Reviewed · KUTA TOURS
HOT PROMO. Private Surf Lessons (1 Coach/1 Guest)
Catching your first wave is the main event here, and UP2U Surf School Bali gives you a coach of your own to help make it happen. The two-hour lesson takes place on Kuta Beach, with the class adjusted to your progress and the day’s surf conditions.
I like the one-coach-per-person format, especially if you are new and need quick corrections. I also like the practical extras: a board, leash, rash vest, free pictures, showers, a valuables safe, and access to a free online training course.
The main thing to consider is that lesson times change from day to day. Surfing depends on the sea, so you will need to work with the school’s schedule rather than choose any time that suits you. Bring your own sunscreen and towel.
Key points to know before booking

- One coach for every guest: You receive individual instruction rather than sharing a single teacher with a large beginner group.
- Kuta Beach setting: Meet on the beach in front of the Pullman Hotel, a clear landmark on Jl. Pantai Kuta.
- Useful gear included: A surfboard, leash, and surf shirt, also called a rash vest, are supplied.
- Helpful first-timer support: The school provides free online training material before the lesson.
- Free surf pictures: You can take home photos of your time in the water without paying an added picture fee.
- A low-cost private lesson: At $19.86 per person, the price is strong for a two-hour private session, though sunscreen and towels are extra items for you to handle.
Why this Kuta lesson works well for beginners

Surfing can feel awkward in the first few minutes. You must lie correctly on the board, paddle at the right moment, push up quickly, and keep your balance while the board moves beneath you. A private coach can watch each attempt and give you a correction right away.
That is the strongest feature of this experience. You are not waiting for a teacher to finish with five other beginners. The one-to-one setup lets the coach adapt the lesson to your pace. If you need more help with the pop-up, you can spend time on that. If you progress quickly, the coach can focus on catching and standing on waves.
This format also suits a pair who want to learn together but do not want to share instruction. Two people can book and each have a personal coach. A couple who tried the lesson together described the value clearly: each beginner received individual tips and practical guidance.
The school also welcomes families. One parent booked with a 12-year-old son, and both were first-time surfers. The child’s surf shirt is not included, so families should take note of that extra detail before arriving.
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Getting ready with the online course
Before your session, you receive links to online reading and videos. Use them. Even a short look at the basic material can make the beach lesson less confusing.
The most useful benefit is familiarity. You can get an early look at the body position and basic actions before you are standing beside the water with a board under your arm. That leaves more of your two hours for practice.
I would not treat the online material as a substitute for instruction. Surfing is physical, and the coach still needs to show you how to handle the board and respond to the water. Think of the course as a head start, especially if this is your first time.
Wear practical beach clothing beneath the supplied rash vest, and bring sunscreen and a towel. Sunscreen is not included, and neither is a towel. Bali’s sun can make a pleasant lesson feel much harder if you arrive unprepared.
Meeting UP2U at Kuta Beach

The meeting point is UP2U Surf School Bali on the beach in front of the Pullman Hotel, at Jl. Pantai Kuta No. 32, Legian, Kuta, Bali 80361. The lesson both starts and finishes at this meeting point.
That arrangement is simple. You do not need to follow a separate sightseeing route or arrange transport between several stops. You arrive at the beach, meet the school, collect your equipment, and return to the same area when the session ends.
The school is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for the stated operating period from January 21, 2025, through April 28, 2027. Do not assume that every time within those hours is available for surfing. The exact lesson time changes according to the surf conditions, so check the confirmed time carefully.
Kuta is a practical place for a first lesson because the beach meeting point is easy to identify. Still, the beach itself is a working public setting, not a private resort area. You will be learning in the open, with normal beach activity around you.
What happens during the two-hour session

The supplied details do not set out a minute-by-minute program, so your exact lesson will depend on your coach, your ability, and the conditions. You can expect the session to center on basic surfing practice rather than a long beach tour.
You will use the provided surfboard, leash, and rash vest. The coach will guide you through the essentials and then help you apply them in the water. The lesson is designed for beginners and novices, so you do not need previous surfing experience.
The most encouraging sign is how quickly one beginner progressed. Anja arrived with no surfing experience and caught a wave within about 30 minutes under the guidance of Chip, her instructor. Chip was described as patient and attentive, with feedback on how to improve and what to watch for.
That does not mean every beginner will catch a wave in half an hour. Surf conditions and personal balance vary. It does show what the private arrangement can do when the timing is right and the coach can focus fully on one person.
Your coach will adapt the class according to your progress. That matters more than a fixed script. Some people need repeated practice getting up. Others may stand quickly but need help with paddling, timing, or staying balanced. Individual coaching gives the school room to respond.
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The value of the equipment and extras

