Reviewed · SEMINYAK TOURS
The funniest private 2 hour surf lesson, Canggu
Canggu’s black-sand beach gives this lesson its character: you start with a quick land session, then carry those skills into the white water with Curly close by. The best part is the personal coaching. You are not lost in a big class, and the advice can match your level, from first-time beginner to surfer chasing larger waves.
I like two things right away. First, Curly checks the forecast and tide before agreeing on your start time, which is smarter than blindly picking a convenient hour. Second, the lesson is friendly and patient. One non-swimmer was kept under close watch and still managed to stand up, while another beginner enjoyed the lesson enough to book a second day.
The catch is that the advertised time slots are not the whole story. You need to stay flexible and contact Curly by WhatsApp, since the best surfing hour depends on the day’s conditions. Two hours is enough for a useful introduction, but it can feel short once your arms tire.
Key Points to Know Before You Book

- Curly leads the lesson: He has more than 20 years of surf experience and over 10 years of coaching.
- The tide sets the schedule: You and Curly agree on a suitable time after he checks the forecast.
- The lesson begins on the sand: You practice the basic movements before entering the water.
- It suits several ability levels: Beginners can learn the basics, while stronger surfers can work on better or bigger waves.
- Sun protection is available: A surf shirt and face sunscreen can be provided.
- The group stays small: The maximum is five people, with the activity described as a private lesson.
Why Canggu Is a Good Place to Learn Surfing

Canggu is a sensible setting for a short surf lesson because the focus stays close to the beach and the waves. You are not spending half the morning on a boat or waiting for a distant break. The activity starts at Jl. Nelayan No. 77, in Canggu, and returns to that same meeting point.
The black sand and white water give the lesson a distinctly Balinese feel. You get the classic scene of a beach covered in breaking waves, but the point here is not simply to admire it. You are there to learn how to read the water, position your body, and stand on the board under direct guidance.
I also like that the lesson is not locked to one fixed hour. Surfing depends on conditions in a way that many sightseeing activities do not. The same beach can feel manageable at one time and much harder later in the day, so checking the tide and forecast is useful rather than fussy.
Canggu is listed under the wider Seminyak area in the tour details, but the actual meeting point is in Canggu. Check your route carefully before leaving your accommodation. The meeting point is near public transportation, but no hotel pickup is listed, so you should plan to reach Jl. Nelayan No. 77 yourself.
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Starting on the Sand With Curly
The lesson begins with basic practice on the beach. This is where Curly can explain the movements before you have to deal with a moving board, shifting water, and the pressure of a breaking wave.
For a first-timer, this preparation matters. You can work on the body position and standing motion without the distraction of the surf. It also gives Curly a chance to see how quickly you understand the instructions and where you need extra help.
Curly brings more than 20 years of personal surf experience and over 10 years of coaching experience. That combination matters because good surfing and good teaching are not the same skill. The useful part of this lesson is the promise of advice adjusted to your ability and your goal.
If you have never surfed before, expect the session to focus on getting comfortable with the basic sequence. If you already surf, you can ask for help catching better or bigger waves. The description specifically includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced surfers, so this is not limited to a first lesson.
The tone also seems important here. Curly describes surfing as his passion and the beach as his office. That can make a big difference during a sport that involves plenty of falls and repeated attempts. Clear instruction is helpful, but patience and encouragement are what keep you trying after the first few misses.
Two Hours in the Water

After the beach practice, you head into the waves for the main part of the lesson. Curly guides you through the water and works on the skills needed to catch a wave and stand.
A two-hour session is a useful middle ground. It is longer than a quick introductory try, but short enough to fit into a busy Canggu day. You can pair it with other plans instead of giving up an entire day to surfing.
Still, two hours on a surfboard can be tiring, especially if you are new to the sport. One person described receiving help from Curly after their arms had given out, including being pushed and pulled along. That detail tells you to expect real physical effort, even though the atmosphere is playful.
You should have a moderate level of physical fitness for this activity. The information does not promise a gentle floating lesson, and the waves require repeated paddling, getting back on the board, and trying again. If you are not used to exercise, the session may feel demanding near the end.
The lesson is described as private, with a maximum of five people. That is a major advantage over a large surf school class. Curly can spend more time watching your position and offering corrections instead of giving the same speech to a crowd.
If you are booking for a couple or a small group, ask how the private format will work for your party when you contact Curly. The maximum group size is five, but the details do not state how instruction is divided among people of different abilities.
Why Flexible Timing Matters More Than Convenience

The available daily periods are 7:00 to 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM to noon, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM. These are useful planning windows, but you should not treat them as a guarantee that every slot will be equally good for surfing.
Curly checks the forecast the day before and then suggests the best time for your level. You and he agree on a convenient time afterward. I consider this one of the strongest features of the activity, provided you are willing to give up some control over your schedule.
A beginner may need different conditions from an advanced surfer. The right time can affect how manageable the waves feel, how much instruction you receive, and how safe you feel in the water. Choosing the most convenient slot without asking about the conditions could work against you.
Contact Curly directly through WhatsApp to arrange the lesson. Keep your plans loose enough to allow for a change in timing. If your Bali schedule is packed with fixed bookings, this may be harder to manage than a standard tour with a guaranteed departure hour.
For the best chance of a relaxed session, contact the instructor early and share your ability level honestly. Say clearly if you are a complete beginner, if you can swim, or if you already surf. The more useful information Curly has, the easier it is to match the lesson to you.
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Support for First-Timers and Non-Swimmers

