Your First Surf Class!

Embarking on your first surf class can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. You’ll be greeted by certified instructors from Moana Surf School, who’ll provide top-notch equipment and ensure your safety throughout the session. After a comprehensive warm-up, you’ll learn the basics on land before catching your first wave. With personalized feedback, you’ll refine your technique, taking your surfing skills to new heights. This could be the start of a lifelong passion, as you discover the thrill of riding the ocean’s swells. What lies ahead might just surprise you.

Key Points

• Experienced instructors provide personalized attention and high-quality equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable learning experience for beginners.
• Comprehensive safety protocols, including ocean condition briefings and mandatory protective gear, prioritize participant well-being.
• Structured land-based instruction covers fundamental techniques, such as board handling, stance, and pop-up mechanics, to build confidence and muscle memory.
• Guided practice in the water, with instructors’ support and feedback, allows beginners to catch their first waves and refine their surfing skills.
• The session concludes with instructors’ progress assessment and suggestions for continued improvement, leaving participants enthusiastic about their newfound surfing abilities.

Getting to the Beach

To get to the beach, participants can take public transportation or drive to the Moana Surf School’s meeting point located at Estrada do Abano, Praia do Guincho 547 block 2, 2755-144 Cascais, Portugal.

The school is near public transportation, making it easy for students to arrive.

Once at the meeting point, the certified instructors will be there to greet the group and provide all the necessary equipment, including surfboards and wetsuits.

The small class size, with a maximum of 10 participants, ensures personalized attention and a comfortable learning environment.

With the beach just a short walk away, participants can’t wait to dive in and start their surfing adventure.

Choosing the Right Gear

The right gear is essential for a comfortable and successful first surf class. Participants need to ensure they’ve the appropriate surfboard, wetsuit, and other accessories to fully enjoy their surfing experience.

The surf school provides high-quality equipment, including a surfboard tailored to the participant’s skill level and a wetsuit to keep them warm in the chilly ocean. Wearing the proper attire, like neoprene gloves and booties, can also make a big difference in comfort.

With the right gear, beginner surfers can focus on mastering the basics of surfing without having to worry about being cold or uncomfortable. The surf instructors are there to guide participants every step of the way, ensuring they’ve everything they need for a great first surf class.

Safety and Precautions

While safety is paramount in any surf class, the instructors at Moana Surf School have comprehensive protocols in place to ensure participants’ well-being.

They thoroughly brief students on ocean conditions, rip currents, and proper techniques for entering and exiting the water. Participants are also required to wear appropriate protective gear, such as life jackets, and adhere to the instructors’ guidance at all times.

Throughout the class, the instructors closely monitor the group and maintain a keen eye for any potential issues, ready to intervene if necessary. With these robust safety measures in place, beginners can feel confident as they take their first steps towards mastering the art of surfing.

Warming Up and Stretching

Preparing the body for the physical demands of surfing is a crucial step that the instructors at Moana Surf School emphasize before each session. They guide participants through a series of warm-up exercises and dynamic stretches designed to limbering up the muscles and joints, increasing flexibility and reducing the risk of injury.

Warm-Up Exercises	Dynamic Stretches
Jumping Jacks	Arm Circles
Squats	Leg Swings
Jogging in Place	Torso Twists
High Knees	Ankle Rotations

These mobilization routines help prepare the body to take on the waves, ensuring participants are ready to make the most of their surf lesson and progress safely.

Learning the Basics on Land

Before venturing out into the ocean, the instructors at Moana Surf School guide participants through an in-depth overview of the fundamental surfing techniques on land.

They begin by demonstrating proper board handling, teaching participants how to carry, maneuver, and position the surfboard.

Next, they cover the essential stance and balance skills, guiding participants through the mechanics of popping up and maintaining a stable stance on the board.

Participants practice these skills on land, allowing them to develop muscle memory and confidence before facing the waves.

This thorough land-based training ensures that participants are well-prepared and have the best chance of successfully riding their first waves.

Catching Your First Wave

With the foundation set from the land-based training, the instructors guide participants into the ocean to catch their first wave.

They carefully position the participants in the lineup, ensuring they’re in the optimal location to catch the ideal wave. The instructors then give clear and concise instructions, coaching participants on when to start paddling, how to time the wave, and the mechanics of popping up onto the board.

As the wave approaches, the participants paddle hard, timing their pop-up to perfection. With the instructors’ encouragement and support, many participants successfully ride their first wave, feeling the exhilaration of standing on the board and the thrill of conquering the ocean.

Improving Your Technique

After mastering the basics, participants can focus on improving their surf technique. They’ll work on refining their paddling, timing their pop-ups, and maintaining balance on the board. The instructors provide individualized feedback and drills to help participants develop a more graceful and efficient surf style.

Technique	Benefits	Drills
Paddling	Improved speed and power	Paddling sprints, wave catching exercises
Pop-up	Seamless transition from prone to standing	Timed pop-up challenges, step-by-step drills
Balance	Stability and control on the board	One-legged balancing, weight shifting exercises
Carving	Smooth turns and maneuvers	S-turns, cutbacks, and other turning drills
Positioning	Optimal wave selection and lineup	Wave reading, lineup positioning practice

Wrapping Up the Session

As the surf class draws to a close, participants gather their gear and prepare to depart.

The instructors provide final feedback, highlight each student’s progress, and offer suggestions for continued improvement. They emphasize the importance of practicing the techniques learned during the session and encourage participants to schedule additional classes to further develop their skills.

The instructors express their satisfaction with the group’s performance, commending their determination and eagerness to learn. They reiterate the importance of safety and caution when surfing, advising participants to always stay within their limits and be mindful of the ocean’s conditions.

With a final round of applause, the session comes to an end, leaving participants eager to apply their newfound knowledge and skills in future surf adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Surfboard and Wetsuit?

Yes, participants can bring their own surfboard and wetsuit for the beginner surf classes at Praia do Guincho beach in Cascais, Portugal. The school provides equipment as well, but using personal gear is permitted.

Is There an Age Limit for the Beginner Surf Classes?

The beginner surf classes at Moana Surf School don’t have a specific age limit. Children are welcome, but they’ll need to be able to comfortably swim and follow instructions from the certified instructors.

Do I Need to Know How to Swim to Participate?

No, swimmers and non-swimmers are welcome to participate in the beginner surf classes. The instructors will provide guidance and support to help participants get comfortable in the water, regardless of their swimming ability.

Can I Take Photos or Videos During the Class?

Participants are welcome to take photos and videos during the surf class. The instructors encourage capturing the experience, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the lesson or put anyone’s safety at risk.

Is There a Changing Room or Shower Available on Site?

Yes, the Moana Surf School has changing rooms and showers on-site for participants. This allows them to easily change into and out of their wetsuits before and after the surf class.

Recap

Your first surf class with Moana Surf School is a thrilling experience. You’ll receive top-notch equipment and personalized instruction, with safety as the top priority.

After warming up and learning the basics on land, you’ll have the exhilaration of catching your first wave. Throughout the session, you’ll get feedback to refine your technique, leaving you eager to continue your surfing journey.