Professional Surfing lessons in the heart of Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv’s private surf lesson keeps things simple: arrive at CHILLI Surf School, get fitted with a wetsuit and board, walk to the beach, and spend most of two hours learning in the water. You only need to swim, bring a swimsuit and towel, and be ready to fall off a board a few times.

I like the generous equipment package, especially the right-size board, sunscreen, shower, and hot drink afterward. I also like the one-to-one teaching, which lets the instructor focus on your balance, wave choice, and pop-up instead of giving a broad group lecture. The main consideration is that this is a water sport dependent on weather and a minimum number of participants, so your date could change.

Key points to know before you book

• Private instruction: Your group receives personalized coaching rather than joining a large general lesson.
• A practical starting point: You need to know how to swim, but no previous surfing experience is required.
• Most of the lesson is in the water: Expect hands-on help catching waves and trying to stand.
• Everything important is supplied: Wetsuit, surfboard, sunscreen, shower access, and a hot coffee or tea are included.
• Easy beach access: CHILLI Surf School at HaYarkon 40 is about one block from the beach, followed by a short walk to the water.
• A useful cancellation cushion: Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund, subject to the stated weather and minimum-participant rules.

Starting at HaYarkon 40 with time to spare

The lesson begins at CHILLI Surf School, at HaYarkon 40 in Tel Aviv-Yafo. The shop is easy to find and close to the beach, which matters because you do not lose much of your two-hour booking to transport or a long walk with a board.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start. That gives the staff time to prepare your wetsuit, choose a board suited to your size, and apply Israeli sunscreen before you head out. You can also have a coffee before the lesson begins, a small but welcome touch if you are fitting this activity into an early day at the beach.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. The school supplies the rest of the main equipment, so you do not need to rent a board separately or guess which board will suit a first attempt. The mobile ticket makes arrival straightforward, and the location is near public transportation.

This setup is especially handy for first-time surfers. You can arrive with no technical knowledge and focus on learning rather than sorting out gear. If you are already comfortable on a board, tell the instructor what you want to improve so the session can move beyond basic standing practice.

Preparing your body and learning the pop-up

After the short walk to the beach, the lesson starts with a warm-up. This is not filler. Surfing asks your arms, legs, back, and core to work together, so a few minutes of preparation helps you move with more control once you reach the water.

The instructor then shows you how to pop up on the board. This is the key movement that takes you from lying on the board to standing on it, and it can feel awkward at first. You will also receive a safety talk and an explanation of the conditions in the water.

That safety briefing gives the lesson a sensible order. Before you try to catch a wave, you need to understand how to move around other surfers, how to handle the board, and how to read the water at a basic level. The lesson is not only about getting upright for a few seconds. It also teaches you how to make better choices in the water.

The instruction is adapted to your level. A first-timer may spend more time rehearsing the pop-up and finding a stable stance. Someone with prior experience can work on balance, movement, wave selection, and cleaner technique.

Spending most of the two hours in the water

The real value of this activity comes from the amount of time spent practicing. After the warm-up and safety talk, most of the lesson takes place in the water, where the instructor helps you catch waves and try to stand and surf.

That hands-on format is more useful than a long beach demonstration. You learn in the exact setting where balance, timing, and wave speed matter. When you miss a wave or lose your footing, the instructor can offer a quick correction and send you back for another attempt.

The teaching covers more than simply standing. You work on balance, movement in the water, and how to find better waves to catch. These are practical skills that help you understand what to do after the lesson, even if you are still at the beginning.

A private session also helps with pacing. If you need more time to repeat one movement, the instructor can stay with that task. If you catch on quickly, the lesson can move toward technique. The experience is private for your group, so you are not being compared with a busload of beginners moving at a fixed pace.

The instructor’s patience is important here. A first surf lesson can include plenty of failed pop-ups, and the tone makes a difference. Ben is one of the instructors associated with the school, and his session is described as taking time with the participants and creating a pleasant first surf experience. That points to the kind of teaching you want for a nervous beginner: calm, practical, and focused on getting you another chance rather than making a missed wave feel like a problem.

What the equipment package really saves you

The $62 price includes the main items you would otherwise need to arrange yourself: a wetsuit, surfboard, and sunscreen. You also receive access to a shower and a complimentary hot coffee or tea after the session.

