WHY WOULD SOMEONE GO TO A SURFING SCHOOL?

As the growing popularity of surfing expands throughout the world, I am often asked, “ Is surfing really hard to learn, because it looks so easy.” 

My name is Brad Tepper and I have been surfing for 34 years.  I have competed on both the amateur and professional levels and have been teaching people how to surf for over 20 years. When the question stated above is asked to me I always answer the following way.

Surfing is such a unique sport because it incorporates balance, timing, coordination, stamina, and the ability to understand the ocean and what is going on around you all at the same time. Never will you find the exact same wave breaking across the ocean floor. Every day you have changing tides, winds, and swells that will affect the waves in their own unique fashion. So to help speed up the learning process, here are a few reasons surfing schools can be beneficial to the beginner.

1. water safety
2. ocean water conditions
3. proper positioning
4. timing

Water safety is a very important part of the learning process. Surfing schools will teach you how to fall, how to carry the surfboard through the surf, and where the breakers are. Surfboards can also be dangerous when learning because when you fall the board can pop up in the air, so knowing where the board is and how to protect yourself and others is extremely important. At surf schools you will learn all the information you need to have fun and be safe in the ocean. 

There are various locations to learn to surf (Florida, California, Hawaii, etc.) so knowing what the ocean conditions are like is also important. Surf schools will teach you about tides, currents, and winds, giving you all the relevant information so your surf will educational and enjoyable.

Learning the proper positioning for standing and paddling is a critical part of the learning process. Surf schools give you all the fundamentals on the beach before you hit the waves in the ocean. 

Finally, timing is the last element that needs to be learned. Surf school instructors go out in the water with you, pick the proper waves for you, so your chances for success are greatly increased. 

As in most unique sports, I highly recommend the beginner attend a surf school. They can help eliminate bad fundamentals and ensure a fun safe experience that will last a lifetime.