FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Still got some questions for me? I'll try and answer some of the most common ones I get here, so scroll down a bit and see if the answer you're looking for is already there!
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact me with your question
Do I need a board and a wetsuit?
You will be provided with both a surfboard and a wetsuit to use for the lesson. All you have to do is make it to the beach and I'll take care of the rest.
Do you offer group lessons?
Yes, I do! I offer lessons for up to 3 students at a time, so if you and a couple friends wanna get out there together, let's make it happen!
How long are your lessons?
I offer 90 minute lessons as a standard option, as well as the option to do a full 2 hour lesson. However, I recommend starting with a 90 minute lesson in order to avoid having fatigue set in towards the end of our time in the water.
Where will my lesson take place?
I teach just about all my lessons at El Porto, at the north end of Manhattan Beach. El Porto is the most consistent beach in the South Bay, meaning it's going to offer us more rideable waves more days out of the year than any other surf spot nearby, making it a reliable training ground for surfers of all skill levels.
Do I need prior ocean experience?
Believe it or not, you absolutely do not need any prior ocean experience in order to have success in your surfing lesson. I've taught all kinds of students in my years as an instructor and I can say without a doubt that a positive attitude and a desire to learn are the two most beneficial things you can bring with you into the water as a student. Whether you grew up at the beach and always wanted to learn how to get up on a board, or you're just passing through town for a couple days and you're curious to get in the ocean for the first time, I'll meet you at that starting point and take you through the steps to becoming an independent surfer.
How likely am I to successfully stand up on a wave during my first lesson?
Now this might come as a surprise, but statistically, you're actually very likely to get up on a wave! I'm not exaggerating when I say that over 99% of the students I've taught have successfully surfed during their first lesson -- I credit this success rate to a very methodical and hands-on teaching approach. I'm going to present you with a wealth of information that will be spaced out over the course of the lesson, and I'm also going to guide you through applying each piece of that knowledge to your surfing experience in a way that is intuitive and easily digestible. By following this process, you will make active progress with every wave you catch!