Why Private Surf Lessons

Private Surf Lessons can be a big advantage for learning to surf. The group may be just you or your partner or your family. When the group is not too large, the instructor can pay more attention to you. The dry land is not nearly as important as what happens in the water.

The Dry Land Portion

A person wouldn’t even need to be a surfer to deliver a dry land lesson. Most people don’t remember the instructions once they are in the water and even the pop up they practiced has no resemblance to what they do once they are in the waves.

It is hard to focus on the environment and the techniques of the lesson at the same time. People lose focus and resort to what their brain tells them to do, but the brain does not know how to surf.

Focusing on the Techniques

I give students a count that takes them through the techniques of the pop up and insist they say it out loud in the water. The count slows down their racing mind and makes them focus on paddling, catching the wave, putting their hands on the board, putting their back foot on the board first, standing up, and then putting their front foot on the board.

When people in private surf lessons count out loud and can focus on the technique we practiced on the beach, they are riding on the first wave. When people won’t memorize or say the count out loud, they have more difficulty. Some people are gifted and figure it out immediately themselves.

I find kids that are soccer players get it quick because their brain and their feet are used to working together. Someone who does yoga or gymnastics has the advantage of being flexible and also coordinating body movement with instructions. Women tend to listen better than men and absorb what has to be done.

The Reality in the Water

In the water, I find you often have to go with someone’s tendencies. We all find out that regardless of the instructions, a person is going to move in a certain way that even they can’t help. If you are in a big group, the instructor will generally ignore the people having too much trouble because they can’t divert their attention to one person.

I find that in private surf lessons, I can watch everyone closely and coach for mistakes. Most people can be set free quickly because they have learned the proper techniques so more time can be devoted to the person that is struggling. I also find that if the student doesn’t give up, most everyone can stand by the end of the lesson.