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Santa Barbara Surfing Lesson with Pro Surfer

TourTruth score 7.1 out of 10

Average

1 review · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Santa Barbara
  • 2 hrs 10 min
  • Updated November 4, 2026

Learn to surf in Santa Barbara with pro surfer Kilian Garland, with personalized coaching, equipment, and practice in the water.

About this tour

Learn to surf in Santa Barbara with local pro surfer Kilian Garland, whose roots in this coastal city run as deep as his experience in the water. Whether you are catching your first wave or refining your technique, this personalized lesson makes time on the Pacific both welcoming and rewarding.

Meet at Surf Santa Barbara, where your session begins with stretching, a safety briefing, and beach practice. Then head into the water for professional instruction tailored to your ability, with individual feedback to help you improve. You will also get a breakdown of the surf spot, so you can better understand the conditions around you. All necessary surf equipment is provided; bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water, and arrive 15 minutes early to check in.

Garland grew up in Santa Barbara, competed on the World Surf League for 15 years, and won the 2017 WSL North American Championship. His local knowledge and coaching experience bring a personal touch to this Santa Barbara surfing lesson. Book your session and discover the fun of surfing with an instructor who knows these waters.

Highlights

  • Learn with local professional surfer Kilian Garland
  • Build confidence with coaching tailored to your skill level
  • Practice beach safety and surfing fundamentals before entering the water
  • Get personalized feedback and a surf spot breakdown
  • Ride the waves in Santa Barbara

What's included

Included

  • Professional surf instruction
  • All necessary surf equipment
  • Stretching before the lesson
  • Safety briefing and beach practice
  • Personalized in-water feedback and surf spot breakdown

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

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Important information

  • Participants should be comfortable in the water
  • Children under 9 are not permitted
  • Not suitable for non-swimmers or people with back problems
  • Arrive 15 minutes early to check in
Show 4 more
  • Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water
  • Apply sunscreen before the lesson
  • Pets, smoking, and alcohol or drugs are not permitted
  • Meeting point: Surf Santa Barbara, 801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Frequently asked questions

Who teaches the surfing lesson?

The lesson is taught by Kilian Garland, a Santa Barbara native and professional surfer who competed on the World Surf League for 15 years.

Is the lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes. The lesson is tailored to your skill level and covers surfing basics or helps you improve existing skills.

What equipment is provided?

All necessary surf equipment is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. Apply sunscreen before the lesson.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Surf Santa Barbara, 801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Arrive 15 minutes before the lesson starts.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. GetYourGuide rates it 5.00 from 1 review. We place that rating among all GetYourGuide ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Santa Barbara
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.1.

Provider rating distribution in Santa Barbara

How many tours in Santa Barbara have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

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