Reviewed · BEACH TRIPS

Surfing Group Lesson Level 1 Beach Surfer

★ 4.5 · 27 reviews From $155 Operated by Rip Curl School Of Surf · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Five days of two-hour lessons gives you something a single surf class cannot: time to repeat the basics until they begin to feel natural. At Legian’s Double Six Beach, you work through theory, beach drills, and ocean practice with a maximum of five students per instructor. Staff members such as Budi and Gung are noted for patient, encouraging instruction.

I like the practical extras here: door-to-door transfers from much of south Bali and equipment down to zinc, towels, water, and a surf helmet. The course also builds in proper ocean-safety instruction, not just a quick push onto a board. The main caution is that five days is a useful start, not a promise that you will surf confidently in every condition. Waves can be large, and lessons may shift with the tide, wind, or weather.

Key points to know before booking

Surfing Group Lesson Level 1 Beach Surfer - Key points to know before booking

  • Five lessons, ten hours in the water: You return each day to work on balance, paddling, standing, turning, and safety.
  • Small teaching groups: A regular ratio of five students to one instructor or assistant allows more correction than a large beach class.
  • Double Six Beach setting: Legian’s broad surf beach provides the stage, though conditions can be demanding for a first-timer.
  • Almost all the kit is supplied: Boards, leg ropes, helmets, rash guards, leggings, zinc, towels, lockers, and showers are included.
  • Transfers cover much of south Bali: Pickup and return are available in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Sanur, and Oberoi.
  • The schedule follows the sea: Classes are offered at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., with the final time confirmed one day ahead.

Five days at Double Six Beach

This is a learn-to-surf course rather than a one-off photo opportunity. You receive five daily lessons, each lasting about two hours, with a mix of theory, practice on the beach, and practical work in the water.

The first lesson is about getting your bearings. You learn basic surf language, how to handle the board, how to attach the leg rope, and how to read the immediate water conditions. You also work through the standing position before attempting repeated rides.

That structure matters. Beginners often spend their first session trying to remember where their feet go while also handling a moving board and breaking wave. By returning for four more lessons, you have a chance to correct small mistakes instead of starting from zero each morning.

The course is designed to move from first-wave skills toward turning and better control. The exact pace depends on your fitness, balance, comfort in the water, and the day’s surf. You may spend more time on safety and positioning if the sea is rough, which is the sensible choice.

The word practical matters here. You are not simply shown a technique and sent away. The instructors can watch your attempts, give you a correction, and send you back to try again. That repeated cycle is where a beginner usually makes progress.

Other beach trips in Kuta people book:

Why the five-to-one ratio matters

Surfing Group Lesson Level 1 Beach Surfer - Why the five-to-one ratio matters

A maximum of five students per instructor or assistant is one of the strongest parts of this course. Surf lessons can lose their value when one teacher is trying to manage a long line of beginners. By the time the instructor reaches you, the wave is gone and the correction is forgotten.

A small group does not mean private coaching. You will still share attention, and the regular course ratio is five students to one instructor or assistant. Still, it gives you a better chance of receiving useful advice on stance, paddling, timing, and safety.

The teaching style is described as patient, kind, and professional. Budi is specifically praised for making individual instruction work well for three teenage brothers, while Gung is singled out for helping students learn in a relaxed atmosphere. You should not assume either instructor will be assigned to your class, but these examples give you a sense of the school’s teaching approach.

The course is also intended to feel safe rather than intimidating. Surfing always carries some risk, and no instructor can control every wave. Proper instruction on ocean safety, a leg rope, and a Gath surf helmet are meaningful inclusions for a first course.

What happens between the lessons

The school’s schedule offers four daily start times: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The best choice depends on the tide, wave size, wind, and the level of the class. The final timetable is confirmed one day before the lesson.

I would keep your daily plans flexible. You might prefer the 10 a.m. or afternoon slot, but the school may recommend another time to match the sea. Early starts are worth considering because the morning can offer better conditions, though the supplied information does not promise a particular tide or wave size.

