Many thanks to the great instructors & staff at Progressive Surf Academy.  Cassandra schedules the classes & is very prompt, organized and friendly.  My 14 y/o daughter had a 2-hour private lesson & we couldn't be happier with the experience.   We arrived a bit early, and met the owner Christian as he was about to start a separate group lesson for 9 adults.  Jacob was my daughter's surf instructor, and he's great with kids. He's very patient, friendly & knowledgeable.  After providing my daughter with a wet suit & surfboard, Jacob started the lesson on the beach by going over proper mechanics & safety.  After 10 mins on the beach, into the water they went. My daughter is a beginner surfer, with no prior surf experience.  Jacob developed an instant rapport with her that made her feel confident in the water.  Watching the entire lesson, I could see Jacob has a ton of teaching experience. His teacher modeling strategy is to demonstrate surf techniques that a student then attempts to mirror & repeat.   His communication skills are so engaging & effective that our class started at 11:15, and by noon, my daughter was standing on a surfboard for the first time, catching waves!   She was absolutely over the moon with the experience :) For 100% transparency, I'm not affiliated with this company & wasn't paid or received any discounts for this review.  My daughter had zero surf experience before the class, and we're both overjoyed with the quality of instruction & that she learned to surf so quickly in a safe environment. read more

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It has been over 20 years since I have surfed as a young adult. I took some lessons at Progressive Surf Academy and they had me catching waves and standing up after a few hours. The instructor's (Christian, Jacob) and a few others (Dan, Joe) were amazing. The thing that impressed me most is their attention to safety. The ocean can be dangerous and this team made sure everyone was safe. For me it was truly a spiritual experience. I love the ocean and these guys helped me get back to doing something I loved to do. I am now looking to buy my first board and continuing my surfing journey. Thank you Progressive Surf Academy. I am forever grateful. read more

Progressive Surf Academy San Diego - That's Me riding my second wave in over 20 years. - Surfing Near Me

I wanted to hire a professional to help my 2 nieces out and get them interested in surfing. They already boogie board so i put in a request from their website including age, weight and said i would pay once the appointment was confirmed. There was 30 minutes of my life. They never wrote me back, so i wrote the next day same email, no response, I called and no answer. I did find better service elsewhere, hint in Solana Beach. Do not like to give a thumbs down, but you folks need to tighten up the ship. John in Encinitas read more

Great experience doing a series of 3 lessons for my 3 young beginner girls (together). Daniel tailored his instruction to how each was doing, taking turns with each, supporting their confidence each step of the way. By the end, he had one of them out in the lineup dropping in, another confidently standing up every time in the smaller surf, and the timid smallest one joyfully trying her best. Progressive was also easy to work with in terms of flexibility of hours and days, and I appreciated their small-company vibe. Owner Christian was on site (at Beacon's) each day, and clearly had his eyes overseeing everything going on with the multiple groups. In summary, I was very happy, and all three of my girls had an absolute blast. read more

Progressive Surf Academy San Diego - Surfing Near Me

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We had Greg as our instructor and he was amazing. He taught us all the technical and was also really positive and patient with us. We both were able to stand and ride waves by the end. We also saw another instructor and students there and he even gave us advice. Greg made it a great experience and we will definitely surf again after this. I can't recommend their instructors enough. read more

Thank you Progressive Surf Academy for showing my niece and nephew how to surf! They had a blast. PSA coaches are professional, seasoned, and great with all age groups. PSA taught me how to surf many years ago. And I wanted to give these athletic kiddos a chance to learn early. As soon as my daughter is old enough she will be learning through PSA as well. PSA surf lessons are an unforgettable experience for kids. They are the best surf school in all of Southern California. It just doesn't get better than them. read more

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Danny and Christian were amazing instructors. Up on the board in under 30 minutes! We will be back!

