Your First Surf Lesson: What to Expect & How to Prepare (2025)

Nervous About Your First Lesson? You're Not Alone

If the idea of your first surf lesson brings a mix of excitement and anxiety, you're in good company. Almost everyone feels this way before paddling out for the first time. The ocean is powerful and unfamiliar. The idea of standing on a moving surface seems impossible.

Here's the truth: with proper instruction and the right environment, learning to surf is more accessible than you think. After helping hundreds of first-timers catch their first waves in Lombok, we've seen the transformation from nervous beginner to stoked surfer happen again and again.

Let's break down exactly what happens so you know what to expect.

Before Your Lesson: How to Prepare

Physical Preparation

Fitness requirements: You don't need to be super fit. Basic ability to do a few push-ups helps (the pop-up motion uses similar muscles), but our youngest students are 6 and our oldest was 68. Surfing meets you where you are.

Recommended but not required:

• Some upper body strength
• Basic flexibility
• Ability to swim (though lessons are in shallow water)

What to Eat and Drink

Before: Light meal 1-2 hours before. Think toast with eggs, fruit, or a smoothie. Avoid heavy or greasy food.

Hydration: Drink plenty of water. Saltwater and sun dehydrate you faster than you expect.

Avoid: Large meals right before, alcohol the night before, excessive caffeine.

What to Wear

• Swimsuit (board shorts or one-piece work best)
• Rash guard (usually provided, but bring one if you have it)
• Sunscreen (applied before, reef-safe please)
• Hair tie if you have long hair

Mental Preparation

Expect to fall. A lot. Falling is part of learning. The water is warm, the bottom is sandy at Selong Belanak, and falling doesn't hurt.

Let go of looking cool. Everyone looks awkward learning to surf. The surfers who progress fastest are the ones who embrace looking silly while they learn.

Swimming Ability Needed

You should be comfortable in water and able to tread water. You don't need to be a strong swimmer – beginner lessons take place in waist-to-chest-deep water where you can stand.

If you're not a confident swimmer, let your instructor know. We can take extra precautions.

What's Included in a Typical Surf Lesson

Our surf lessons in Lombok include:

• Equipment: Surfboard, leash, rash guard
• Transportation: Pick-up and return from your accommodation in Kuta
• Duration: 2 hours total (approximately 20 minutes beach instruction, 90 minutes in water)
• Instructor ratio: Maximum 2 students per instructor
• Water and photos: Available on request

Step-by-Step: Your First Lesson Breakdown

Meeting Your Instructor (10 minutes)

Your instructor picks you up from your accommodation. During the drive to Selong Belanak, they'll ask about your experience, fitness level, and any concerns. This helps them tailor the lesson to you.

Beach Safety Briefing (15 minutes)

Before touching a board, you'll learn:

• Ocean safety (what currents look like, how to spot hazards)
• Basic surf etiquette (who has right of way, how to avoid collisions)
• What to do if you fall (protect your head, come up slowly)
• The surfboard (which end is which, where to lie, how to hold it)

This isn't boring theory – it's essential knowledge that keeps you safe.

Learning the Pop-Up on Sand (20 minutes)

The "pop-up" is the movement from lying flat to standing on the board. It looks simple when pros do it; it feels awkward when you first try.

On the sand, you'll practice:

1. Lying flat, hands by chest
2. Explosive push-up motion
3. Bringing feet under you in one movement
4. Standing with proper stance

You'll do this 20-30 times until it starts feeling natural. This muscle memory is crucial for success in the water.

Into the Water: First Waves (60-90 minutes)

This is what you came for. Your instructor walks you out to waist-deep water, positions you on the board, and selects waves appropriate for beginners.

What your instructor does:

• Watches for good waves
• Positions your board correctly
• Gives you a push at exactly the right moment
• Shouts "Pop up!" when it's time to stand
• Provides immediate feedback

What you do:

• Paddle a few strokes
• Execute the pop-up you practiced
• Try to stand (and probably fall)
• Laugh, paddle back, try again

Building on Success (throughout)

With each wave, you receive feedback: "Hands too far forward," "Pop up earlier," "Look where you want to go." This real-time coaching accelerates learning dramatically.

Most students stand up – at least briefly – within the first lesson.

Will I Stand Up on My First Day?

Realistic expectations: About 90% of our students stand up at least once during their first lesson. "Standing up" might mean 2 seconds before falling – that's still success!

Factors that help:

• Athletic background
• Willingness to fall and try again
• Good balance
• Listening to instruction

Factors that don't matter as much:

• Age (within reason)
• Body type
• Previous surf experience

What "success" looks like for day one: Catching a wave in the whitewash, getting your feet under you, and riding for even a few seconds. That's a win. Everything else builds from there.

Common First-Time Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Popping Up Too Early

The mistake: Standing before the wave has actually caught the board. The fix: Wait for the push, feel the board moving, then pop up.

Looking Down

The mistake: Looking at your feet while standing. The fix: Look where you want to go – the beach. Your body follows your eyes.

Wrong Foot Placement

The mistake: Feet too close together or too far apart. The fix: Practice proper stance on the beach first. Your instructor will guide you.

Not Paddling Hard Enough

The mistake: Lazy paddling that doesn't generate enough speed. The fix: Paddle like you mean it. Three to five strong strokes.

Giving Up Too Soon

The mistake: Getting frustrated after a few falls. The fix: Everyone falls. A lot. The surfers who learn are the ones who keep trying.

After Your First Lesson: What's Next?

Expect to Be Tired

Surfing uses muscles you don't normally use. Shoulders, core, and arms will be sore. This is normal and means you worked hard.

Should You Book Another Lesson Immediately?

If you can, yes. Muscle memory fades quickly. Consecutive days of practice accelerate learning dramatically. This is why our 3-day and 5-day packages are so effective.

Progression Timeline

After 1 lesson: Stand up in whitewash occasionally After 3 lessons: Stand up consistently, beginning to control direction After 5+ lessons: Catching green waves becomes possible, starting to "surf" rather than just "stand"

For faster progression, consider private surf coaching or a surf camp experience.

Why Small Group Lessons Matter

Many surf schools put 6-8 students with one instructor. You'll wait in line for waves and get minimal feedback. This is one reason Lombok beats Bali for learning.

At Happiness Surf Co., we maintain a maximum 2:1 student-instructor ratio. This means:

• More waves caught per session
• Immediate, personalized feedback
• Instructor can physically position you when needed
• You're never waiting for your turn

The difference in learning speed is significant. Our local instructors know exactly how to help you progress.

Real Student Experiences

"I was terrified. I'm not athletic at all and I'd never done anything like this. By the end of the lesson, I'd stood up on several waves. The instructor was so patient and encouraging. I'm already planning to come back for a week of lessons." – Sarah, Australia

"I brought my 8-year-old daughter. She was scared of the water. Two hours later, she was begging to go back in. The instructor made it fun and safe. We booked three more lessons." – Michael, UK

Book Your First Surf Lesson in Kuta Lombok

Selong Belanak's gentle waves and sandy bottom make it the perfect place for your first surf experience. Our experienced local instructors have introduced hundreds of first-timers to surfing.

What makes us different:

• Small groups (max 2 students per instructor)
• 10+ years of local experience
• Patient, encouraging instruction
• All equipment and transport included

Visit our Kuta Lombok travel guide to plan your trip, and check the best time to visit for ideal conditions.

Book your first lesson now and discover why so many people fall in love with surfing in Lombok.

Already had your first lesson? Consider our surf guide service to explore more of Lombok's amazing surf spots.