Ulap Surf

Catch your first wave at Cloud 9. Ulap Surf pairs a private beginner lesson with a sturdy 9-foot longboard and a personal photographer, so you get both hands-on coaching and useful footage to study later. I like the private instruction and the clear 90-minute water session, which give beginners more focused time than a large group class. I also like the safety briefing, beach practice, and follow-up video review.

The main catch is the price: $190 is a serious outlay for roughly two hours, especially since private transportation is not included. You are paying for personal coaching, photos, videos, and a small-group setup, not simply board rental and a quick paddle around.

Quick take: what makes Ulap Surf different

• Cloud 9 setting: You meet at the famous Cloud 9 surfing area, one of Siargao’s best-known places to get on a board.
• A lesson built around progress: The session covers ocean movement, safety, foot placement, balance, paddling, and the pop-up before you start chasing waves.
• Private coaching: Only your group participates, so the instructor can focus on your stance, timing, and confidence.
• Longboard for beginners: The included soft-top board is stable and forgiving compared with a short performance board.
• Personal photo and video: Footage gives you a clear look at what worked and what needs changing.
• Flexible cancellation: You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start, subject to the weather policy.

Starting at Cloud 9 Surfing Area

The experience begins at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area in General Luna, at map reference R578+F36, Siargao Island. You make your own way there because private transport is not included. The area is near public transportation, which helps, but you should still allow enough time to arrive ready for the meeting.

The first part is practical and direct. You meet the Ulap Surf team, sign the waiver, settle payment, and receive a briefing on what is included. This may sound routine, but it is useful before you handle the board and enter the water. You know who is coaching you, what the session covers, and how the lesson will run.

The Cloud 9 setting adds a sense of occasion. You are not taking a generic poolside surf class. You are learning at a recognized Siargao surf area, with the board, break, and local conditions forming part of the lesson.

Still, Cloud 9 is a real surf area, not a controlled teaching pool. Conditions can change, and the activity requires moderate physical fitness. If you are uncomfortable with paddling, balancing, or repeated attempts to stand, tell the instructor early. Good coaching can help, but the ocean still sets the terms.

A 10-minute ocean briefing before the board gets wet

Ulap Surf starts with a short safety and orientation talk of about 10 minutes. You learn how the ocean moves, where the surf area is, and what to watch for before paddling out. The briefing is meant to be concise, rather than a long classroom lecture.

For a first lesson, this part matters as much as the pop-up. Beginners often focus only on standing, but safe surfing also depends on where you sit, how you handle the board, and how you respond when a wave approaches. A few clear rules can make the water feel less confusing.

The teaching approach also goes beyond simply telling you to stand up. The team explains why you place your feet in certain spots and how your balance affects the ride. That focus on basic technique is one reason this lesson may suit you if you want to keep surfing after the holiday.

You should not expect the briefing to turn you into an independent surfer in 10 minutes. It gives you the starting tools. The real learning happens when you repeat the movements on the beach and then try them in the water.

Beach practice: pop-up, foot placement, and balance

Before you paddle out, you warm up on the beach. This is where you learn the basic pop-up, work out where your feet belong, and practice finding your balance on the board.

That preparation is especially valuable for first-timers. Trying to learn the pop-up while a wave pushes the board can feel rushed. On land, you can concentrate on the movement itself. You can ask questions, repeat the motion, and correct your position before the ocean adds speed.

The included 9-foot soft-top board is a sensible choice here. Its length and broad, stable design give a beginner more room to place their feet. A soft top is also less intimidating than a hard performance board when you are still learning how to handle equipment.

A longboard will not make every attempt easy. You still need to paddle, time the wave, push up quickly, and keep your weight centered. But it gives you a more forgiving platform, which is exactly what a first lesson should provide.

Ninety minutes in the water with your instructor nearby

The main session lasts about 90 minutes in the water. Your instructor stays close and coaches you through each attempt, rather than leaving you to work things out alone after a short demonstration.

That private format is the heart of the experience. In a crowded class, an instructor may need to divide attention among several beginners. Here, the coach can watch your specific habits: where you place your hands, how quickly you bring your feet forward, and how you hold your balance once the board starts moving.

The goal is not just to stand once by chance. The coaching is designed to help you understand what you are doing and why. That distinction matters. If you know why a wave carried you well, or why a particular attempt failed, you have something useful to work on during your next session.

The lesson is also private for your group only. The supplied details do not state a maximum number of participants, so you should confirm how many people the $190 price covers before booking if that affects your budget. The private setup is most valuable when the group stays small enough for each person to receive regular coaching.

The 90-minute water period can be physically demanding. You should expect repeated paddling, getting back on the board, and trying the same movement more than once. Moderate physical fitness is required, and this is not a passive sightseeing activity.

Video feedback that shows what you cannot feel

After surfing, you review the footage with the team. The photographer captures both images and video during the session, then the instructor uses that material to show what worked and what should change.

This is one of the strongest parts of the package. Surfing feels fast when you are learning. You may think your feet landed in the right place, only to see that your stance was too far forward or your body was leaning back. Video turns vague advice into something you can see.

The feedback can also help with confidence. A beginner often remembers the wipeouts and forgets the small successes. Seeing a clean pop-up or a short ride gives you a more accurate picture of your progress.

The footage is included and intended for sharing. More important, it becomes a study tool. The coaching team can point out details in your movement, then give you a practical focus for the next attempt or future lesson.