That is a fair package for someone who wants a guided introduction rather than an independent board rental. A rental alone would not teach you how to pop up, choose a wave, or move safely in the water. Here, the equipment supports a lesson led by an instructor.

The wetsuit is useful because comfort affects learning. If you are cold, distracted, or worried about equipment, you will spend less attention on balance and timing. The board is chosen for your size, which gives you a better chance of working with equipment suited to your body rather than simply taking whatever is available.

Sunscreen is another practical inclusion. You are outside on the beach and in the water, where sun exposure can sneak up on you. Having it supplied means you can arrive with fewer items to pack.

The shower and hot drink complete the experience in a useful way. After a session in salt water, a shower lets you clean up before continuing your day in Tel Aviv. Coffee or tea gives you a warm finish and a chance to talk through what you learned with the instructor.

Returning to the school for a proper finish

When the water session ends, you walk back to CHILLI Surf School. The final part includes a shower, coffee, and a conversation that summarizes the lesson.

That wrap-up is worth keeping in the schedule. It gives you a chance to ask about the movements that felt difficult and remember the instructor’s advice while the session is still fresh. You can also leave with a clearer idea of what to practice next time, instead of treating the activity as a one-off attempt to stand on a board.

The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from the beach. From there, you are free to continue around Tel Aviv.

Who will get the most from this lesson

This experience suits beginner surfers who can swim and want a guided first attempt without buying or arranging equipment. It also works for people who have surfed before and want focused help with balance, wave selection, or movement in the water.

The private format makes it a good choice for couples, families, or friends who want to learn together. Group discounts are available, which can make the $62 per-person price easier to justify when several people book at once.

It may be less suitable if you want a long independent surfing session with little instruction. The point here is coaching. You will receive a warm-up, safety guidance, technique practice, help catching waves, and a lesson summary, rather than simply collecting a board and heading off alone.

You should also be comfortable with the basic demands of surfing. The school states that participants need to know how to swim, and the activity requires good weather. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but anyone unsure about swimming should not treat this as a casual beach activity.

Timing, weather, and the practical fine print

The session lasts about two hours, not counting the 15-minute early arrival suggested for fitting gear and having coffee. Since the activity begins at HaYarkon 40 and ends there, allow a little extra time before the start, but you do not need to budget for a complicated transfer between the school and the beach.

The lesson requires suitable weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, with the available option of a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation or change made less than 24 hours in advance is not refunded or accepted, so check your Tel Aviv plans before booking.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered as a private experience for your group, and it is near public transportation. Those details make it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing, though I would avoid placing an important timed attraction immediately afterward. Water activities can run at the pace of the conditions and your own learning.

Is the $62 price good value?

For a first surf experience, I think the price is reasonable because it combines instruction, equipment, beach access, and a short after-lesson routine. You are not paying only for time on a board. You are paying for an instructor who helps you understand the water and corrects your movements as you practice.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to rent a board, find a wetsuit, and work out the basics alone. The private format adds more value for a small group that wants the instructor’s attention. Group discounts may help if several people are joining.

The price is less compelling for an experienced surfer who already has equipment and wants unrestricted time in the water. In that case, a rental could be enough. But for beginners, the feedback and safety guidance are the reason to choose this experience.

My call: book it if you want a friendly first session

I would book CHILLI’s lesson if you can swim, want to try surfing in Tel Aviv, and prefer personal coaching to figuring it out alone. The best reasons are the private instruction, the amount of time spent in the water, and the fact that wetsuit, board, sunscreen, shower, and hot drink are already covered.

Book with some flexibility because weather can change the schedule. Arrive 15 minutes early, bring a swimsuit and towel, and expect to work hard, fall often, and improve through repetition. If that sounds like a good beach morning rather than a quiet sightseeing stop, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson begin?

The lesson begins at CHILLI Surf School, HaYarkon 40, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at HaYarkon 40.

How long does the lesson last?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours. You are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for preparation and coffee.

Do I need previous surfing experience?

No. The lesson is suitable for all levels, including beginners, but you must know how to swim.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimming suit and a towel. The school supplies the wetsuit, surfboard, and sunscreen.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private lesson.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.