How to Take a Surfing Lesson

Make the most of your surf lesson.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Drinking water
• Surfboard
• Leash
• Wetsuit
• Large towel
• Change of clothes
• Sunblock
• About $100 to $150 per lesson

1. Do you learn better in a group or one on one? Decide. I recommend a group class because it's cheaper and you still learn a lot.
2. Check out your local surf shop. They often have workers that double as surf instructors and sometimes the store can recommend surf classes or a surf camp, which is about five days of intense instruction.
3. Gather a few names of private instructors and businesses that give surf lessons and go to the Internet. See if you can find any information about the classes and the instructor.
4. Call the instructors. Ask them what you will learn. Ideally, on a first lesson, usually two hours, you’ll learn how to paddle out into the surf and "pop-up," or stand up on your surfboard and maybe even ride a little wave.
5. Do a few stretching exercises for your arms, back and legs before you go to your lesson. You may do more at the beach but you want to be warmed up before you get in the water.
6. Make sure you put your wetsuit on with the zipper in the back. If you're a woman, put it on like a pair of stockings. It fits like a glove and everyone looks good in a wetsuit. If you're a guy, just put on the suit like socks.
7. Apply sunblock to your face and ears and any showing body part.
8. Listen to your instructor and be courageous but not stupid. Don't expect a lot of handholding in a group.
9. Realize that, ideally, you should only need a few classes to get you going and then it’s all a matter of practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you put on your wetsuit, make sure you take care of your bathroom needs.
• Take your first lesson on a day when you don’t have to do any other strenuous exercise. Surfing ain’t easy but it sure is fun.