Thompson Surf School

429 1st St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Hours

Open daily 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Check online to book times and packages.

Cost

Here are some of the costs associated with visiting Thompson Surf School:

Surf Lesson for one: $80
Surf Lesson for two: $60 per person
Surf Lesson for three or more: $50 per person
Summer Surf Camp: $250 per person; $10 sibling discount.

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.

904-316-8573

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About

If you’ve always dreamed of surfing as an individual, group, or family, visit Thompson Surf School in Jacksonville.

The main instructors at Thompson Surf School, Evan and Tristan Thompson, have impressive resumes, ensuring you receive top-notch, focused lessons. Their expertise and passion are the reason the school is one of the top things to do at Jacksonville Beach.

Evan, a Jacksonville native, learned to surf with his family in the same waters you’ll be in. He has over 25 years of experience and is a four-time USA Surf Team Member, a two-time NSSA East Coast Champion, and a two-time Red Bull Night Riders Champion. With this pedigree, Evan opened Thompson Surf School in 2013.

Younger brother Tristan has over 15 years of surfing experience, during which time he became the 2014 Red Bull Night Riders Champion and the 2016 Huck & Hack Pro Champion. He is also the two-time Amateur East Coast Champion.

Rest assured, your safety is paramount at Thompson Surf School. Evan is a Certified Emergency Medical Technician, while Tristan is CPR Certified.

Thompson Surf School offers private and group instruction for their Surf Lessons or Surf Coaching. We’ll explore each later, but suffice it to say that beginners sign up for Surf Lessons while experienced surfers opt for Surf Coaching.

Another perk about the school is its location, which puts you close to landmarks like the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

So, grab your sunscreen, beach blanket, and water bottles and head to the Thompson Surf School for the perfect activity on your getaway.

Thompson Surf School: Fun Facts & Cool Features

As promised, let’s unpack what you get with Surf and Coach Lessons.

If you’re a beginner or a novice, your best bet is signing up for Surf Lessons. These 60-minute classes involve 10-15 minutes of instruction on the beach, followed by 45-50 minutes of in-water training with an instructor at your side. Your cost includes a soft top surfboard that is easier to maneuver for beginners and rash guards if necessary.

Surf Coaching will appeal to seasoned surfers who want to improve their technique and skills. With professional video cameras and playback, the instructor can record your surfing and unpack what went well and what needs improving. Surf Coaching can delve into topics like competition strategy, wave selection, and improving surfing technique.

When vacationing in the summer, consider signing your children up for the Summer Surf Camp. The camp is Monday through Thursday from 9 AM until noon, making it perfect for dropping off the little ones while the adults tee off at the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club. With its 3:1 instructor-to-student ratio, you know your kids will have a safe and fun experience.

Another outstanding feature is the proximity to restaurants like Eleven South, where you can have a meal after hitting the surf. When you need a calorie-rich breakfast before your lesson, visit Maple Street Biscuit Company.

Adding Thompson Surf School to your Jacksonville vacation will be a rewarding and safe experience. Whether it’s your first time on a board or seeking tips to go pro, visit and find out why they are one of the best attractions in Jacksonville Beach!

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to Thompson Surf School from Jacksonville:

Start by heading south on I-95 S.
Take exit 358A toward I-295 S.
Merge onto I-295 S and continue for about 8 miles.
Take exit 41B to merge onto FL-105 E/J. Turner Butler Blvd toward the beach.
Continue straight onto Beach Blvd.
Turn right onto 1st St N and head toward the ocean.
Address: 2121 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Local Tips

Arrive early to secure a good parking spot at the beach.
Bring a towel, sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water.
Book your lessons in advance to reserve your spot.
Check their Facebook page for updates, specials, and weather alerts.

Location

429 1st St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a recommended one-day itinerary in Jacksonville Beaches?

Start the day off along 3rd St. at Jax Beach Brunch Haus for everything from basic breakfast favorites to hearty brunch options and tasty brunch-tails that go way beyond mere mimosas. From JBBH it’s a short hop over to the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course for those looking to spend a day on the greens.

On the north side of 3rd St., step into Maple Street Biscuit Co. for coffee and their self-proclaimed biscuits that wow. After breakfast, walk to Jacksonville Beach’s extended pier. Enjoy a stroll out over the Atlantic Ocean, or watch anglers casting their fishing lines. This is a great way to enjoy fishing in the area, especially if you don’t have enough time to go out on a boat. If surfing is more your style, be sure to hit the waves. Atlantic Beach to the north is more apt for novice surfers, while swells near the Jacksonville Beach Pier can be more challenging as this is the area’s high-tide break.

For lunch, savor the region’s fresh seafood as restaurants in Jacksonville and across the First Coast proudly serve fresh Mayport shrimp. Take in the view at Dockside Seafood restaurant to satisfy your shrimp cravings. Or, try Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra south of Jacksonville Beach after visiting the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.

Many people who visit Jacksonville Beach are simply asking, where can I go to relax? Consider Neptune Beach to the north, a less crowded beach with calmer waves and plenty of space to spread out. A stroll through Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also a calm way to spend the day. If visiting downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk along St. John’s River provides ample walking space and benches to relax on while enjoying the view.

Wrap up the evening in Jacksonville Beach with the warm and elegant setting of Eleven South. This award-winning restaurant provides an exquisite fine dining experience to top off your day. For more casual fare, stop by TacoLu for fresh baja tacos and tequila with the essence of Florida.

Why is Jacksonville known as the First Coast?

People often refer to this part of northern Florida hugging the Atlantic Ocean as the “First Coast” (sometimes called the “Historic Coast”). Today, the First Coast moniker has come to represent it as the first coast in Florida that tourists visit when traveling southbound along the Atlantic seaboard. The name initially represented this area as the first part of Florida colonized by Europeans in the 16th century. Both the French and the Spanish settled into this part of northern Florida on lands of the Mocama and the Timucua. Further down the coast, St. Augustine was Florida’s first European settlement.

What are the biggest main events around Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its wonderful weather and prime events. Each March, The Players Championship attracts golf aficionados from across the globe to our beckoning beaches.TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra has been home to The Players Championship of the PGA Tour since 1982.

If pigskin is more your style, Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, so it’s easy to catch a game in season. Another highlight, though up in the sky over Jacksonville’s Naval Air Station, is the NAS Jax Air Show. Birthplace of the Blue Angels, the NAS Jax Air Show generally takes place mid-October each year (check the event site for upcoming dates and program changes).

Back on land, or rather in the waves, the Super Girl Surf Pro also hits Jacksonville Beach in the fall. Held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle, and music festival.

When your vacation plans include an adventure to Jacksonville Beach, you can be certain there’ll be plenty to see and do!