I brought my friends and took my first two lessons with Chris so far, and those were fun and…read morevaluable. Chris is such a chill guy and he's also a good instructor. Everything he taught was easy to understand and to follow. If you're the first time surfer or someone who hasn't surf for a while and want to have a refresh lesson, I'd definitely recommend for Chris!

My friend and I took a surfing class for the first time and we had an awesome experience with…read moreChris! Under his instructions, we were able to learn fast and get up on the surfboard within just a few tries. Absolutely loved it.

Surfing is the source. It will change your life! Locals is the source of surfing! They will change…read moreyour life! Good people at a great spot. Throw on a 5mm and go year round!

I really wanted to like this school but after thinking on everything that's happened, it's really…read morenot great. My first session, we did basic stance on sand then we were in the water with an instructor who was pushing me onto waves. He just kept talking with other instructors and wasn't really teaching me anything. When I asked questions on form or technique he'd give me short answers in an agro tone. During one of the wave rides I fell off the board and it hit me in the throat and I was under water for a little. No one noticed lol not one instructor. Maybe because they were too busy talking about the surf spots like to go to. Second time my session ended up being on a day of a storm and the waves were insanely big. They still got us out into the water - I was scared since it was my second timer ever. I think it was stupid for them to hold the session instead of offering to come back another time. I could barely get over the waves and was flipped over multiple times. When I come out to Rockaways I always see that instructor I had my first session with and he acts super agro still. Maybe he doesn't like women bc he seems to get on with the guys. Don't know what the deal is but I'd recommend doing a session with a private instructor in the area instead of this school.

I really recommend going surfing in the Rockaways if you're looking for a fun activity to do…read more My biggest regret was not going to Rockaway Beach more frequently because of how accessible by public transportation it is.....it just takes a bit of time depending on where you live. I've surfed before, but wanted to try this school out since it's been a while and was unfamiliar with the waves. I did the $90 group package and it was definitely worth it. They provided the wetsuit and board, so all you had to bring was yourself. The instructors were super friendly and encouraging. The guy I had did a really great job of just simply explaining key points so you can get on your board and ride. The amount of time spent surfing is plentiful and you will have a ton of chances to ride nice waves. My recommendation is to google the wave heights and coordinate the best time to ride. Would definitely do it again, and I think for next year I'm contemplating on buying a 10-pack package so I can go more often. Surfs Up!

I highly recommend New York Surf School. I booked a 4 hour (double-session) because I figured it…read morewould take a me a while to get the hang of it. The water was 65 degrees, but with the wet suit they provided I felt comfortable the whole time. The board was a 9 foot foam top with three fins. Angela provided on-beach instruction on how to paddle and pop-up -- which was pretty quick, so we got right in the water. Andrew took us in the water and we started catching waves right away. He puts you in just the right position and gives you a push and tells you when to pop-up. We basically caught a ton of waves all day with tips on form throughout. Andrew is very nice and a pleasure to hang with. The waves were small, maybe 2 to 3 feet, but it was perfect for learning how to stand up and ride straight in to the beach.

ive taken a few lessons w elysha and always leave feeling super proud of the progress ive made…read moreduring our sessions together. she is not only very knowledgeable in her teaching, but her passion and love for the sport is empowering and makes me stoked to improve everyday! i am excited to continue my lessons w elysha and i highly recommend her for anyone interested in learning surfing in the city.

I took Screenwriting I here with Jeremy. It was fantastic and I loved the emphasis on the students…read moreactually writing, as opposed to just learning about writing. I highly recommend.

Took an intro to videogame course and loved every minute! Attentive instructors and relevant, real…read moreworld class material

Absolutely amazing teachers and classes. I learned so much in a week -- Stephanie was the…read moreconsummate professional. Any extra time or questions I had were answered -- without making me feel slow -- :) or patronizing. Truly recommend.

I paid for my daughter to go to this school to get her bartending license. She was also told in…read moreorder to participate in the job placement that they allegedly offer she had to request them on an IG page. It's been 9 months and she still hasn't been accepted on Instagram. We call, email and get no response. Save your money folks!

I have recently bought a package from Aqua Skills, I have an upcoming trip and travel a lot so I…read morewould really love to be able to participate in activities while on vacation. I went to my first class terrified of breathing under water and feeling super anxious. However I really enjoy working with Lori, she definitely pushes me which I need. I like how she gives me direction, and shows me examples of what to do. We also have good conversation throughout the class, which helps me to relax and doesn't make the session so stressful. I am becoming more comfortable in the water and more confident. We have been working on breathing, stroke and treading. We always start on time and It's nice that you have time after your lesson to continue practicing if you please. The pool Is heated which is a plus. Craig is also very nice and pointed out a few things I didn't even realize I was doing wrong, which will definitely help me as I continue my sessions. I look forward to more lessons.

