Ulap Surf

Learning to surf feels easier when someone else handles the chaos. At Cloud 9 on Siargao, Ulap Surf runs a structured, private lesson designed to get you up fast, safely, and with real feedback. I like that you are coached end to end, and your session includes photos and video so you can actually see what you did.

Two things I really liked: first, the coaching with Ana Mae Alipayo (and her team) focuses on fundamentals like balance and pop-up mechanics, not random wave chasing. Second, you get a post-surf video review, which turns every wipeout into a clear next step.

One possible drawback: private transportation is not included, so you will want to arrange getting to the Cloud 9 Surfing Area on your own or with local help.

Why Cloud 9 plus private coaching is a smart beginner combo

• Cloud 9 setting: You learn at Siargao’s best-known surf spot, where the learning atmosphere and conditions make sense for first lessons.
• Private, beginner-focused instruction: Your instructor stays close and coaches you on what matters for your pop-up and wave control.
• A stable 9-foot longboard: You start on a board built for beginners to help you stand sooner and feel safer.
• A photographer capturing you: You are not just improving, you are also getting images and video you can share later.
• Safety and structure built in: You warm up on the beach, get a safety briefing, then spend about 90 minutes in the water with real coaching.
• Certificate and safety guide: You receive a Beginners Course Certificate and a beginner safety guide in Google Slides format.

First contact at Cloud 9, and meeting Ana Mae’s team

Your lesson starts at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area, near the Cloud 9 Surfing Tower area. The meeting point is listed as R578+F36, Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

When you arrive, the vibe is practical and friendly. You meet the team, you sign the waiver, and then you get a quick rundown of what’s included. I appreciate this, because surf days can get chaotic fast, and you want your energy saved for paddling, not paperwork.

If you’re choosing Ulap Surf partly for the people, this is where it shows. The instructor team, including Ana Mae Alipayo and her coaches, is described as welcoming and encouraging, and you can feel that they treat beginners with real care. That matters because early surf is half technique and half confidence.

The 10-minute safety briefing that prevents beginner panic

Before you hit the water, you get a safety briefing that stays focused, about 10 minutes long. The goal is simple: help you understand the surf area and how the ocean moves, so you can make better choices once you’re out there.

Then you warm up on the beach. This is where the lesson becomes more than just renting a board and hoping for the best. You learn the basics of getting balanced and positioning your feet, plus the mechanics of how to pop up without flailing. If you have never surfed before, this beach coaching is the difference between standing up and standing up by accident.

Practical tip: wear stuff that dries fast and allows movement. You’ll be alternating between sand, sun, and water, and comfort helps you learn faster.

Beach warm-up to pop-up practice, where small details matter

The beach phase is structured, and that structure is valuable for beginners. You are not thrown directly into waves. Instead, you practice the steps that actually create success:

• how to get into position on your board
• where your feet go during a pop-up
• how to find balance before paddling out

This is also where a good beginner instructor earns their keep. You learn the sequence, then you do it again. That repetition is what builds muscle memory, especially when your brain is busy trying not to panic in the water.

One other thing I like about the approach: it’s not only about riding. You learn why the steps matter. That mindset keeps you from guessing once you’re in the lineup.

90 minutes in the water at Cloud 9, coached wave by wave

After the warm-up, you get about 90 minutes in the water. The instruction stays personal, with your instructor close enough to coach your technique as you go.

You’re using a soft top surfboard rental, and for beginners you’ll typically be on a stable 9-foot longboard. That longer, more stable shape is built for learning, because it makes it easier to paddle, find balance, and attempt standing without fighting the board the whole time.

What this means for you: the session is more likely to feel like progress instead of survival.

Also, the coaching is not vague. You work on the moment of your pop-up, then you try it on actual waves, with feedback that helps you adjust your stance and timing. In beginner surfing, those two things are everything. If your timing is off, the wave feels wrong. If your stance is off, balance collapses.

From the team’s teaching style, there’s a repeated emphasis on fundamentals plus surfing etiquette, like board placement and safe behavior around waves. That kind of guidance matters because it keeps you confident in your spot in the water.

Photos and video, plus the post-surf breakdown that clicks things

One of Ulap Surf’s standout features is the photographer who captures your session, including both photos and video. That means you get memories, but it also means you get evidence. Surf coaching gets way better when you can see what happened.

