Reviewed · WORKSHOPS
HOT PROMO. Private Surf Lessons (1 Coach/1 Guest)
Catch your first Bali wave. This private Kuta lesson gives you one coach per guest, so you receive direct advice instead of waiting for a group turn. I like the included board, leash, rash vest, photos, and online training course. The main consideration is that lesson times change with surf conditions, so your schedule needs some flexibility.
I also like the simple beach location in front of the Pullman hotel and the free showers, toilets, and valuables storage. At about $19.86 per person, it is a strong price for a two-hour private introduction, though sunscreen and towels are yours to provide.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- A private start on Kuta Beach
- What happens during the two-hour lesson
- Why one coach per person changes the lesson
- What the $19.86 price really includes
- Meeting at the Pullman hotel landmark
- Packing for sand, sun, and salt water
- The people who will get the most from this lesson
- What the feedback tells you about the teaching
- Booking, changes, and the small print
- Should you book the UP2U private lesson?
- FAQ
- Where does the surf lesson meet?
- Where does the activity end?
- How long does the private surf lesson last?
- Is the lesson private?
- Is surfing equipment included?
- Are towels and sunscreen included?
- Are surfing photos included?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before you book

- One coach for each guest: Your instructor can focus on your balance, timing, and safety rather than splitting attention across a large class.
- Kuta Beach meeting point: Meet UP2U Surf School Bali on the beach in front of the Pullman hotel at Jl. Pantai Kuta No. 32.
- Built for first-timers: The lesson is aimed at beginners and novices, with coaching adjusted to your progress.
- Useful extras included: You receive a surfboard, leash, surf shirt or rash vest, free surfing pictures, an online training course, showers, and toilet access.
- Conditions guide the clock: Available lesson times change each day according to the waves and other surf conditions.
- Easy cancellation window: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.
A private start on Kuta Beach

Kuta is a practical place to learn. The beach is easy to find, and this lesson meets directly in front of the Pullman hotel rather than sending you to an obscure office or distant pickup point. You finish back at the same meeting spot, which keeps the outing simple in a part of Bali where a clear landmark is useful.
The school is UP2U Surf School Bali. Its stated goal is to make lessons safe and fun for people learning to surf, and the format supports that aim. You are not placed into a large class where an instructor has to rotate between many boards. The setup is one coach per person, making it easier to ask questions and get corrections at the moment you need them.
That matters during a first lesson. Surfing has several small actions to coordinate: lying in the right position, paddling at the right time, getting your feet under you, and keeping your weight balanced. A private instructor can watch those details closely and tell you what to change on the next attempt.
The activity lasts about two hours. That is enough time for a proper first session, but not so long that a beginner is likely to feel stuck on the beach for half a day. Your lesson time is not fixed in the same way as a museum entry or a restaurant reservation. UP2U adjusts the schedule to the surf conditions, so check the confirmed time carefully and keep some room in your day.
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What happens during the two-hour lesson
The available information describes one stop, Kuta Beach, but the lesson itself has several natural stages. You should expect to meet your coach, receive the equipment, learn the basic movements, and spend most of the session working with the waves.
The board, leash, and surf shirt are supplied. The shirt functions as a rash vest, helping protect your skin from rubbing against the board. You do not need to arrange a rental before arriving, and the equipment is part of the price.
The school also supplies an online training course. Since the course links may arrive before the session, it is worth opening them in advance rather than waiting until you are standing on the sand. One parent specifically found that reading and watching the material before the lesson helped both him and his 12-year-old son prepare for their first time surfing.
Your coach adapts the class to your progress. If you need more work on the basics, the lesson can focus there. If you are picking things up quickly, you can move forward sooner. That personal pace is one of the clearest reasons to choose this option instead of a larger introductory class.
The strongest practical evidence comes from a beginner who reported catching a wave within 30 minutes with coach Chip. That does not mean every first-timer will do the same. Wave conditions, balance, fitness, and nerves all vary. It does show the value of close instruction, especially when the coach gives immediate feedback about what to improve and what to watch for.
Your goal should not be to measure success by the number of waves. A first lesson is useful if you learn the basic positions, understand how to handle the board, and leave with a safer sense of the water. Catching a wave is a welcome bonus.
Why one coach per person changes the lesson

