Pleasure Point Surf School

Why we ranked it 3rd.

Push past whitewash. Coaches who actually surf the spot daily, and they'll meet you in the lineup at 38th Ave. Our recommendation: book the 8 AM session on a weekday. The crowd is thin, the light is good, the wind hasn't come up yet. Bring a thermos.

The intermediate tier here is well-staffed, the gear is in stock, and the instructors actually surf this break themselves. That's rarer than you'd think.

The pros

• Tight instructor-to-student ratio — most schools in town aren't this attentive
• Wetsuits and soft-tops included, all sizes in stock
• You'll stand up. Almost everyone does.
• Easy parking at the wharf, three-block walk down to the sand.

The cons

• Books up two weeks out in summer.
• The break is crowded — you're sharing the wave with other beginners.
• If you're already past whitewash, you'll be bored.