Is My Child Old Enough For a Surf Lesson?

We are constantly asked by parents how old their child has to be to take a surf lesson. While age is important, it is not the most critical factor when determining a kid’s readiness for a lesson. Given the ocean’s unpredictable nature, it is very important to know that the ocean is always in control, especially when surfing Capitola. Because of this, there are a few questions to consider when deciding if your child is ready for a surf lesson.

“Has my child shown interest in surfing?”

Interest is perhaps the most important factor when considering a surf lesson for your kid. Often times, parents have more interest in their child taking a lesson than the kid does, which can be detrimental in the long run. Unlike soccer or baseball, the sport of surfing puts a person at the mercy of the elements. Being caught in a bad spot when surfing is common and it is important to be aware of this before paddling out. Educating your child about the unpredictability of the ocean is key prior to taking a lesson.

“Is my child a proficient swimmer?”

Knowing how to swim is an absolute must if your child wishes to take a lesson. However, being a good swimmer in a pool can be very different from being a good swimmer in the ocean. Certainly, learning the basic swimming strokes in a pool is a great way to prepare for swimming in the ocean. But before taking a surf lesson, simply playing in the waves and getting used to being pushed around can be a great way for your child to become accustomed to the nature of the ocean.

Learning to dive under waves and becoming comfortable being tossed around prior to taking a lesson will allow a child to gain confidence in the water. Starting on a boogie board can be a great way for a kid to develop this comfort in the water that is crucial to creating a positive relationship to surfing.

A Capitola surf lesson can be a great way for a child to learn the essential skills needed to ride waves. However, a surf lesson can be a bit overwhelming if they have not spent much time acclimating to the ocean’s power beforehand. It is important to start small and let them grow accustomed to characteristics of the ocean. Once they’ve logged some time in the waves, give us a call! For more information on surf lessons, please give us a call at our shop at (831) 462-5222.