| Surf schools are a controversial topic. | | | | to fill this void and provide you with the |
| Although marketing forces would have us believe | | | | knowledge that was once freely passed from one |
| otherwise, the majority of surfers are not | | | | surfer to the next. But surf schools also need to |
| overjoyed with the introduction of the modern | | | | step up to the plate and teach their students |
| surf schools. Even though there are some very | | | | properly. They must teach paddling skills, etiquette |
| fine surf schools operating today. Surfers often | | | | and the rules, they must explain the realities of |
| blame surf schools for filling the lineup with people, | | | | localism and the crowds, (see The Surfing |
| who can't surf. This is an over simplification of the | | | | Gooroo's 10 point checklist to surf schools), If |
| problem, and pointing the finger at the entire surf | | | | they do not take on this responsibility, then they |
| school industry is misguided. | | | | are feeding the problem. They are setting there |
| The main issue is that everyone wants to surf, | | | | students up as potential victims of surf rage. Any |
| and they want to surf now. People don't | | | | surf school that does not pass on the knowledge |
| understand just how difficult surfing really is, and | | | | you need, has no right to call themselves a surf |
| they try to take short cuts. They want the ability | | | | school. Sure a supervised tourist oriented surfing |
| of a surfer with ten years experience, and they | | | | activity they may be, but surf school, they are |
| want it in two weeks. Unfortunately there are | | | | not. |
| surf schools out there that take advantage of | | | | The Surfing Gooroo says: after your time in a |
| this situation. These schools know that if they | | | | genuine surf school, make sure you visit The |
| explained the reality of learning to surf, they | | | | Surfing Gooroo to continue on your surfing |
| would get fewer students. | | | | education. But remember that surf schools |
| This omission of the truth is a grave injustice to | | | | promising unrealistic results are best avoided. |
| the learner surfer. The newcomer to surfing | | | | So how do I find the genuine surf schools? |
| needs to be able to trust the information given to | | | | Well this where, 'The Surfing Gooroo's 10 point |
| them by the surf school operator whom they | | | | checklist to surf schools' comes into play. If you |
| have paid, to teach them to surf. But sadly in | | | | are thinking of booking a lesson with a surf school, |
| many cases they cannot. | | | | then learn this information first. Ask your potential |
| Also, because learners quite naturally assume that | | | | surf instructor if they teach the following 10 |
| they should be able to trust all so called surf | | | | points. If the answer is yes, then you have found |
| instructors to guide them correctly. These | | | | a genuine surf school. |
| learners no longer ask the more experienced | | | | If the answer is no, regardless of what reasons |
| surfers in the water for guidance. And conversely | | | | they may give, you have found a supervised |
| most experienced surfers no longer offer it. And | | | | surfing experience, calling themselves a surf |
| so we have a self perpetuating dysfunctional | | | | school. If that is all you are looking for, then go |
| cycle. | | | | and have some fun. But if you really want to |
| So we now have a serious problem, many people | | | | learn to surf then keep looking until you find a |
| now enter surfing through a surf school without | | | | surf school that teaches what you really need to |
| getting the background knowledge that is | | | | know. |
| absolutely vital to their safety and future | | | | The genuine surf schools are easy to find, they |
| development as a surfer. | | | | will explain and teach to you the following points |
| The root of the problem is this; you simply | | | | of The Surfing Gooroo's 10 point checklist to |
| cannot teach anyone to surf in a couple of hours | | | | finding a genuine surf school. |
| let alone a couple of weeks, it's just not possible. | | | | 1. They will explain that; learning to surf takes |
| Anyone saying they can is putting profits before | | | | time and commitment. That the unrealistic |
| principles. The absolute best a surf school can do | | | | promises of some surf schools, claiming you'll be |
| is to give you a glimpse of what it could feel like | | | | able to surf within one lesson is a load of rubbish. |
| to ride waves, while standing on a surfboard. | | | | They will calmly explain to you what being able to |
| That's it! | | | | surf in one lesson really means. It's a supervised |
| Yes a personal, accredited, well trained surf coach, | | | | one time only 'surfing experience'. It's for people |
| who is an experienced surfer themselves | | | | who just want to feel what it is like to stand on a |
| (minimum 10 years), can be of great benefit to | | | | surfboard for a moment. So they can show a |
| the learner surfer over a period of time. But that | | | | photo of them 'surfing' to their friends back in |
| requires serious money. No matter what the | | | | their landlocked homes, where surfing is a weird |
| newcomer to surfing may do, they must get in | | | | and exotic experience. Of course there is nothing |
| the habit of seeking guidance from the more | | | | wrong with that. A supervised surfing experience |
| experienced surfers in the water. That is where | | | | is fine if that is what you want. But it will not |
| the real knowledge is, those who have gone | | | | teach you much that is useful about surfing. |
