Surf Lessons

My Khe Beach gives first-time surfers a friendly place to start: fine sand, manageable waves, and an instructor beside you as you learn to paddle, balance, and stand. I like the small 1:4 instructor-to-student ratio, which means you are not left waiting through every wave.

I also like that the two-hour lesson includes the board, wax, rash vest or wetsuit, and some GoPro photos and video. Owen and Tien have both earned praise for patient, upbeat teaching. The main caution is that surf conditions can be modest, and one detailed comment found the equipment somewhat old. Bring strong water-resistant sunscreen, since two hours in the water can leave you badly burned.

Key points before you book

• Beginner-focused instruction: Start on land with paddling, balance, the pop-up, and water safety before heading into the waves.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is six, with a stated ratio of one instructor for every four students.
• Everything needed is supplied: Boards, wax, rash vests in warm weather, and wetsuits in cooler months are included.
• My Khe Beach setting: The lesson takes place on a broad sandy beach with generally small waves suited to new surfers.
• Photos and video included: GoPro footage is taken during the session and sent later by email.
• Flexible weather policy: Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund, or receive a new date or refund if poor weather cancels the lesson.

Why My Khe Beach works for a first surf lesson

My Khe Beach is a practical place to try surfing in Da Nang. You meet at 35 An Thượng 5, a short walk from the beach, then move to the water for the lesson. There is no long transfer or complicated resort pickup, so much of your two-hour booking can be spent learning rather than getting there.

The beach’s fine sand matters when you are starting out. You will spend plenty of time getting onto the board, falling off, and trying again. A sandy bottom is less intimidating than a rocky shore, especially when your attention is fixed on the instructor’s next direction.

The waves are described as small and suitable for learning, though conditions can vary. That is good news for your first attempt, but it also means you should set your expectations sensibly. This is an introduction to surfing, not a guaranteed session of long rides on powerful waves.

The local surf school began in 2017 and uses instructors with more than 20 years of experience. That combination gives the lesson a useful balance: the operation is established enough to have a routine, while the teaching remains aimed at beginners rather than advanced surfers.

What happens during the two hours

The session starts with a land lesson. Before you carry a board into the sea, the instructor explains how to paddle, where to place your weight, and how to pop up from lying down to standing. You will also cover balance and basic water safety.

This dry-land practice is one of the most valuable parts of the lesson. Surfing looks simple from shore, but the movements happen quickly once a wave reaches you. Rehearsing the pop-up on the sand helps you understand the sequence before you have to manage the board, the water, and the wave at the same time.

The instructor then gives a short demonstration of catching a wave. Watching the movement first lets you see the timing, rather than trying to follow instructions without a clear picture of what should happen.

After that, most of your time is spent in the water. The goal is not just to stand once, but to keep trying, adjust your position, and learn how the board responds. Some beginners may stand for only a few seconds at first. That still gives you the key lesson: surfing is built from repeated attempts, not one perfect run.

The teaching style appears encouraging and hands-on. Owen is praised for being a strong instructor, while Tien is described as passionate and especially good for a first lesson. The school’s small-group approach should give you more direct help than a crowded class, although the exact amount of attention will still depend on the group booked that day.

The equipment included in your booking

You do not need to arrive with a surfboard or wetsuit. The price includes the board, wax, a rash vest for warmer conditions, and a wetsuit for cooler periods. That keeps the booking simple and avoids the cost and guesswork of hiring equipment separately.

The boards are intended for learning. Beginner boards are generally designed to make balance easier than a narrow performance board, which is exactly what you want during a first attempt. The aim is to give you a stable platform while you learn the basic movement.

One Spanish-language comment found the equipment old, though the instruction and care were rated highly. That is worth keeping in mind. You are paying for a beginner lesson, not a premium equipment rental, so expect functional gear rather than the newest boards in the water.

The school also offers half-day rental rates for beginner boards if you want to continue after the lesson. The supplied information does not state the rental price, so ask before extending your session. A second attempt can be useful because the first lesson often goes toward learning the basic motions and getting comfortable in the water.

The most useful part: getting to your feet

The pop-up is the moment most people are waiting for. You begin on the board, paddle as the wave reaches you, then move your feet underneath you and rise into a stable stance. It sounds easy, but your timing and balance have to work together.

The instructors break this into manageable steps. You learn where to put your hands, how to bring your feet forward, and how to keep your weight centered. Good instruction matters here because small errors can make the board wobble or send you into the water before the wave has carried you anywhere.

The class is designed to help you catch waves, not merely practice on the sand. You will receive pointers during the water portion, then try again. That repeat-and-correct pattern is the right way to approach a first lesson.

Do not measure success only by the length of your ride. If you learn to paddle in the right direction, catch whitewater, stand briefly, and understand why you fell, the lesson has done its job. Some people manage to stand and ride independently in their first session. Others need another lesson. Both outcomes are normal.

Photos and video after the lesson

The instructors take photos and video with a GoPro during the session. These are sent to you later by email, giving you a record of your first attempts and a chance to see your technique from shore or from the water.

