Ulap Surf

Cloud 9 makes a memorable classroom. Ulap Surf gives you a private beginner lesson at Siargao’s famous surf area, with a personal instructor, a stable 9-foot soft-top board, and a photographer capturing your best attempts. I like the focused one-group format, and I like that the lesson includes video review instead of ending when you leave the water. The main drawback is the $190 price, especially if your group is small, and private transport is not included.

You get a clear two-hour plan: a short safety and ocean briefing, beach practice, about 90 minutes in the water, then a look at your photos and video. Coaches Ana Mae Alipayo and Loloy are praised for patient, detailed instruction, especially on paddling, foot placement, pop-ups, surf etiquette, and building confidence. You should still arrive ready for real physical work, since the activity calls for moderate fitness and depends on suitable weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Cloud 9 is the sole surf stop: You meet and finish at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area in General Luna, so this is a focused lesson rather than a sightseeing trip around Siargao.
• The lesson is private: Only your group takes part, allowing the coach to adjust advice to your ability and give feedback on each wave.
• You use a 9-foot soft-top board: The long, sturdy board is designed to make balance easier for a first lesson.
• About 90 minutes are spent in the water: The remaining time covers safety, beach drills, and video review.
• Ana Mae Alipayo is a major strength: Her coaching is praised for detailed work on technique, safety, stance, speed, and wave choice.
• Photos and video are included: You get more than a souvenir image. The footage helps you see what your body is doing on the board.

Why a private Cloud 9 lesson works for beginners

Surfing is hard to learn from a quick demonstration and a crowded group lesson. You need someone watching your feet, body position, paddle timing, and reaction to the wave. A private format gives the instructor room to correct those details as they happen.

That matters most during the pop-up. A beginner may think the problem is strength, when the real issue is foot placement or standing too early. Ulap Surf builds the lesson around those basics, beginning on dry land before asking you to manage a moving board and moving water.

You also get a lesson shaped around your group. If you are catching on quickly, the instructor can move beyond the first stand-up and work on control, speed, or better positioning. If you need more time, the pace can stay with the fundamentals instead of following a fixed group schedule.

The experience is private, but it is not presented as a relaxed beach hangout. The team describes a structured approach: meet the staff, sign the waiver, confirm what is included, settle payment, then begin. That direct start suits you if you want practical instruction rather than a long introduction.

Starting at the Cloud 9 Surfing Tower

Your meeting point is the Cloud 9 Surfing Area, listed at R578+F36 Siargao Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte. The activity begins and ends there. Since private transportation is not included, you need to arrange your own way to the surf area.

At the start, expect a short orientation of about 10 minutes. The instructor explains the surf area, how the ocean moves, and the safety rules. That opening is brief, but it covers the information you need before taking a board into the water.

Cloud 9 gives the lesson a particular sense of place. Siargao has built a world-class name in surfing, and this is the island’s best-known surf setting. You are not learning on an anonymous stretch of beach. You are learning beside one of the Philippines’ signature surf spots, though the famous name does not make the water effortless.

The lesson is aimed at beginners, yet the ocean remains the ocean. Conditions can affect how easy it is to practice. You should arrive prepared to listen closely, accept corrections, and treat the safety briefing as part of the lesson rather than a formality.

Beach practice before you paddle out

The next stage takes place on the beach. You learn how to lie on the board, where to place your feet, how to pop up, and how to find your balance before dealing with waves.

This is where the longboard earns its keep. A 9-foot soft-top board offers a broad, stable platform. For a first session, that design gives you a better chance of learning body position without also fighting a short, twitchy board.

The beach work may look simple, but it sets up the whole session. A clean pop-up saves time in the water. Correct foot placement gives you a better stance. Understanding the board before you paddle out lets you focus on the wave instead of trying to remember every movement at once.

I also like that the lesson covers surf etiquette and safety as part of the fundamentals. One of the strongest themes in the coaching is teaching you to become an independent surfer, not merely helping you stand once for a photograph. That distinction matters if you plan to continue surfing after Siargao.

Ninety minutes of coached time in the water

The main session lasts about 90 minutes in the water. Your instructor stays close and coaches you wave by wave. The stated approach is not just stand up and hope. You are told what to change, what worked, and why.

For a first-timer, that feedback can be the difference between a frustrating session and a useful one. You may need to paddle harder, shift your weight, change your foot position, or wait for a better wave. Instant correction keeps you from repeating the same mistake for an hour.

The coaching also appears suitable for someone who has already tried surfing and wants to improve. Ana Mae Alipayo is praised for teaching paddling, technical pop-ups, maneuvering, speed, surf science, and safety. That range suggests the lesson can move past the basic stand-up if your starting level allows it.

Still, do not read the private format as a promise that you will surf like a local in one morning. Surfing depends on balance, timing, fitness, and conditions. The real value is that you get direct help through each stage and leave with a better understanding of what to practice next.

The moderate fitness requirement deserves attention. Paddling and repeated attempts take effort, and you should expect to work. The supplied details do not state a minimum age, swimming requirement, or specific health restrictions, so you should ask Ulap Surf directly if any of those points matter to you.

Video feedback that makes the lesson more useful

After surfing, you review your footage. This is one of the best features of the experience because beginners often cannot tell what happened during a wave. It may feel as though you stood straight, only to see that your feet were too close together or your shoulders were facing the wrong way.

The coach uses the images and video to identify what needs to change and what already worked. That turns the session into a lesson you can remember. You can connect a correction with an actual moment on the board rather than relying on a rushed verbal explanation.