The private format is the main feature here, not a small upgrade. In a shared class, an instructor may need to watch several people attempt the same movement at once. You may spend time waiting, repeating a mistake, or trying to copy someone else.
With your own coach, the instruction can respond to your body and your pace. A beginner who is nervous may need calm, repeated explanations. Another person may need only a small correction to foot placement or timing. The coach can adjust without holding up the rest of a class.
This format also works well for couples and family members. Two people can book together while still receiving individual coaching. A couple described enjoying the lesson because each person had a personal instructor teaching the practical tips and techniques. That is a better arrangement than having one coach try to divide attention between two beginners on separate boards.
The listing states that this is a private activity and only your group participates. If you book as a pair or family, you keep the experience within your own party. The data does not specify how many people can make up a group, so confirm the permitted number if you plan to bring more than two or three people.
Private does not mean entirely independent. Your coach still controls the instruction and helps you use the equipment safely. That is especially important for someone who has never handled a surfboard in moving water.
What the $19.86 price really includes

At $19.86 per person, this is inexpensive for a two-hour private lesson. The price becomes especially attractive because the board, leash, rash vest or surf shirt, and coach are included. You also receive free surfing pictures and access to an online training course.
The pictures add value in a practical way. Surfing is difficult to watch while you are doing it. A photo can show whether you stood up properly, how your stance looked, or simply give you a record of your first attempt. The information does not specify how many pictures you receive or how they are delivered, so do not assume a large edited gallery.
The free public shower and toilet also help. You can arrive without needing a private changing facility, and you have somewhere to rinse off after the salt water. A security safe for valuables is included, but I would still bring only what you need. Small money is advised, while sunscreen and towels are specifically not included.
The value is best for a true beginner who wants personal attention. If you already surf confidently, a basic two-hour lesson may not be the best use of your money. The class is designed for beginners and novices, and the coaching is built around learning the fundamentals.
The low rate should not make you expect a full-day surf camp, hotel pickup, meals, or personal photography service. None of those are included. You are paying for a focused beach lesson with equipment, coaching, and a few useful extras.
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Meeting at the Pullman hotel landmark

The meeting point is on Kuta Beach in front of the Pullman hotel, at Jl. Pantai Kuta No. 32, Legian, Kuta, Badung, Bali 80361. The exact point matters because Kuta has many beach access areas and plenty of activity providers. Use the hotel name and street address when confirming your route.
The activity operates Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. That broad daily window offers useful flexibility, but it does not mean you can select any hour without checking. Surf conditions determine lesson times, and the operator may set different start times on different days.
The activity ends back at the meeting point. There is no included transportation, and no pickup service is listed. Plan your own way to the beach and allow time to find the hotel frontage. If you are using public transport, the location is near public transportation.
Confirmation is provided when you book. Since the lesson time can change with conditions, read the confirmation and any messages from the school before setting other plans. An average booking lead time of nine days suggests you do not need to reserve months ahead, but booking before your Bali schedule fills up is sensible.
Packing for sand, sun, and salt water

Bring sunscreen. This is the most important item that is not provided, and two hours on an open beach can mean substantial sun exposure even when the air feels comfortable.
Bring a towel as well. Free showers are available, but the school does not supply towels. You may also want a small amount of money, since the operator advises carrying some. Keep your valuables limited, even though a security safe is available.
The school supplies surfboards, leashes, and surf shirts. The information specifically notes that kids surf shirts are not included, so families should check clothing arrangements for children before arrival. A 12-year-old has taken the lesson successfully according to the available experience, but the data does not state a minimum age or child-specific size range.
You should also be ready for a physical activity. A moderate fitness level is recommended. You do not need to be an athlete to start, but paddling, standing, balancing, and getting back on the board take effort. If you have a health concern that affects exercise, ask the operator before booking.
Service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but no further accessibility details are given, so ask UP2U directly if you need specific assistance with the beach, board handling, or changing arrangements.
The people who will get the most from this lesson

