Reviewed · WORKSHOPS
The funniest private 2 hour surf lesson, Canggu
Canggu’s black-sand beach gives this lesson a lively setting, but the real draw is the private coaching from Curly, a local surfer with more than 20 years on the water and over 10 years of teaching. I like the flexible start time, chosen around the tide and forecast, and the friendly, patient approach that helps first-timers find their feet quickly. The main catch is that two hours can pass fast, especially if you need time to get comfortable in the waves.
I also like the practical touches: a surfshirt and face sun cream are available, and the lesson can suit beginners through advanced surfers. You should have moderate fitness, and if you cannot swim, tell the instructor before you start so the lesson can be handled with extra care.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- Why this short Canggu lesson works well
- Meeting Curly at Jl. Nelayan
- Starting on the sand before touching the waves
- Entering Canggu’s white-water waves
- Clear advice for first-timers and returning surfers
- Surfshirt, sun cream, and the Bali heat
- Is $33.62 good value for two hours?
- Booking around the tide instead of the clock
- Who should book this Canggu surf lesson?
- Should you book Curly 17 Surfschool?
- FAQ
- How long is the private surf lesson?
- Where does the lesson begin and end?
- Who teaches the surf lesson?
- What times are available?
- Is the lesson suitable for beginners?
- What level of fitness do I need?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before you book

- Curly teaches the lesson personally: He has over 20 years of surfing experience and more than 10 years of coaching experience.
- The start time follows the sea, not just your calendar: You contact Curly on WhatsApp and agree on a time that suits the forecast, tide, and your ability.
- You begin on dry land: The opening practice covers the basic body position and standing technique before you enter the water.
- The lesson is private: The maximum group size is five, giving you more personal attention than a large surf-school class.
- Sun protection is part of the practical setup: You can receive a surfshirt and face sun cream, useful under Bali’s strong sun.
- You have four daily time windows: Lessons are offered from 7:00 to 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM to noon, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM.
Why this short Canggu lesson works well

A two-hour lesson is a sensible first taste of surfing. It is long enough to cover the basics, get into the water, and make repeated attempts, but short enough to fit around sightseeing, a beach afternoon, or a busy Bali schedule.
I would not treat this as a guaranteed transformation into a confident surfer. Surfing depends on the tide, wave shape, your balance, and how quickly your body learns the standing motion. Still, private instruction gives you a better chance of using those two hours well because Curly can adjust the advice to your level instead of giving one speech to a whole class.
The setting matters, too. Canggu is known for black sand and white-water waves, making it a natural place to try surfing. The water conditions change every day, so the best lesson time is not always the slot that looks most convenient on your phone. Curly checks the forecast the day before and suggests a suitable time, then agrees on it with you through WhatsApp.
That flexibility is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You are not simply assigned a fixed hour and expected to accept whatever the sea is doing. If you are new to surfing, the right tide and wave conditions can make the difference between a fun introduction and a tiring struggle.
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Meeting Curly at Jl. Nelayan
The stated meeting point is Jl. Nelayan No. 77 in Canggu, with the lesson ending back at the same point. The broad booking location is listed as Seminyak, but the actual activity takes place in Canggu, so check your route carefully before setting out.
The location is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify a hotel pickup service. I would plan to reach Jl. Nelayan with enough time to find the meeting point without rushing. You need to be ready for the beach, not still sorting out directions when the best part of the tide is passing.
Once you meet Curly, the tone is intended to be relaxed and fun. The experience title promises a funny lesson, and the coaching style described in the available details points to an instructor who uses encouragement and clear advice rather than a stern classroom approach. That matters when you are learning a movement that can feel awkward at first.
A private lesson can also help if you have a specific goal. You might be trying surfing for the first time, hoping to stand up more reliably, or looking for advice on catching larger waves. The instructor says he can work with beginners, intermediate surfers, and advanced surfers who want to improve.
Starting on the sand before touching the waves