The footage also gives you a record to share. Photos and videos are included, so you do not need to ask a friend on the beach to document the session. The practical value is greater than a simple souvenir, since the images help you see your stance and track your progress.

This video-based approach is repeatedly praised in the feedback about Ulap Surf. Ana Mae’s detailed analysis is singled out as a major reason the coaching helps people improve. If you are serious about learning proper fundamentals, this is likely more useful than a lesson that provides only a board and a few shouted tips.

Coaches Ana Mae Alipayo and Loloy

The human side of Ulap Surf is central. Ana Mae Alipayo is identified as a professional surfer and instructor, and the coaching is praised for technical detail and warmth. Several comments also highlight Loloy as part of the teaching team.

You can request a female instructor, an important option if that makes you more comfortable. One customer specifically chose Ana Mae for that reason and valued her friendly manner as well as her instruction.

The strongest praise focuses on teaching quality. Ana Mae and Loloy are credited with explaining proper placement on the board, stance, pop-up technique, maneuvering, speed, safety, and surf etiquette. Those are the building blocks you need if your goal is to surf independently rather than simply collect one successful ride.

The welcome also seems personal. Ulap Surf describes the team as family-oriented, and the feedback highlights a warm reception from Ana Mae and her family. That can make a big difference when you are nervous, tired, or embarrassed by an early fall.

At the same time, the experience is still instruction-led. If you want a completely private day with no coaching pressure, this may feel more organized than you expect. If you want someone to push you toward better technique, that structure is a clear advantage.

Is $190 good value for two hours?

At $190, Ulap Surf is not the budget choice for a first taste of surfing. The price covers a private lesson for your group, board rental, a surf guide, a beginner course certificate, a beginner safety guide in Google Slides, plus photos and video.

The value improves when several people in your group share the private booking, though the supplied details do not state the maximum group size or how the price is divided. You should confirm the exact pricing arrangement before paying, especially if you are booking for one person.

I would judge the cost by your goal. If you only want to stand on a board once and take a few pictures, a cheaper group lesson may be enough. If you want close coaching, careful safety instruction, and footage that shows how to improve, the private format makes the higher price easier to justify.

The certificate and safety guide are useful extras, but they are not the main reason to book. The real value is the instructor’s attention during those 90 minutes and the analysis afterward. You are paying for feedback, not just equipment.

Private transportation is not included, so add your own transport costs and time when planning. The meeting point is near public transportation, which may help, but the exact route and fare are not provided.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The listed operating information shows Monday hours from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM for the stated period, which runs from June 12, 2021, through January 14, 2027. Because the schedule information is limited, confirm your exact start time and date before setting your plans around it.

Early starts can be useful for a surf lesson, but you should follow the time given by Ulap Surf. Arrive at the Cloud 9 meeting point ready to sign the waiver, settle payment, and begin the briefing without delay.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is fair for an ocean activity, but you should leave some flexibility in your Siargao schedule if this lesson is important to you.

Wear or bring whatever you normally need for a water activity, but the supplied details do not specify a clothing list, locker arrangement, towel service, or shower facilities. Ask the provider if you need those details. The confirmed inclusions are the soft-top board, surf guide, course certificate, safety guide, photos, and video.

Who will enjoy Ulap Surf most?

This suits a first-time surfer who wants individual attention and a proper introduction to the sport. It is also a good fit for someone who has tried surfing before but wants to fix a weak pop-up, improve stance, or understand why some waves work better than others.

Families and small groups may appreciate the private setting, particularly when one person wants a female instructor or when different members need different levels of help. The feedback also includes a young daughter having a memorable surf session, though no age policy is provided, so confirm suitability for children before booking.

You should have moderate physical fitness and be ready for repeated paddling and stand-up attempts. If you dislike physical activities or want a purely scenic Cloud 9 visit, this is not the right choice.

The experience is less suitable if your schedule cannot handle a possible weather change. It also may not be ideal if you are seeking transportation, a full-day island tour, or several surf breaks. Ulap Surf keeps its attention on one place and one lesson.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since only your group participates, you should wait for confirmation before treating the time as fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. Weather cancellation is handled differently, with a new date or full refund offered.

The activity ends back at the Cloud 9 meeting point. It is a mobile-ticket experience, so keep your booking details available on your phone.

Should you book Ulap Surf?

I would book Ulap Surf if you want more than a quick stand-up and you value direct coaching. The private format, solid longboard, safety briefing, named coaches, and video review make this a serious beginner lesson rather than a casual equipment rental.

I would pause if you are watching every dollar, traveling alone, or expecting transport and a full day of activities for $190. Ask how the private price applies to your group, confirm the schedule, and check any questions about fitness or age before paying.

For a first surf lesson at Cloud 9, Ulap Surf offers a clear path: learn the basics on the beach, practice with a coach in the water, then see your technique on film. That is a good recipe for turning one Siargao activity into the start of a real surfing habit.

FAQ

Where does the Ulap Surf lesson start?

It starts at the Cloud 9 Surfing Area in General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the Cloud 9 meeting point.

How long does the surfing lesson last?

The full experience lasts about two hours. This includes the briefing, beach warm-up and instruction, roughly 90 minutes in the water, and video review 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. Photos and videos are included, and a personal photographer captures images and footage during the session.

Is transportation included?

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

What fitness level do I need?

The activity recommends a moderate level of physical fitness. The supplied details do not give a specific swimming requirement or age limit, so ask Ulap Surf if either point is important for you.

What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time.