This is a good choice if you have never surfed or have tried once and want a more useful introduction. The private coaching removes much of the confusion that can come with learning from a crowd.
It also suits a couple who wants to learn together without sharing one instructor. Each person receives individual coaching, so one partner can progress quickly while the other takes more time with the basics.
Families may find it appealing too. The 12-year-old who attended with a parent had a positive first session, and the pre-lesson online material helped them prepare. Still, check the child surf shirt issue and confirm any age or equipment questions before booking.
I would be more cautious about recommending it to a strong intermediate surfer. The product is aimed at beginners and novices, and the two-hour format appears designed for first skills rather than advanced technique, long rides, or specialized coaching.
It is also not ideal if your Bali itinerary is planned down to the minute. Surf times change with conditions, and that is a sensible safety and quality measure, but it means you need flexibility.
What the feedback tells you about the teaching

The strongest praise focuses on the coaches, not just the setting. Chip is singled out for patience and attention, with useful feedback on how to improve and what to look for. That is exactly what a beginner needs when every attempt happens quickly and mistakes are hard to diagnose alone.
The comments also point to a repeat-booking quality. One parent booked a second session after taking the first lesson with his son. A repeat visit is not a guarantee of a perfect session, but it suggests the first class can feel like a real introduction rather than a one-time photo opportunity.
The overall rating is 5.0 from 27 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the activity. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every lesson will match the best experience. Still, the praise is consistent: good value, patient instruction, strong beginner support, and a personal coach for each person.
The school’s response to the feedback is warm and personal, repeatedly inviting people back as part of the UP2U family. The important point for you is that the operator presents the lesson as an ongoing learning activity, not simply a single beach encounter.
Booking, changes, and the small print
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.
The cut-off is based on local Bali time. If your plans are uncertain, do not wait until the last day to make a decision. A weather or schedule concern should be raised before the 24-hour window closes.
The experience is available every day during the stated operating period of January 21, 2025 through April 28, 2027. The lesson itself remains subject to daily surf conditions and the assigned start time.
Should you book the UP2U private lesson?
I would book this if you want a first surfing lesson in Bali with one-to-one coaching and a low total price. The included board, leash, rash vest, photos, training course, showers, and valuables storage make the $19.86 fee unusually useful for a short private activity.
Before booking, make sure you can keep your schedule flexible, bring sunscreen and a towel, and accept that catching a wave is not guaranteed in your first 30 minutes. If you want advanced instruction, hotel pickup, or a longer surf program, this is probably too basic.
For a beginner, couple, or family looking for a straightforward Kuta activity, the personal coaching is the deciding factor. You get a real chance to learn, plenty of direct feedback, and an easy meeting point without paying for extras you do not need.
FAQ
Where does the surf lesson meet?
Meet UP2U Surf School Bali on Kuta Beach in front of the Pullman hotel, at Jl. Pantai Kuta No. 32, Legian, Kuta, Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia.
Where does the activity end?
The lesson ends back at the same meeting point in front of the Pullman hotel.
How long does the private surf lesson last?
The lesson lasts about two hours.
Is the lesson private?
Yes. It is a private activity, and only your group participates. The format provides one surfing coach per guest.
Is surfing equipment included?
Yes. Surf equipment includes a surfboard, leash, and surf shirt or rash vest.
Are towels and sunscreen included?
No. You need to bring your own sunscreen and towel.
Are surfing photos included?
Yes. Free surfing pictures are included, though the available information does not state how many pictures you receive.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 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, and the payment is not refunded.
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