The lesson begins with basic practice on the beach. This is not wasted time. Surfing asks you to make several movements in the right order, and learning those movements on stable ground is easier than trying to remember them while a wave is moving your board.
Expect Curly to guide you through the basic position and the steps needed to stand. The supplied details do not provide a minute-by-minute schedule, so the exact length of the beach briefing can change with your ability and the conditions. A first-timer may need more explanation, while an experienced surfer may spend less time on the fundamentals.
I like this start because it gives you a chance to ask questions before you are in the water. You can also tell Curly about your experience, your comfort level, and any concern that might affect the lesson. One particularly useful point from the feedback is that a husband who could not swim received close attention and managed to stand up. That is encouraging, but it should not be taken as a promise that non-swimmers will find the lesson easy or safe in every condition.
You should be honest about your swimming ability. Surf instruction is physical, and the sea is not a swimming pool. The listed requirement is moderate physical fitness, which is fair: you need to paddle, push yourself up, balance, and repeat the attempt several times.
Entering Canggu’s white-water waves

After the beach practice, Curly takes you into the water and works with you on the waves. For a beginner, the early goal is likely to feel the board move and learn when to try standing. For a more experienced surfer, the focus can shift toward better wave choice, timing, and catching stronger waves.
The coaching is personal rather than generic. Curly’s role is to give advice based on what you are doing in that moment. If you are standing too early, losing balance, or missing the wave’s push, the value of the lesson comes from getting a direct correction instead of repeating the same mistake on your own.
The experience is described as fast-paced and fun, but the pace will still depend on the surf and your stamina. If your arms tire, you may need a short pause. One piece of feedback describes Curly helping a tired surfer by pushing and pulling them around after their arms gave out. That suggests hands-on support is part of the teaching style, though you should still expect to do real physical work.
Canggu’s white-water waves can be helpful for learning because they give beginners a clear push. They can also be tiring, especially if you are unfamiliar with paddling or getting back onto the board. This is where a private instructor is useful. Curly can help you understand where to position yourself and how to approach each attempt.
Do not judge the lesson only by the number of times you stand. You are also learning how the sea behaves, how to keep your body positioned, and how to recover after a missed attempt. A successful first lesson may mean one clean stand, several partial stands, or simply learning enough to return with more confidence.
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Clear advice for first-timers and returning surfers

The strongest theme in the supplied feedback is Curly’s patience and clarity. Several comments point to simple instructions, friendly encouragement, and advice aimed at the individual rather than a set script.
That makes this a good match for someone who is nervous about trying surfing. You do not need to arrive already athletic or confident. You do need to be willing to listen, repeat the movement, and accept that falling is part of the process.
One first-time surfer advised keeping the schedule flexible instead of choosing a personal start time without checking with Curly. I consider that excellent advice. The four listed booking windows are useful, but they should be treated as broad availability rather than a guarantee that every time is equally good.
The lesson may also suit an intermediate or advanced surfer. Curly says he can help people aiming for better or bigger waves, and the private format allows you to focus on your own weakness. A large group lesson often has to move at the pace of the least experienced person. Here, the discussion can stay centered on your goals.
Still, two hours is not a full training program. If you want detailed video analysis, equipment workshops, or a multi-day progression, this experience does not promise those extras. It is best understood as a focused beach lesson with time in the water.
Surfshirt, sun cream, and the Bali heat

Bali’s sun can be intense, and the lesson includes two useful protective touches. Curly can provide a stylish surfshirt and some sun cream for your face.
You should still prepare sensibly. The supplied information does not say that all personal sun protection is provided, so bringing your own would be wise. A two-hour session can feel longer under direct sun, particularly when you are paddling and waiting for the next suitable wave.
The surfshirt is practical as well as playful. It can help protect your upper body while keeping you in the right kind of beach clothing for the lesson. The details do not list other equipment, changing facilities, towels, or storage, so do not assume those are included unless Curly confirms them directly.
Contacting Curly through WhatsApp is important for more than arranging the time. It gives you a chance to ask what to bring, confirm the meeting point, explain your surfing background, and mention swimming concerns before the lesson begins.
Is $33.62 good value for two hours?

