You’ll feel both nervous and excited as you arrive at Samara Beach for your surf lesson—then quickly welcomed by an easygoing crew who meet you where you are. Expect hands-on guidance on land before heading into gentle Pacific waves with all equipment included. By the end, you’ll carry away salty hair, tired muscles, and maybe even a new sense of belonging.
I showed up at Samara Beach feeling a bit nervous—never really been on a board before, and honestly, I almost chickened out when I saw the waves rolling in. But then Sofía (our instructor) grinned and handed me a rash guard that still smelled faintly of salt and coconut sunscreen. She talked us through everything right there on the sand—how to pop up, how not to panic if you wipe out. There were four of us, all different ages and accents. Somehow that made it less intimidating.
The lesson started slow—thirty minutes just practicing moves on land while the sun got higher and my feet sank into warm sand. Sofía asked about our goals (I said “just stand up once,” which made her laugh). When we finally paddled out, the water was cooler than I expected, but not cold. There was this moment when I caught my first tiny wave—my arms shaking, but Sofía cheering from behind—and for maybe three seconds I felt like I actually belonged there. The Pacific is louder than you’d think up close; it’s hard to hear your own thoughts over it.
What surprised me most was how much the instructors cared about safety—especially for the kids in our group. One little guy had his own instructor just for him. They switched between Spanish and English like it was nothing (someone else in our group chatted in Swedish too). At some point I tried to say “pura vida” properly and probably butchered it; Sofía just grinned wider.
I left with sand everywhere (even in my ears), tired arms, and this weird sense of being part of something—not just a surf lesson but a kind of family vibe they’ve built here. Still think about that feeling when the board finally glided under me for a second or two—you know? It wasn’t perfect, but it stuck with me.
Each lesson lasts 2 hours total, including theory on land and time in the water.
Yes, there are female instructors and the founder is a woman; they focus on empowering women in surfing.
Yes, rash guards and surfboards are included with every lesson.
Children as young as 3 can join; under 6 need a private instructor for safety.
Yes, instructors speak English, Spanish, and Swedish fluently.
You can request a private lesson when booking; they’ll tailor it to your level.
No hotel pickup is mentioned; you meet directly at Samara Beach.
You should bring water, sunscreen, and swimwear; all other equipment is provided.
Your session includes use of a rash guard and surfboard for the entire two-hour lesson. All instruction happens right on Samara Beach with experienced guides who speak English, Spanish or Swedish—and if you want photos or videos from your day out on the waves, just let them know ahead of time so they can arrange it for you.


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