Surfing Lessons at Typhoon Lagoon

[kacale]

Hi,

Has anybody done this? I would be grateful for any reports as I am thinking of booking it as part of DH's 40th birthday pressie.

Thanks

Karen

 

[disneyholic family]

Yes, my kids have done it three times and my husband once (the first time the kids did it).

All three times they had a really good time and I definitely recommend it.

You have to be there at something like 6:15 in the morning (before the buses start running, so you have to get there by your own car or by taxi). The class is about 2.5 hours long.

There are about 12 in the class, ranging in age from low teens (if i'm remembering correctly) to about 50 years old. My husband was about 45 when he took the class.

By the way, I should mention that they "turn up" the wave pool. The height of the waves in the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool is controllable. They turn it up for the surfing classes and also when people privately rent the wave pool (after hours).

Each participant gets a surfboard to use (and you also are given towels). They first teach you on dry land -- the proper stance, the proper way to get up, how to lie on the surfboard and paddle. They also figure out which foot you are. They work with each person to determine if they naturally should lead with one leg or the other.

I should also mention that the instructors are surfing instructors from a well known surfing school who have been doing this forever. So they're very good at what they do.

After the on land session and after drilling everyone with the safety precautions, they begin the water work. I think it was two people at a time but i'm not sure. There are several instructors, so when a person is in the water they have an instructor working with only them.

By the way, there are lifeguards all over the place (typhoon lagoon lifeguards, specially assigned to the class - the park is not yet open during the class).

In the water, you first learn how to paddle and then you learn how to get up. Each time you have a wave (a BIG wave, much bigger than anything you've seen when you're at TL for regular hours). I can't remember how many times they got to go. I think they had at least 7 or 8 times each to try to get up (that is 8 different waves).

Most people actually do manage to get up by the end of the class. Certainly to all 4's and many to two feet. We have a stunningly gorgeous picture of my son surfing from the class. Most people think he's in Hawaii in the picture. They refuse to believe that it's from WDW.

Also, you will be able to go with your husband, so that you can watch and take pictures (you only have to pay for him, you're free - the rest of the park is closed anyway, you can only watch him, and chit chat with the other people watching, which is always fun).

So, bottom line, yes i recommend it.

the class is over about 15 minutes before the park opens. We had to exit and then go back in if we wanted to stay. But we didn't have to go to the back of the line. They just ran our cards through for us.

If you have an AP you should check if they still give discounts for the class.

.

 

[AlanUK]

Thanks for the detailed write up Beth

I have always wondered how people managed to surf on the wave generated in the pool, and if they could or did turn it up for surfing on - and now I know

 

[kacale]

Thanks for that reallly detailed answer. I think I will definately book it up for him. He will love it.

Karen

 

[Frances999]

Is there a minimum age restriction for this?

Thanks.

 

[disneyholic family]

Is there a minimum age restriction for this?

Thanks.

I thought there was, but when i was remembering back to the class, it seems to me that there was a girl who seemed rather young (like 9 or 10 years old). She was there with her father.
My son was 14 the first time they all took it. And there were two other 14 year old girls in that class (plus my daughter who was 17, my husband, plus about 3 other men, and a few older teenage boys (late teens, maybe early 20's). Everybody was very nice and polite and listened to the instructors.

I suppose if you call WDW they'll be able to tell you if there's a minimum age requirement.

 

[sharon78]

Im pleased you asked about this,our family would also love to have a go.
How do you go about booking it?
Thanks for the details disneyholic family

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for the detailed write up Beth

I have always wondered how people managed to surf on the wave generated in the pool, and if they could or did turn it up for surfing on - and now I know

I'll have to ask my husband more details. He spent the most recent class talking with the CM who was there to run the wave pool itself (to turn it on, set the height, etc.) He's an older person and has been there i think since the park was first built. He was telling my husband all sorts of stories about the groups of surfers who rent the wave pool and how high the waves are for them.
But i wasn't listening to them. I was chatting with a lovely woman from Connecticutt whose daughter was also in the class.

As you can imagine, the time passes very quickly.
The other nice thing, even though it was mid-July, since it was so early in the morning, it wasn't impossibly hot for those of us watching from the sidelines...

 

[disneyholic family]

Im pleased you asked about this,our family would also love to have a go.
How do you go about booking it?
Thanks for the details disneyholic family

You book it through the same reservation number that you book other sports activities at WDW (like the guided fishing excursions).
the number is 1-407-WDW-PLAY.
From the UK i think that would be 00-1-407-939-7529

Just say you want to make reservations for the surfing class at typhoon lagoon. I think it's offered a few times per week.
It's quite expensive, but it's worth it for an unusual experience.