This service also helps explain the cost. You are not paying only for time on a rented board. You receive instruction, photo and video capture, and a review of your performance. If you are content with a casual introduction and do not care about footage, the package may feel expensive. If you want a record of the session and specific feedback, the value is easier to see.

Ana Mae Alipayo and a coaching style built on fundamentals

The strongest praise for Ulap Surf centers on the coaching, particularly Ana Mae Alipayo and coach Loloy. Their teaching is described as detailed and focused on the foundations of surfing, including paddling, technical pop-up technique, stance, maneuvering, speed, and safety.

That range is useful because beginners often want to skip straight to riding a wave. A solid coach brings you back to the parts that make later progress possible. Correct placement on the board and a reliable pop-up may not look exciting, but they shape almost every ride that follows.

Ana Mae is also a professional surfer, and the experience can be especially appealing if you prefer a female instructor. One person specifically sought out a woman coach and chose Ulap Surf for that reason. You can request your preferred instructor, but the supplied information does not promise that a particular coach will be available for every booking, so ask before confirming.

The team’s approach appears encouraging without losing technical detail. You get positive support, but also direct corrections. That mix is important. A lesson that is friendly but vague may leave you smiling without knowing how to improve. Here, the stated aim is to build confidence through clear instruction and repeated practice.

What the included certificate and safety guide add

At the end of the beginner course, you receive a beginners course certificate and a beginners safety guide in Google Slides. These are modest extras, but they give the lesson a clearer structure.

The certificate is a nice record of your first formal surf lesson. It will not replace experience in the water, but it can mark a useful starting point if you plan to take more lessons later.

The safety guide has more practical value. Since it is provided digitally through Google Slides, you can review it after the session. That gives you a chance to revisit basic safety points instead of trying to remember everything while tired and wet.

The exact contents of the slides are not specified, so do not book this expecting a full training manual. Think of it as a beginner reference that supports the lesson.

Is $190 fair for about two hours?

At $190, Ulap Surf is positioned as a premium private lesson. The advertised price includes soft-top board rental, a surf guide, the beginner course certificate, the safety guide, and photos and videos.

The price makes the most sense for a couple, family, or small private group that values personal attention. A private instructor can spend the water time responding to your needs instead of following a general class plan. The footage adds another layer of service, especially if you want to share the day or study your technique.

The value is less clear if you are traveling alone and mainly want to try standing on a board once. In that case, a cheaper group lesson or basic board rental might suit your aims better, though those alternatives would not provide the same private coaching and video review.

Transportation is not included, so add your own cost and time for reaching Cloud 9. The activity lasts approximately two hours, with a 10-minute briefing, beach warm-up, 90 minutes in the water, and post-surf footage review. Because the total duration is approximate, avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

Who will get the most from this lesson?

I would choose Ulap Surf if you are a first-time surfer who wants proper guidance rather than a quick photo opportunity. The step-by-step structure gives you a clear path from beach practice to water work.

It also suits you if you have surfed once or twice but still struggle with your stance, pop-up, or timing. The personal video review can reveal mistakes that are hard to notice while you are concentrating on staying upright.

Families may appreciate the private format, particularly when one member needs more help than another. One account describes a daughter having a memorable experience, suggesting the lesson can work well for younger participants, though no minimum age is provided. You should ask the operator about age requirements before booking for a child.

The experience may not suit you if you want a relaxed beach outing with little exertion. You need moderate fitness, and the session involves active work in the water. It is also weather dependent. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date.

Practical details before you book

The activity operates on Monday from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM during the stated operating period, which runs from June 12, 2021, through January 14, 2027. Since availability must be confirmed, booking confirmation can take up to 48 hours.

Bring enough time to reach the Cloud 9 meeting point on your own. The exact meeting instructions beyond the location are limited, so make sure you have the operator’s current directions and contact information before setting out.

You should also be ready to sign a waiver and settle payment at the start. The experience is private, but the available information does not specify the exact group size, board-to-person ratio, or instructor assignment.

Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather is handled separately, with a new date or full refund offered if the activity is canceled.

Should you book Ulap Surf?

Book it if you want a serious first lesson at Cloud 9, personal coaching, and useful footage of your technique. The combination of Ana Mae Alipayo or another dedicated instructor, a stable longboard, 90 minutes in the water, and video feedback gives the experience more substance than a basic surf rental.

Think twice if $190 stretches your budget, if you want private transport included, or if you are looking for a short and easy beach activity. For the right person, this is a focused way to begin surfing in Siargao. For a casual tryout, it may be more instruction and expense than you need.

FAQ

Where does Ulap Surf meet participants?

The meeting point is the Cloud 9 Surfing Area at R578+F36, Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at the Cloud 9 surfing area.

How long does the surf lesson last?

The full experience takes approximately two hours. It includes a short briefing, beach practice, about 90 minutes in the water, and a review of your footage afterward.

Is the lesson private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Is a surfboard included?

Yes. A soft-top surfboard is included. The lesson uses a stable 9-foot, or 3-meter, longboard suited to beginners.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. A personal photographer takes photos and video during the lesson, and the footage is reviewed after surfing.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You make your own way to the Cloud 9 meeting point.

What level of fitness is needed?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The lesson includes beach practice, paddling, repeated attempts to stand, and active time in the water.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.