Find the Right Santa Cruz Surfing Instructor

There are quite a few options for who to choose for your Santa Cruz surf lessons at one of our great Santa Cruz beaches. Before booking a lesson for this popular Santa Cruz activity, we’d like to share a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best surfing instructor. Teaching a student the ins and outs of surfing Santa Cruz is truly an art form. Not every surfer can be an instructor and it takes a right personality to be able to observe, understand, and convey details for the proper placement you need when riding waves. The best instructors develop a plan for you to grow in your skills weather surfing Santa Cruz or here surfing Capitola Beach.

Here is a list to get you started on how to find a surfing instructor fit for you and your surf skill level:

1. Initial Consultation: Talk to your instructor about your surfing skill level and areas where you would like to improve. Make sure that your instructor can provide you with a detailed plan of your lesson. After your discussion you should have a good understanding of how much they know about body positioning and if they will be able to instruct you verbally.
2. Group or Individual Lessons: Santa Cruz surf lessons with fewer people allow the instructor to be more focused on each student. Smaller class sizes can pay dividends. A private lesson would be more suitable after learning the basics first in a group setting. Private lessons help a student looking to improve more quickly.
3. Local Knowledge: An instructor who is familiar with Santa Cruz surfing breaks and the local surfers where you are learning is ideal. The instructor’s knowledge of the local break will help you in your lessons and their relationship with the locals will reduce any tension.
4. Expectations: Tell your surf instructor what your expectations. Make sure they are realistic.

Questions to ask when considering a surf instructor:

• Ask your instructor how long they have been surfing Santa Cruz and how long they have been offering surf lessons in Santa Cruz.
• How long have they been surfing Santa Cruz, what breaks they surf and plan to take you to.
• Ask the instructor if he/she has taught students at your particular skill level and ask them about their teaching method.
• Discuss with the instructor the problem areas in your surfing and listen to how he/she explains possible solutions.
• What type of boards do they surf? If you are learning on a longboard, you don’t want an instructor that only knows how to ride a short board.
• A well-trained instructor will be able to give you more in depth technical advice.

Key things to know:

• A Santa Cruz surfing instructor must have good communication skill and patience to help alleviate frustration that comes with learning new skills.
• Professional surfers do not always make good surf instructors.
• Make sure your instructor is serious about his/her profession and the lessons they provide.
• After the lessons, make sure you feel as if you are progressing in your skill level.

We hope this information will assist you when it comes time to booking your Santa Cruz activities. Please feel free to read about our surf instructors or email us with additional questions.