20 Mar Key moments in a beginner surfer’s journey of progression

Posted at 15:49h in Costa Rica, Non classé by Sebastien

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Wondering what it is like learning how to surf for the first time?

What can you expect when you sign up for a surf retreat. How much will you improve?

While you probably won’t get barrelled on your first trip (sorry if you were expecting this!), here’s a glimpse behind the scenes at our surf and yoga retreat in Costa Rica, capturing key moments of your beginner surfer’s journey of progression. 🌊🏄‍♂️

Surfing during sunrise

Listen to the birds chirping around as the jungle is slowly awakening.

Feel the light offshore wind on your face…

Smell the rich, sweet and slightly exotic floral scent of the Ylang ylang trees around.

And there you are, catching your first wave of the day while the sun is slowly rising above the palm trees…

Your first encounter with the ocean

The ocean can feel a bit intimidating for a new surfer. This is why we’ll take it gradually and start at very easy and forgiving surf spots, in small group of about 3 students per coach.

First surf session costa rica surf expedition

It’s all about having fun

With the most patient and friendly local surf coaches of the area, learning the basics of surfing while making new friends with your new surf tribe will be part of your daily program.

Your first successful pop up

With the easy waves nearby, it’s a true beginner’s paradise, and you’ll be up riding on your board in no time.

Surfing your first unbroken wave

Forget about surfing whitewash all week. We have gentle and friendly unbroken waves around so… Let’s gooo!!!

Dropping the wave and taking a direction

Once you’ve mastered your pop ups on unbroken waves, we’ll work on taking a direction so you can get an early start as you’re dropping the wave.

Gaining Confidence and pushing yourself

At some point along the week, a click will happen in your mind when everything will start falling into place.

Instead of thinking about it, you’ll feeeeel it…

Slowly, your comfort zone is expanding and you are embracing the rush of speed and adrenaline of the wave lifting you – and giving you the best ride of your trip.

A mix of fear, excitement, focus and determination,…

and letting everything go.

Suddenly you’re body is more relaxed and your surfing is improving.

Understanding how to generate speed

At first, the wave pushes you, but once you understand how to generate speed with your board, your body and the wave, you’ve arrived to the next dimension.

We’ll teach you how to read waves to understand when to generate speed vs when to bottom turn.

generating speed surfing — Generating speed surfing using the flexion-extension and the release of your body weight from your board, while leading your board up the face with your arms.

bottum turn — Initiating a bottom turn by shifting weight on back foot and inside rail to pivot board and compressing knees

Linking bottom to top turns, floaters and cutbacks

This is generally not a step where total beginners will get to in 1 week, however if you have some previous surfing experience, we’ll adapt the coaching to your level to help you reach your goals.

For the intermediate surfers out there, the spots around here are perfect to improve your technique, as you can surf the same wave for more than 40 seconds.

We will be reviewing everyone’s surf session videos in the evening one by one, to give pointers and goals to work on for the next day.