That footage can be more useful than a simple souvenir. You may notice that you are standing too early, looking down, or placing your feet too far apart. It can help you understand the instructor’s advice after the lesson has ended.

There is one practical point to note: delivery may not be immediate. Some people have still been waiting for the footage after their session. If the photos matter to you, confirm the email address before leaving and allow time for the files to arrive.

Bring your own phone only if you can keep it safe and dry. The supplied GoPro footage means you do not need to risk your personal device in the surf.

Why the small class size matters

The maximum group size is six, with a stated instructor-to-student ratio of 1:4. That is a strong feature for beginners because you need corrections while you are still learning the basics.

In a large class, you might spend much of the session watching other people take turns. Here, the format should give you more chances to paddle out, try a wave, and receive a quick adjustment. Surfing is a physical skill, so extra attempts are valuable.

Still, a small group does not mean private coaching. If you want one instructor focused only on you, ask if a private lesson is available. The supplied details describe small classes, not a one-to-one option.

The instructors’ attitude is another part of the value. First-time surfers often feel awkward when they fall repeatedly. A patient teacher who keeps the mood light can make you willing to try again instead of giving up after a few failed pop-ups.

Price and practical value at $44

At $44 per person, the lesson costs more than simply hiring a board for two hours. You are paying for instruction, safety guidance, equipment, and a structured introduction to the sport.

That is fair value if this is your first time surfing. Buying or hiring a board without instruction leaves you to work out the pop-up, wave timing, and safety on your own. A qualified instructor can help you avoid wasting the whole session in the wrong position.

The included wetsuit or rash vest also reduces extra costs. Wax and the board are supplied, and the photo and video service adds something you would not get from a basic rental.

The value is strongest for beginners who want to give surfing a proper try. If you already surf regularly, the two-hour beginner format may feel too basic. You would likely get more from the half-day board rental option, assuming you already know how to stay safe and catch waves.

The booking is usually made about 12 days ahead, so popular time slots may fill before your visit. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the mobile ticket makes it easy to keep the booking details on your phone.

Sun, safety, and what to bring

The most useful item to bring is water-resistant sunscreen. Two hours on the beach and in the water can expose your face, shoulders, neck, and back to strong sun, even when the air feels comfortable. Reapply before the lesson and use protection that will hold up in the water.

You should also bring drinking water and whatever dry clothes you need after the session. The supplied details confirm the board, wax, rash vest, and wetsuit, but they do not specify changing rooms, lockers, towels, or showers. Do not assume those extras are included.

The lesson begins with water safety, which is important even when the waves are small. You will learn how to handle the board and approach the waves before spending most of the session practicing.

My Khe is described as free of jellyfish and other dangerous hazards in one detailed account, but sea conditions can change. The activity requires good weather, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is a useful safeguard for a water activity.

Who will enjoy this lesson most

This is best for adults and children who want a gentle first introduction and can take part in a two-hour beach activity. The information says most people can participate, and the lesson is aimed at beginners rather than experienced surfers.

It also suits people who want an active break from Da Nang’s city sights. You can reach the meeting point near My Khe Beach using public transportation, then spend the session learning a skill rather than watching a demonstration from shore.

It may not suit you if you need guaranteed large waves, advanced coaching, or top-of-the-line equipment. Small waves are safer and easier for a beginner, but they may feel underwhelming if you are hoping for a dramatic surf session.

The lesson also requires patience. You may spend a lot of time falling, resetting the board, and waiting for the right wave. That is part of the sport, not a flaw in the teaching.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Since this is a weather-dependent activity, poor conditions can cancel the session. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Keep some flexibility in your Da Nang schedule if surfing is important to you.

The activity begins and ends at 35 An Thượng 5, Ngũ Hành Sơn. It does not include a separate hotel transfer in the supplied details, so plan to reach the meeting point yourself.

Should you book the Da Nang surf lesson?

I would book this if you have never surfed, want patient instruction, and like the idea of learning at a sandy beach with small waves. The included gear, compact two-hour format, and small class size make it an easy first step.

Book with realistic expectations. You may stand and ride a wave in your first session, as some participants have, but nobody can promise that result. Conditions may be gentle, some equipment may show its age, and the GoPro files may take time to arrive.

For most beginners, those are reasonable trade-offs for a $44 lesson with an experienced instructor. Pack sunscreen, keep your schedule flexible for weather, and treat the first successful pop-up as the main prize.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson take place?

The lesson takes place at My Khe Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam. You meet at 35 An Thượng 5, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang, and return to that meeting point at the end.

How long is the surf lesson?

The lesson lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the lesson cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

Is the lesson suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The session teaches paddling, balance, the pop-up, wave catching, and basic water safety from the beginning.

What equipment is included?

Surfboards, wax, rash vests for summer conditions, and wetsuits for winter conditions are included.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum group size of six people. The stated instructor-to-student ratio is one instructor for every four students.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. GoPro photos and video are taken during the lesson and sent to you later by email.

Can I use public transportation to reach the meeting point?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.