Surfing Waves

Hey there,

Me and my other half are planning on grabbing a few lessons down in Newquay in July (i know, pants time, but couldn't get owt else off work) and was wondering whether you pro's out there thought it was worth paying a bit extra for a lesson for the 2 of us rather than a massive group.

I've emailed a couple of companies to ask about sizes, and they've said 20+ people in a group (1 instructor for every 10) - eek!! Visions of myself wiping out and taking out huge numbers of people....not good!!

Thanks guys!

Ive had a couple of 1-on-1 lessons and to be honest with you at an early stage I didnt think they were hugley worth it.
A group lesson will teach you just as much about water saftey, basic popping up etc and will be far cheaper, then after you have masterd the basics (by putting in loads of time practising) then have a 1-2-1 lesson so they can hone your newfound skills.

Can I recommend Dolphin Surf School? I had a lesson with them, they were attentive and made it really enjoyable. Hence why I am so hooked, I guess. Plus they are quite reasonable, and honest. They'll even take your photo and put them on CD for you (and on the big screen in the Walkabout!)

Do your research, because a lot of the surf schools use only one beach, no matter what the conditions. Best to book with one that are mobile.

I agree about the big group thing, I don't think you'll find it too big a problem. I quite enjoyed it in my first lesson, being around beginners and everyone whooping and cheering as people caught waves, it was really social.

Have fun!
Marti x

Thank you

When I started I had a private lesson with 2 instructors for the day and found it excellent! I was able to ask them as many questions as I could think of and found I learned everything I needed to know. I also think it is better because you learn at your own pace. After popping up , I spent the rest of the day concentrating on turns.
I would say its better to have private lessons , aslong as the price isn't too extreme. Theres nothing wrong with group lessons. I consider myself lucky to have had a days long private lesson.

Hi Ellie, welcome to Surfing Waves

Ellie wrote:Visions of myself wiping out and taking out huge numbers of people....not good!!

lol - I wouldn't worry about that - everyone will be stacking all over the place. I think it would probably be better to keep falling off with 20 other people that to keep falling off infront of one instructor.

Most reputable surf schools I have researched (Calif. and Hawaii), have group lessons of where the ratio is 5 students to 1 instructor. Some start with larger groups and break out into the smaller groups once in the water and others keep the groups separate out of as well as in the water.

i would definitely recomend a one on one lesson, i have had both group and one on one lessons and having someone watching exactly what you are doing and correcting it all the time was really helpful and you progress alot quicker...well thats what i found anyway, and especially if you have never done it before. Have fun!

Ellie wrote:...I've emailed a couple of companies to ask about sizes, and they've said 20+ people in a group (1 instructor for every 10)...

Sounds a little too crowded. The instructor would not be able to keep an eye on everyone. One thing I notice in learning is to have someone constantly reminding you what you have to do to make it a habit. For example, keeping your eyes straight ahead where you are going instead of looking at your foot.

You should try to find a school with no more than 6 students per instructor. It is also for safety reason.

Of course private is even better but they can be quite costly. Plus it'll be more tiring because you won't want to waste the time by taking too much break. Time is ticking with private lesson.
With group lesson, you can take breaks every now and then while the instructor talking to other student for not doing what was said.

There are many different opinions here, and all very valid. I think you ultimately need to decide what you want from your surfing lesson...

If you want it to be social, relaxed, and fun, and your aim is to get to your feet on a board then group lessons are good.

If you want this lesson to be the beginning of a lifetime learning to surf, something you want to become accomplished at, and you want to set down good technique from the first lesson, then go one-to-one.

Like I say, it depends what you want from your holiday and surfing experience.

Let us know what you choose and how you get on!

Marti x

Hey guys, thanks for all your comments - made interesting reading!!

We've gone for a compromise....this weekend at Cayton Bay we have a lesson for my birthday, so might be just the two of us, maybe a few more. Then its practice, practice, practice!! And having LOTS of fun Can't wait...I keep dreaming about waves!!

Ellie wrote:...And having LOTS of fun

That's the spirit! and enjoy your birthday.

yay! Happy birthday!

Try both and see what you like. Like people are saying, it's probably worth splashing out a bit o cash to find this information out for yourself first hand a.

Let us know how you go.

I am so stoked that you're all getting into this too... It is SOOO SOOOOO adictive isn't it!? Yea!!

I love seeing couples out on the water... how cool is that! You must be stoked to have your best buddy out there with you all the time too aye!!

Lovin it!

It is SOOO SOOOOO adictive isn't it!?

Oh yeah!!! I think I've now dreamed more about surfing than I've actually done....got to put that right!! And its playing havoc with the rest of life..I just want to run away to a beach and get out there!!

You're right it is cool surfing with your partner, and he did look ever so fetching on the luminous pink board he rented Only bad thing is getting really worried every time he gets battered by a wave....

Come on Sunday, hurry up!!

Ellie wrote: And its playing havoc with the rest of life..!

That only gets worse

I spend all my time at work looking at pressure charts and swell forecasts, I spend all my money on surfing trips and new boards, I dont have any friends anymore 'cos I'll never commit to seeing any of them until the last second (when I KNOW its flat), friday afternoons at work have become a very rare thing, and frankly every non-surfer that I know (getting fewer by the day) thinks Im becoming very tedious with my talk of the trip Im about to go on or the one I just had....

Welcome to the surfer's life. Enjoy

I feel like a big kid - "My First Surf Lesson"!!!! Went up to Cayton (despite warnings that it was FLAAAAT) and found perfect 1 foot clean waves

5 of us with a great instructor (Mark) - 3 girls who had 4 lessons before, and me and my fella. Had a great time - and it wasn't cold!! (maybe that had something to do with a wopper 5/3 suit and big old booties!) Would definitely reccommend it, they are so friendly and its a good little shop as well.

Can't wait to get back out on Wednesday (if the waves are behaving). Anyways, I'mm of to pop-up on the kitchen floor (I never even knew I had muscles in that part of my arm....I soooo did when I got out of bed this morning...Think I may have turned into an ape they feel so heavy!!)

Loving it

wicked - glad to hear it!

Well done Ellie (the pop up practice is SO worth it as well)

Awesome! Hope the waves behave Congratsamundo.