Awesome experience. Great teachers. Super supportive and accommodating! Can't wait to go again!

I just took my first surfing lesson with Davo and had an awesome experience! I chose the Party Wave option but no one else showed, so I was lucky enough to be one-on-one for the lesson. He was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and wasted no time in getting me into the water. He was very pointed in his feedback, which helped me make the adjustments I needed to get up on the board several times by the end of the lesson. I would absolutely request Davo again! The people at the shop were very chill too and let me store my bag there during my lesson. Their shop was super cute so I managed to pick up gifts for my whole family. If you're considering surfing in the winter, do it - I was worried about being too cold but in a wetsuit it was totally fine - have fun! read more

I have surfed before but came to a surf class with my friend and both had a blast. We signed in at their office location and met up on the beach the board were already there waiting for us. We got a wet suit and a rash guard and were taught proper techniques on the sand. Lots of friendly workers to make sure we stayed safe the entire time. Loved it was so much fun. We did a group on and I think there was about 15 people out in the water. read more

Rental was nice and easy. Seth and Current were really friendly and helped me pick out a board and wet suit. They also took the time to give me some tips to improve my surfing. read more

This was my 1st surf lesson in California. I had a friend visiting from out of town that found Surf Diva online. I have had a lesson before but many moons ago, and this was my friend's very first time. The location is great, and we enjoyed the small class size. Our instructor Jack was great; he was professional, calm and had us both able to stand up to ride a few waves by the end of the lesson. read more

Surf Diva Surf School - Surf Shop Near Me - La Jolla, California

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Awesome experience the instructors were great. Everyone in the class was able to catch waves and stand up. Would recommend this surf school.

Had a fabulous experience with my my first surf lesson at Surf Diva! Davo was an a amazing and relaxed instructor which helped my initial nerves. He showed us several different pop-ups as well as water safety. After he helped me catch the first couple of waves I was unstoppable! La Jolla shores is a great beach to learn - we saw stingrays and dolphins while we were out. Even though I feel confident on a board now, I'd love to come back just because I felt safe and had so much fun! read more

Surf Diva Surf School - Great photo Davo took of us. We look like pros! - Surf Shop Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I booked a private 2 hour lesson with Carla and had the time of my life! I was really nervous at first but once I met Carla she went over all of the basics with me on the sand then we set out in the water to put everything in motion. I felt confident and comfortable with her the entire time! I got up and stayed up for a few seconds several times with the perfect amount of coaching and learned about Carla while we waited for the next set. She was there with a smile and thumbs up every time I tried for a wave. She even went over in the lesson into her break to make sure I got up one last time. Surfing is her passion and it's contagious! Absolutely loved her and she got me really excited to continue surfing at home. Will definitely book another lesson with her when I'm in town again! read more

Surf Diva Surf School - Surf Shop Near Me - La Jolla, California

My 5 year old daughter took part in a kid's camp this past week over the Thanksgiving break. She had an amazing time learning to surf as well as playing on the beach with the instructors. They kept it fun and had my daughter up and surfing in the first day. We will definitely be doing another camp in the future. read more

Surf Diva Surf School - Surf Shop Near Me - La Jolla, California

I got stranded in LJ shores after surfing and loosing my keys. Kurrent was extremely kind and helpful. He helped me get in touch with my friends even though the store was closing. This is the kindest surf shop in LJ shores! read more

Children loved the lesson. Great place and went back several times. Great rates, close to beach and great staff.

We had an amazing time. It was our first surf lesson ever. Party Wave. The instructors were very attentive and awesome. We had a blast. We'll definitely book again next time we're in town. Thank you ladies. - Xay , Gus , & Sam from Texas read more

What a spectacular experience! Davo is an amazing teacher, and seriously had both me and my 8 year old son up and surfing, an hour into our total noob 3 hour lesson! We rented boards the next day and went out on our own, and had learned enough to make a legit go of it! Two new lifelong surfers, check - thank you Surf Diva! read more

Great time had by all. Got my nieces a 2 hour private surf lesson with Carla. It was their first time, she was so patient and all around awesome. My nieces are claiming bucket list and the best time of their life. read more

