Local or school?

[Lordmasterflex]

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum and I'm just barely learning how to surf. But I wanted to know some opinions on who you'd trust more for lessons. I was offered lessons from a local who is out there everyday doing his thing morning and night for half the price of a formal surf school.

It would be one on one
2-4 hrs
Everything the school would provide he provides. Meaning the board and the wetsuit.
He's cpr certified so safety is important aswell
And he's flexible on the hours that he can teach me.

Now the school is a group of 4 to 5 to one instructor
1-1.5 hrs
Double the price.

Would you trust the formal setting of school or just go with a local?

I'm bringing my 12 yr old niece along for lessons so I want to make sure going with a local is the best choice. Opinions?

[jaffa1949]

Hmmm welcome , since this is an international forum it might helpful,to post where you are thinking of learning!

My first question is do you trust the local, and does he have certification for teaching and insurance, every surfer should know CPR.....
beyond that know the beach , rips and surf skills and etiquette. Is he capable of effect a rescue should you need one.

Those qualifications are why surf schools cost more, often they also have to pay municipal costs and for their beach position.
If the local is doing it for black money hmmm! If you are taking niece to,the beach for lessons, if none of the legal things are in place and even then you have a guardian's responsibility.

Have fun though with the lessons it will be life changing

[RinkyDink]

I haven't taken a lesson, but if I were going to I'd probably go with a group lesson at an established school. I would prefer being able to practice on my own in a group, where I could ask questions when I had them, rather than being the single focus of the teacher the whole time. I think it would be more fun to be in a group. People learn better in groups because they observe and learn from each other.

[BoMan]

I would definitely go with the school for the safety reasons Jaffa mentioned but also for the curriculum. A certified school will have lesson plans for individuals, small groups and summer camps that you can evaluate and compare. Here is an example from my local surf shop.

https://www.2milesurf.com/surf-lessons/

[Beginner77]

Remember that for a child of 12 it only needs one bad experience to put them off for life (or a long time!), and kids are often blindly trusting, so it may be a good idea to go to a proper surf school for peace of mind.

[Big H]

Why not try the local on your own first before taking your niece? I would personally prefer being out with just the instructor rather than being in a zoo of a school. Maybe the two of you will click and you'll wind up learning a lot from the guy. One lesson to try it out wouldn't hurt and it's half the price right?

In any case, I would personally learn a bit before brining my niece.....having her there you will be in a position of responsibility, like it or not. Better you at least get your paddle down so you can keep something of an eye on her and not be completely preoccupied with your own issues.