Super fun, learned fast, great experience! Ryan and Christian at PSA were fantastic instructors!! We took a father and son beginner lesson with PSA and started on the basics with Ryan. He did a great job explaining simple things like how to time the wave, and how to stand up. He had us up and riding in the breakers in no time at all. Then Christian stopped by and took me 1 on 1 while Ryan kept working with my son. Both of these guys were patient and excellent coaches. We got so much out of our 2-hour lesson! PSA teaches all levels of surfing, and I would definitely take another lesson with them. read more

I was very fortunate to have Joe give me private lessons today. He was able set things up by the beach. We had a fantastic review on dry land, and we were blessed with great waves and weather. I was proud to be able to take some time after paddling beyond the break which was a very peaceful and almost a holy place. It was there we took a break( after I swallowed some water after my first wave). He taught me to always be aware of what was going around me at the time, and it felt very meditative. I was very pleased with my lessons. I have had ome group lesson in Maui in the past, and I am glad I was able to take a private lesson...more waves per hour. read more

Greg was a great instructor! Kids were catching waves 10 minutes after hitting the water. Fun, friendly and a beautiful spot!

Literally the nicest ppl ever, took rlly good care of us as beginners :))) we had so much fun and they were super efficient

This is hands down the best surf school I have ever attended. I have been surfing for over 15 years and in that time developed some bad habits. Christian was nothing less that professional in helping me identify my weaknesses in my stance and my speed generation. So far everything has been coming together and I feel my surfing progressing to the next level. I recommend the package where Christian gets in the water with you while you are being filmed, it has done wonders for me. Cheers, Ryan read more

When I first started surfing, I was convinced that practice alone would improve my performance. I went out almost everyday for five months and continuously downgraded my board size - yet my performance never improved. I struggled with paddling and catching waves - even popping up on the board was a challenge for me. Frustrated with my lack of progress, I decided to hire a professional, a decision that completely changed my game. During our first lesson, Christian immediately identified my issue: I was focused on progressing to a smaller board as quickly as possible, but not on mastering the fundamentals of surfing. By our second lesson, Christian sent me out out a beefy 13' board. While the long board was far from the 6'4'' board of my dreams, my skill set immediately started to improve. The first few sessions with Christian rapidly improved my knowledge of surf basics, and slowly but surely during subsequent sessions over the next few months I was able to transition to smaller boards. Thanks to Christian's surf lessons and video analysis critiques, I now know how to select, position myself on, catch and ride waves on medium sized boards and have control of my direction and speed. Whether you're a beginner who has never surfed but wants to try, an enthusiast who needs a quick refresher on the basics, or devotee who is looking to develop their long-term skill set, I highly recommend you call on Christian's expertise. read more

My family of 3 enjoyed our 2-hour lesson with Ryan. He was patient, knowledgeable, fun, and encouraging to us beginners. We had a fantastic first surfing experience near Del Mar Dog Beach. The price was very reasonable as well. Christian, who coordinated the lesson, even offered to help us buy a surfboard when we are ready. Nice guys, great experience! read more

Christian did a great job with 2 teens and dad with very little surfing experience today! He really knew how to talk to all of them and balanced the amount of showing and doing. Extremely pleased especially knowing he fit us in with a days notice. Quality wet suits and boards. Would recommend Christian to anyone! read more

We had a great afternoon with Christian. Our ages were 13, 16, & 45 with no surfing experience. Christian was great with clear instruction about safety and process. We were on the water quickly, but one at a time for safety and focus. My daughters were very comfortable with the instruction and up on the first or second wave! By the end of the lesson, all three of us were catching our own waves and riding them in. This made for an amazing experience! read more

We had a week long vacation in Solana Beach and every day would start with a surf lesson for me and my 7 years old son. He had zero previous experience and I've surfed for maybe 5 days tops. I've contacted Christian by email and he was fast to answer. Everyday he would pick the best time and place for the lesson, depending on the waves, high/low tide, wind etc. Boards and wetsuits are fairly new and of good quality. Christian, Jason and Spencer are great teachers. They don't just push you into a wave. We were told how to look for a wave to catch, where to position yourself and how to do it correctly. What I liked the most is how adaptive they are. I always felt that we are using the time effectively, even if the waves weren't as good. Now my son absolutely loves surfing and can't wait for the next trip. And this is because our instructors made sure he was having fun all the time, even on his first days. read more

