Surf camp & lessons or buy a board and go solo

[hollyelizabeth]

I'm really keen to learn to surf, had a few lessons at mojos spot x a few years ago and loved it but never had a chance to do any after that until now.

I have been looking at 3 month courses in Taghazout but not sure if it is better to go to a camp for a longer period of time or something shorter then buy and board and just crack on by myself. What would you recommend?

Any surf schools worldwide that are good for beginners?

Thanks!

[oldmansurfer]

If you don't have someone to surf with, lessons are probably needed.

[dtc]

Surfing is like most sports - you learn the basics (lesson), practice, practice and practice some more (on your own is fine) and then perhaps some more lessons to tweak and improve, then practice etc. In an ideal world, I would say one week camp, 20 surfs by yourself, another few days lessons to iron out anything you cant get right; repeat that cycle a few times.

So, personally, I think a week at a camp will be enough to get you started, but then you have months/years of practice to go. If you feel that it will be easier/more comfortable to do some of that through a camp, then go for it - there is a big benefit in having someone now and then look at you and be able to answer your questions. However, in the main you just need to get out there on your own once you know the basics.

Also, 3 months surf camp sounds quite intense for a beginner - what if you don't like it or get tired (which you will) and want a break for a week or something?

But there is no downside to having constant coaching or lessons (well, so long as you don't end up unable to surf without supervision!). If the camp is fairly casual and there are other things to do, and you have 3 months spare (and you think you could cope with camp life for 3 months and can afford it), then it could be a lot of fun. My thoughts are that , from the surfing side of things, it would be good but is not necessary.

My guess is that the 3 month course is to become a surf instructor, rather than just learning to surf? I have no idea whether that is a qualification that actually help you get a job as an instructor, I suspect it probably doesn't simply because there are a lot of good surfers who know people who will get instructor jobs that way rather than someone who has just done a 12 week course and isn't a good surfer. But it doesn't matter at the end of the day if your aim is to learn to surf and have fun.