If you want to learn how to surf, having the right surf camp can make all the difference. Skilled, patient instructors combined with gentle ocean waves and a small group of beginners can create a supportive atmosphere. Lessons in safety help build respect and appreciation for the ocean. And, by its conclusion, the best surf camps will leave new surfers with a boatload of confidence.
Dreaming of surfing and actually surfing are not the same thing. If you want to be a surfer and know what it feels like to ride a wave and feel the spray of the ocean, then you are going to need some lessons. Many camps and surf clubs offer lessons, but knowing which one to choose when you are a newbie can be very overwhelming. We get it.
You need the perfect combination of easy, beginner-friendly waves and expert instruction to learn the proper skills and techniques that will get you your first experience on the water. So, what should you be looking for?
This article takes a look at the 7 characteristics of the best surf camps for beginners so that you can make the right choice.
1. Experienced Instructors
The instructors play an essential role in any surf camp, as they will determine what you are going to take away from it. And, let’s be real—they also determine whether you even want to go back for day two. The instructors should be patient and gentle, as there is no room for yelling and belittling in the sport of surfing.
Encouragement and empowerment will flow naturally at the best camps, presenting the opportunity for advancing your skills at a pace you are comfortable with. When you get stuck or are working on a complex movement, the instructors should break it down as much as possible, getting in the water to give you a hands-on demonstration.
Surfing is not as easy as it may appear. It requires a lot of patience and perseverance—and good instructors will remind you of this.
2. Gentle Waves
When starting out, you want to stick to gentle, rolling waves that you can safely handle instead of powerful waves that will knock you down. Since the ocean is vast, the ideal surf camp will take advantage of calmer beaches with safe entry and exit points. You can also expect that it will have a sandy bottom and be far from rocks to reduce the risk of injury.
Not only does a beginner-friendly spot matter for safety reasons, but it also means that you will get the most time in the water to practice. Expert instructors will plan camp around the tides and swells so you always feel comfortable learning.
3. Small Groups
Ideally, the best surf camp will have a low camper-to-instructor ratio. This presents the greatest opportunity for personal attention and hands-on help from instructors when needed. Of course, small groups also make it easier to ask questions and feel confident in trying new things. Very few new surfers want a big audience as they are learning.
There is so much to learn, from how to read waves and balance on the surfboard to ocean safety and trusting your gut. Being seen and heard as you go through the process gives you a better chance for success.
4. Provided Equipment
It is hard to know exactly what equipment you will need when attending surf camp as a beginner. Are all surfboards created the same? Do you wear a wetsuit? When you sign up to learn a new skill, you don’t always know all the ins and outs.
You will know you are in the right place when you are provided the tools you need to learn how to surf. This ensures you have the correct stuff to get the most out of your lesson without having the extra expense.
5. Respect for the Ocean—and Fellow Surfers
Surfing is about more than just standing on a board and riding waves. It is about gaining awareness of basic ocean safety. Reading the tides, recognizing rip currents, and knowing how to spot the right waves are all so important when it comes to staying safe. And the more time you spend learning about them from experienced instructors, the greater your respect you will have for the ocean.
Further, a good surf camp is going to teach you good surf etiquette. All of the spoken and unspoken rules of the sport are important to learn along the way.
6. Supportive Surroundings
Those attending surf camp will want to be there. They will find it fun, carefree, and empowering. The campers will support one another through their ups and downs on the water—cheering each other on and acknowledging progress when it happens.
If you have ever met a surfer, you will recognize that they have a laid-back, relaxed character. It’s the vibe that comes with the sport, but it’s a lifestyle, too. The atmosphere of your camp should always be positive and comfortable.
7. Increased Confidence
Another characteristic of a good surf camp is the extra perk that comes with it—confidence. Those who partake will soon realize that their strength, balance, and abilities are improving. They can easily paddle out into the ocean and stand up on the board. They are better able to feel the flow of the water and read the waves.
This newfound confidence will be carried over into other areas of life.
A Surf Camp Designed for Beginners
Surfing is meant to be exciting. But for those who are nervous about getting their feet wet, it can be overwhelming. Malibu Makos Surf Club, located at Zuma Beach, has a camp built for beginners. It combines safety, fun, and encouragement. We understand how important it is for you to take your time discovering all that surfing has to offer so that you can truly find the joy in it.
Once you learn the basic skills and become more comfortable with the sport, the thrill you will get riding your first wave is unforgettable. It will leave you wanting more.
Stop dreaming about surfing and let us show you everything you need to know. Sign up with Malibu Makos.