Had a great experience! My son (9 year old) and I had a wonderful surf lesson and by the end both were both able to get up and ride the waves. Davo was our instructor and was so knowledgeable and fun to work with. We had such a great experience we just came back. All of the staff we worked with were so friendly and helpful. They even went above and beyond to help me with a Christmas surprise. I got my husband and son a lesson with Davo. Again, it was a great experience for them. Count this as two wonderful reviews for Davo and all the staff at Surf Diva! read more

My surf lesson was such an amazing experience! Wednesday, my instructor, made everything simple to understand. I felt completely comfortable getting in the water and trying it out. She was patient and supportive while I learned to pop up and catch a wave. I would recommend Surf Diva and Wednesday to anyone that wants to have a fun and rewarding experience learning to surf! read more

Surf Diva Surf School - Surf Shop Near Me - La Jolla, California

I was hesitant to do surfing, but seeing their activities on the beach, decided to take their lessons. Very friendly staff, capable energetic instructors were one of a kind. Just on one secession I was half way up. I will definitely join them again. read more

I've got a pretty pink and orange gerber daisy rimmed Certificate of Completion still in my old room at my dad's house. It says that I had completed a week-long surf camp, and am now fully trained in wave etiquette, and safety. I was a Surf Diva. It was the summer of 2002, I was recently laid off, recently returned to living under my dad's roof, and recently broken up from a 4+ yr relationship. Life sucked big fat monkey chunks. And so when my childhood buddy asked me to go with her on a week-long surf camp trip to San Diego, I said, sure, why the fuck not. Maybe I'll drown. It was one of the most wonderful, memorable trips of my life. Surf Diva Surf School is FANTASTIC. Surf culture, until the last 10yrs or so, had been highly testosterone driven. Everyone had a surf nazi/territorial locals tale to tell. But the Surf Diva environment was sooo the opposite: nurturing, unintimating, secure, and FUN. You couldn't find a more positive environment to learn how to surf in. Every instructor was a long-time surfer, a couple of the gals that taught my group were part-time life guards, and all had tons of experience in and around the ocean. They gave great practical advice about surfing and dealing with other surfers, and of course, really meaningful encouragement in the water. Even after so long, surfing in the far less hospitable waters of Norcal, and not having improved beyond baby waves, I'm still as stoked about surfing as I was that first week. I totally credit the Surf Diva gals for instilling me with the right attitude and lifelong love for the sport. read more

Surf Diva was all right. The instructors were pretty chill (I don't think I've met a surfer that isn't), and they made surfing instructions pretty easy to follow, at least conceptually. There were those of us who had problems applying the concept to reality, but eh, what can you do? I found the surfboards to be more difficult to surf on than regular surfboards. They're these big, rounded, Styrofoam turds, rather than the normal longboards that most beginners use to learn. I know that they're a surf school and probably can't just go out and buy a whole bunch of boards, but when I compared the two, I had a MUCH easier time handling a real surfboard than the ones at Surf Diva. Although the SDS does note that it caters to everyone, I had a bunch of chicks in my class, no guys. It was kind of the opposite of a sausage-fest...what would I call that? A pussy 'n' paddle? A "wave" of estrogen? (Haha, corny joke, I know.) Anyway, a gender-mixed class would have been nice. In all, I found Surf Diva School to be ok, but I had a much better (and cheaper- hell, a FREE) time learning to surf from a friend. If you don't have anyone to teach you, go to Surf Diva School, but be sure to learn to pop up on that board quickly, 'cause those lessons aren't cheap! read more

I did not have the best experience here. My friend and I used a Yelp Deal to go Stand-Up Paddleboarding. The two girls working there did not seem professional, and were not very knowledgeable about the conditions of the ocean (I asked, and she was like, 'oh I'm not really sure'). They probably should have advised us to come back another day, as we were both beginners, and when we got out there the seas seemed rough for beginners. It would have been nice to have a cart or something available to help us carry the boards down to the beach. It was windy, so trying to carry the 10ft+ 30lb board down to the beach was difficult as the board kept getting blown to the side. Also, some lockers at the store would be helpful to put car keys in. The store itself was very cute and they had some nice items there. What I wished I had done last time: Go with someone who is strong or bring your car around to take the boards down to the beach. Check the conditions ahead of time. Plan a safe way to keep your keys so you don't have to bug the staff to store them behind the desk. read more