| before, know the path. | | | | 2. They will usually suggest a minimum 3-4 week |
| This may all sound daunting? But don't sweat it; | | | | foundation program that will benefit you for many |
| the Surfing Gooroo will help you to find a good | | | | years to come. |
| surf coach or surf school. Just use the Surfing | | | | 3. They will always teach you how to paddle first, |
| Gooroo's 10 point checklist to surf schools. Then | | | | because if you cannot paddle you cannot surf. |
| you will know what to expect from a genuine | | | | This training will focus on how to get out through |
| surf school, and how to spot the schools that | | | | the white water without, ruining another surfers |
| need to be avoided at all costs. | | | | wave or getting run over in the process. |
| The reputable surf schools know and understand | | | | 4. They will teach you how to paddle into a wave |
| these problems; they know that most of their | | | | under your own power. They may have to push |
| customers have not had the luxury of growing up | | | | you into a wave once or twice, to give you a feel |
| in a surfing community. The reputable surf schools | | | | for it, but after that, they will have you catching |
| know that the best they can offer their students, | | | | your own waves. |
| at a reasonable price, is a surfing experience. And | | | | 5. They will teach you about not dropping in on |
| they also know that if you want to take your | | | | other surfers. They will explain the rules of surfing |
| surfing any further, that you're going to have to | | | | in detail and explain why they are important. To |
| learn the hard way, just like the rest of us did. | | | | you as a beginner, and how you can apply them. |
| Because in surfing, there are no short cuts. | | | | 6. They will teach you how to spot a safe place |
| Reputable surf schools do the best that they can | | | | to learn. |
| with the limited resources and time at their | | | | 7. They will explain to you the realities of localism |
| disposal. Let's face it, to get a surf school to | | | | and surf etiquette, and why it's so important to |
| actually teach you everything that you need to | | | | be aware of it, even if you don't agree with it. |
| know, they would have to book you in for five | | | | 8. A genuine surf school will never take you out |
| hours a day, for twelve months, and charge you | | | | into crowded surf breaks or close to a crowd. |
| a small fortune. This is simply because, in surfing, | | | | They would never place the school in the middle |
| there is just so much to learn. We surfers have a | | | | of a point break lineup, where you are in danger |
| tendency to forget the years we spent as kids | | | | of being hit by other surfers speeding down the |
| learning the stuff we now take for granted. We | | | | line of the breaking wave. |
| also forget that this stuff was taught to us by | | | | 9. A genuine surf school will put your safety |
| our parents, siblings, or older surfers in the water. | | | | above all else. If your instructor pushes you into a |
| We didn't just wake up one day and suddenly | | | | wave with an oncoming surfer already riding it. I.e. |
| become experienced surfers. Unfortunately these | | | | puts you in a position where you are dropping in. |
| days' learner surfers are often viewed with | | | | Then complain and demand your money back. A |
| resentment by the more experienced surfers in | | | | genuine surf school would never do this; it is very |
| the water. This is due to the sheer volume of | | | | dangerous to all. Don't fall for the line that 'surfers |
| learners being pushed into the lineup, with zero | | | | should not be surfing through the surf school' |
| knowledge by the less reputable surf schools. This | | | | either. The exact opposite is actually true. If your |
| resentment is misguided yet it is there just the | | | | class has been placed in a position that causes |
| same. The side-effect of which is that the | | | | surfers to be riding through the school, then the |
| knowledge once freely given in the past, is sadly | | | | instructor is at fault. A genuine surf school will |
| no longer being passed on to the newcomer. | | | | always look for a quiet place to teach. |
| Without this knowledge, of course the newcomer | | | | 10. A genuine surf school only employs instructors |
| to surfing will not know where to be and what to | | | | who are not only accredited but are also |
| do. It is not the learner surfer's fault that nobody | | | | experienced surfers themselves. Where as others |
| bothered to teach them. | | | | often use surf instructors, who although they |
| Surf schools must deal with the reality that | | | | may have done an instructors course, they often |
| although most of their customers just want to be | | | | can barely surf themselves. Therefore ask how |
| standing on a surfboard as soon as is humanly | | | | long your instructor has been surfing for? If it's |
| possible. It is irresponsible and dangerous to all in | | | | less than 15 years, then keep looking. You don't |
| the lineup to keep increasing the numbers in the | | | | want a beginner teaching a beginner. |
| water without sharing with them the knowledge | | | | Remember if the surf schools you thinking of |
| needed to survive, have fun and grow as a real | | | | booking a lesson with; don't answer yes to these |
| surfer. | | | | points? Then keep on looking. Otherwise you may |
| If you want to become a real surfer, then it is | | | | be putting your safety on the line. Not mention |
| this crucial knowledge that you will need to know. | | | | that you will be wasting your money if you truly |
| The Surfing Gooroo has been specifically designed | | | | wish to learn to surf. |