Surfing lessons for kids?

by **IMinCA** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:07 pm

I'm thinking of teaching my kiddies how to surf...okok...not me teaching.....I' m still learning. I was thinking of putting them in lessons...but MANNNN $100/hr for surfing lessons...that's insane...any other ideas on how to teach my little ones how to surf...they are in 4th and 1st grade.

by **surf patrol** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:30 pm

$100/hr - group lessons arn't that expensive are they??

by **IMinCA** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:58 pm

GRoup lessons run about 75/hr around here...so might as well private

by **surf patrol** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:14 pm

$75 ph, that's good money if you can get it.

by **IMinCA** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:39 pm

good money as in good price or uber expensive?

by **surf patrol** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 6:20 am

I think it's pretty expensive, but I'm not up with the going rate.
I've just had a check on some UK prices, and they seem to be around 25 pounds per hour

by **Tassiedevil** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:23 am

Not sure where you are iminca but in Australia last year I paid $ 50 / hr for our 2 kids and I am pretty sure that is still the going rate It s money well spent the kids had a ball . Even though we managed to pick the coldest day of the summer and had to double wetsuit them .
our kids are also in the surf lifesavers ( may not be an option for you ) but the they get shown surf safety , how to surf on surf skis and kneeboards , proper swimming techniques etc . Plus we get to use the club surf
gear / showers / bar whenever we want , great value and great education for the kids . The best part is the kids have great fun while learning heaps .
the surf instructor that taught our kids had the theory that most kids as long as they have some surf awareness will pick up surfing quite easily . Bit different to us oldies .

by **RonG** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:27 am

Tassiedevil wrote:Not sure where you are iminca

I'm going to venture a guess it's "I'm In CA" - so California?

If so, and they really want $100/hr for group lessons, I'm glad I'm on the opposite coast. $45 to $65 per hour for group lessons seems to be about the average here in NJ. Not even private lessons are more than $75/hr.

by **surf patrol** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:12 pm

$45 seems much more resonable for a group lesson to me.

by **RonG** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:39 pm

surf patrol wrote:$45 seems much more resonable for a group lesson to me.

Agreed. I live on an 18 mile long island with quite a few surf shops, and it's amazing how much variation there can be in lesson cost just on this small patch of sand. Some shops get as much as $75 for the first lesson (but $65 if you come back for more lessons..). A few blocks from my house a shop does $45/hour for a small group lesson (2-3 students per instructor), and it's good instruction, too.

Like anything else, I guess they'll charge what people are willing to pay...

by **surf patrol** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:53 pm

RonG wrote:Like anything else, I guess they'll charge what people are willing to pay...

True unfortunately.

Now, $45 for a 2-3 person group does sound pretty good. Not quite one on one tuition, but for learning you'd get a lot of decent personal instruction, especially when you compare it to some of the group lessons that have 10+ people.

by **tonylamont** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:37 pm

Based on my limited experience, $75+ per person seems to be the going rate in CA and HI, less elsewhere in the US.

IMO, you could probably teach your kids as much as they will learn from many of the typical beginner, Waikiki-style lessons. It's not rocket science - basic positioning on the board, how to paddle, practicing the popup on dry land, teach them to fall flat, push them into white water. Maybe show them how positioning on the board affects acceleration (weight forward to accelerate, backward to stall, how to trim, etc.)?

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a big believer in surf lessons, esp. having an expert watch what you are doing and troubleshoot. But if you have some minimal amount of experience, you probably know enough to get them up and surfing whitewater within a few sessions.

by **RonG** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:56 pm

surf patrol wrote:
RonG wrote:Like anything else, I guess they'll charge what people are willing to pay...

True unfortunately.

Now, $45 for a 2-3 person group does sound pretty good. Not quite one on one tuition, but for learning you'd get a lot of decent personal instruction, especially when you compare it to some of the group lessons that have 10+ people.

The small group lessons are mostly first-timers, and it looks like everyone is learning something and having a great time.

I did a one-on-one "surf along" lesson with them this summer, which was great for someone who had the basics down but needed coaching and confidence-building, and it was the same $45/hr.

It definitely pays to shop around.

by **Tassiedevil** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:22 pm

Ok , Tony so in the U.S. CA stands for California . H.I. Has got me beat ? Hawaii. Haiti..?

by **RonG** » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:37 pm

Tassiedevil wrote:Ok , Tony so in the U.S. CA stands for California . H.I. Has got me beat ? Hawaii. Haiti..?

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-41.117797,146.072900

HI = Hawaii

by **tonylamont** » Sat Nov 19, 2011 12:11 am

Tassiedevil wrote:Ok , Tony so in the U.S. CA stands for California . H.I. Has got me beat ? Hawaii. Haiti..?

Yeah, Hawaii. Not sure you'll find any surf lessons in Haiti!

by **Tassiedevil** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:37 am

Did some checking over the weekend , Aastralian surfing are running lessons in Tasmania , and I assume the rest of Australia , over the school holidays for kids at a cost of $200 for 4 hours so $ 50 / hour

by **jaffa1949** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:56 am

Tassiedevil wrote:Did some checking over the weekend , Australian surfing are running lessons in Tasmania , and I assume the rest of Australia , over the school holidays for kids at a cost of $200 for 4 hours so $ 50 / hour

Penguin Eh haven't been in Tassie for a while, can see why the NE beckons. Only surfed the southern Betsy Bruny at Cloudy Bay South Arm and Clifton what's your end like?

by **Tassiedevil** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:05 am

Surf here is generally pretty lumpy and blown out Jaffa . We are on the Bass Straight so if you have seen the Sydney to Hobart race you should have some idea .
The best surf around the Northwest is off the midpoint rocks half way between here and Burnie . Had the biggest crowd out for the summer so far on Sunday . Cold front came through bringing nice 4-5 foot waves , 45 km/ hr winds , sleet . A big crowd by the way for here is about 10 surfers .
Have not surfed at Bruny yet hoping to get there in January . Was talking to a bloke who surfed there last year and reckons he was chased by a lion seal . His wife reckons it was his own fault so I am not sure where on Bruny he was surfing .

by **Tassiedevil** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:15 am

That was supposed to be sea lion - one too many rums