At $19.86 per person, this is an inexpensive way to try surfing in Bali without purchasing or arranging basic equipment separately. The included board, leash, and surf shirt cover the items you need for the lesson itself.
The surfboard is the central cost saver. Renting a board elsewhere and then finding instruction would add steps and could make the total harder to judge. Here, the instruction and equipment are bundled into one short experience.
The free pictures are another worthwhile touch. Surfing is difficult to watch while you are doing it, and photos give you a record of the session. They may also help you see your stance and progress afterward. The supplied information does not state how many pictures you receive or how they are delivered, so ask the school if the images are important to you.
You also receive access to a free online training course. Free public showers and a public toilet are available, along with a safe for valuables. These are modest facilities, but they reduce the need to carry everything onto the beach or search for a place to clean up afterward.
The price does not include sunscreen or towels. You are also advised to bring a small amount of money. Kids surf shirts are not included, so families should confirm what their child will wear before the lesson.
How private instruction changes the experience

The private setup is the reason to choose this activity over a standard group class. One coach per guest means your mistakes are noticed quickly, and the advice can stay focused on your body position and next attempt.
Chip is the only instructor named in the supplied information, and his coaching style is described as patient and attentive. Those are useful qualities for a first lesson. You want clear corrections without feeling rushed, especially when you are trying to stand on a moving board for the first time.
Private instruction also helps if people in your party have different ability levels. One person may be trying to stand for the first time while another is already catching small waves. Separate coaches let each person work at a suitable pace.
There is a trade-off. A private lesson can feel less social than a larger group class. If you want to meet a whole crowd of other surfers, this is not the main reason to book it. The benefit is focused coaching, not a group party.
The activity is also listed as a private tour, so only your group participates. That gives you more personal attention and avoids being placed with unknown participants.
Physical effort and practical limits

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing requires repeated paddling, pushing up from the board, balancing, and getting back on after a fall. The lesson is aimed at beginners, but beginner-friendly does not mean effortless.
You will also spend time close to the water and on a board. If you are unsure about your physical ability, consider that the experience involves active participation rather than simply watching a demonstration.
Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied information does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to reach the Pullman Hotel area on your own.
Keep your valuables limited. A safe is available, which is useful, but it is still sensible to bring only what you need for the beach.
Who should book this lesson

I would recommend it first to a complete beginner who wants more attention than a standard group class provides. The one-to-one coaching gives you a better chance of getting immediate help with the basics.
It is also a good fit for:
- Couples who want to learn at the same time with separate coaches
- Parents and children who are both new to surfing
- Solo visitors looking for a short, active Kuta experience
- Beginners who value free photos and online preparation
- People who want to test surfing before paying for a longer course
I would be more cautious if you need a fixed start time. Surf conditions control the schedule, and the lesson hours can change each day. I would also look elsewhere if you want hotel transfers, a long surfing program, or a lesson designed for advanced surfers. Those features are not provided here.
Booking, cancellations, and timing
The activity is often booked about nine days before the session, so planning a little ahead is sensible. Confirmation is received at the time of booking, but the exact lesson time still needs to fit the day’s conditions.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. A cancellation or change made less than 24 hours before the start time is not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Bali local time.
I would avoid placing this lesson on the same day as an important flight or tightly timed excursion. The two-hour duration is approximate, and beach activities are best enjoyed with some breathing room around them.
Is $19.86 good value?
Yes, if you want a short introduction to surfing and you can reach Kuta Beach independently. The price includes the coach, board, leash, rash vest, free pictures, online training access, showers, toilet access, and a valuables safe.
The one-to-one ratio makes the cost especially appealing. You are not simply paying for equipment rental. You are paying for personal guidance, with the chance to receive corrections throughout the session.
The low price should not lead you to expect a full-day surf school program. This is a roughly two-hour lesson, and the exact experience depends on the sea and your own progress. You will need to supply sunscreen and a towel, and families may need to arrange a child-sized surf shirt.
Should you book UP2U Surf School Bali?
Book this lesson if your main goal is to try surfing with personal instruction at a modest price. The strongest reasons are the one coach per guest, the beginner-friendly approach, the free online preparation, and useful extras such as surf pictures and showers.
I would especially choose it for a first-time surfer who wants patient correction rather than a crowded class. Chip’s attentive coaching and the reported success of a complete beginner catching a wave early are encouraging, while the parent-and-child option makes it practical for a small family outing.
Skip it if you need a guaranteed time, hotel transport, or an advanced session. For everyone else, bring sunscreen, a towel, a little money, and a flexible attitude about timing. Kuta’s waves will set the schedule, and that is part of learning how surfing really works.
FAQ
Where does the surf lesson start?
It starts at UP2U Surf School Bali on Kuta Beach, in front of the Pullman Hotel at Jl. Pantai Kuta No. 32, Legian, Kuta, Bali 80361, Indonesia.
Where does the activity finish?
The activity ends back at the meeting point on Kuta Beach.
How long is the lesson?
The lesson lasts approximately two hours.
Is the lesson private?
Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.
How many coaches are provided?
The format provides one surfing coach per guest.
Is surfing equipment included?
Yes. A surfboard, leash, and surf shirt, or rash vest, are included.
Are towels and sunscreen included?
No. You need to bring your own sunscreen and towel.
Are surf photos included?
Yes. Free surfing pictures are included.
Are showers and toilets available?
Yes. Free public showers and a free public toilet are available.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.
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