Your five lessons do not have to feel like five identical sessions. The first may focus on safety and standing. Later classes can work on paddling into waves, keeping your balance, turning, and making better decisions about which waves to attempt. The school describes the program as a blend of theory, practice, and practical training, so expect both instruction on land and time in the water.

You receive a student study book during the course, with soft copies available from the school’s website. That is useful if you want to remember the names of techniques or review safety points after class.

Equipment, changing rooms, and the small comforts

You do not need to pack a full surf setup. The course provides a surfboard, leg rope, surf helmet, Rip Curl rash guard, leggings, and other surfing equipment. Imported zinc and sealed drinking water are also supplied throughout the course.

The information about swimwear needs a careful reading. Your swimsuit, bikini, or board shorts are not included, even though the overview refers to board shorts among the equipment. Bring your own swimwear so there is no confusion at the beach.

The school facilities include private changing rooms, individual lockers, fresh-water showers, soap, shampoo, and towels. You also receive fresh fruit after the lesson, with tea and coffee mentioned as part of the general course offering. These details are easy to overlook, but they make a difference when you have sand in places you would rather not discuss and need to get back into dry clothes.

There is a chill-out area with cold drinks, music, tables, and chairs. Friends or family members can wait nearby, and the school is beside restaurants where they can eat while you are in class.

Photographs are taken during the lesson and offered for sale at the end of the program. That can be a nice record of your first successful ride, but budget for it separately because the photographs are not included.

Other beach days people book around Kuta:

Getting to class from south Bali

Pickup and return transfers are included from a broad list of south Bali areas: Legian, Seminyak, Oberoi, Canggu, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. This is a real benefit if you are not staying within easy walking distance of the beach.

The stated start and end point is Rip Curl School of Surf, with the listed meeting information connected to Hotel Prama Sanur Beach in Sanur. At the same time, the lessons are described as taking place at Legian’s Double Six Beach. Because those details do not point to exactly the same place, confirm the pickup point and daily meeting instructions before your first class.

Transport outside the named coverage area is not included. If you stay elsewhere, you will need to arrange your own way to the school. The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking, while the lesson schedule is confirmed one day in advance.

How physically demanding is the course?

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Surfing asks you to paddle, push yourself up from the board, stand quickly, and repeat the process many times. Even a successful beginner lesson can leave your shoulders and legs tired.

You do not need to arrive as an athlete, but you should be comfortable with a physically active two-hour session. The sea adds another challenge. You may need to walk with a board, handle moving water, and stay alert to instructions while tired.

The instructors’ focus on safety is especially important for beginners. A board and leg rope do not remove risk, so listen closely to the beach briefing and follow directions about where and when to enter the water. If you feel overwhelmed, tell the instructor early rather than trying to keep up with the strongest person in the group.

The course may suit teenagers and adults who want a structured introduction. Three teenage boys completed the five-day program successfully, but the available information does not specify a minimum age, so confirm age requirements if you are booking for a child.

Is $155 good value?

At $155, the course costs more than a single introductory surf class, but you are paying for five two-hour sessions rather than one brief attempt. The price works out to about $31 per lesson before considering the equipment, transport, facilities, and instruction.

That is a reasonable package for someone who wants a real introduction rather than a single holiday activity. A board, rash guard, helmet, towel, locker, showers, water, fruit, and transfers would otherwise require separate planning and expense.

The small group ratio improves the value. Five students per instructor is not the same as one-to-one coaching, but it is a useful limit for a beginner course. You are more likely to get repeated attempts and direct feedback than in a large beach group.

The price is less attractive if you only want to try surfing once. You may not know after the first lesson whether surfing is for you, yet the five-day commitment is built into the booking. It also does not include food, swimwear, photography, or transport beyond the stated pickup zone.

The course is worth considering if you want to build a foundation and expect to attend most or all five sessions. It is not the best match for a tight schedule or someone looking for a casual two-hour activity.

