How Many Surf Lessons Do Beginners Need?

The how is just as important as the how many. Your progress speed and quality depend heavily on the path you choose to take:

1. Learning on your own

Can you teach yourself how to surf? Sure. But be prepared for a lot of wipeouts, unnecessary frustration and very slow progress. Without a coach to explain the movements of the pop-up, fix your stance, or show you exactly where to paddle, you might spend months making the same common beginner mistakes. Small, repetitive errors quickly lead to bad habits, and unlearning the wrong technique is much harder than learning it correctly the first time.

2. Group lessons

This is how most beginners start surfing. It’s fun, high energy, and you get to laugh at each other’s wipeouts and cheer each other on. In a group setting, you’ll learn all the basics from an experienced surf guide while also picking up tips by observing the other surfers. It’s a cost-effective way to get comfortable in the water, make new connections and learn how to surf in a supportive environment.

At our Kima Surf Camps in Bali and Sri Lanka, we take this to the next level. We believe that seeing how you surf is the key to improvement, which is why we combine our 2x a day guided surf sessions with video analysis, six days a week. It’s the perfect balance of social vibes and feedback.

3. Private 1:1 coaching

If you are on a tight schedule or have a specific goal in mind, 1:1 coaching could be a nice option. Having a professional right next to you for every wave means the focus is 100% on you. This is also a great option for newbies who might feel a bit nervous about the ocean or surfing. Having a coach by your side builds confidence instantly. You will catch lots of waves and fix errors before they become bad habits. So, if you only have a few days or are a bit scared, this is your best bet for seeing massive results.

While the ocean is a lifelong teacher and every surf lesson counts, our 5 day Learn-To-Surf program (LTS), with 6 in depth surf lessons, is the perfect kick start to build the skills you need to call yourself a surfer. Take out the guesswork and start riding waves!

Day 1 & 2: The start of your journey

• What you’ll do: your journey starts with surfing theory at our camp in Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu, practice pop-up techniques on dry land, and a pool session to improve your stance and paddle skills before hitting the waist-deep water for your first waves.

• The vibe: these days are all about processing a thousand things at once: where are my feet? Is that wave breaking? How do I paddle efficiently? How do pro surfers even do this? Most beginners spend these days simply getting comfortable with the board and the energy of the ocean. You’ll have “hell yes!” moments followed by "hell no!" wipeouts, and that is completely normal.

Day 3: the turning point

• What you’ll do: once you’ve gained more confidence and caught your first waves, it’s time to move! You’ll learn techniques on how to turn the board and surf the wave to the right side using your body, practicing trimming for a smooth, controlled ride in the whitewash.

• The vibe: this is typically when muscle memory begins to kick in. You stop overthinking every individual movement of the pop-up and just start doing it. This is usually the day where you start to feel like a real surfer.

Day 4: learning through Video Analysis

• What you’ll do: be at your best today, because your session will be recorded! Afterward, you’ll review the footage with the group to identify exactly where you excel and where you can improve. You’ll also work on turning skills for both frontside and backside riding.

• The vibe: seeing yourself surfing on screen allows you to fix those invisible mistakes. Like looking down at your toes or popping up with your knee, before they become permanent habits. Plus, you'll have some epic (and funny) content to send home or share on TikTok.

Day 5: welcome to the Line-Up

• What you’ll do: with all the foundations set, you are ready to start exploring the line-up. The place where real surfers gather to surf those Bali waves.

• The vibe: this is where the progress really shows. With the basics in your body and mind, you’ll start focusing on turning, finding the green part of the wave, and understanding surf etiquette. Focus on choosing a wave and riding it with intention.

Am I a pro after these 5 days? Honestly, no. Becoming a pro takes years and years of dedicated practice and ocean time! But don't let yourself get discouraged if greatness doesn't happen overnight. With the right guidance, high energy and consistent time in the water, those first five days are a massive breakthrough. Who knows? Bali's next surf legend might just be in the making!