Surfing at the Palm Springs Surf Club - My Experience

By Mark Miller | Last Update: "8.23.25"

After a 15-year break — and a few big wipeouts — I finally surfed a perfect wave at the Palm Springs Surf Club.

The Palm Springs Surf Club is a one-of-a-kind experience in the Coachella Valley. The mix between surf, country club, and resort pool feels futuristic and unlike anything I thought I’d see here.

As a Coachella Valley resident and former childhood surfer, I couldn’t resist the urge anymore and spent $200 for a one-hour session.

Walking in, the first thing you hear is waves crashing — not something you expect with the San Jacinto Mountains as a backdrop. The pool is massive, crystal blue, and designed to generate consistent, surfable waves.

I hadn’t planned to surf, but I brought my swim trunks just in case. At the pro shop, they suggested I watch a session first. After seeing the fun and challenge, I decided to give it a shot and aimed to catch at least one wave.

When I asked the shop what level it was, the clerk said, “Advanced.” I thought, Why not? And signed up.

At 2:30PM, I rented a board for $40 and got it waxed. The locker room had plenty of boards and gear for different sizes and skill levels.

Before the waves start, you get time to paddle out. I quickly realized how out of surfing shape I was, but determination kept me in the lineup.

My first 3–4 attempts ended in heavy wipeouts. Surfing works every muscle, and being thrown underwater by a large wave was intimidating after more than a decade away. But then I caught a clean left, stood up, and felt that old love for surfing rush back. By then, only 20 minutes in, I was exhausted. I spent the rest of the session body surfing on the inside, which was surprisingly fun, and later caught a few rights body surfing on the outside waves.

Insider Tips / Takeaways

• Be careful: I mistakenly signed up for advanced waves. The staff’s mix-up led me into a session way above my level. This could have been dangerous. If you’re new or rusty, start with an intermediate or beginner level. If you do choose advanced, body surfing with fins is safer unless you’re truly experienced.

• Don’t underestimate the heat: Even with chilled water at 87°, paddling in 110° weather is brutal. Take breaks, hydrate, and don’t push past your limit.

• Stay after or come early: The Surf Club has food, drinks, and shaded lounges — it’s more than just the surf.

• Book a session with a coach: For an additional $100 on top of your session fee, you can schedule to have a surfing professional educate you on how to capture the wave and ride it. The professional in my session, "Matthew," was a game-changer. As soon as the waves turn on, it feels very unfamiliar and can feel intimidating. Matthew helped me understand exactly where to start my paddle as soon as the wave was created. Additionally, he advised me to aim for what looked like two red poles when paddling for the wave, which was where the wave would conclude. If you can afford it, I recommend paying for the coach to enhance your first experience and have a strong framework for success. 

• For Each Wave Package, There Is an Exact Start Point For Paddling: Unlike a natural reef, the "Sweet Spot" is precisely in the same spot every time. Use this to your advantage. For each class of waves, there is a different start point. Get familiar with your exact location for takeoff. When the wave is created, start swimming!

• When you fall: It is not the ocean, but the same philosophy applies when you wipe out — stay calm and let the wave pass. Falling here feels different; I felt pulled under and backward, unlike the beach I grew up at in Huntington Beach, CA. The manmade waves build up beneath you before pushing forward, which makes wipeouts feel unfamiliar, especially when I fell early in the wave. After paddling hard to reach the outside and then harder still to catch a wave, going over the falls and holding your breath longer than usual is tough. This is why it’s essential to let waves go until you’ve caught your breath.

• How To Paddle Out: After your ride, use the sides of the pool to paddle out. This makes it much easier because the current of the pool, while the waves are going, will pull you away from the outside, unless you hug the two corners of the pool on the way out. When I was there, after 3-4 waves, the set would end, and then you would get a chance to paddle out. Even then, the strategy is to use the outside sides of the pool because it is easier. 

Surfing in Palm Springs sounds impossible until you try it. After 15 years away from the sport, this was more than just a session — it was a reconnection. The Palm Springs Surf Club transforms the desert into a surf town for a day. Whether you’re chasing barrels or standing up for the first time, it’s unforgettable and unlike anything a beach town can match.