Manuel Antonio Surf lessons

Manuel Antonio Surf School

Manuel Antonio surf instructors are experts in teaching you everything you need to know about surfing, from simply learning to stand up and ride, to advanced surfing and competition tactics.

 

They are fluent in English and have lifelong knowledge of Costa Rican waves and conditions. They know all the "secret spots", and where it's going to be good on any given day. Most importantly, Surferfactory instructors keep you safe and teach you how to avoid stress while maximizing enjoyment. 

As any Costa Rican will tell you, Manuel Antonio is hands-down Costa Rica's most consistent wave, with normal wave sizes ranging from two to six feet. Local small-wave surf spots include Playas Quepos, Playitas, Mar y Sombra, Caldera, Playa el Rey; all have perfect surf for learning, with small, gentle well-formed waves, minimal currents, and amazing scenery. 

Besides learning to stand up and ride, you'll learn all about surfing etiquette - how to avoid accidents and conflicts, who has the right-of-way, and how to both give and receive courtesy in the surf.

Recommendations to Learn Surfing in your Trip to Manuel Antonio

Take a 4 day surf course starts off on day one with about 30 minutes of on-the-beach instruction that includes descriptions of pointbreaks, reef breaks, and beach breaks, understanding the effects that tide, wind, and swell direction have on the surf, and how to identify and handle trouble zones like rip currents, underwater objects, and selfish locals. 

And of course, how to deal with the inevitable "wipe-out". The rest of the first lesson is spent in the water, learning the fundamentals - how to paddle your surfboard and deal with incoming waves, how to sit up on your board (tougher than it sounds) and how to catch waves and get to your feet. 

The next three lessons are held at several different surf spots, depending on the size of the waves each day. These lessons are designed to teach you to ride the face of the wave, with the focus on wave judgment and timing, paddling into and catching waves, and learning to make basic turns. 

Four-day courses include two hours of surf instruction per day, unlimited surfboard use, and transportation to local surf spots. 
As with all sports, some people will learn very quickly, while others are more comfortable taking their time to learn. Kids are different - they surf like pros after about 5 minutes of instruction.

 

We do ask that all surf school participants, young and old, have basic swimming abilities. If you can tread water for ten minutes and swim a few laps in a large pool without getting dog-tired, then you're ready to surf.

Manuel Antonio Surf School

Reading the waves
Learning to read the waves comes mostly with experience, but there are some important tips that can help you in the beginning. 

Closeouts
Closeouts occur when the entire wave breaks at the same time. Just about all you can do on closeout is go straight towards the beach, which might be okay when you are working on standing up but are better avoided when possible. Save your energy for the better waves. 

Peak
The peak is the highest part of the wave, which is where it will begin to break. From this initial starting point, the wave will continue breaking left, right or in some cases both directions. The closer you are to the peak the sooner you will be able to catch the wave. 

Shoulder
The shoulder is the part of the wave in front of the peak that will break following the peak. 

Inside
This is defined as the area between the line-up and the beach. This is where the smallest waves break. If you spend too much time in this zone you will get worn out from being hit by just about every wave that comes through after they have already broken. 

Line-up
This is the zone where most surfers are waiting for waves. You will notice that the line up runs parallel to the beach, and this is where the majority of waves break.

 

As a beginner, it is important to be aware of where you are in relation to the line-up. If you drift too far towards the inside, you will be more likely to get hit by the white water of the bigger waves, if you drift towards the outside it is likely that all but the biggest waves will pass you by and you will not be able to catch them. If you happen to notice that the surfers around you are paddling towards the outside it probably means that there is a big wave coming, and you should follow their lead and paddle also so that the wave doesn't break before it reaches you. 

Outside
This zone starts at the edge of the line-up and extends toward the open ocean. Only the really big waves break out here, so if you are in this zone you are either resting, fishing, or waiting for "the big one". 
 
Board Care
Surfboards are fragile underneath all of that fiberglass is a foam core. Foam and water are not a good mix for a surfboard. It is your responsibility to check your board for damage before and after surfing.

 

A surfboard that has a ding that is not repaired soaks up water like a sponge, making the board heavier and causing internal damage. 

1.    Dings - most damage to the surfboards happens out of the water. Bumping the board against something or not setting it down gently are the leading causes of dings. Do not lean the surfboard against the wall, and set it down gently when placing it on a non-padded surface. 

2.    Fins - when you catch a wave, do not ride it all the way to the beach. Jump off if you are in water that is knee-deep or shallower. Riding a board into the sand will break the fins off. 

3.    Leash - check to make sure that your leash is securely fastened to the board 

4.    (if you are not sure, ask your instructor). After surfing, before completely exiting the water, take your leash off your ankle and wrap it around the board by the fins. This avoids getting sand in the Velcro and prolongs the life of the leash. Do not let the leash drag behind you through the sand on the beach. 

5.    Sun - Do not let your board sit in the sun for extended periods of time. The sun melts the wax and can cause the fiberglass to separate from the foam core, weakening the strength of the board. 

6.    Rinse - If you must lay the board down in the sand at the beach, rinse the sand off of it in the ocean before returning to the school. Once back at the school, the board and leashes need to be rinsed again with fresh water. 

Safety
Injuries that occur during surfing are usually due to collision with your surfboard or someone else's. The risk can be greatly reduced by following certain guidelines: 

1.    Sit down on the beach and watch the waves for 5-10 minutes before you enter the water to check the size of the set waves. You want to make sure that they are not too big for your skill level. 

2.    Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the people around you. The average surfboard is 7 feet long, with an 8-foot long leash. A safe distance for you to have between you and your fellow surfers is 15 feet. 

3.    Remember the right-of-way rule. Whoever is closer to the peak of the wave has the right of way. Always look to see if someone else is already riding the wave before you go. If they go the other direction (away from you) then you can go. If they are coming towards you then don't drop in. 

4.    When you are paddling out make sure to keep your board close to you and be aware of the surfers around you. If a big wave is coming towards you, the safest method of getting past it is to get off your board and hold it behind you. Dive under the wave and pull the board behind you. After the wave has passes you get back on your board and continue paddling. Try not to ever have your board between you and a big wave that is about to break. If the board is behind you then you are much less likely to make contact with it. 

5.    When you are paddling to catch a wave, paddle straight towards the beach. If a wave catches you parallel to the beach you are likely to be tumbled. 

6.    Big waves- if a big wave holds you under and you become disoriented, it is important to try not to panic. Reach for the leash and follow it up to the surfboard. Your surfboard will be floating on the surface. Waves come in sets usually 3-5, so brace yourself and take deep breaths in case another one is coming right behind that one. When the set passes you can get back on your board and paddle towards the outside. 

7.    After you fall make sure that your surfboard is not above your head when you surface. If you feel the tension on your leash it is a good sign that the board is at least 6 feet away from you.