What is the Difference between a Surf Camp, a Surf House and a Surf School?

Thinking of going on your very first surfing trip, but aren’t sure whether to book a surf camp, surf house or a surf school? We’ve got you covered!

All the information you need to make a decision regarding choosing between these three options is right here. Read on to find out more.

When planning a surf trip, you are sure to shortlist some of the best surf destinations that you want to go to, such as Indonesia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Portugal. But since this will be your maiden surf adventure, you want a little tutelage from an expert and make sure you are in the right place to learn to surf. Standing up on a surfboard is trickier than standing on a skateboard or snowboard after all.

You are sure to come across surf houses, surf camps and surf schools when looking for surf lessons and accomodation. Only to realize that you have no idea as to which of these is the right option for you.

Will booking a surf camp be a little too intense for a first timer? Won’t a surf school offer more flexibility, allowing me to surf and travel as I please? And what is a surf house and how is it different from the first two?

These are questions everyone has when they first start piecing together their learn to surf adventure.

The truth is though that all the options are totally viable. It really just depends on the individual. So,to help you reach a verdict our team here at Rapture Surfcamps have created this helpful guide, which breaks down the differences between a surf camp, a surf house and a surf school. Allowing you to do a little research before you pull the trigger on your trip so you can start your journey off on the right foot.

Booking a Surf Camp

If you have dreams of becoming the next Gabriel Medina or Stephanie Gilmore, booking a surf camp is hands down the best option. Why is that though?

Did we mention that most surf camps are also located in some of the dreamiest surfing destinations around the world?

• Get Ample Practice Time: As with most skills, you can’t master surfing on the first day itself. In fact, it can take a couple of days with experienced surf instructors before you even get close to planting your feet for the first time. This means that while a single session at a surf school might be great for a small fraction of people, the majority will benefit greatly from booking a surf camp that allows them to practice over multiple sessions.

• Lots of Opportunities to Make Friends and Socialise: When you book a surf camp you’ll also get to meet a tonne of new people along with acquiring surf skills. We’re talking fresh faces from all over the world who are all eager to learn and make some memories. Plenty of our surf camp attendees make friends for life and even end up rebooking just to catch up with their new buddies. In this way, a surf camp is incredibly social. With everyone sharing the stoke and learning together, it’s much easier to bond with people than if you only had a couple of hours to meet them.

• All-inclusive Surf Camps: For people who only have a week or so holiday or vacation time and want to make the most of it, booking an all inclusive surf package is always a convenient option.All of your meals, your equipment and your accommodation is already looked after. The only thing you have to do is wake up in the morning and a surf camp will pretty much take care of the rest. Majority of surf camps offering these kind of packages have facilities like free international airport transfers, wifi, Yoga sessions, beach transfers, video analysis and more.Although with some of the fun we have, waking up can prove to be a bit of a struggle. Which brings us to our next point.

• It’s all about having fun!:Surf camps are fun with many new faces and literally nothing to worry about except whether or not the conditions are right, you can throw caution to the wind and totally unwind.Lie in the hammock and rock yourself to sleep. Go on a little adventure with some new friends to check out what’s over the next headland. Have a drink and watch the sunset as you reminisce on a day well spent surfing and enjoying the beautiful weather. To book a surf camp is to invest in good times, good community vibes and good memories.

• A surf camp offers value for money:Not to mention booking a surf camp is also great value for money. Like we said, pretty much everything is taken care of. This includes giving you direct access to an experienced surf instructor who is often happy to dispense advice when you’re hanging around the camp. Allowing you to continue working on your skills even out of the water and giving you maximum bang for your buck.

Booking a surf school

If you’re short or time or have missed out on booking a surf camp for whatever reason, have no fear. Booking a surf school has a few benefits. It’s also better than not surfing, right?