After you finish surfing, there’s a review session where you look at your footage. The instructor breaks down what worked and what needs changing, then points you to what to focus on next. This turns the lesson into a loop: try, record, review, improve.

I especially like lessons that use video analysis, because it cuts through the chaos of how it felt in the moment. When you’re paddling and timing everything, your body is stressed. Video helps you see the mechanics without arguing with your own instincts.

If you’re going to invest in a first surf lesson, this is part of what makes the value stronger. You are not only paying for time in the ocean. You’re paying for a feedback system.

Beginners course certificate and the safety guide you can actually use

Along with the practical coaching, you receive a Beginners Course Certificate and a Beginners Safety Guide delivered in Google Slides format.

That may sound like a small add-on, but it’s useful. The safety briefing you get before surfing is great, yet you’re still focused on the waves. Having a guide afterward helps you review the fundamentals when you’re back on land.

If you plan to surf again on your trip, this is the kind of tool that keeps you from forgetting the rules the moment the adrenaline wears off.

Price and value: what $190 buys you, and how to think about it

Ulap Surf is listed at $190 for roughly 2 hours. For a private beginner lesson at Cloud 9, that price is worth evaluating based on what’s included:

• instructor coaching that stays with your group
• soft top surfboards rental
• a stable learning board setup (including the 9-foot longboard suited for beginners)
• a personal photographer with photos and video
• a post-surf footage review
• a beginner safety guide and certificate

The value is not just the board rental. Board rentals alone can be cheaper, but you usually lose the coaching and feedback. Here, you’re paying for structured instruction plus the media and review. If you want to look back and improve, not just survive a first session, that’s where the money makes sense.

Two quick ways to get the best value:

1. Treat the lesson like a coaching session, not like a photo shoot. Listen, practice the steps, then try again.
2. During the video review, ask for one clear adjustment. Don’t try to fix everything at once.

Where the lesson happens, and why transportation matters

This experience is private, meaning only your group participates. It runs from about the Cloud 9 Surfing Area and returns you there afterward.

One practical consideration: private transportation is not included. So if you’re staying outside General Luna or farther from Cloud 9, plan your ride early. Surf lessons can start during daytime hours (the activity listing shows availability between about 6:00 AM and 3:30 PM), and being late usually means losing valuable warm-up and water time.

If you prefer not to juggle logistics, pick lodging that keeps you reasonably close to Cloud 9 or plan a driver ahead of time.

Who should book Ulap Surf, and who should think twice

This is ideal if you:

• are a complete beginner or returning after a break
• want private coaching instead of guessing with a group
• care about improving quickly with video feedback
• want photos and video you can share afterward
• want a lesson that includes both surf technique and safety basics

You might think twice if:

• you need transportation included in the price
• you expect a longer session than about 2 hours total
• you get frustrated by a structured process that moves from beach steps to water practice before you ride more freely

Also, the activity indicates a moderate physical fitness level. If you are comfortable doing some paddling and standing practice, you should be fine. If you are not, it can still work, but you should choose your expectations carefully.

Should you book Ulap Surf for your Siargao surf lesson?

If you want a first surf experience that feels organized, encouraging, and focused on real progress, I’d book Ulap Surf. The combination of a beginner-friendly longboard, close coaching, and the post-surf video review is the rare setup that helps learning stick.

I would skip it only if you strongly prefer lesson time without photos and video, or if transport logistics are a dealbreaker for you.

FAQ

Where does the Ulap Surf lesson start?

The meeting point is listed as the Cloud 9 Surfing Area, near R578+F36 Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the surf lesson?

It’s approximately 2 hours total.

What’s included in the price?

The included items are soft top surfboards rental, a surf guide, a Beginners Course Certificate, a Beginners Safety Guide (Google Slides), and photos & videos.

Do I need my own transportation to Cloud 9?

Private transportation is not included, so you’ll need to arrange getting to the Cloud 9 Surfing Area yourself.

What happens during the lesson?

You get a team meet-up, waiver, and a short briefing and safety talk, then a beach warm-up where you practice pop-up and balance basics, followed by about 90 minutes in the water with coaching, then a review of your photos and video.

Is the lesson only for my group?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.