Story
A welcoming family atmosphere that brings guests back year after year.
Founder
Jonathan “Jono” Young had a truly international childhood that laid the groundwork for his later adventures. Born in Japan to a family that loved to travel, he came to India as a teenager on a cultural exchange tour and fell hard for Goa’s laid-back surfing vibe. He taught himself to surf at a young age, feeling an instant connection with the ocean—a passion so strong people initially thought it impossible to surf in Goa until they saw him doing it.
Surfing, for Jono, wasn't just a pastime—it was intuitive. He often recalls that catching his first waves felt as natural as breathing, which gave him the confidence to stick around and eventually build something lasting in Arambol. His early years combined the discipline of self-teaching with the openness of youth travel. This blend shaped him into an adventurous, self-reliant soul who turned a teenage exchange into a lifelong purpose.
Beyond just surf technique, Jono emphasizes ocean awareness, sustainable living, and patience—teaching surfing as a pathway to a deeper lifestyle connection. In a podcast, he shared how transforming Surf Wala into a welcoming community took dedication and purpose—and how art, music, and environment all play roles in shaping that experience.
That mix—a cross-cultural upbringing, early solo experimentation in the surf, a spirit of exploration, and openness to collaboration—became the foundation of Surf Wala’s ethos: accessible, self-driven, and heartfelt surfing education in the heart of Goa. Nowadays Jono works together with an international team of ISA-qualified instructors, fostering an inclusive and supportive atmosphere where everyone—from kids to experienced surfers—can grow, connect with the ocean, and feel part of a larger surf family
So when you paddle out with Surf Wala, it’s not just an instructor guiding you—it’s a wave-shaped dream born of Jono’s vision, nurtured by a diverse, caring community, and shared with love.
The Why
After moving to Goa in the year 2000 and learning to surf on a borrowed board, Jono saw the untapped potential of the coastline and the lack of surf schools. In 2011, he founded Surf Wala on Arambol Beach to make surfing accessible to locals and travelers alike. The school quickly became a hub for Goa’s surf community, with many of the region’s current instructors having taken their first lessons there. What began as Jono’s personal passion grew into a movement, creating a space where surfing could be shared, taught, and celebrated.
2000
Jono moves to Goa and learns to surf on a borrowed board.
2002
The Surf Club opens as a guesthouse and bar for windsurfers.
2011
Jono founds Surf Wala on Arambol Beach, making surfing accessible to locals and travellers.
2020
Surf Wala and the Surf Club merge, bringing surfing, accommodation and the café together.
Surfing in Goa
Although surfing had slowly gained traction in India since the 1970s—mainly along the East Coast—it was widely believed that there were no surfable waves in Goa. Major forecasting sites like Magicseaweed didn’t even list the region, as if it didn’t exist for surfers. When Surf Wala founder Jono Young first came to Goa as a teenager and later returned as a self-taught surfer, he was surprised to find no one riding the small but consistent waves that would later define the area.
While Surf Wala’s headquarters shifted along the beach in its early years, Surf Club has always been its core base and community hub. Jono’s vision was validated as many other surf schools opened over time, reinforcing Goa’s potential as a legitimate surf destination. Pioneering a new watersport wasn’t without challenges—at one point, local authorities even considered banning it—but through persistence, Surf Wala became the region’s first ISA-approved school. Their commitment to safety and international coaching standards has drawn instructors from around the world, solidifying Goa’s place on the global surfing map.
The Surf Club
The legendary Surf Club opened in 2002, initially as a guesthouse and bar venue for windsurfers, quickly gaining a reputation as a great hang- out spot and live music venue. Within a decade it had solidified itself as a cherished landmark, well known by locals and seasonal visitors alike.
Located along the stretch of beach between Arambol and Mandrem, just beyond the main thoroughfare of tourist shops and bars, Surf Club had an identity quite distinct from Arambol’s assorted beach huts, makeshift yoga ashrams, and beach clubs. Most days the guesthouse is a tranquil, secluded refuge, set behind a large palm grove, its imposing white-washed structure feeling both grandiose and homely.
As Goa’s notoriety for raucous nightlife has gradually given way to a more relaxed, health-focused ambience, Surf Club has followed suit. The revelation that Goa’s coastline is home to beginner-friendly, surfable waves, has also transformed the region and become a primary focus for tourists looking for a challenging and fun activity to try out during their holiday.
The unique location of the guesthouse, just a hundred metres from one of the most consistent and safe beach breaks in North Goa, made Surf Wala Surf School and Surf Club natural companions. In 2020, the two merged, becoming an integrated venue that aims to provide comfortable holiday accommodation, unforgettable surfing experiences, quality food & cocktails, and a welcoming family atmosphere that brings guests back year after year.
At its core, Surf Club was and still is a gathering point for water sports enthusiasts from around the world. The venue boasted the first (and only) rental of equipment for windsurfing, speed sail (a beach version of wind surfing), and kite buggy in North Goa; and before the region ever had a reputation as a surf destination, the venue’s owner Phil Tetley, originally from Bristol, UK, always had his own board secured in the rafters of the bar, available for anyone to use (if they could reach it).
Legend has it this was the first surfboard to ever grace Arambol’s shores.
Community
The Surf Wala Community — For Surfers, Seekers & Beach-Loving Souls
At Surf Wala, we’re not just a surf school — we’re a beachside home for anyone looking to slow down, breathe in the salty air, and connect with good people in a beautiful place.
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Sure, surfing is at the heart of what we do. But you don’t need to ride waves to feel like you belong here. Maybe you’re into yoga, writing, art, photography, music, movement, or simply enjoying life by the sea — whatever brings you joy, you’ll find space for it (and people to share it with) at Surf Wala.
Our community is made up of all kinds of folks: beginner surfers catching their first wave, seasoned surfers catching their thousandth wave, artists painting barefoot in the sand, travelers on a soul-searching journey, digital nomads, and locals who make this place feel like family. Everyone brings something unique to the mix.
Days here flow with the tide — early morning surf lessons, beach walks, group meals, coffee chats, and spontaneous jam sessions under the stars. It’s a place to connect, reset, laugh, learn, and maybe even surprise yourself.
The Surf Wala Community
Whether you’re chasing waves or just chasing peace of mind, Surf Wala welcomes you exactly as you are. No board required, just bring your vibe.