Ever since I was a little kid, I've wanted nothing more than to learn to surf. The problem is that I've lived my whole life in the Midwest. It took me about 28 years, but I finally booked a flight to San Diego since my friend had just moved out there. I came across Progressive Surf Academy on Groupon and liked the idea of taking a private lesson, since I had zero experience. The owner, Christian, is an all-around great instructor and pretty cool person in general. I met up with him, grabbed the right board and wet suit for me, then went out to find the best spot to surf. After the land instruction on how to pop up on the board properly, we went out into the water, where I actually rode the first wave I caught! On top of learning how to ride a wave, I also learned a little about reading waves, which was great. I'm not exactly a little guy (around 6'3" 235lbs), so this experience could have been very frustrating. Thanks to Christian, however, surfing turned out to be the best experience of my entire life. The reality completely surpassed the 28 years of expectation for me. It's been almost a week since my lesson and all I can think about is planning my next trip to SD so I can go surfing again. I will definitely be contacting Progressive Surf Academy to go back out on the ocean when I'm out in SD again. The experience, to me, is well worth the full price of the lessons and would recommend that anyone looking to learn to surf, goes with Progressive Surf Academy. I can't say enough great things about my experience. read more

I'm a pretty confident stand-up paddler, and I have always wanted to surf. So recently I ventured into the waves on my own. I figured if I tried for a while, I could just figure it out. I quickly discovered that this was not a safe idea. Not only did I get seriously hammered a couple of times, I'm pretty sure I looked like a crazy person since I had no idea what I was doing. I you truly want to learn how surf, get some instruction first! I called Progressive Surf Academy and after a chat with the owner Christian, I booked a beginner individual surfing lesson so I could learn to surf the right way. I am beyond pleased with the instruction I received. It was simple, practical and super easy to apply out in the surf. I felt comfortable and safe the entire time. Like others have said, I was standing up on the first wave or two, and riding it all the way to shore! I was confident by the end of the lesson that if I take a board out again solo, I know enough to practice surfing the right way and not get hurt. If you have always wanted to learn how to surf or are even just curious about surfing, check this guy out. He is a down-to-earth local who loves teaching people how to surf, whether you are on vacation, or a local coming back to improve your skills. The lessons are worth every penny, and I hope to get back out there with him again! read more

First of all, I'm foreigner, so review could be little strange. I`ve experienced the most useful 2 hours in my life. I had a lot of lessons in different fields be4, but that one was the most saturated, with plenty information about how to surf, how waves behave and how to choose right spot, how to progress, how to choose right gear, how to stay safe for yourself and arrounders, and even some cool stories from his life. Even with my poor english, Christian explanation was clear and available. Go for it, and eventually start to surf read more

One of the best surf instructors I've ever had. My floaters and cutbacks have never been better!!!

Christian is hands down the BEST surf instructor I've ever been around. No matter what your skill level is, whether you're boy or girl, man or woman, old or young, Christian is the teacher you NEED to teach you how to surf. I came to Christian as not a newb, but a somewhat experienced surfer. He taught me things I NEVER would have picked up otherwise. He taught me A TON of useful stuff and I am forever grateful to him for that. He's got a great attitude, he's got helpful tips, he's patient, and he's a GREAT surf instructor. After surfing for years, I can honestly say I caught some of the BEST waves of my life with Christian's help. Do yourself a favor and give him a call! read more

This was an awesome experience, Christian is a great surf instructor and teaches safety and the fundamentals needed to learn how to surf in a great way. When you're in the process of learning he's great at coaching you on the adjustments you need to make to improve. Just an all around great 1 on 1 experience. read more

My son has surfed with Christian since he moved to San Diego from Oahu. He is amazing but it never occurred to me to write a review. However we just got back from Honolulu and based on Christian's recommendations my son (now 18) surfed with schools both on the North Shore and in Waikiki. They asked me to write reviews. Then the light went on!! Christian had worked for these companies and this many years later they are still singing his praise. They couldn't say enough about him. It was all positive from his personal surfing abilities to his instruction and how well he works with his students. The true testament came when both of these schools evaluated my son's surfing ability and were able to then take him to areas that were more challenging. I feel so lucky that we found Christian and I honestly couldn't recommend anyone better. read more