Dave is the only person I would ever put my life in the hands of! I was soooooo scared like an annoying girly girl I am and he fully supported all of my neuroticisms and got me to trust him and best of all ENJOY the experience. Dave should also be a therapist read more

Booked a 1 hr one on one surf lesson as a birthday gift for my best friends 9 year old son. Wished we had booked a longer one, he had a great time and the young guy teaching him was a nice guy. Only thing to note is you have to check in at shop off the beach a few blocks away. Then they had to walk to the beach and all the way to opposite side of beach near the Scripps pier (I think he was wearing wet suit during walk). Parking during summer especially on weekend is a little challenge so plan accordingly, we parked in neighborhood near shop and had a little walk just as a heads up. Would definitely book with them again. One hour goes by fast though so longer is recommended! read more

So I went here with the gf who's never tried surfing before hoping to make the experience a little bit less tiring and frustrating (for those who have surfed before you know what I'm talking about). Although the name may have a feminine sound to it, the school actually caters to everyone. Girls, guys, old, young, pretty much everyone. So stop laughing at me because I seem to be the only guy who signed up for a surf diva school.... The party wave, which is basically a $65 package (which you pre-pay for) gives you 30 min of lessons on the beach and an hour of lessons in the water. The package comes with a board, leash, and wetsuit. Our party was about 5 people, which was just the right amount. Our instructor was awesome. She not only explained the basics of surfing (which definitely saves you from multiple face plants in the ocean), but also catered the lessons to the varying skill levels after getting a sense of everyone's physical ability to surf (aka balance). Most importantly, she created a learning environment that was comfortable for everyone. I've tried surfing without lessons before and I will say that having someone tell you to move a couple inches to the left or right makes a WORLD of difference. Trying to learn on your own and eating saltwater for an entire hour will definitely sap the fun out of surfing , so if you're interested in learning how to surf and in the La Jolla area, check this place out!!! read more

My wife and I were visiting San Diego and have been wanting to try our surfing for quite some time. Lucky for us, we stumbled across Surf Diva. We asked the folks in the shop to provide us with some info regarding lessons, and the gave us a brochure and explained to us different scenarios for lessons and availability. The next day, we called and booked a group lesson. We were asked to provide height and weight for a wet suit, and told to show up 30 minutes before the lesson to sign paperwork. Upon arrival, we filled out paperwork and were given directions how to find the instructor on the beach. This process was simple and not one bit confusing, as we were shown a map, and told various landmarks that we would pass on our way to surf location. One great thing is that our group only ended up being the two of us. Groups can be from 3-5 people, but they allowed us to keep or reservation and rate with just two. When we got to the tent on the beach (the tent was a blessing, because the sand is HOT) we met our instructor MIKE. We spent a couple minutes getting to know each other and what types of activities each of us participate in. This allowed Mike to compare surfing lingo to terms that we were familiar with in our own lives. Mike then spend a couple minutes discussing safety with the ocean(sting ray shuffle, avoid the jelly fish, what other creatures are below) and the board (how to pop up, enter the water, fall, get out of the water, protect yourself and other from the board when it is loose, always protecting your head). After that, we entered the water. Mike worked very closely with both of us to make sure we understood how to pop up onto the board (knees, feet, one foot, whatever worked) and maneuver the board in the water. After a couple minutes, I was able to be more independent, although Mike was still giving me pointers on things I could do to make things easier or more effective. He stuck with my wife to make sure she was still getting on the board and catching waves. More or less, Mike made sure that we both had a great time! Throughout the entire lesson, Mike was encouraging and helpful. I'm not one who really wants to be praised left and right, but when you catch a wave by yourself, and get up on your feet, it is a pretty great feeling to have somebody just as excited as you are voicing it out loud! Overall, the lesson was AMAZING. Mike knows his stuff, and also is great at ensuring that you are getting what you want out of your lesson. He is definitely not some young kid who works at a surf shop. He knows what he is talking about, is genuinely concerned with your well being and whether or not you have fun, and has the years of experience to allow him to successfully teach all ages. Thanks Mike for a great afternoon!!!!! One last thing, the Surf Diva shop is full of tons of cool clothes, footwear, decorative jewelry, and other items. I would definitely recommend checking it out. If you take a surf lesson, they even give you a 20% discount on your purchases. Not a bad deal considering the surf lesson itself was competitively priced with all of the other surf schools and well worth every penny spent. read more

