Do you want to learn how to ride the waves in Perth? With many surf schools offering lessons, it can be tricky to know which one is right for you. So if you’re a beginner surfer ready to make your mark on the ocean and want some useful tips, read on!
In this post, we explore 5 essential tips that’ll help you find the best surf school in Perth for your skill level and goals! Whether it’s teaching quality or what’s included in a lesson, these factors should all be considered when choosing a surfing lesson program in Perth.
IMPORTANT: Disclaimer about picking a Perth surf school
Ok, one little caveat before you begin searching for the perfect surf school in Perth. That is, you must consider all of the following tips before making a call.
Simply booking based on price alone might not be the best. This is because cheaper isn't necessarily better. And given that surfing requires professional coaching from trained experts, you don't want to leave your education in the hands of a sub-par school.
Now that that's done, let's get into it!
5 tips for picking the right surf school in Perth
1. Consider how you want to learn - in a group or solo
Do you want to maximise your lesson time and book a private session? Or do you feel more comfortable learning in a group environment?
The reason we ask is that different Perth surf schools specialise in different types of lessons. Some focus more on private coaching, while others prefer to teach in groups. So it’s important to consider which type of lesson would be better for your individual goals and circumstances.
For example, if you’re an absolute beginner with no prior experience, then a group lesson can be ideal as it allows you to learn alongside other newbies. If however you already know the basics but want to take it up a notch, then one-on-one instruction might be the way to go.
The best surf school in Perth will offer a mix of group and private lessons. This allows you to choose the option that best suits your learning style and needs.
2. Look at the experience level and qualifications of their coaches
The 'X' factor when picking a surf school in Perth is the level of experience that their coaches offer.
We cannot stress this enough - having coaches who are experienced in the sport with the ability to communicate clearly and have fun with students is essential when it comes to ensuring an amazing learn-to-surf experience.
For instance, you want coaches who have a good understanding of ocean safety and conditions as well as tips for technique and manoeuvring on the board.
You also want coaches who have the correct qualifications from the relevant surfing board, with a minimum requirement being the Level 1 Academy of Surfing Instructors accreditation. This way you know you’re getting legitimate and quality coaching.
The best way to check the experience level of coaches is to look at their online profiles, or even better, chat with them before your lesson. This will give you a better understanding of their teaching style and how they can help improve your surfing skills.
3. Check out the different teaching approaches offered
While the act of surfing essentially involves reading the ocean, picking the right wave, popping up and riding said wave, there are many different ways to coach these techniques.
Some coaching methods are better than others. It really comes down to what works best for you. Taking our surf school as an example, we've developed a coaching method that we believe works for everyone. How does it do that?
We essentially make our lessons as fun as possible while still ensuring you learn the fundamentals. This involves teaching you our favourite tips, such as ocean awareness and board handling; progressing on to how to paddle correctly and catch your first wave; before eventually moving on to more advanced techniques like turning and shuffling your feet up and down the board.
We also try to coach on a person-by-person basis. This means that if we notice you struggling with a particular part of the learning process, we're happy to come and provide personalised help to ensure you get to your feet and ride some epic waves!
4. Take the time to read the reviews left by past customers
A surf school can claim to be this and that, but the most honest assessment of any business for that matter comes from you, the customer. As such, it's always important to take the time and read reviews left by past customers.
By doing so you get a better understanding of what the school is like, how well they teach, their customer service and so forth. Reviews are a great resource for any business as they give potential customers an honest insight into what they can expect from that particular provider.
We recommend not just looking at the star rating but also reading all of the comments left behind by former students. This will help you make an informed decision when selecting your surf school in Perth!
TripAdvisor is one such platform that allows you to read reviews and testimonials. It's fantastic because you can search by location and check out the reviews of multiple providers in one place. It also allows you to not only read what people have written about a particular surf school but to also gauge its popularity by checking out the number of reviews left.
Of course, other review platforms are Facebook and Instagram are also great, with the former having its own review section and the latter allowing you to ask questions directly to the school or see how people are interacting with it in the comments sections.
5. Check to see what's included in the cost of a lesson
Do you need to bring your own wetsuit and surfboard? Or is everything provided for you? This is something that's important to know before committing to a surf school.
Some schools will provide all the necessary equipment while others may only provide the board and wetsuit. To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the essentials, check with the provider ahead of time and make sure all your questions are answered before paying for a lesson.
Personally, we believe in making it super easy for you to book a lesson at Go Surf. That’s why we provide all the necessary equipment – from surfboards to rash vests, high-quality wetsuits and even sunscreen lotion!
All you need to worry about bringing is a towel, bathers, water bottle and a positive attitude (in addition to the indemnity plan - learn more here).
Conclusion
Picking a surf school isn't difficult, but if you really want to have fun and get the most bang for your buck, these tips will help you - especially if you've never surfed before and you have no idea what to look for in a surf school.
So please, take the time to read reviews, check the cost of a lesson and look into the company’s coaching methods before you sign up. By doing all of these things and comparing the different schools, you're sure to end up with a provider that best suits your needs and budget.
Good luck! We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect surf school in Perth!
