Surfing lessons at TL

[CaseyJr]

Does anyone have personal experience (or know someone who does) with the surfing lessons at TL? If so, would love to hear about the experience.

I read that the minimum age is 8. When we go in May/June, my DS will be almost 9, and he's been begging to take surfing lessons. We don't live near "waves" so surfing isn't something he'd be doing a lot of. And, the classes are not cheap...

 

[perpetualplanner]

I'd love to know too as my 8 yr old son would LOVE this. Hope someone knows something.

 

[Nebsky]

Hi...

The lessons are early morning before the start of normal operations. I believe they last about 2 hrs and they pretty much guarantee you will ride a wave or two..Its kind of pricey though.

If your not worried about the price, do it, its fun.

If your worried about price, you may look into taking an early morning trip to Cocoa Beach. Ron Jon Surf shop (same people who teach at TL) will teach you to surf there. Its not nearly the same money but the only drawback is the waves arent that great unless you got a hurricane/trop storm churning 450 miles south east of you. At TL you have a great wave every 60-90 seconds.

Only recommendation I can give is when you bail out on the wave, dont go head first. Smacking head on the concrete bottom isnt any fun. I usually backflip off a wave..but thats just me..

 

[CaseyJr]

My DS is only an average swimmer for his age. Are they allowed to wear floatation vests? You know, it's a "Mom thing."

 

[sharktums]

I would be careful with a smaller kid! I'm 23 and took the class with my husband and it was tiring and at times painful! I consider myself a very good swimmer and I still swallowed more water in those 2 hours then combined my whole life! The waves are powerful and pull you under. Some of the kids were scared. If I had a child I would let them do this before one of the "ocean" surfing classes though. Just make sure they are prepared for a lot of work and a lot of wiping out! If you have any other specific questions feel free to ask!

Elissa

 

[Geri]

My 12 yr old DD loved it. She worked hard at it & got up 2X. They have you practice on land first & then they send the students (both adults & kids) into the water. Each student is given personal guidance by an instructor while they are in the water.

There is a life guard on duty during the lesson, but I don't remember life preservers on the student surfers.

The surf boards seemed huge & my DD said they were heavy (she was about 5'2" at the time). Once they do a wave they have to walk the boards back to the top by themselves. Just make sure your child is strong enough to carry the board.

For those parents watching the activity there are a lot of opportunities to take some great photos/video. They also take a photo of the student with the surf board that you can purchase, but you have to leave the park & come back in to purchase it ($10 - $12). I think it's so you don't take advantage of the opportunity to stay all day in the park without paying.

Hope this helps.
Geri

 

[CaseyJr]

I don't think DS would mind the work as long as he was having fun and there was someone there to help him, but the swallowing water bit.... Well, let's just say I'll bring that up with him before we make a decision. If something frightens him, his tendency is to give up. He doesn't handle swallowing water well in a calm pool. But then again, put him in a pool with waves (like TL and BB and many of the other water parks) and he loves getting knocked down and pushed around. I guess you just never know what to expect 'till it happens.

 

[laurabelle]

I just booked this for my 10yr old dd. Lessons are held on Tuesday or Friday mornings. Cost $135 (this was her birthday present!) 24hr cancellation Arrive 5:45a.m. Lesson begins 6:30, 2 ½ hours, ½ hr on land, 2 hrs of surfing, 2 instructors. She's a strong swimmer, she can spend hours at a time boogie boarding without a break, so I think she'll be fine. Def. plan on bringing video and camera!

 

[Yensid_MD]

The surf lessons are great and are easier than learning at a real beach as the waves are all the same size. We have done the lessons twice now(still not very good). It is very tiring. We took a nap after each time. You do have to get there at a very early hour, 6:30 I believe. They keep the size of the class limited so that you will get to ride about 12 waves I think it is.

Warning - surfboards are heavy and I know my 8 year old could not carry one by himself so one of you might need to help him carry it back after he comes out of the water. One time we did it a there was a 10 year old there and his dad carried the surfboard for him.

Have fun, the instructors are great and are from a Cocoa Beach surf school.

 

[CaseyJr]

If you're staying on-site and using ONLY Disney transportation.....what do you do to get there that early in the morning?

....and if a parent has to help carry the board, the parent doesn't have to brave the waves, too, does she? It looks like fun, but surfing is not for me.

 

[laurabelle]

We're driving this trip, but they do warn you when you book, there's no transportation at that hour, so you'll have to take a taxi.

 

[Yensid_MD]

In regards to getting there, we call down and have a cab over to the park.

Your son can carry the board over to the exit area of the waves and then you can carry it.