Surf lesson: everything you need to know is in this article! Picture this: it is a sunny morning on a wild and beautiful beach of the Algarve, your feet can feel the wet sand and your eyes are fixed on the waves that after so many miles traveling in the ocean, have finally arrived to kiss the coasts of Portugal. Now you just need to jump in and catch your first wave. However, where to start? How to make this happen in the smoothest way possible? How does it really work?
Well, let’s start from the beginning: surfing is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle, a culture, and a connection to the ocean. If you’ve ever watched surfers gracefully riding waves and felt the need to experience that thrill, you’re not alone. Many people dream of riding that first wave, but taking that initial step can be scary. Here we will walk you through your first surf lesson, providing insights and tips to help you make the most of this experience.
From understanding the basics to navigating common beginner challenges, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start your surfing journey with confidence. In the upcoming sections, we’ll delve into the benefits of a Beginner Group Surf Lesson, how to prepare for your first session, what to expect, and more.
Benefits of Group Lessons
Our Group lessons are an ideal choice for beginner surfers, offering a more enjoyable and less intimidating introduction to the sport. Having fellow beginner surfers to share the experience with can make learning to surf feel like a collective adventure. This camaraderie not only boosts morale but also creates a supportive environment where you can encourage and learn from each other.
In a group setting, the instructor’s focus is distributed among all participants, which can be less exhausting than having constant one-on-one attention. This balance allows you to absorb information at a comfortable pace, without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, group sizes are kept small, typically with only 4 students per instructor, ensuring that you receive enough personalized guidance to progress effectively.
Financially, group lessons are a more economical option. They are significantly cheaper than private lessons, costing only €65 compared to €150 for a one-on-one session. This affordability makes group lessons accessible to all kinds of travelers, allowing everyone to hit the waves and enjoy the sport.
How to proper for your first surf lesson
Getting ready for your first surf lesson involves more than just rocking up to the beach. There are definitely some key points that will make your surf life much easier, here are some essential steps to get ready prior the lesson:
Appropriate gear
Having the right gear is extremely important in order to enjoy a delightful surf experience. Keep in mind that natural elements such as the sun, the wind and the ocean can be brutal if not properly prepared. We are not talking about surfboards and wetsuits or surf related specific gear, the surf instructors will take care about those. But simple everyday things that everyone uses.
So, make sure to bring a hat against the sun and some warm clothing in case things get chilly…a windbreaker or a waterproof jacket are highly recommended.
Be absolutely certain to have with you not only sunscreen, but zinc! Normal sunscreen goes away as soon as you touch the water, meaning that you will still get burnt and you’ll pollute the ocean, no bueno! On the other hand, zinc protection is water repellent and will stick to your skin throughout the surf lesson. Lastly, quite easy to forget sometimes, bring a pair of shoes. Most times it is really easy to get your feet sunburnt, or other times the sand is hot as hell!
Water & Food
Hydration and Energy supply are key. Wearing a wetsuit in the sun, while performing physical activity can be no joke. Bring a full bottle of water, making sure not to be a victim of dehydration.
Another really common issue that surf instructors notice during beginner surf lessons, are low blood sugar events. As a beginner surfer, you can excerpt to get quite tired through the session, by bringing some fruit or energy bar to the beach, you can be sure that this will not affect your surfing performance.
Physical and Mental readiness
Would you turn up for a running race with a hangover or after several days of no sleeping…..we do not think so. Surfing is a demanding sport, this means that to have the most fun on the board, you want to come for your first lesson, relaxed and well rested.
It is indeed very useful, prior to your lesson, to watch video tutorials and get a general idea of what surfing is about. Having realistic expectations is definitely important, so we suggest not to watch videos of Pro Athletes doing crazy things, but simply watching beginner surf tutorials, in order to have a rough idea of what is going to happen on the beach.
Communication
A last key element for the good success of your first lesson is the clear communication with your surf instructor.
When meeting the instructor for the first time, it is very important to communicate to her/him what your previous experience with surfing, the water and the ocean, you have. On top, for your own safety and that of others, you should inform the teacher of any injury, illness or condition that could impact the lesson.
Lastly, is it a good habit to discuss with the instructor your expectations and goals. That the session can aim directly at what you want.
What to Expect During your Surf Lesson
Your surf lesson will start in the most relaxed way possible. The meeting point will be the garden of our Surfhouse where if you come early enough, you will be able to enjoy a nice
Coffee or Tea with the rest of the team.From here, the instructors will pick you up with surfboards and wetsuits heading for the beach.
The surf teacher will guide you to the best surf spot according to that day’s surf forecast. One day it could be the stunning Praia da Cordoama, while other days it might be the south facing Praia da Mareta or the beautiful Beliche.
At the beach, the lesson will start with a gentle warm up, ideal to get your mind and body ready to tackle the waves.
This will be followed by a crucial part of the session: the surf theory. This is when the instructor will take through the technique required to achieve your surfing goals and the safety rules that we all need to obey when surfing.
At this point it is time to practice in the water. This is the central part of the lesson, where you’ll need to put into action what was explained by the teacher.
You’ll be given live feedback and support by the surf instructors so you can improve at the fastest pace.
After about 1.5 hours of training, it is time to get out of the water and reflect on the session with the rest of the team. The cool down will also allow you to perform stretches, breathing or yoga poses that you might need to finish the session in the best way possible.
To finish the day off, jump back into the van, ride back to LemonTree and relax with some food, drinks and shade before your yoga or skate session.
Common Beginner Surfer’s challenges during a Surf Lesson
As a beginner surfer, you might face some challenges. Here is a list of them so you can give yourself a start with a boost:
- Reading the Waves: as a beginner surfer this is going to be your biggest challenge. Not every wave is optimal to be surfed. Indeed as a newbie you want to pick only white water waves. These are the easiest to ride when surfing for the first time, being able to pick the best ones is an important skill that is hard to acquire.
- Catching the wave: catching a wave can be a challenge if the paddling technique and the timing of it have not been done correctly. This might result in riding less waves that you wish and having overall less fun. Be really focused on the instructor’s explanation of this topic: the more waves you catch the faster you learn!
- Controlling the board: most people consider standing up as the hard challenge in surfing. However this is not entirely true. Understanding how to control the board is way more important since without these skills standing up will be impossible. A surfboard can be challenging to handle in many scenarios, among these, you’ll find that controlling the board while catching a wave can be harder than most people think.
The Goal of A Surf Beginner Surf Lesson
So what will you have learned when walking away from your first surf lesson? How will you feel? Well, first of all you can be 100% sure that you will be tired and happy, extremely happy!
Most likely you’ll be hooked and you will have had a ton of fun…..without fun learning is always impossible!
In the details: the goal of our beginner surf lessons, in the first instance, is to learn how to move safely in the ocean and get a first understanding of how waves work and how to ride them.
In a more practical way, you’ll learn how to use your surfboard and how to catch the waves. Once this step is complete, you will understand how to control your board while moving with the wave and lastly you’ll try to stand up and ride till the beach.
To conclude, the ultimate aim of a surf lesson is to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to enjoy surfing independently. While you might not become an expert surfer after a single lesson, you will gain a fundamental understanding of the sport, learn essential safety practices, and experience the thrill of catching your first wave. Your instructor aims to instill a love for surfing and a respect for the ocean, setting you on a path to further improve and enjoy this incredible sport.