Did their 2 day women's surf clinic last weekend. Saturday and Sunday with a group of women some local, some from out of town. Overall, the experience was awesome. I really had a great time and felt the instruction was the best part of the experience. The instructors are super informative and was even taught "surfer etiquette" which was fascinating. I've always heard that surfers can be territorial and a bit aggro, now I understand why. Again, lots of fun, super safe, super helpful, EVERYONE was able to stand on the first day and did even better on the second day. Although I went alone, it would be so much fun to do with girlfriends. Only thing that can be improved upon and heard complaints in the beginning was the confusion about where to meet on the beach and the parking. That should be easy enough to fix with their staff in the shop. Better communication, maybe even a little postcard that has a map showing where to meet and parking options. I think the surf diva school is awesome, and I can't wait to get back in the water again! read more

Husband: I can't believe you actually went through with it. Me: You know I've always wanted to try it Husband: it looks like you had a good time--your face is kinda sunburned too. Me: It was awesome! Husband: So how many times did you stand on the board? Me: I got up several times but fell. I "officially" stood and rode a wave just once, but I learned a lot--like how to "turtle" when a wave comes at you when you're paddling out--you flip over with your board under the wave. Husband: Wow Me: Yeah, that was pretty cool. Me:They also taught us about surf etiquette and wave structure and direction. And a lot about safety. We practiced on land and had a lot of water time. Me: And even though I officially stood only once when I tried to "ride the waves" That's pretty impressive for me-- where the only thing I "ride" is the "L" (elevated train in Chicago) Husband: ha, that's pretty funny. The instructors at the surf clinic were so supportive and fun. I was so nervous but they were very encouraging. My surf lesson experience was one of the highlights of my West Coast vacation. If I'm ever back there again and have the chance, I'd go back to them, but maybe for just 1:1 coaching so there'd be more focused water time. read more

I had some friends coming in to town from Chicago and decided to buy everyone surf lessons as a fun afternoon thing to do. I chose surf diva at the recommendation of a friend, and I have to say, it was great. Our instructor was Grant--a cool guy and a very good instructor. There was a little mix-up with the wet suits (this was in May and it was still a bit chilly) but once we got everything worked-out and were out there all was forgotten and we had a great time. I should add that everyone got up on the board at least once, and one of my friends was like a surf diva . . . she took to it naturally. read more

Three of us took a one hour lesson with Morgan today and had a blast! We paid about $70 for the one hour and it came with the use of a wet suit, board, and a certificate at the end :). We were told to arrive 30 Mins prior to our lesson and meet at the store, than had to trek to the surf diva location on the beach @ the far North side La Jolla Shores .... this part was a bit of a drag :(. Our teacher was great .. and boy do I still have a ways to go with surfing but it was a great first lesson! There were so many things you have to remember but all three us us got up and more than once! Morgan was great and was very patient with us! I recommend surf diva! read more

Mimi was an amazing instructor and I really appreciated her approach and patience. I had a great time in the water and felt comfortable and happy the entire time. Anyone interested in learning to surf should definitely check them out. read more

My very first surfing lesson. Here. And it was epic! I was terrified as (1) I've never been around a surfing board before and (2) I'm not exactly what one might identify as a natural athlete. I worked with Patrick and he broke it down for me, showed me how to paddle and jump up, and then took me to the water. It was so nice to have him teach me how to judge waves, give me that extra push, and guide me throughout. While yes, I only rode a wave for a maximum of 2 seconds (this is rounding up), I felt good about learning the technique and going home to practice it. Additionally, if you take a lesson from their place, you get a 20% discount in their shop, and who can say no to extra accessories? Okay, my wallet should, but I did not. Definitely recommend coming here for surfing lessons! read more