Surf schools are perfect if you want a little taste of the learn to surf experience, but they’re no substitute for booking a surf camp

• Enjoy flexibility of schedule: For starters, a surf school offers plenty of flexibility if you have a lot of other things you want to accomplish on your surf adventure. So if you have any other commitments while on your surf trip, say you want to do an afternoon tour or attend an event, you can schedule your surf school session accordingly. Not to mention most surf schools run mid-morning or around lunchtime anyway, which means you can even enjoy a little vacation time sleep in if needed.

• All the equipment is included: Like booking a surf camp, booking a surf school also means you won’t have to worry about the additional cost of hiring equipment and a wetsuit since most surf schools will supply both of those to you.Often your gear won’t be top of the line, since its used multiple times a day by different people and will incur a bit of beating at the hands of other beginners. But as long as your board floats and the wetsuit fits, it’s all good.

• You can book with little notice: Another reason why surf camps are a good option for beginners is that they can be booked with relatively little planning in advance. This means that if you happen to find yourself in a town with surf schools when the weather and waves switch on, you can pretty much organize a session that day. If you’re traveling with a flexible itinerary this can be super convenient. The only issue is you risk missing out if there are no available places.

• They’re cheaper than a surf camp: Finally, surf schools will offer you an affordable surf experience. A massive bonus if you’re a budget traveller who’s looking to milk their bank account for all its work. If there are a lot of surf schools in the area, you might even be able to bargain them down. Just remember that you’re entirely responsible for any decision made on price. As more often than not, the cheapest option isn’t the best option.

Booking a Surf House

Surf houses are smaller and more luxurious versions of surf camps. These are unique accommodations tailored for a smaller group of surf enthusiasts seeking an immersive, and convenient surfing experience.

These specialized lodgings have gained popularity in coastal destinations worldwide, providing surfers with an environment perfectly suited to their passion.

• Proximity to Surf Spots: Surf houses are strategically located near popular surf breaks, ensuring quick and easy access to the waves. This allows guests to maximize their time in the water and catch more waves during their stay.

• More than just Surf-Focused Amenities: Surf houses are equipped with amenities catering to all kinds of surfers’ needs even the ones that are not surfing related. Expect a whole lot of personal attention to all your needs. Like surf camps, they will have surf lessons for all levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. Additionally, some of them may also offer private surf lessons.

So which one is right for me?

Taking all of this into account, it’s clear that booking a surf camp is ideal for those who want the full surfing experience. You can get value for money, convenience, the chance to make new friends and the opportunity to improve their skills in rapid time. The only thing is you’ll need to find the time to book a surf camp, given that they often run over multiple days.

A surf house may be ideal for someone looking to learn in a smaller group and always wants a luxurious touch to their surf trip.

For people who like to travel ad libitum style, a surf school is more than likely right up your alley. Keep in mind though that unless you’ve already had a couple of lessons prior and managed to stand up on a board before, a 1-hour surf school session may not offer enough time to actually get the hang of surfing. And nobody wants to go home from their learning to surf holiday without actually learning to surf, right?

Whether you book a surf house, a surf camp or a surf school, here are some tips to make sure you have a wonderful surf trip:

• There is a common misconception that surf lessons are provided only for complete beginners. Surfing instructions are available for all groups, even for the expert surfers who can hone new skills and techniques.
• Make sure to get complete information and confirmation on important details like hours of surf lessons, inclusion of theory/video-supported surf instructions, meals, number of people in room, and airport transfers before hand.

Learn to surf with experienced instructors in dreamy locations!

Ready to Catch the Wave of Adventure? Sign up for surf lessons with Rapture Surfcamps Today!

If you’ve ever dreamt of riding the perfect wave, now is the time to turn that dream into reality. Sign up for Rapture Surfcamps and embark on the surf adventure of a lifetime!

Why Choose Rapture Surfcamps?

• Expert Instructors
• Pristine Surfing Destinations
• All-Inclusive Packages
• Vibrant Surfing Community
• Unforgettable Memories

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity.

Catch the wave, make new friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime with Rapture Surfcamps.

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