At $33.62 per person, the price is reasonable for a private two-hour lesson, especially if you value direct coaching. You are paying for Curly’s time, local knowledge of the waves, the beach instruction, and the chance to receive corrections shaped around your ability.
The value is strongest for a beginner who might otherwise spend the first hour guessing what to do. A clear explanation on the sand, followed by help in the water, can save a lot of unproductive effort. It is also good value for a short Bali itinerary because you do not need to give up a whole day.
The price needs a little context. It is per person, and the activity allows a maximum of five people. The experience is described as private, but if you are booking with friends or family, confirm how the private arrangement applies to your group and how much individual attention each person should expect.
I would also weigh the cost against your goal. If you only want to try surfing once, two hours gives you a manageable introduction. If you already surf regularly, the price may be worthwhile if Curly’s advice matches a clear target, such as improving your takeoff or learning to handle larger waves.
Booking around the tide instead of the clock

The available time windows are 7:00 to 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM to noon, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM, every day. These options make it easy to fit the lesson around meals and other plans, but the most important step is to speak with Curly before settling on a final time.
The instructor checks the forecast the day before and decides when the conditions are best for your level. I would keep the rest of that day’s plan loose. Traffic, weather, and the sea can all affect how smoothly the schedule works, and the whole point of the flexible timing is to use a better surf window.
This experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 34 days. That does not mean you must reserve exactly 34 days in advance, but it suggests that planning early is sensible if your Bali dates are fixed.
Confirmation is received at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.
Who should book this Canggu surf lesson?
I would recommend it to:
- A first-time surfer who wants patient, direct instruction.
- A solo visitor who prefers a private lesson to a large class.
- Couples or small groups who want to learn together.
- An intermediate surfer seeking focused advice on better waves.
- Anyone with only two hours available.
- A nervous beginner who values an encouraging instructor.
I would be more cautious if you have very limited mobility, very low fitness, or cannot safely manage ocean conditions. The activity lists moderate physical fitness as a requirement, and the details do not promise specialized accessibility support.
It can work for someone who cannot swim only if the instructor knows in advance and the conditions are suitable. The available experience shows that close supervision helped one non-swimmer stand up, but you should not treat that as a substitute for swimming ability or as a guarantee.
Should you book Curly 17 Surfschool?
Book this lesson if you want a short, personal introduction to surfing and are happy to let the day’s tide guide your schedule. Curly’s patient teaching style, local experience, and willingness to adapt the lesson to beginners through advanced surfers give it real appeal.
The best booking tip is simple: contact Curly on WhatsApp and ask him to recommend the time. Bring a flexible attitude, expect to work hard for those first stands, and leave room for the sea to set the pace.
Skip it if you need a fixed timetable, hotel pickup, or a fully specified equipment package. For everyone else, this is a practical way to spend two active hours in Canggu, with a good chance of learning the basics and deciding if you want another session the next day.
FAQ
How long is the private surf lesson?
The lesson lasts approximately two hours.
Where does the lesson begin and end?
It begins at Jl. Nelayan No. 77, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia, and ends back at the meeting point.
Who teaches the surf lesson?
Curly, a local surf professional, teaches the lesson. He has over 20 years of surfing experience and more than 10 years of coaching experience.
What times are available?
Lessons are offered daily from 7:00 to 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM to noon, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM. The final time should be agreed with Curly after considering the forecast, tide, and your ability.
Is the lesson suitable for beginners?
Yes. The lesson begins with basic practice on the beach before moving into the water, and it is designed for beginners, intermediate surfers, and advanced surfers seeking to improve.
What level of fitness do I need?
You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing involves paddling, balancing, standing, and repeating attempts in the water.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.
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