Blog · By Gervas, surf coach at Nelayan Beach · 6 min read

What happens during your first surf lesson in Canggu?

Your first surf lesson in Canggu starts on the sand. We check the waves, go through theory and safety, and practise the pop-up (the move from lying to standing on the board) until it feels familiar. Then we paddle out, and I help you with timing and positioning so you can catch your first waves. A lesson takes two hours, and you don't need any experience.

Every surf coach does things a little differently. This is how a first session with me works, step by step.

Before the lesson starts

We arrange the session over WhatsApp. I'll ask about your experience, so I can choose the right time and the right board for your level. Tell me about any worries too, for example if you're not a confident swimmer. The more I know, the better I can plan.

There's no fixed lesson time, because the tide, the wave height and the currents change every day. I'll suggest a time that suits the conditions and your level. Not sure yet if you want to book? Just send a message. Asking for advice is free.

We meet at Nelayan Beach in Canggu, right next to Batu Bolong. Have a light breakfast, put on sunscreen before you arrive and leave jewellery at home. Rings and necklaces have a habit of disappearing in the sea.

If your plans change, let me know. A quick message to cancel or reschedule is all it takes, and it means nobody is left waiting on the beach.

Checking the conditions

The first thing we do is look at the water together. I'll point out how big the waves are, where they're breaking, what the tide is doing and where the currents are. Then we head to Batu Bolong, where most of my beginner lessons happen.

I explain what I'm looking at, because reading the waves is a skill you'll use every time you surf. You won't remember all of it on day one, and that's fine.

If the conditions aren't right for a first lesson, we move the session to a better time.

Choosing your surfboard

First lessons are on a big soft-top board, sometimes called a foamie. It's wide and thick with plenty of volume (the amount of foam in the board), so it floats well and catches whitewater easily. The soft foam top also hurts a lot less if it knocks into you.

I bring the board and choose it based on your experience and the conditions. You'll also get a rash vest, a thin top that protects your skin from the sun and from rubbing on the board. There's more in my beginner surfboard guide.

Safety and ocean basics

Before we go in, I cover the basics that keep you and the people around you safe:

• Paddling out with a big board. At Batu Bolong you usually paddle out rather than walk in. I show you how to push up: you lift your chest off the board with straight arms, so the whitewater can pass underneath you.
• The leash. It's the cord that connects the board to your back ankle, so the board stays close after a fall.
• How to fall. Fall flat and away from the board, never head first, and cover your head with your arms when you come up.
• Where your board goes. Keep it to the side, never between you and an incoming wave.
• Other surfers. If someone is already riding a wave towards you, let it pass.

Like every surf instructor in Canggu, I'm a trained lifeguard. It's required before you can teach here. More in my article on surf safety in Canggu.

Practising your pop-up on the beach

We practise the pop-up on the sand first, where nothing moves.

You lie on the board with your hands flat under your chest. You push up, bring your front foot forward between your hands and your back foot across the board, and stand with your knees bent and your eyes looking forward. It sounds simple, but most first-timers either kneel first or look down at their feet. Both make you fall.

We repeat it until it starts to feel smooth. It's the least exciting part of the lesson and one of the most useful.

Your first waves

Then we paddle out. First lessons often happen in smaller waves, and you'll mostly ride whitewater, the broken foam that rolls towards the beach. I stay next to you, help you point the board the right way and tell you when to paddle and when to pop up.

With help on timing and positioning, many people catch a wave in their very first lesson. Your first attempts probably won't look pretty, and that's normal. Each try teaches your body something about balance and timing.

Everything happens at your pace. No two surfers are the same, so I keep things personal. And if you start to feel tired, tell me. Tired surfers make mistakes, and in the water mistakes can become dangerous, so we can always stop earlier.

What beginners usually learn in one lesson

By the end of a first session, most people have learned how to:

• paddle out with a big board and push up through the whitewater
• lie on the board in the right position and paddle
• catch whitewater waves with some help
• try the pop-up on moving water, often with a few successful rides
• fall safely and keep the board under control

Catching unbroken waves and choosing waves by yourself come later. How long that takes is explained in how many surf lessons you need.

What to bring to your surf lesson

You don't need much:

• swimwear you can move in
• a towel
• a hair tie if you have long hair

The board, rash vest and zinc sunscreen come with the lesson, and there’s water to drink after the surf. Photos are available on request, with an extra cost for the photographer.

Do you need to be a strong swimmer?

No, but you should be comfortable in the sea. If you're not a very strong swimmer, I choose conditions that suit you, for example more whitewater waves in shallower water instead of bigger ones.

Keep in mind that at Batu Bolong you usually paddle out, and the depth changes a lot with the tide. So be open with me about your skills and any concerns. It changes how and when we surf, and there's nothing embarrassing about being a careful swimmer.

What happens after your first session?

Expect tired arms and shoulders, and possibly some sore spots from lying on the board. Drink plenty of water, eat something and stay out of the midday sun for a while.

We'll talk about what went well and what to work on next. A second session usually feels much easier, because the pop-up and paddling are no longer new. After a few sessions, we can start looking at the step from whitewater to green waves, meaning unbroken waves.

First surf lesson questions

How long is a first surf lesson?

Two hours. We can stop earlier when you get tired, because tired surfers make mistakes.

Will I catch a wave in my first surf lesson?

With help on timing and positioning, many people do. Standing up takes some people a little longer, and that's normal.

Can I take my first lesson with a friend or partner?

Yes. Book a semi-private lesson and you learn together with one instructor. If you’d rather have one-to-one coaching, choose a private lesson.

What if the waves aren't good on the day?

We move the lesson to a better time. Keep in touch on WhatsApp so we can find the right moment.

Can I get photos of my first waves?

Yes, on request. Hiring the photographer comes with an extra cost.

Your first surf lesson in Canggu, in short

A first surf lesson in Canggu is mostly about getting comfortable: with the board, with paddling out and with falling off a lot. The theory and beach practice make your time in the water much more useful, and a small lesson means someone is watching out for you the whole time.

Ready to try it yourself? Send me a WhatsApp on +62 813-3684-866 and we'll find a good time for your first session. More about how I teach is on the surf lessons page.