My first time surfing with my friends was a disaster! I had no instruction, was doing everything wrong, and I was lucky that I didn't get hurt! I ended up walking away 2 hours later without catching a single wave and my arms were on fire. I needed professional help... Christian started the morning with a quick lesson on safety (SO IMPORTANT), followed by a couple of short land drills, and then got right in the water. I did well in a couple of small white water waves right on the beach, so we moved out to bigger waves. By the end of the lesson I had moved on to a shorter board and was surfing 3 to 4 foot waves. It was amazing!! I like how he continued to correct the small mistakes I was making which translated into huge gains in my surfing. I felt safe and in control the entire time (unlike when I went out with my friends), and I learned so much. I'm going to practice some more on the basics and call him up as soon as I plateau, or I'm ready to take my surfing to the next level. Can't thank you enough for the excellent instruction. read more

So great! Christian was a super helpful, informative, and friendly teacher and made the whole experience a lot of fun. Learned a lot and highly recommend! read more

AMAZING experience! My husband and I just took surf lessons with Christian and it was fantastic! PSA got us in for private lessons on short notice and had everything we needed (board and wet suits). Christian was super knowledgeable and helped us through everything. We started with safety, then practice on the beach (understanding the movements, how to fall and body position) and we headed into the water. He expertly led me past the breaking waves - it was awesome to be able to bypass the beating that I anticipated paddling out. His easygoing attitude and ability to talk us through things really accelerated the learning curve and just made it a fun experience all the way around. We had so much fun that we booked second lessons a couple days later. If you are looking for quality lessons with a great instructor, look no further! Christian was so awesome we will for sure be back! read more

I booked two private, 2-hour lessons with Christian (the owner / main instructor) over this past weekend while in town for a wedding. I told him I was a complete beginner and he tailored the instruction to my skill level. We spent maybe 10-20 minutes on the beach tops discussing safety and what to look for while I was out there. He confindently described the dangers of surfing and what I should be conscious about. We headed straight out to catch some inside waves. The first day was a bit choppy and difficult but Christian was there with me the entire time. After I stood up on a few insides, he said that I was competent enough to "get out" and try some of the outside waves. He explained clearly what to do if I fell and the steps that followed. Within two days I was confident with reading the waves, catching my own wave, standing up and riding one in to shore. If you are in the San Diego area I highly recommend Christian and the Progressive Surfing Academy. On a side note, there is no shop yet / physical address to stop in and book your lessons you need to call the number provided. read more

My partner and I took several lessons with Christian. She's an intermediate level surfer and I'm a beginner. Christian was fantastic and I would highly recommend him to anyone in the San Diego area. He knew exactly how to encourage and push is to improve , while making us feel comfortable. He is constantly explaining clearly where and how to make adjustments and how to understand the waves. Simply put, he's an excellent teacher. read more

Christian is a very special surf instructor and a great guy. We met him in Oahu this summer and took 2 beginner family surf lessons that my young kids still talk about. Everyone got up on day one, even our daughter who used to be scared of the deep end of a pool (she actually got up better than all of us!). His tips, expertise, and constant encouragement really made the difference for us. He makes you feel safe and comfortable in the water. He also has some great stories having surfed professionally all over the world. Fortunately, he moved to San Diego and I have been doing private lessons with him since. I always look forward to our lessons and a great night of sleep after. I encourage anyone who wants to learn or become even a better surfer to contact Christian. read more

I was very concerned that I wouldn't be able to Surf, (I cant even ride a skateboard!). When I went out with Christian for my first time in Encinitas, he immediately made me feel relaxed and comfortable. We started out with a great lesson on the ground; we went over a few safety things & he taught me what to expect in the water and how to properly position myself on the board, which he provided along with the wetsuit! Before too long we were in the water and within 5 minutes under his instruction I caught my first wave, by the third or fourth try I was standing up and SURFING! By the end of the 2 hour lesson, I was catching waves on my own. What an experience! I can't say enough about the character that Christian is, he has great knowledge of surfing and can hold a great conversation with anybody! I can't wait for the next time I get on the water with Progressive Surf Academy. read more

I had some major doubts that I could surf, but with Christian's awesome instruction, I was standing up and actually surfing within a very short time. I couldn't believe it. Christian is one of the best - very professional, safety conscious without being overly cautious or evoking fear, and very patient with those who might struggle with these new skills. You really can't go wrong with Progressive Surf Academy. Highly recommended. I'll definitely be referring friends and family. Thanks so much! read more

