What to Look for When Selecting a Surf Instructor:

Author: Greg Gordon

It’s the holidays, and in Costa Rica, it is summertime, which for surfing means smaller waves. This is because most of the swells hitting the Pacific coast come from the southern hemisphere, and there are fewer storms to kick surf up this way. Small waves are great for beginners, though, and many who have never surfed before may want to try out surfing to say they did it or start the journey towards a surfer lifestyle.

So when choosing whom to go to for lessons, what are the deciding factors? To me, they are: Is the instructor qualified? What are the conditions of the boards? What’s the price, and are there any extra benefits that the surf business provides?

Most instructors in this part of the country are experienced surfers and know the area well, but that doesn’t mean they can teach you to surf. The main requirement is a certification by the ISA (International Surfing Association) – Surf Instructor 1.

Your surf instructor can give a large group the basics up on the beach and should not have more than two surfers in the water each for safety reasons.

The boards should be long enough to float you easily, generally 9 feet long. A little longer if you are very tall or heavy, and smaller if you are tiny. I prefer a soft-top board that does not need wax. It should have a leash with no knots, a fin with no cracks or bends in it, and the deck should not have any open holes, air bubbles, or big cracks on the top, bottom, or sides.

Anyone can learn to surf - even your big brother!