Where to Take Surf Lessons in NJ (2022 Updated List)

by Gabrielle Capaldo
Surfing school in NJ

Surfs up and good vibes only for one of the top best activities to do this summer at the Jersey Shore. The summer is heating up and that means surf schools are opening for business.  Whether you’re a surfing expert or a novice, a kid or an adult, there are plenty of waves that you can ride. Here are seven of the top schools to take surf lessons in NJ this year.

Is NJ Good for Surfing? 

States such as California and Hawaii are synonymous with surfing. But, it turns out, unassuming New Jersey’s Ocean City ranks number four for best places to surf in the U.S.. Known for its wide and beautiful beaches, locals can catch waves year-round at the Jersey Shore. Atlantic City also put itself on the map when world-famous surfer and Olympic Gold medalist, Duke Kahanamoku, surfed its waves in the early 1900s. 

Although winter is the best surfing season in Jersey, summer presents a plethora of opportunities as well. The North Atlantic’s winter storms provide large waves in the summer that are safe and satisfactory for surfing. With 130 miles of shoreline to enjoy, surfers are able to find wide-open, deserted beaches to commune with nature. For the least crowded surfing experience, surfers should go to the beach at dawn or later in the evening as the beach empties.

Surfing school in NJ

Photo courtesy of Nico Bhlr

How Much are Surfing Lessons in NJ?

The average private surf lesson costs around $75 for one hour. Some surfing schools may charge more or less depending on their popularity or the amount of people signing up in your party. 

Beginning surfers can find group surf lessons for as low as $55 an hour up to $90 per hour or hour and a half. As your skill level increases, the price will go down with advanced surf clubs and lessons, averaging $85 for three hours.  

Parents will get the most bang for their buck, however, if they enroll their kid or teen in a surf camp. Camps that offer four hours a day for five days span between $425 and $445 which breaks down to $23 an hour. Three-day camps average $250 for a similar per hour price. While these prices are the average, some surfing schools may exceed this due to their specialty offerings. 

Where to Sign Up for Surf Lessons in NJ

Stacey’s Surf & Paddle – Margate

Located at Margate, Stacey’s Surf & Paddle is structured to empower new and experienced surfers with ocean skills, safety awareness and self-confidence in a fun and friendly environment! They love to teach living a healthy lifestyle and staying young at heart by connecting with the ocean. Kids can learn surfing skills by joining one of their three surfing camps based on age and experience level. Beginner Surf Camp is $465 for kids ages 8-17 and includes five days of surfing with supplies included. Teen Surf Camp is half the time and half the price for those 13-18 years old. 

While your kids are out there shredding it, moms are welcomed to join Women’s Wednesdays for a relaxing time of surf lessons and fellowship.  I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Stacey’s most popular offering, Full Moon Paddle. For just $40 a person, bring a group of friends and paddle out to the ocean and bask in the light of a full moon.

(609) 705-SURF

LBI Surfing – Long Beach Island

LBI Surfing stands as one of the most popular schools in NJ because it was the first! Established in 1996, LBI has the best surfing lessons for kids and adults so the whole family can enjoy fun in the sun. Private lessons are $75 for one hour with semi-private lessons priced at $55. The school also offers other surfing variations such as skimboarding and paddle boarding lessons. 

Their camps span only two hours a day for three days and are offered to kids and teenagers at all experience levels for $255. Even your wee little ones can enjoy socializing with other surfers and learning the basics at LBI’s two-day camp for 2-9-year-olds at just $179. LBI’s most exciting and popular class is a two-hour paddle boarding course with a historical/eco tour that enlivens surfing culture.

(609) 494-7873 

Lucky Dog Surf School – Sea Bright

Lucky Dog Surf School is a surf school committed to providing a surf atmosphere that is safe, enthusiastic and, most importantly, fun! The unique aspect of this school is their dedication to educating students on ocean awareness and taking care of the planet through their love for surfing. This environmentally conscious school offers camps, private lessons and advanced coaching sessions for those experienced surfers. The advanced coaching session includes a two-hour video recording with written notes and an analysis of the student’s progression chart. Participants must bring their own equipment which cuts the cost of this class down to $105. Standard private lessons are $90 per surfer and week-long camps are $425 for kids and teenagers.

(732) 768-7072

Pink Pineapple Surf – Manasquan

Girls just want to have fun at this all-girl surf camp in Manasquan beach! Manasquan Beach is known to be one of the best surfing spots with its twenty-foot faces and easy paddling, giving this school a competitive edge. This school strives to empower girls to live their dreams one wave at a time. Surf camps are held Monday through Friday for three hours for ages 8-14-years-old. During breaks, the girls will be making surfing art to take home and hang on the fridge.

These surf camps are priced at $120 a day or $510 for the week. Pink Pineapple’s private lessons are $100 for 75 minutes and include personalized instruction with a dedicated instructor. The most unique summer program that this school offers has to be their Summer GROM Team. Beginning July 4, this is an eight-week program for girls that can catch waves on their own and want to advance their skills. Be sure to check out this female-run business!

[email protected]

Hammer Surf School – Lavallette, Spring Lake and Seaside Park

Here to bring the joy of surfing to everyone is Hammer Surf School. They focus on building surfing fundamentals as well as teaching ocean awareness and water safety. They offer every class you can imagine including private lessons, daily camps, group classes, advanced classes, private coaching, adult classes and more! 

With three locations in Lavallette, Spring Lake and Seaside Park, there are plenty of openings for everyone. Their private lessons are 75 minutes for $95 and their kids/teen group classes are 3 hours for $112. One of the special aspects of this school is their Surf Therapy class for children with special needs. The ocean can be very calming and therapeutic for children and this school offers the best instructors to help special needs children enjoy the ocean.

(732) 966 6430

Summertime Surf – Monmouth and Ocean County

Perfect for beginners, this North Jersey establishment rates number one in the state as a premier surfing school. Their Beginner Surf Class is the best starting point for most students over the age of 14 and is offered from mid-June to the end of September. With five locations, this beginner class has many openings and starts at $75 for one hour. Their kids camps average $475 for 5 days and are for children 7-14-years-old. Summertime Surf offers fun for the whole family with Adult Surf Club sessions and their popular Women’s Surf Weekend. This weekend get-away allows women ages 18 and up to enjoy yoga on the beach and calm ocean waves. So grab your girlfriends and head down to Summertime Surf this season! 

(732) 599-2700

OCNJ Surf School – Ocean City

Last, but certainly not least, is the beloved South Jersey school, OCNJ Surf School. Located in the heart of this charming ocean-front town, this school offers great value and a great price. Group surf lessons are $85 for one and a half hours and private lessons are $75 for one hour. Any repeated private lessons drop to $65 to be sure that you’ll come back. The school practices a 2:1 instructor to student ratio policy to ensure the best teaching and safety. OCNJ Surf also offers weekly three-day camps from mid-June through August. For ages six and up this camp is priced at $225, offering an unforgettable experience for your kids.

(609) 736-0131

About the Author/s

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Gabrielle is an Editorial Assistant Intern at The Digest. After graduating from Grove City College with a degree in Communications, she worked in corporate sales for a year before giving in to her long-lost passion for writing. Known as the “investigative journalist” at her alma mater’s newspaper, Gabrielle loves uncovering the facts and weaving them into a compelling story. Having lived in New Jersey her whole life, this news journalist turned editorial writer aims to put the hidden gems of The Garden State on the map. If you ever can't find her, odds are she's gone ghost protocol at her favorite Jersey beach.

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