Went in April 2012. Got the LivingSocial deal. Had a fabulouso week with @Meli, @Shelby and @ Sonya for our instructors. We stayed in a great house and the local cooks made the best quac ever. If you're looking for a layed back, supportive, adventurous surf vacation, I'd recommend Surf Diva. I went the previous year with Safari Surf and would choose SurfDiva again read more

This place was awesome. I really liked the girls working there, they were very nice and helpful. I love it when it feels like you aren't just another customer to them, even when you are. Also the pricing was really reasonable. For an hour and a half it ending up being $16 with a wet suit. All the equipment worked properly. Long story short it was my third time surfing, the board was just fine for my "white water" Nubbie surfing. read more

(Long review but hoping this helps other scared first time surfers out there like me...) 5 stars for the Savannah (the girl at store) and Lauren C (the surf instructor) minus 2 stars for the lack of communication b/w the owner (?) and client The pros: 1. Savannah : got there early Sat morning and this young little thing greeted me right away. She was working the shop that morning and her enthusiasm and genuine optimism encouraged me that this clinic was going to be good. 2. Lauren C (the instructor): there were only 2 of us in the clinic. And this girl smashed it (that's my term for executing things properly). Me and the other girl LOVED Lauren's way of teaching. From her getting to know us to her explaining the waters, we both really had a nice sense of ease w/ Lauren. I was scared as heck once I was on the surf board trying to 'pop up', but Lauren was pretty patient. And I giggled EVERY TIME i got on board waiting for the right wave (while she was holding board), and hear her say 'ok, ok...yeah!...this is a good one...yeah...this is a GREAT wave...ok...ready...paddle paddle paddle!' and she'd send me off. But it was this same positive attitude w/ EACH wave I was sent out on. Astounding. 3. Classmate. I was thankful that the other girl in class was awesome. She's a mom of 4 boys and I appreciated her enthusiasm and willingness to do this class alone like me. 4. Wet suits. They had BRAND NEW WET SUITS!!!! And they feel like a whole body SPANX!!! I felt awesome in them. Not to be vain or nuthin' here... 5. Savannah and Lauren!! The more I think about it. The more I really wanted to thank them. I could not make the 2nd day clinic and called Savannah early Sun morning as I didn't want the other girl to feel like I ditched anyone. Savannah , again was just so nice and understanding. And I wanted to make another comment about the instructor. There was a time when all 3 of us were in water and I see Lauren look up and start running towards the Surf Diva tent. Keep in mind this was a good 300 feet from us (if not more). She BOOKED it towards the tent and I asked the other girl wtf was going on. She said the ppl were taking down tent but Lauren's stuff was still there. Bottom line, Lauren could have walked to the tent. Walked back to us. But nope. She RAN. Like Forrest Gump running after his leg braces shatters when the bullies were chasing him in that one scene. There was probably a good 45 min left of water time left in lesson and she could have easily taken her time back. But I really appreciated that she gave us our money's worth. The cons: 1. You check in at the shop. Parking is tough as most surrounding streets has 90 min limit. So give yourself time to find parking. You then get directions to the tent where you have to walk to. Not sure how ppl find this tent if they're not familiar w/ this area/beach. B/c the other classmate said she would've gotten lost if I hadn't led her there. 2. I had purchased the groupon deal for the 2 day surf clinic. Bought it for my friend in LA and myself as she's been wanting to try this surf clinic. We haven't had a chance to use the deals and they were expiring soon. I called to book an appointment for the 2 day clinic (10a-12p on both Sat and Sun). The girl who took the appointment was nice. I noticed on the deal that there was a min of 3 ppl needed to guarantee a class. I told her there only seemed to be 2 ppl as of yet (1 week before clinic). She said there appeared to be an instructor for that Sat so everything looked fine. For some reason I called Wed just to MAKE sure it was a done deal as my friend was going to have to drive down from LA. I spoke to Erin who said unfortunately there needs to be 3 ppl. I asked what would happen if they don't get 3 ppl before the deal expires. She said she would have to look into it. I asked 'when will you notify me that there will be 3 ppl before Sat class'. She said by Fri. Come Fri 3p I hadn't heard anything. I had to call the surf shop at 3p to ask what was up. Erin said yes , they got 3 ppl and the class is on. It was tough b/c my friend and I were hoping to hear that news sooner than 24 hours before the class. Anyhow, my friend was unable to make it down. Their cancellation policy is 72 hours notice. But seemed unfair as *I* had to call the afternoon before to confirm if 3 ppl enrolled for class. I've tried to email the shop to ask if there's anything they could do about my friend's appointment and also said in email what a great time I had b/c of Savannah and Lauren. No reply or response. Either way, I had a nice time and would recommend this surf clinic to others. Thank you Savannah and Lauren :) read more

