class. 4. The instructor REALLY matters. Ours was terrific (I'm so sorry I've forgotten his name!) and made a real effort to get both of us in the water. I particularly appreciated his gentle, confident approach to encouraging my daughter to keep going even after she got whacked by a few waves -- even though she didn't end up actually getting up on her board, she felt great about her efforts, and loved the class. 5. The day REALLY matters. To keep our spirits up, our instructor didn't tell me until *after* class that the waves that day were exceptionally strong -- and he offered us a make-up class so we'd have a chance to try again. We weren't able to take him up on that, but if I were trying again, I'd be sure to book a class with the proviso that we could check in that day and rebook if the waves were too rough for beginners. The two things I think iSurf could do to improve the experience are (1) setup their online registration with clearer instructions on how to use a Groupon, if you have one -- I had to get Groupon's help in order to get in touch with with iSurf and actually book our class, and (2) provide more info on where to park and meet up at the beach. My daughter and I spend fifteen minutes looking for parking and twenty minutes walking the beach to find the group -- only to discover them in a van by the side of the road. Someone else in the class was even later, for the same reason. It would be wise to tell students to look for the group in a van on the street, and not on the beach itself. All in all, it was a great experience, and I'm glad we gave it a shot. read more

I am a physically active person. I found iSurf because the winter snow season was over and I needed something else to do. I cannot say enough on the professionalism that I have experienced with the lead surf instructor, Thomas. If the session in Santa Barbara isn't looking good, he is kind enough to text me. I like that, especially since I live an hour away. I have learned a GREAT deal from Thomas and wouldn't be where I am today without his knowledge, expertise and patience. I HIGHLY recommend you give iSurf a call if you have the desire to learn how to surf. read more

I researched a bunch of places to take my first surfing lesson and I ended up selecting isurf, and I am so happy I picked them!!! I spoke to Thomas (the owner)when I made the reservation and when we got to Mondos beach he got me and my boyfriend fitted in wetsuits and introduced us to Zach our instructor. Zach taught us some rules and tips on the beach first and then we spent about and hour or so in the water. Zach helped us so much and was super patient in helping me especially. Having never surfed before I was not sure how I would do. I can't tell you how much fun we had because it would not do it justice and we both managed to ride a couple waves!!! If you are thinking about taking a surfing lesson when you are in Santa Barbara I will tell you that Zach and Thomas are absolutely the right people to take lessons from. They are extremely knowledgable, patient, kind and funny! Thanks Guy!!!! What a fantastic Birthday Present!!!! read more

iSurf - Surfing Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I have been with iSurf for almost 2 years now. I'm turning 60 this year, and have done the membership package and what a great value!! I did the annual membership, so for $100 a month I can sign up for a lesson 7 days a week if I want. I usually go 3-4 times a week, great group of people, super fun, my surfing has improved, I've made great friends, what a fantastic way to learn this sport, and what a fantastic value. Couldn't give a higher review!!! read more

Just had the best first-time surfing experience we could have possibly hoped for with iSurf! Our group was four mothers and our four teenage daughters, all surfing novices. We were each a little nervous, but Thomas and Mariah spent time instructing us on the beach beforehand, taught us some surfing basics very clearly and concisely, and addressed all of our trepidation with kindness and humor. When we hit the water, we felt prepared and excited and Thomas and Mariah were great about pushing us into the waves and letting us know right when we needed to pop up, then giving specific feedback after almost every wave so we could keep progressing. All eight of us first-time surfers caught plenty of waves, felt successful, and most importantly had a blast out there together! Everything about our experience exceeded the expectations of all four moms and our daughters and everyone left wanting to surf again. I am now planning on taking my whole family down for a family surf session with these fantastic instructors. read more

The iSurf team is super friendly and very knowledgable. They take all the hassle out of getting out there as they provide newcomers with wetsuit, board and on-beach training before helping you learn to navigate the waves. Once you've got your feet wet they stick with you and help you learn more with each lesson. read more