Stop looking any further for a surf company because they don't get any better than Progressive Surf Academy. We met Christian in the North Shore many years ago and have never stopped surfing with him. He is dedicated, patient, knowledgeable, professional and a amazing guy - and of course a fantastic surfer. I trust him completely to take my young kids out in the water and would not have anyone else teach them. Whether we surf with him in San Diego, Manhattan Beach or when we were in Hawaii the experience always exceeds our expectations. I would highly recommend Christian and Progressive Surf Academy for all ages and levels. This guy is the real deal! read more

Awesome experience with Progressive Surf Academy. We were in for the week from Chicago, my kids (11 & 16) were jacked up for the experience, Christian accommodated our last minute schedule with just days notice, Greg our instructor was very genuine and patient, he spent quality time with both my kids to ensure they learned proper form and catch their first waves within 10-15 minutes. Wet suits and boards were great. Costs are very fair. Highly recommended. read more

Having tried learning to surf by myself over the last couple years with no real progress, I was hopeful that biting the bullet and paying for lessons would be worth it. Christian definitely didn't disappoint. Until my lesson with him, I'd never once been able to stand up on a surfboard in the water. Even with choppy water he was able to get me catching my own waves and riding them all the way to shore after just an hour. I had a blast, felt comfortable, and absolutely achieved what I set out to do: learn to surf. It turns out there's so much more to surfing once you've learned the basics and Christian seems more than capable of cultivating those advanced skills for those interested. I know I plan on coming back in the near future. read more

As a newcomer, surfing seems pretty intimidating. Fortunately, Greg and Christian were welcoming, adaptive, personable, and laid back, taking the stress out of learning something that you might not learn every day. They were on time, provided all the boards and wetsuits, and took me out surfing within minutes. My instructor, Greg, was incredibly friendly and let me learn at my own pace (when you need to paddle back into the impact zone, that can be a VERY slow pace). Both Christian and Greg provided genuinely constructive advice and never pushed you farther than you could push yourself. The boards they brought were high quality, and I never lost the sense that I was actually surfing. I'd love to take some more! read more

Received a lesson for my birthday to finally try surfing after transplanting here from the Midwest. Had Christian as a teacher and he was very knowledgeable and patient with his instruction and with his help I was able to get up on the first try. Good practical advise on how to progress as a surfer both in and outside instruction. Would highly recommend. read more

Incredible experience all-around! I did a 2-hour surfing introductory class and it was fantastic! Christian is a really great teacher, which is exactly what you need when starting out surfing. He made the whole process from scheduling to learning great and fun. Would highly recommend to anyone trying to pick up surfing. read more

Christian is top notch. Not only is he a fantastic surfer with years of experience- he has a way of conveying his knowledge to beginners- as well as those looking to advance, with ease. I sent some friends to surf with Christian- and not only were they successful - they felt completely at safe, and more confident about their ocean / water abilities. If you are looking to try it for the first time- or take your surfing to the next level - Christian is your guy. :) read more

I prematurely bought a 9 ft surfboard thinking I could read a couple surf articles, watch some YouTube videos and teach myself how to surf...COMPLETE FAIL! The hand full of times I went out I got pummeled by on-coming waves and paddled my arms off in failed attempt to catch a wave. More than half the time I would just sit there frustrated, or paddle back-n-forth hunting for a possible wave just to get denied any satisfaction. I finally decided to suck up my pride and take a lesson. After reading numerous reviews Progressive Surf Academy seemed the most personable and beneficial to my needs. I HIT THE JACKPOT! Christian is an EXCELLENT teacher/coach and overall cool guy to kick it with. He not only taught me the basic fundamentals of standing on a board, catching a wave, or safety of surfing, he taught me how to read the waves...how to read the ocean (which of course takes more time in the water to completely understand). Christian explained to me the concept of the "line-up" and the unwritten rules among surfers. This includes: the dos and don'ts when surfing within a crowd, what to look for when waiting for a wave, and the proper ethics among surfers. What I learned from Christian is that he lived in North Shore, Hawaii for years surfing along side the best in the best conditions and now decides to share his knowledge and enjoyment of surf to others...no matter what age or experience level. He's a cool and mellow guy, who surfs for the enjoyment of surfing add teaches for the enjoyment of others. I am definitely gonna schedule more surf lessons/session with him. I've learned more in a 2 hour session with him than I did researching or attempting to surf on my own. Great guidance and motivation! His coaching definitely expanded my love for the sport of surfing. read more