If you’re considering taking surfing lessons you may be wondering how many lessons you need to learn to surf. Well, truth be told, as surfers we’re always continuing to learn and to improve our surfing – the process never stops!
But don’t be put off 🙂 To pick up the initial basics of surfing, lessons are a great and effective starting point and in this article we’re going to talk about how many surf lessons people generally need.
Different people, different needs
If you are very fit, motivated to learn quickly and have a bit of experience with other board sports such as skateboarding or snowboarding or anything that requires control and balance – you may find yourself picking up the basics in the space of one or two hours. In this case one surf lesson would be sufficient.
However, the majority of people need around 3 or 4 surfing lessons to get the basics down pat, which includes paddling, popping up to a standing position and riding an already broken wave (the whitewater).
If you’re looking to go slightly beyond the first steps and to be able to stand up and turn your surfboard on smaller green waves, you’ll either need more surf lessons, or simply more time in the water catching waves by yourself.
A great potential option is a surf camp which effectively allows you to do surf lessons everyday for however long you want. If you are really committed and with one or two weeks of surf lessons with a guide in one solid block, is a sure fire way to quickly advance through the beginner stage and start surfing properly. Plus, you’ll probably meet some like minded people who are also motivated and keen to learn surfing just like you so it will be a blast! There’s
If you’re sitting on the fence about learning to surf and you’re wondering if surfing is too hard for you, the good thing about taking a couple of surf lessons is that you’ll quickly find out whether surfing is a sport for you. I say this because the reality of the first couple of lessons is you’ll be working hard, probably taking a bit of a beating, falling off the board and trying again, and again, and again.
This is pretty much what you’ll continue to do, at least for a while if you continue on the learn to surf journey from beginner to intermediate surfer!
How much do surfing lessons cost?
The cost of surf lessons varies A LOT between different operations and depending on where you are in the world but the price really depends on a few factors:
- The length of the lesson
- The number of people in the lesson (group lessons are cheaper)
- The quality of the surf lesson operator
Typically lesson options are 2 hours and most operators run group lessons and the prices per person in a group lesson are lower.
If you’re looking to have a one on one lesson than you can naturally expect to may more (per person).
In the United States or Australia for a group of 2 or more people, a 2 hour lesson will cost in total anywhere from $100 to $260 ($50 to $130 per person)
For a one on one lesson you could expect to pay between $120 to $150.
Are surf lessons worth it?
As a beginner with no prior knowledge or any real surfing experience, surf lessons are the best place to start as a learner surfer. Whether you take one lesson or several, there’s no harm at all in taking some tips from instructors that have helped many people before you stand up on a surfboard for the first time.
The exception to this would probably be if you’ve got a friend, parent or someone else you know who can take some time to teach you, however they need to be patient and dedicate some time to giving you a proper lesson.
Alternatively, if you have experience skateboarding or snowboarding, you may find you could pick up a surfboard and basically teach yourself how to surf. The reality is, however, that most people benefit from having someone methodically go through the first steps and the basics and give you the real pointers that you need when starting out. Furthermore, this path may save you from developing bad surfing habits from the outset, which self taught surfers sometimes inevitably adapt.
Once you’ve mastered the initial surfing skills and at a certain point you do have to figure it out somewhat on your own and the only way to effectively advance, like we always say, is to spend as much time in the water, catching as many waves as possible.
What do I do to improve my surfing once I’ve finished Surf lessons?
Well the main thing you’ve got to do is surf as much as you can. More time in the water surfing and catching more waves over and over again, is really the only thing that’s going to really move the needle over time. In this way, it is definitely possible to learn to surf on your own.
However it’s important to realise that in order to pick up new skills and techniques as you improve you need a way to continue the learning process, you can do this in a number of ways:
1. Surf with friends who are better surfers than you
This is probably the most logical way to improve your surfing and it doesn’t cost you a dime or neither do you have to go out of your way to arrange it. Naturally, by being in the water with surfers who are more advanced than you, you will pick up little habits and ideas just by watching, learning and some trial and error.
2. Hire a 1 on 1 surf coach
This is a potentially a very expensive option but could be a really effective way to continue improving your surfing, with the benefit of an experienced surfer giving you direct feedback and input on your surfing. If you were motivated and making the most of some 1 on 1 sessions, this could work well.
3. Join a beginner or intermediate surf program
If you want to progress faster from the beginner phase to a more intermediate level you could really benefit from a program such as Barefoot Surf Tutorials. Their premium online surfing tutorials are inexpensive and have both complete beginner and intermediate orientated lessons that are designed to help you correct mistakes in your surfing method and improve your techniques covering anything and everything from duck diving and paddling techniques to wave selection and wave positioning.
- Duck Diving
- Paddling techniques
- Wave selection
- Wave positioning
Barefoot Surf Tutorials are very high quality and a lot of thought and time has gone into the program. it’s not a cheap or quickly strung together couple of videos, there are plenty of those on the internet.
Do yourself a favour and check them out HERE!
Final Thoughts
So how many surf lessons do you need? Unfortunately there’s not a clear answer as everyone is different and while some people can learn to surf with one lesson, or none at all, others may require a few weeks or more with the guidance of a surf instructor to pick up the basic surfing skills.
On the most part however, we feel that a 3-4 surf lessons will be sufficient for most people. From here, they will quickly work out whether surfing is for them and if it is they will likely get out in the water themselves often and repeatedly, as this is the only real way to advance as a surfer.