I've probably had 25 different surf instructors on my lifelong quest to ride waves, and so many of their lessons are contradictory, ill-suited to different body types or vague ("just feel the wave"). I went out with Thomas from iSurf on a small day and within 5 minutes of listening and looking, he had a half dozen specific, non-obvious tips to help me catch waves, improve my technique, and have more fun. We paddled out in Ventura and I probably caught 8+ small waves within an hour and had an amazing time. A good day for me is usually 2-3 waves at best. Thomas had me feeling comfortable and confident and eager to get out there again. Needless to say, he was incredibly friendly and considerate as well as thoughtful. Definitely one of the best experiences I've had surfing anywhere (including Hawaii, Costa Rica, NorCal, SoCal, and East Coast). Thomas and iSurf are also incredibly communicative and accommodative with scheduling. read more

This company is beyond AMAZING! I found them when I googled paddle board yoga in Santa Barbara for my sister's bachelorette weekend. They emailed me back immediately and let me know that they no longer offer that but that they had something else in mind. They picked us up from our rental house in SB right on time, took us to a beautiful secluded spot on the beach where they lead us through a private yoga session (one of the best yoga experiences I have ever had), followed by a gourmet champagne brunch picnic that was being set up for us while we were doing yoga. The brunch consisted of delicious pastries from a local bakery, fresh fruits, cheese, chocolate and a bottle of champagne per girl! The friendliness of each of the staff members was remarkable. They were very patient and sweet when some of us were still recovering from the first night of bachelorette debauchery! The rest of the group and I were floored by how smooth and great everything was ran. They even took photos of us during the yoga and brunch and emailed them to me promptly. I can't say enough good things about these guys, I highly recommend isurf to anyone looking for a one of a kind experience! read more

We are visiting Santa Barbara and just had an awesome time surfing as a family, 3 adults and 3 kids age 6-9. Thomas was easy to set up the lesson with and instructors Zach and Patrice were awesome! We had a fantastic time and we all got up! I would highly recommend issued to anyone! Thank you for the great California experience! read more

iSurf Santa Barbara's instructor helped give me all the tools necessary to begin surfing, even on the first lesson I stood up! He watched and gave feedback on every aspect of my attempts at surfing, which was wonderful .You couldn't ask for a more understanding instructor either- I have a fear of waves (which can be problematic when surfing) but he helped me get over that too, and really worked with me. I would recommend iSurf to anyone at any level who wants to learn. There were some intermediate surfers in our class too who also got a lot out of the session. Hang ten! read more

I have had a wonderful experience with iSurf! I came to iSurf having learned the basics but getting frustrated not catching waves. The instructor really helped me piece everything together. Not only that but his teaching method put me in a place where I felt supported and able to trust his knowledge to get over my fears. ISurf got me over the hump between beginning and intermediate surfing and I'm ready to keep going! read more

I've been taking lessons with Thomas and Zach for about two months now and have seen so much progress in my surfing! I started off with a fear of two foot waves and basically no knowledge of the ocean and both guys have helped out me so much! Every time, I've finished riding a wave, or fall of my board, or don't even get up, both Thomas and Zach are able to quickly asses what I can do to improve. They know exactly what works! All you have to do is listen :) If you truly want to understand the waves, how to move and really become a true surfer, iSurf is your best bet!! read more

Great surfing lesson with Thomas! He was patient, very nice, but still challenged my wife and I just the right amount so we would make progress. Great instructor, great experience! read more

I took a lesson with a few friends today and was thrilled by the experience. Zach was awesome, taking time with each of us at the lesson - changing his advice and tips based on our skill level. I'm excited to join iSurf for more lessons/group surf sessions, and may even hop on to the next Baja trip to do more. Very cool group, highly recommended. read more

My boys had the best surfing camp experience with iSurf. The great instructors (Thomas, Zack, Nicole, Ashley, Victoria, Malea), the small groups (1:4 ratio), and the convenience of dropping the kids off near the wharf yet the flexibility of traveling to different beaches so the kids can experience the best waves makes this surf camp stand out from the rest. My boys had so much fun that we decided to try too, and now we're hooked! We're all big iSurf fans, and will surf with them whenever we can!! read more