A New & Innovative Approach to Learning to Surf
High 5 Surf offers year-round surf lessons, coaching, guided surf experiences, and gear rentals on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and Chicago. Our services extend to many cities across the Great Lakes region.
How it works
High 5 Surf: Your Surf Experience
We minimize the complexity of learning to surf
Your Surf Journey Starts Online
Before hitting the waves, you'll receive a 2.75-hour e-lesson covering surf safety, winter surf safety, forecasting, etiquette, wetsuit changing hacks, positioning, paddling, pop-ups, stance, shuffling, cross stepping, dismounting, wipeouts, wave selection, board management, wave negotiation/navigation, and more.
Premium Gear & Comfort
On the day of your session, we provide all the equipment — hooded wetsuits, boots, mittens, board, leash, helmet, and life jacket (if you'd like them) — plus individual heated changing tents for comfort.
Independent Surfing with Video Coaching
You'll put your new skills into action independently in the water — no instructor will be in the water with you. Your Surf Guide stays on shore in street clothes, filming your rides, wipeouts, takeoffs, paddle-ins, and wave selection while providing the heated changing tent and equipment.
Personalized Video Coaching
Within 3 days after your session, you'll receive personalized coaching based on your video clips (≈15-30 minutes of recorded analysis), helping you refine your technique. All your surf footage and coaching is yours to keep.
Note: Each session lasts 2 hours, including changing time.
Lessons
Learn to surf the Great Lakes
Expert coaching, all equipment included, and memories captured on video
To ensure that your surf lesson takes place in the best possible conditions, payment is typically required 3 days in advance. This timing allows us to confirm that the waves will be suitable before finalizing your booking. You’ll receive your e-lesson access the same day you pay
Please feel free to reach out today to start the manual booking process while our online booking system is being finalized. If you prefer, you can also reach out as many days or even weeks in advance, and we’ll assist you with securing your booking.
With High 5 Surf's innovative approach, you get the freedom to surf at your own pace, expert coaching, and unforgettable memories captured on video — all in one unique experience.
* All bookings are non-refundable; however, we're happy to accommodate rescheduling, subject to availability.
1-on-1
Group of 2
Group of 3
Group of 4
Add-Ons
Enhance Your Surf Session
Customize your lesson with in-water support or expert coaching
In-Water Surf Guide
Want someone in the water with you? Add an In-Water Surf Guide to your session.
- Help manage your board in the water
- Give you a push into waves if you want it
- Basic in-water support (no coaching)
One surf guide per session (solo or group). For groups, the guide divides time among all participants.
Expert Surf Coach in the Water
Get live, in-the-moment guidance with an expert coach in the water throughout your session.
- Hands-on feedback while you surf
- Help with positioning, wave choice & technique
- Board management & push into waves if needed
One coach per session (solo or group).
Important Note About Add-Ons
If you select either in-water add-on (Surf Guide or Expert Coach), the standard video coaching option is not included since our staff will be in the water rather than filming.
If you'd like to keep video coaching + your surf footage, it can be added back for $100 extra.
Pricing with Add-OnsBased on 1-on-1 lesson ($250)
Base + In-Water Surf Guide
No video coaching
Base + Expert Surf Coach
No video coaching
Base + In-Water Surf Guide + Video Coaching
Full package
Base + Expert Surf Coach + Video Coaching
Premium experience
Transportation
Out-of-Area Lesson Fee
We provide transportation help if wanted or needed! For surf lessons anywhere on the Great Lakes outside of Milwaukee, there's a simple Out-of-Area Lesson Fee.
Ride with us
We'll pick you up in the High 5 Surf Mobile, drive you to the waves and back, and talk Great Lakes surfing along the way.
Meet us at the beach
Drive yourself and meet us at the surf spot — the fee still applies depending on the location.
Fee Details
Milwaukee Area
Meet us at the beach — no trip fee
Chicago Area
Flat $100 fee when you meet us at the beach
Other Great Lakes Locations
85% of IRS mileage rate ($0.67/mi) based on round-trip from Milwaukee
Door-to-Door Service
85% of IRS mileage rate round-trip from Milwaukee — anywhere we go
Rentals
Premium Cold-Water Surf Gear
Top-quality surf gear built for Lake Michigan, whether you're chasing fall or winter swell or enjoying a mellow summer session.
Available Sizes
- Hooded wetsuits: Youth through 3XL
- Boots: Sizes 6–16
- Mittens: XS to 2XL
Pickup & Delivery
- Self pickup & return at storage unit: Free
- Delivery: $20 flat rate (Milwaukee area)
- Gear pickup from you: $20 flat rate (Milwaukee area)
- Same-day return by 10PM
Full Surf Setup
Premium soft top surfboards (10' and 8'), 5'11" hard top board, hooded wetsuit (5/4mm or 6/5/4mm), neoprene boots & mittens, leash included
Wetsuit Kit Only
Hooded wetsuit, boots & mittens included. No discount for wetsuit-only rentals without boots or mittens
Surfboard Only
Multiple soft top boards (10', 8'), 5'11" hard top board available, leash included
Shop
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High 5 Surf in the media
"Show Me Milwaukee" Spotlight
High 5 Surf at Bradford Beach