The main strengths and limitations

The strongest part of the experience is the combination of repetition and support. You can improve from one session to the next, and the instructors are described as patient, professional, and good at helping students feel safe. That matters more than fancy equipment when you are trying to stand on a moving board.

The facilities also make the course easy to manage. You have lockers, changing rooms, bathrooms, showers, towels, water, and fruit. With pickup available from much of south Bali, you can focus on the lesson instead of arranging boards and transport.

The main limitation is the ocean itself. Double Six Beach can have good but large waves, and conditions are not fixed. A schedule change or a slower lesson may be necessary if the tide, wind, or weather is unsuitable. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but it can also disrupt your holiday plans.

A second limitation is the group format. Five students per instructor is small for a regular class, but you will not receive constant personal coaching. If you want detailed video analysis or a dedicated instructor for every wave, look for a private lesson instead.

Who should book this course?

I would choose this for a first-time surfer who has five days in Bali and wants a clear learning path. It is also a good fit if you are traveling with friends or family and want a shared activity that still gives you regular instructor attention.

It suits you particularly well if you are staying in the listed south Bali pickup areas, do not want to rent equipment, and appreciate having showers and lockers at the school. The course also makes sense for a beginner who values safety instruction instead of simply being pushed into the nearest wave.

I would think twice if you only have one free morning, dislike schedule changes, or are uncomfortable committing to a physically active course. Strong swimmers and fit beginners may progress quickly, but the sea can still be challenging, and five lessons cannot guarantee that you will master every skill.

Should you book it?

Book this course if you want five structured chances to learn surfing, not just one quick try. The five-to-one ratio, helpful instructors, equipment package, and south Bali transfers make the $155 price defensible, especially if you use all ten hours.

Before paying, confirm the exact meeting point because the supplied location information refers to both Double Six Beach and Sanur. Bring your own swimwear, leave your daily schedule flexible, and be ready for early starts if the sea conditions call for them. With those details clear, this is a sensible, well-supported introduction to surfing in Bali.

FAQ

How many surf lessons are included?

The course includes five surf lessons over approximately five days. Each lesson lasts two hours.

Where do the lessons take place?

The lessons are described as taking place at Legian’s Double Six Beach through Rip Curl School of Surf. The listed meeting information also refers to Hotel Prama Sanur Beach, so confirm the exact daily meeting point before attending.

What equipment is provided?

The school provides a surfboard, leg rope, Gath surf helmet, rash guard, leggings, zinc, towel, sealed drinking water, and access to changing rooms, lockers, and showers.

Do I need to bring my own swimwear?

Yes. Your swimsuit, bikini, or board shorts are not included, so bring your own.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and return transfers are included from listed areas including Legian, Seminyak, Oberoi, Canggu, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Sanur. Transport outside those areas is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.

More like this

Beach Trips, compared.

The full Beach Trips list →
Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,681 reviews· from $35

Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach

Read our review →
Quad Bike Ride and Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon Beach All-inclusive
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 448 reviews· from $75

Quad Bike Ride and Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon Beach All-inclusive

Read our review →
Nusa Penida Island Beach Tours Private All Inclusive
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 447 reviews· from $64

Nusa Penida Island Beach Tours Private All Inclusive

Read our review →
Private Tour Bali Beaches and Uluwatu Temple with Dinner
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 363 reviews· from $48

Private Tour Bali Beaches and Uluwatu Temple with Dinner

Read our review →
Bali Hai Beach Club Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 235 reviews· from $143

Bali Hai Beach Club Cruise

Read our review →
Surf Lesson with a Personal Instructor at Kuta Beach
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 192 reviews· from $50

Surf Lesson with a Personal Instructor at Kuta Beach

Read our review →
Nusa Penida Island Beach Tours with Snorkeling From Bali
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 183 reviews· from $137

Nusa Penida Island Beach Tours with Snorkeling From Bali

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Indonesia

Pick a crater, a reef or a gorge.