Surfing lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What surfing lessons is

Surfing lessons teach paddling, pop ups, wave selection and ocean safety, and supply boards and wetsuits for beginners. People book them for a first session, for a vacation, or to move past the stage where they can paddle but cannot stand up on a wave.

Signs you need it

  • You paddle hard but cannot get onto the wave in time
  • You get to your knees but cannot stand up in one smooth motion
  • You do not know which waves are safe for your level or how to read the break
  • You are about to go surfing with friends and want to know the basics of ocean safety
  • You can stand on a board but cannot turn or control your speed

What the pro does

  • Checks how you paddle and how you get up on the board on dry land and in the shallows
  • Teaches the pop up in steps, from prone to a stance on the board
  • Shows you how to read the waves, the break and the current, and which waves to take
  • Teaches paddling technique and how to catch a wave at the right moment
  • Covers ocean safety, such as rip currents, entries, exits and how to fall safely

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Private or group lesson, and the number of students per instructor
  • Length of the lesson and whether you book a series
  • Beach location and whether the lesson is in a sheltered area for beginners
  • Whether a board and wetsuit are supplied
  • Your starting level and how comfortable you are in the water
  • Seasonal conditions and water temperature, which can change the gear you need

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of lessons and length of each
  • Beach or surf school location
  • Whether boards, wetsuits and leashes are provided
  • Group size and the instructor-to-student ratio
  • Cancellation policy for surf conditions and weather

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What will you teach in the first lesson, and where will we be in the water?
  • How do you choose the wave for beginners and decide when conditions are too rough?
  • What safety rules do you follow, and do you teach rip current awareness?
  • Do you supply a board, a wetsuit and a leash, and how do you fit them?
  • How many students are in each group, and how many instructors are on the beach?
  • Do you hold a surf instruction certification or a lifeguard certification?
  • Do you teach children, and what do you require from parents?

Red flags

  • Sends beginners into big or crowded surf without checking conditions
  • Does not explain rip currents or how to get out of one
  • Provides a board or wetsuit that does not fit or is damaged
  • Promises you will be riding waves after one lesson without checking your skills

What you can do yourself

You can practice pop ups on the sand or on a lawn with a towel or a yoga mat, and practice paddling in calm water with a beginner board. Learn the basics of rip currents and ocean safety from reputable sources before you go in. Hire an instructor for the first real waves, for reading the break, and for any day with bigger surf or unfamiliar beaches.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach surfing. Ask whether the instructor or the surf school holds a certification from a surf instruction program, and whether the school requires lifeguard training or insurance. Check with your state or local licensing agency only if the beach or water has a permit or access rule that applies to your lesson.

Surfing lessons questions

Do I need to be able to swim to take a surfing lesson?

Most surf schools require basic swimming ability, since you will need to get back to the board and handle falls. Ask the school what level it requires before you book.

Do I need my own wetsuit?

Many schools supply a wetsuit for lessons. If you plan to surf often, ask the instructor about the water temperature and the thickness that suits your sessions.

Can children take surfing lessons?

Yes, many schools teach children. Ask the school about its supervision, its instructor-to-student ratio and whether instructors pass a background check before they work with minors.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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