I am in my early 30s and have a fear of water. Though I know it is possible I just could not bring…read moremy legs to come up and move around in the pool. I was encouraged by my husband to learn how to swim again after a bad experience from swimming lessons when I was a child. I contacted Lori and one statement she said stuck to me, "You will not be afraid, if you have an exit strategy." She put me in touch with Craig and when we met up for my first lesson, he just said: "As long as you trust me and trust yourself, I can probably get you to float during your first lesson." I honestly thought that he was quite ambitious. I had a two hour lesson and Craig spent the first part of the lesson getting me comfortable in the water and explaining to me theoretically how the water can work to your favor. I told Craig that my biggest fear was the front float as I was extremely uncomfortable with my face in the water. He explained to me that when I take my makeup off and wash my face in the shower at night, I had to hold my breath. He told me to treat it as it was the same routine. I held my breath and dunked my face in the water knowing that he was right there. Then, he proceeded to hold my hand and told me to try again and this time lifting my legs up. Lastly, he said, "When you first saw me, you gave me a hug...I assumed you liked me enough, that's why you leaned forward to give me a hug." "Why don't you try again, come towards me...trust me I won't let anything happen to you." And I guess, that was it...I looked at him, held my breath, and leaned in towards him and there it was I floated...just like that. I had a total of 4 (2 hour long) lessons with Craig. Currently, I am able to partially do the breast stroke, free-style, and float on my front and back. I've still got lots to work on and plan to continue my swimming journey with Craig, but I never knew I was able to do it until Lori and Craig encouraged me that I can. If you are an adult with a fear of water, but is eager to learn how to swim, please consider Aqua Skills. If you trust Craig/Lori and yourself, you can definitely do it.

I had never performed in my life. In fact, I had terrible stage fright and social anxiety. On a…read morelark, I did a standup workshop and performance, it was a lot of fun. I was buzzing for days afterward, I wanted to learn more. I googled comedy classes and the American Comedy Institute popped up. I discovered the one year program and saw the cost, it was slightly out of my budget, but I applied and I got a small scholarship. I packed up and moved across the country. I stayed with family, which meant a 3 hour round trip just to get to classes 4 nights a week. I met incredible people, I had a lot of fun. But most of all, I learned a lot about comedy and myself, from learning how to be more comfortable in my body and working in an ensemble in improv class. To collaborating in sketch comedy class, to writing solid jokes and performing them in New York City, it was a great life experience for me. The director of the school, Stephen Rosenfield, has a knack for really helping me understand and develop comedically. The most important thing he taught me was to tend my own fire. Thank you all for such a great experience and for all the funny wisdom!

Are you serious? I'll grant that this is 'ok' for 1st time people with stage fright. But that's…read moreabout it. The truth is there are better places that are all about getting you the necessary experience than ACI. 1. Does ACI have open mic affiliations? No, because they want you to stay at their bi-monthly gig at Broadway Comedy Club. They should be on top of all - yes, ALL - the open mics, clubs and producers. 2. You need to know the difference between 'practice makes perfect' and 'practice, practice, practice'!!!!! They're not encouraging their students to hit open mics or showcases, and for evidence I simply site the total absence of ACI students at shows I attend. 3. Their Broadway Comedy Club has both a cover AND a minimum. You can attend, meaning perform, at better clubs where there is no minimum but just a slightly ($20) cover. You ALWAYS spend more at Broadway, which has to be among NYC's worst clubs. Proof? Try The Stand on Third Ave, b/w 19-20. I've performed there. Not only are the comics better than ACI, The Stand has a full restaurant AND a full bar. Every club that I have ever seen offers videos of your gig for a nominal fee. Last I checked, ACI did the same but they MAILED YOU A GODDAMN DVD!!!! So, if you want to give standup a shot, do this: 1. Get a notebook. Small one. 2. Lookup 'BadSlava.com. This is a website listing EVERY SINGLE OPEN MIC in the city. 3. Go to an open mic. Your first FIVE assignments are to JUST GO and WATCH. Just WATCH. 80% watching. 10% listening. And 10% questioning. You're NOT PERFORMING. You're observing. Getting a feel. Eventually go to Laughing Buddha. Google them. They have close to 20 open mics a week. Just go and show support. I think it's $5 plus you buy a drink. Then you'll be 'ready' yourself. And in a MUCH better position to ask if you need to drop over $400 on a 'class' in comedy. As for another reviewer's claim that world famous comics return to write with Stephen, I only say, "Buyer, beware, and don't take everything you read at face value! The truth can be quite shocking." Trust me: I have been shocked.