And speaking as someone who once tried to learn to surf in Hawaii, I definitely feel that for a first learning experience, the controlled Typhoon Lagoon environment produces better results.

 

[sharon78]

Thanks for the quick responce Beth.
Ive written the details down in my "Dis Planning note book"

 

[disneyholic family]

Is there a minimum age restriction for this?

Thanks.

i just looked it up on allearsnet.com. The minimum age is 8 years old.
I just noticed that according to allearsnet, you have to be a WDW resort guest. I wonder if that's true. We were so it might be true.

It also shows it as being from 7:30 to 10:00. That wasn't true for us, but maybe it's changed.

The following is from allearsnet

Craig Carroll's Cocoa Beach Surfing School


What: 2 1/2 hours of surfing instruction, which will consist of 1/2 hour of land-side instruction and 2 hours of water instruction.

Where: Typhoon Lagoon

Who: WDW Resort Guests, age 8 years and older. Participants must be strong swimmers

When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

Class Size: up to 13 people. Two instructors will be present. Spectators welcome.

Cost: $125 per person (tax included) (NOTE: Effective 9/28/03 price increase to $135/person, tax included) Price does not include general admission to Typhoon Lagoon once lesson is finished.

Payment: Guests will pay when they arrive at Typhoon Lagoon. Cash, credit card and room charge will be accepted.

Surfboards: Guests must use the soft-side surfboards provided.

Waiver: Each guest will be asked to sign a waiver.

Transportation: Guests will need to provide transportation to Typhoon Lagoon. Disney Buses will be operating after the class to take guests back to the WDW Resort or to other locations at Walt Disney World.

Reservations: Call WDW-PLAY (939-7529)

 

[Miffy2003]

I would love to do this, and so would my oldest DD.

Thanks for the really detailed review Beth

 

[happyj]

Thankyou Beth forall the information we have already booked for my daughter and friends son for April .you answered many questions we had Thankyou once again

 

[disney_imagineer]

Also, you will be able to go with your husband, so that you can watch and take pictures (you only have to pay for him, you're free - the rest of the park is closed anyway, you can only watch him, and chit chat with the other people watching, which is always fun).

i know this is an old thread, but just want to bring up a question about TL surfing lessons. i just signed up to do this for my upcoming trip and was wondering if any cast members will be out there to help take photos?

it's going to be just me and my cousin surfing, the rest of the family prefer to sleep rather than watch us surf..... go figure!!!

anyways, this will be our first time surfing so we definitely want some pictures to remember the fun. i doubt i'll be able to surf and take pictures of my cousin at the same time. any ideas or suggestions?

 

[disckobox]

here's a video of the session, looks brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR-y-MHRqLU&search=typhoon lagoon

 

[alicat8]

I know this is a reeeeeally old thread. Just wondering if anyone has done this recently and has any new info? How much did it cost? I've read $150 but then something about a cost per wave that I didn't really understand.

 

[C50T]

We're thinking about surprising my 17 year old thrill seeking daughter with a surf lesson while we're at Disney World in June.
Has anyone had recent experience with the surfing lessons?
I'd love to know how this lesson feels for beginners.
Thanks!

 

[mackay_j]

I looked into this 2 yrs ago but it was very very expensive and you needed to get there for 5.30 am in July.

At that time, I also found out that a another company were in the process of building a very large purpose built surf pool/park near by, I think ron john surf school were meant to be going to run it. The plans showed 3 different pools for different levels of surfers. It may be worth seeing if it is finished yet.

A much cheaper option is surfing on a large wave machine in one of the Ron John shops in one of the malls. You can buy tickets to have a go on very cheaply- I am just about start getting our plan for the summer together and will be doing this (with 6 kids in our group to buy for disney surfing is out this time) so when I re-find the info I will add it into this discussion.

 

[mackay_j]

The one in the mall which was in the adrenalina surf shop has now closed down. There is now another one see ultimateindoorwave.com for info.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Dd was 13 at the time and DS was 10, it was a surprise. The early start is actually great fun. When we arrived there was a lady waiting for us all(about five family's in total) she took payment( cash or card) and we followed her in near darkness to the wave pool where five instructors were waiting for us. Kids had a short lesson on dry land and before we knew it they were in the water.
Two instructors are in the water with two surfers, with a life guard in there too. You get to choose to ride the small 3ft wave or the larger 6ft one. Dd was a pro,DS struggled, but they were full of encouragement. They promise you you will get up at least once and the do, they put DS on the largest board you've ever seen and sent him on his way and he stood up We finished about 9:30 just before the park opened.
Expensive? Yes but worth every single penny , when you take into account five instructors,one life guard,small group, and the whole of Typhoon Lagoon to yourself