The strongest point for nervous beginners is the close instruction. A husband who could not swim was kept with the group and managed to stand on the board. That does not mean the activity is automatically right for every non-swimmer, but it shows why you should tell Curly about your swimming ability before the lesson.
Do not hide your worries. If you are anxious in the water, need extra explanations, or have never handled a surfboard, say so when you arrange the time. Curly can then understand what kind of support you need.
The teaching style is described as patient, encouraging, informative, and friendly. Those qualities are more useful than showy surf skills when you are learning. You need instructions you can remember while the water is moving, not a complicated lecture on surfing theory.
Several of the best details point to simple explanations. One beginner said the instructions were clear and easy to remember. That is exactly what you want in a two-hour lesson, when there is little time for long explanations between waves.
You should still keep your expectations realistic. Standing once does not make you a surfer, and the lesson cannot control the waves or turn every attempt into a success. The real value is leaving with a better sense of how to continue practicing.
Advice for Intermediate and Advanced Surfers

This is not only a beginner activity. Curly offers help to intermediate and advanced surfers who want to catch better or bigger waves.
That makes the private format more useful than a basic group introduction. You can focus on a specific goal rather than repeat the first steps. The supplied information does not list technical subjects such as turning, stance correction, or wave selection, so you should tell Curly what you want to improve before arriving.
For an experienced surfer, the quality of the session will depend heavily on the day’s surf conditions. A flexible time helps, but a two-hour lesson is still a short coaching block. Think of it as focused advice in Canggu, not a full training program.
I would book this option if you value direct feedback and want a local coach to help you make the most of the available waves. I would not book it expecting a guaranteed set of large waves. Nature decides the conditions, and the instructor can only choose the most suitable time.
Sun Protection and What Is Provided

Bali’s sun can be strong, especially when you are out on the water with little shade. Curly can provide a surf shirt and face sunscreen, which is a practical touch.
You should still treat sun protection as your responsibility. The information specifically mentions a stylish surf shirt and cream for your face, but it does not list every item included with the lesson. Ask Curly what equipment is supplied when you arrange the booking.
Wear or bring what you need for a beach activity, while remembering that the exact equipment details are not provided here. The most important preparation is to arrive ready for physical effort, sun, and water.
The meeting point is also the end point, so you return to Jl. Nelayan No. 77 after the session. That keeps the activity simple. You do not need to coordinate a separate finish location or find your way back from another beach.
The Price and the Value of a Short Private Lesson

The listed price is $33.62 per person. For a two-hour private lesson with a coach who has more than a decade of teaching experience, that is a reasonable price if you want personal attention rather than a large class.
The value comes from the structure, not just the time. You get beach practice, guided work in the waves, a coach who adjusts the advice to your level, and a timing plan based on the forecast and tide. Those details can make two hours more useful than a longer session with little personal correction.
The price is less attractive if you only want to try surfing once with minimal instruction or if you are already very experienced and need a full day of water time. It is best suited to someone who wants a focused introduction or a compact coaching session.
You should also account for what is not stated. Hotel transportation is not listed, and the exact equipment included is not detailed. Contact Curly before booking if those points affect your budget or packing plans.
The activity is booked an average of 34 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your Bali dates are fixed. The timing depends on the conditions and your preferred day, so early contact gives you more room to arrange a suitable slot.
Who Will Get the Most From This Canggu Lesson?
I would recommend this for:
- A first-time surfer who wants calm, direct instruction.
- A couple or small group that prefers a personal lesson.
- A beginner who feels nervous and wants a patient coach nearby.
- A surfer with some experience who wants help catching stronger waves.
- Someone with only two hours to spare in Canggu.
- A person willing to adjust plans around the tide and forecast.
I would think twice if you need a fixed departure time, dislike physical activity, or expect a guaranteed big-wave session. The lesson requires moderate fitness, and the best hour may not be the hour you first choose.
It may also be a poor match if you want a large social class. The private setup is built around direct coaching, not meeting a big crowd.
Booking, Changes, and Practical Details
Confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The activity runs daily in the listed morning, midday, afternoon, and late afternoon periods, but you should contact Curly directly to settle the final time.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Bali time.
The activity is mobile-ticket friendly, so keep your booking details available on your phone. The meeting point is Jl. Nelayan No. 77, Canggu, and the lesson ends there.
Because the details show Seminyak as the broad location while naming a Canggu meeting point, check the map and allow enough time to reach Canggu. Do not assume you are meeting in central Seminyak.
Should You Book Curly 17 Surfschool?
Book this lesson if you want a short, personal introduction to surfing and you are happy to let the instructor guide the schedule. Curly’s experience, patient approach, and willingness to work with complete beginners make the lesson appealing for people who may feel unsure about the water.
I especially like the forecast-based timing and the option to ask for help with better or bigger waves. The lesson also earns points for staying small and including practical sun protection.
Skip it if your day cannot bend around changing surf conditions, or if you want a full-day surf course with detailed equipment information included upfront. For most first-timers, couples, and small groups with two hours available in Canggu, the price offers a sensible way to test the waves without making surfing your entire Bali itinerary.
FAQ
Where does the surf lesson start?
It starts at Jl. Nelayan No. 77, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia.
Where does the activity end?
The lesson ends back at the meeting point on Jl. Nelayan No. 77.
How long does the lesson last?
The lesson lasts approximately two hours.
Who teaches the lesson?
Curly teaches the lesson. He has more than 20 years of surf experience and more than 10 years of coaching experience.
Can beginners take this lesson?
Yes. The lesson is designed for beginners, intermediate surfers, and advanced surfers seeking help with better or bigger waves.
Can I choose any start time?
The activity lists several daily time periods, but the final time is agreed with Curly after he checks the forecast and tide. You should stay flexible.
What happens if I need to cancel?
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
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