Your Ultimate Guide to Surfing at Ocean Beach with Ocean Beach Surf and Skate
If you've been following me, you already know how much I love outdoor adventures. Many of you have seen me camping and hiking in the mountains. But what you might not know is that my first true love is the ocean. There's just something magical about being on a beach or in the water that makes me feel completely free and alive. Whenever I come back to San Diego, I find myself craving the water—yes, even in January, when it's a bit chilly! To help me stay connected to that free feeling, I’ve partnered with Ocean Beach Surf and Skate (OBSS), who shares my deep passion for the ocean.
Below, I’ll share a little background about them, what you can expect from a surf lesson, and why you should consider booking your own private or group lesson next time you’re in OB!
Let’s going on a surfing adventure, shall we?
Ocean Beach Surf and Skate
When I explore partnership opportunities, I always pause to see how they give back to the community and the world around us. I recently developed a fondness for this charming small business because, over the past 30 years, they've created meaningful experiences for everyone who visits their store or takes a lesson. They're more than just a place to buy surfboards and gear—they offer exciting adventures like surfing, paddling, and snorkeling in Baja. If you're looking to improve your surfing skills, all Baja experience tours include everything you need to boost your confidence and enjoy uncrowded, amazing surfing throughout Baja California. They provide clean and comfortable accommodations, delicious meals with a campfire, round-trip transportation, and 50 years of guiding experience. To learn more, visit their website, bajaexperiencetours.com and be sure to check them out on social media.
I also find their surf and skate club inspiring, which is specially designed for junior high school students of all skill levels. Their mission is to create a fun, safe, and supportive space for everyone. Since 2010, they’ve raised tens of thousands of dollars through their annual Skate for the Kids Fundraiser to help keep kids active right here in the Ocean Beach community. Their pride isn’t just in their work—they truly love what they do and are passionate about giving back to this special little beach town I’ve come to adore.
Two-Phase Lesson: Land and Sea
I’ve only taken one surf lesson before on a trip to Hawaii, so I’m still a beginner. If you want to read about that surfing adventure, I have that blog post here. I have to say, this experience was entirely different. OBSS takes a unique approach to surf lessons. They don’t just teach you surf basics and leave you to figure it out solo. Instead, they focus on helping you succeed so you can confidently surf on your own and truly become a surfer. Their goal is for you to enjoy the sport and incorporate it into your lifestyle.
My lesson consisted of two phases: land and sea. It started with land-based training with my instructor, Mia. We covered the five fundamentals, including timing, balance, riding waves, and safety tips, such as what to do if caught in a rip current. She had me use balls to practice my balance skills, with and without the surfboard. That was one of my favorite moments — it really challenged my balance, especially since I hadn’t been doing yoga recently.
Next, I put on the wetsuit and immediately felt connected to the ocean! Mia and I practiced in the water, applying what I’d learned on land. While we were out there, they took care of locking up my personal items. I admit I felt a bit overwhelmed and kept overthinking everything, wanting to get it just right while having such a great instructor watching me. I managed to stand on the board several times, despite the powerful waves from the King Tides and my earlier hiking. We took a short 5-10 minute break from surfing to review some skills at the shop, which helped me get on the board more easily during my second attempt.
Things to know!
I spent about an hour inside for the skill building and then an hour in the ocean. The $150 lesson covers the two-phase instruction, wetsuit, and surfboard. All the instructors are certified in CPR, first aid, and advanced life-saving techniques, so you're in good hands.
Don't forget to bring a water bottle, sunscreen, athletic wear, and your favorite active swimwear. I'd suggest wearing loose clothing rather than yoga pants, since they were tricky to get on after the wetsuit! Most importantly, come with an open heart, a little grace, and remember to breathe. By the end, I started to feel more confident. I let go of my worries and had fun, reminding myself to breathe and enjoy the moment!
Thank you
I'm truly thankful to OBSS and Mia for their warmth, love, and dedication in making surfing accessible not just to me but to everyone. Being part of their community genuinely makes me feel like I belong. I can’t wait to go back to San Diego—whether it's because of a move (fingers crossed) or just for a holiday—I'll definitely return to OBSS for my next lesson. If you're a solo traveler like me, you might even be lucky enough to have the whole ocean to yourself while catching some waves! If you decide to reach out to my friends at OBSS, please share in the comments and tell me about your adventure. I’d love to hear your story!