So you’re thinking about taking your first surf lesson at Cabarete Surf Company — here’s exactly what your day will look like, from the moment you arrive to the moment you’re grinning ear to ear back on the sand.
Why Playa Encuentro is the Perfect Place to Start
Playa Encuentro is a reef break, which means it’s one of the best spots in the world to learn to surf. The bigger waves break far out, way beyond where beginners paddle out, so they’re not something you’ll need to worry about on your first lesson. What you’ll be riding instead is the whitewash — the softer, broken waves that roll in again and again, giving you wave after wave to practice standing up.
Your instructor will be right there in the water with you the whole time. And if you get tired of swimming? You can walk your board back out instead of paddling. It’s not something we’d recommend as your go-to move — your arms and your paddling strength are what will make you a stronger surfer down the road, and that’s something you’ll build with practice over time — but if you’re gassed on your first day, it’s there as an option so you can keep having fun instead of calling it quits.
You might be surprised how quickly you’re standing up. Most first-timers catch their first wave faster than they expected.
Before Your Lesson
You don’t need to bring anything except your swimsuit. That’s it.
A couple of tips to make your day smoother:
- Put your sunscreen on before you arrive. If you apply it right before paddling out, it can make your board slippery — better to let it soak in ahead of time.
- There’s a quick standard waiver to sign. It’s just a formality, nothing to stress about — our lessons are built around a safe, family-friendly environment from the ground up.
Once you’re checked in, we’ll get you set up with:
- Water shoes — we provide them, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them for extra comfort
- A rash guard — protects your stomach (and the rest of you) from rash and sun
The Beach Briefing
Before anyone touches the water, your instructor will walk you through a briefing on the sand covering:
- Beach and water safety
- How to swim and handle your board
- How to pop up and stand
By the time you head into the water, you’ll already know exactly what to do.
What to Expect Physically
Let’s be honest: surfing is a workout. You’re going to swim, you’re going to get tired, and you’re going to swallow some seawater along the way — that’s all completely normal and honestly part of the fun.
Your instructor is putting in just as much effort, cheering you on and helping you catch that wave. Catching a wave for the first time can be tricky, so if you’re tired, they’ll give your board a push to help you catch it. The goal isn’t to make you paddle yourself into exhaustion — it’s to make sure you’re having a great time and getting the most out of every wave.
After Your Lesson
Your instructor will give you feedback on how you did — and we can guarantee this one too: you’ll walk off that beach proud of yourself. 100%.
If you catch the surf bug (most people do), our Group Surf Lessons come with package pricing that gets better the more lessons you book — the more you surf with us, the more you save.
Ready to catch your first wave? Follow along and tag us in your first-wave moment: #MyFirstWaveCabarete
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