Want to start surfing?

Surfing classes are the safest and quickest way to learn. Taking a surf lesson will help you grasp the basics and get personalized guidance from an instructor.

We’ll walk you through what you can expect from surfing classes, such as the basic techniques, and the best beginner-friendly surf spots. Understanding surf etiquette is also crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. By the end, you’ll know how to make the most of your lessons.

Why Choose a Surf School?

An image of two surfers celebrating in the water

Opting for surfing classes comes with several advantages compared to self-learning. Here are some of the benefits:

Learning from a skilled instructor is the safest way to navigate the ocean, lineup, and respect other surfers. They’ll teach you how to read the waves and understand the dynamics of the ocean, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Choosing the right surf spot for lessons is also crucial for a safe and effective learning experience.

Having personalised coaching is a noteworthy benefit of enrolling in lessons. Instructors can:

Understanding the unwritten rules of the lineup and respecting other surfers are crucial aspects of the sport. By learning these early on, you’ll avoid conflicts and ensure a harmonious experience for everyone in the water.

What to Expect in a Beginner Surf Course

A beginner surf course will acquaint you with the basics like handling a surfboard, paddling out to the waves, and standing on the board. These fundamental skills are the building blocks of your surfing journey. The course typically starts with a safety introduction and beach awareness, ensuring that you understand the environment and how to stay safe in the water.

Learning to surf in soft waves with a big board allows beginners to catch waves and stand up in the whitewater more easily, making it an ideal condition for learning and progressing in surfing.

Paddling Technique 

Proper paddling technique is a critical skill taught in beginner courses. You’ll learn to lay balanced on the board with knees and feet together, chest and head up, and cupping your hands to dig the forearm underwater with each stroke. This technique helps you conserve energy and paddle more efficiently, making it easier to catch waves and navigate the surf, especially when facing a breaking wave.

The Pop-up 

The pop-up is another essential skill you’ll practice. Instructors will guide you through the process of pushing down on the deck of the board with both hands and jumping to your feet in one smooth motion. This technique is crucial for catching waves and maintaining balance as you ride towards the shore. Persistent practice on land and in the water will help you master this critical manoeuvre.

Board Control and Catching Waves

Surfboard control and understanding where the waves break are also key components of a beginner surf course. You’ll learn how to:

Beginners are advised to stick to beginner-friendly zones to avoid interfering with other people’s waves and to catch whitewater in areas where they won’t interfere with others. This approach helps you practice safely without disrupting other surfers. By focusing on these, you’ll build confidence and skill before venturing out to more challenging spots.

Intermediate Surf Course: Taking Your Skills to the Next Level

An image of a surfer underneath a breaking wave

This course focuses on getting to the lineup, catching green waves, and riding the wave face. You’ll learn techniques like the turtle roll and duck dive to navigate through waves and reach the lineup more efficiently. Understanding the written and unwritten rules that govern this area is also crucial for a respectful and safe surfing experience.

Understanding different wave breaks, such as point breaks and reef breaks, is essential for intermediate and advanced surfers. Knowing how waves break onto rocky points and coral reefs can help you choose the best spots and improve your surfing skills.

Catching and riding green waves is a significant focus of the intermediate course. You’ll learn to surf both left and right along the wave face and handle head-high waves with confidence. These skills are essential for progressing to more advanced surfing and tackling larger, more powerful waves.

Improving technique is another critical aspect of the intermediate course. Individual coaching helps identify personal areas for improvement, and you’ll work on developing skills such as stalling and accelerating, angled take-offs, and riding unbroken waves. This personalized approach ensures that you’re continually challenged and motivated to enhance your surfing abilities.

Paddling and catching waves in the white water without assistance are essential skills taught in the intermediate course. You’ll also learn to:

Advanced Surf Coaching for Experienced Surfers

These sessions focus on mastering both backhand and forehand techniques to increase wave count and the ability to perform new tricks. Advanced surfers will learn to navigate entry and exit from the break, a crucial skill for optimising performance and safety.

Advanced coaching imparts the fundamental lesson of always looking in the direction you want to go, a key aspect for executing both backhand and forehand bottom turns. Twisting the arms and chest is crucial in backhand bottom turns, with the body rotating from the hips and both arms moving together to direct the board. This level of detail in technique helps you maintain speed and control during manoeuvres.

Surf guiding for experienced surfers includes:

Before starting an advanced surfing course, it’s recommend that you: 

Rapture Surf Camps Locations

An image of Rapture Surfcamps guests eating a meal

Rapture Surf Camps grace Morocco’s Banana Village, Bali’s Green Bowls, and Portugal’s Milfontes. Each surf camp provides a range of luxurious amenities and professional instruction to enhance your surfing experience.

Surfing in Banana Village, Morocco

The waves in Banana Village cater to all skill levels. Anchor Point is famous for its world-class right-hand point breaks, drawing advanced surfers looking for a challenge. For beginners, Banana Beach offers gentle waves that are perfect for learning to surf. The variety of waves means that no matter your skill level, you’ll find conditions that suit you, making it a perfect spot for beginner and advanced surfers alike. You won’t have to worry about missing out on all the waves, as there are plenty of opportunities for everyone.

Rapture Surfcamp Morocco offers:

Surfing in Green Bowl, Bali

Ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers, Green Bowl’s wave conditions are characterised by consistent swells and offshore winds. The waves here are powerful and challenging, perfect for those looking to push their limits and improve their skills. Nearby surf spots like Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Bingin offer additional options for surfers seeking variety and different wave conditions.

The surf camp in Green Bowl offers:

Surfing in Milfontes, Portugal

Milfontes, located on the western coast of Alentejo in Portugal, offers:

The surf school in Milfontes provides lessons and board rentals to cater to various skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an experienced surfer seeking to refine your technique, the school has something to offer. They provide a selection of boards, including twin fins, longboards, and thrusters, ensuring that you have the proper equipment for your needs.

Summary

Whether you’re learning the fundamentals of popping up and catching waves or refining your technique in more challenging conditions, professional instruction ensures that you’re progressing safely and effectively.

Rapture Surf Camps across the globe offer unique experiences for surfers of all levels. So what are you waiting for…Book your first surf camp here!

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