Very friendly and helpful staff!! Marianne, one of their surf instructors, is an absolute sweetheart! For ladies looking to learn surfing in a supportive environment, they run a week-long female-only surf camp. Wetsuit and surfboard rentals are fairly inexpensive. A 1.5-2 hour rental is only $16. However, you will need a way to transport your surfboard a couple blocks to the beach! read more

Spent an hour with Mimi, who was friendly, professional, super knowledgeable, and FUN! She explained everything I needed to know so patiently and her encouragement was instrumental in how much fun and success I had out on the water. She clearly LOVES to surf, has been doing it a long time, and is gifted at sharing that with others. When giant waves were barreling down on us, Mimi would smile and firmly say "We're about to get wet, but don't worry, I've got you" such that there was nothing to be nervous about. She had me riding waves in in no time. Booking was easy and painless. They had a giant jug of sunscreen they were happy to share. They obliged my request for a photo at the end. Highly, highly recommend. read more

Thanks to this place, I learned how to surf! The instructors are cool, their little surf shop is super cute (you get a store discount coupon w/ your surf lesson purchase), and the surf equipment is up to par. I had a fun time learning how to surf and wanted the lesson to last forever! On the flip side though, I've gotta minus 1 star 'cuz our last instructor failed to tell us that the baby sharks that were swimming by us, were harmless. Would've been good to know. This place is obviously geared towards girls, which I think is great for making them feel that much more comfortable to give it a shot. All the instructors are women and they offer surf camps for girls too. Definitely kid friendly. The owners (Izzy and Coco) are also super cool- they wrote the popular book, Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves. Lessons are a bit pricey (about $60 i think), but I think that's pretty average for the business and well worth it. Thanks for showing me the ropes, Surf Diva!! read more

3.5 Wish I could give the 3.5 on this, because we had a really good time. The store was easy to find and the instructor was very good. My buddy and I (yeah, us two guys were the only ones in the class--which is as good as it is bad, I suppose) had a lot of fun together and think you will too. So what wasn't perfect? The rash guards are pink which when you're trying to look studly, isn't helping and mine was too small so it kept riding up. They didn't have wet suits, despite asking the height and weight of my buddy and me. As it turns out since we are from NorCal, we thought the water was warm enough though. Could have used a little time on our own between instruction. So give us coaching and let us go for it a couple of times. Then coach again. And surfing just makes you feel so at peace. Slept like little babies that night and gave us such a good perspective the rest of the weekend. read more

"The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun." Phil Edwards. Well, during my private lesson with MiMi, I was the best surfer out in the water! I can surf a little but am completely self-taught. Mimi helped me correct some bad habits and gave me insight as to how I could improve my technique. During my two- hour lesson Mimi helped me catch more waves than I ever have on my own. It was a blast! read more

This is the best surf school ever!! Te staff is so helpful and friendly! I had a lot of problems with the cards and changing plans and they were so nice. The instructors are amazing and they are really passionated about surfing! The store is amazing and have some really cool stuff. La Jolla is a perfect place for learning too! They have good boards for rental and everything it's just awesome! read more

I am so happy we found this surf school! Both the kids went to the summer camp and they are now hooked on surfing. The instructors are really awesome. Not only were they good at teaching surfing, but they were so positive and good with the children. Also the shop is really nice, including everyone working there. Thank you all for making our stay in La Jolla Shores so great. read more