I’m Lucas Coleman, founder of Calibunga Surf Lessons — and my journey as a surfing instructor and professional coach began on my ninth birthday, when I hopped on a city bus and rode down to the San Diego YMCA surf camp for the first time. While my parents were at work all day, I’d spend my mornings and afternoons out there learning from the local surf gurus — sunburnt, wide-eyed, and completely in love with the ocean. I didn’t know it at the time, but that summer lit a spark that would shape the rest of my life.

Since then, I’ve chased waves across the world — from the point breaks of South America to the powerful surf of Hawaii and Australia. I’ve ridden waves up to 18 feet tall, but honestly, nothing compares to helping someone catch their very first wave. That moment — the pop-up, the glide, the look on their face — that’s the real magic.

Before starting Calibunga, I spent years teaching at bigger surf schools across Los Angeles. And while I loved being in the water, I saw too many students get rushed through lessons without much care or connection. It felt like a surf factory. I knew people deserved better. So I built a different kind of school — one that’s intimate, personalized, and designed to meet people where they are, whether they’re scared stiff or ready to charge.

Over the last 20+ years, I’ve developed a surf instruction method that works for all kinds of people — kids, adults, locals, tourists, athletes, and total beginners who think they’ll never stand up. I’ve taught over 1,000 first-time surfers here at Santa Monica Beach, and I can tell you with confidence: if you’re willing to show up and try, we’ll get you standing. And smiling.

These days, it’s not just me. I’ve handpicked an amazing crew of instructors who teach with the same energy, patience, and passion. Whether you’re booking a private surf lesson in Santa Monica or a group class with friends in Venice Beach, we’re here to give you something more than just a surf lesson — we’re here to give you a memory that sticks.

So if you’ve always wanted to surf in Los Angeles, or if you’ve tried before and it didn’t go how you hoped, I’d be honored to help you try again — the right way. No pressure. No judgment. Just good vibes, great coaching, and maybe the highlight of your trip (or your life).

Catch you in the water,
Lucas

Teaching someone to surf in Santa Monica or Venice Beach isn’t just about showing them how to pop up on a board, it’s about helping them understand how the ocean moves, how their body moves, and how the two can work together. I’ve spent over a decade teaching commercial surfing lessons in Southern California shaping this method, not from a textbook, but from thousands of real-life lessons here in Los Angeles County, where every wave and every student is different. My goal is to make surfing feel possible, not just for athletes, but for anyone who’s ever looked at the ocean and thought, “Could I really do that?” The answer… you can. And I help people achieve it every single day.

I’ve learned that progress doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from curiosity, from making small discoveries that stack up into real, lasting skill. So I break things down into short, reachable goals that feel more like aha! moments than work. We’ll talk about leverage, positioning, and how to let the wave do the hard work for you, because great surfing isn’t about strength, it’s about timing, feel, and understanding.

If you’re a little anxious (and most people are), we’ll work with that too. I’ll show you how to channel that nervous energy into something useful, something powerful. You’ll also learn how to read the water: how tides shift, how wave shape and angle matter, and how to put yourself in the right place at the right time. That’s what changes everything.

This method has helped beginners of all backgrounds, right here on the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, go from unsure to unshakable in just one session. It’s thoughtful, proven, and built around you.

At Calibunga Surf Lessons, we believe that learning to surf is personal, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Whether you're a total beginner or someone who's surfed for years but feels stuck, our method meets you exactly where you are. I’ve spent the last 20+ years refining a hands-on, heart-forward approach that’s helped over a thousand people learn to surf right here in Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and across Los Angeles County. We focus on small, reachable goals that build naturally into real skill, not just standing up, but understanding the ocean, the timing, and your body’s role in the flow. With the right positioning and leverage, you’ll learn how to let the wave do the work, no brute strength required.

If you’ve ever felt like surfing just “wasn’t clicking,” you’re not alone. I work with a lot of folks who’ve taken lessons before and still feel like they’re missing something. Most of the time, it’s not effort that’s lacking, it’s clarity, patience, and a method that works for you. We’ll slow it down, break things apart, and rebuild a foundation based on technique, ocean knowledge, and confidence. You’ll learn to read tides, understand how wave shape and direction affect your ride, and use that insight to surf smarter, whether here in Santa Monica or on future trips to Malibu or anywhere else on the California coast.

And if you have questions… ask away! Seriously. We love talking to people. Whether you’re nervous, curious, or just want to know what a surf lesson in Los Angeles is really like, you can call or text anytime. There’s zero pressure, just a chance to chat, talk through your goals, and see if we’re a good fit. Communication is one of the biggest cornerstones of what we do. Surfing is personal, and we believe that starts with connection, not just in the water, but from the very first conversation.

So if you’re considering a private surf lesson in Santa Monica, a group session in Venice Beach, or just want to dip your toes into the idea of learning to surf in LA, let’s talk. We’re here to help, and we love a good question.