Surf School in Avon, Outer Banks

Good to know

What should I know before I book?

How long before I can surf on my own?

Two or three lessons for most people, and a lot of practice after that. Being able to stand up and being able to read a wave are different skills, and the second one is what makes it enjoyable. We will tell you honestly where you are after the first lesson.

What should I bring?

A swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen you have already put on, and a hat for the sand. We bring the board, the leash and the wetsuit. Leave your rings, watches and necklaces at home — they are the things that get lost in the whitewater.

What if the waves are too good for a beginner?

We will move you somewhere more forgiving, or we will run the session on the sand. Good waves are for people who can already read them, and a lesson in the wrong place teaches you to be frightened of the ocean rather than how to surf it.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to surf?

You need to be comfortable in breaking surf and to swim back to shore when a wave takes you. That is a real bar, and it is why a first lesson happens in the whitewater. If you are not sure, swim in the ocean for twenty minutes first and find out.

What should I wear for a lesson?

A swimsuit you can move in, and bring a towel. We provide the wetsuit in the right thickness for the water and the season, the board, and the leash. On the sand you want a shirt and a hat, because you will be out there for an hour.

What happens if the conditions are bad on my lesson day?

We will either move you to a sheltered break that suits the swell, or reschedule, or run it as a sand-and-skills session if the water is genuinely unsafe. We will tell you which, and we will not take you out in conditions we would not surf in ourselves.