Palm Springs Surf Club Review: Cost, Tips & What to Expect

After about 15 years away from surfing, I went to Palm Springs Surf Club hoping to catch one wave. I had grown up surfing in Huntington Beach, but an advanced session in the desert quickly reminded me how much timing, paddling fitness, and positioning matter. There were heavy wipeouts, help from a surf professional named Matthew, and finally one clean left that brought the feeling back. This is my firsthand review, with planning tools and current booking guidance to help you make a better first choice than I did.

• My one-hour session and board rental came to $240 on my visit. That is a personal cost example; use the current booking quote for your trip.
• Choose a session for your current ability. Having surfed years ago did not prepare me for the advanced setting.
• The club lists Waikiki for beginners, with coaching included in that session description. Check the calendar for availability.
• The exact takeoff position mattered. Matthew’s help made the pool much easier to understand.
• Plan separately for surfing, waterpark time, and anyone coming to watch. Confirm what each reservation includes.

Plan your first visit

The most useful question is what you want to do when you get there. Choose a starting point below, then confirm the session with the club. My suggestions help you prepare the right questions; the surf team should make the final call on suitability.

What I paid, and how to budget your visit

My session cost $200, and I rented a board for $40. A coach was quoted at another $100. The $340 figure is the what-if total if that optional quote is added; the session and board came to $240.

These are historical amounts from my original experience, not a current price list. Session rates, rentals, coaching arrangements, and package inclusions can change. The club currently offers board and wetsuit rentals; check the quote for your chosen session.

My first session after 15 years away

I did not originally plan to surf that day. I had brought swim trunks just in case, but the idea was to look around and watch a session. At the pro shop, they suggested I watch before deciding. Once I saw the waves, I wanted in.

When I asked about the level, I was told it was advanced. Instead of considering what that meant after such a long break, I signed up. My goal was simple: catch at least one wave.

At 2:30 p.m., I rented a board, had it waxed, and got ready. The locker room and rental area made that part feel straightforward. Paddling out was where my confidence started catching up with reality. I was comfortable in the water, but I was not in surfing shape.

The advanced waves were powerful and repeatable. That consistency is part of the appeal, but it did not make the takeoff easy. My first three or four attempts ended in heavy wipeouts, and within about 20 minutes I felt how much work paddling, positioning, and recovering required.

The turbulence felt unfamiliar compared with the Huntington Beach breaks I remembered. I had to stop treating the session like a test of confidence and pay attention to what the pool was doing.

It was not a graceful return to the sport. It was memorable, tiring, and a reminder that being generally athletic is different from being ready for an advanced surf session.

Choosing a wave level without repeating my mistake

Book for the surfer you are today. The club’s session descriptions distinguish beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert experiences. Read the actual wave description, rather than choosing a label because it sounds close to your old ability.

Intermediate should not be a default for someone who has surfed only a few times. The club describes Intermediate A-Frames for people who can paddle into waves independently. If you cannot do that consistently, explain it before you book.

Why Matthew’s guidance mattered

Matthew, the surf professional in my session, helped me understand where to start paddling as the wave formed and gave me a visual target for the line to take. That made a difference. The takeoff zone felt more exact than the ocean breaks I remembered, and being in the wrong spot meant spending energy without getting the ride.

That experience is why I recommend asking about instruction if you are new to the pool or returning after a break. Have someone explain the takeoff, the finish, and how to get back into position for your particular setting.

The current Waikiki listing already includes instructors in its description. My old $100 coach quote should not be added automatically to a beginner package. Confirm what guidance and equipment your chosen booking includes.

During my visit, returning along the sides felt easier than fighting the current in the middle, and pauses between sets gave us a chance to reposition. Treat that as my observation. Follow the surf patrol’s briefing on the permitted route for the session you actually book.

The heat and paddling effort surprised me

My visit took place in intense summer heat. Even with water around me, paddling and recovering from wipeouts drained my energy much faster than I expected. The pool setting did not remove the physical demands of surfing.

Give yourself permission to let a wave go, catch your breath, and take a break. When I think about getting more out of another visit, I think about pacing and a manageable wave setting before I think about riding something bigger.

Plan for shade, sun protection, and hydration before and after your session. Water temperature changes with the season, so ask about a wetsuit when you reserve. The club restricts outside food and drinks; check its current entry rules and ask about drinking-water arrangements before packing a cooler or bottle.

Before you go: a practical checklist

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sandals, and a change of clothes. I would also have a hat and sunglasses for time outside the water. Confirm any board or wetsuit rental in advance instead of assuming the right equipment will be waiting.

The club is cashless, requires waivers, and lists independent swimming plus a minimum height requirement for the surf pool. Check eligibility and current terms directly with the club, especially when planning for a child. Official reference: visitor FAQs.

Would I go back?

Yes. That clean left was a reminder of something I used to love, and catching it with the desert mountains behind the pool made the day feel different from a normal beach session.

I would return with a more realistic view of my ability and a better plan for instruction. If you are a new surfer or coming back after years away, that is the lesson I hope you take from my visit: choose an experience that gives you a chance to enjoy the waves, rather than spending the hour trying to prove you can handle them.

Palm Springs Surf Club FAQ