TL Surf Lessons

[dzorn]

Has anyone done the Surfing lessons at TL? How Was it? Cost? Schedule?

Denise

DH graduating with his master and I was thinking of signing him up for a surprise.

 

[Mulan'sMom]

I did this last fall ( or tried to, I should say - but I couldn't stay up!) It cost $135 per session, and begins at 6:30 am. First you have a session on dry land, where they teach you how to position yourself on the board and pop up. Then they let you get in the pool, two at a time. Two instructors get in there with you. They start the wave machine, and you decide if you want to ride a smaller or larger wave. The instructors hold the back of your board and get you lined up correctly, then tell you when to start paddling. Then you're on your own. They let you surf until the park opens (about 9:30 am or so.) You have to be pretty strong to get up on the board, so I recommend a few weeks of push-ups beforehand.

 

[pixiesnake]

Bumping to the Top.

I'd be interested in the answer too.

 

[dwtootles]

Has anyone done the Surfing lessons at TL? How Was it? Cost? Schedule?

Denise

DH graduating with his master and I was thinking of signing him up for a surprise.

I haven't done it so I don't know personally, but when I worked at TL every guest seemed to have a blast.

Anyway here is the info I know:
Length: 2.5 hrs
Cost:$135 per person
Schedule: Usually 3 hours before opening
Reservation Line: 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529)

Tell your DH congrats on his masters!!! That is awesome!!

 

[Harryo]

Is family allowed in to watch, and is there an age restriction. I know my 11 year old would love to do this, but my guess is he's too young.

 

[dwtootles]

Is family allowed in to watch, and is there an age restriction. I know my 11 year old would love to do this, but my guess is he's too young.

I am pretty sure you can watch. Whenver I got to work there were always people watching, but they may have been in the group and already surfed (not sure).

And the minimum age is 8 years old so your 11 year old could do this.

 

[hockeybabe]

Yes, the whole family can come in and watch, take pictures and video. I set the camera up by the side of the pool, but the instructors told me to go ahead and set up at the lifeguard stand at the beach to get the best film. The kids 8 and 9 came to watch dad, but ended up playing in the sand, and soaking wet and covered in sand by the time we left. We did not have to pay to enter the waterpark, but would have had to if we had l wanted to stay after the waterpark opened to the general public. We did get to shop in the stores though.

I surprised my DH with lessons for his 35th birthday. It was not as easy as it looks There were two young boys surfing, and they did great, although they had surfed before. Some people there had experience, a few, like my DH did not. You need strong arms, and they only have one size board, so if you are over 180-ish lbs., it is very difficult to balance your board and get up on it. I think you get about 10 or so tries.

Oh, and it is only offered certain days of the week, so you will have to call to make a reservation. You will have to get a taxi or drive there, because the buses don't run that early.

If you have any more specific questions, I might be able to help!

 

[Jarv]

Just a few tips on the surfing...

1} Although they maybe didn’t before they do provide different size boards so even if you are quite heavy there should be something to suit you. The boards are of the foam variety for safety.

2} To get the most out of it try doing a bit of exercise a couple of weeks before going - swimming and push ups. The way they run it is you catch one wave and then have to paddle back out to the other side of the lagoon for a second. Its 90 seconds between waves so you have to get back pretty quick.

3} When booking I was told to arrive at 5:45AM for 6AM. Other people where told 6:30, 6:45 etc. Realistically you don’t need to be there until 7AM.

4} Typhoon Lagoon is not included in the price of the surfing for the rest of the day. However as the park opens at 9AM for Extra Magic the surf crew did not seem in the least bit worried about people not leaving the park (obviously doesn’t affect guests with pre paid passes etc. anyway).

 

[Ava31]

This is probably a shot in the dark, but has anyone done surf school on a cool day? I know December weather is pretty unpredictable, but assuming that it's 70 or below, would surf school be complete torture?

 

[disney_imagineer]

Yes, the whole family can come in and watch, take pictures and video. I set the camera up by the side of the pool, but the instructors told me to go ahead and set up at the lifeguard stand at the beach to get the best film. The kids 8 and 9 came to watch dad, but ended up playing in the sand, and soaking wet and covered in sand by the time we left. We did not have to pay to enter the waterpark, but would have had to if we had l wanted to stay after the waterpark opened to the general public. We did get to shop in the stores though.

If you have any more specific questions, I might be able to help!

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 two of us, 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, and vice versa. any ideas or suggestions for capturing the moments without any non-surfers in our party?

 

[dwtootles]

This is probably a shot in the dark, but has anyone done surf school on a cool day? I know December weather is pretty unpredictable, but assuming that it's 70 or below, would surf school be complete torture?

The water is heated, so being in the water wont feel bad, and you are right the weather is unpredictable. They do have huge heaters set up for the surfers while they wait for their turn and after they are done.

 

[dwtootles]

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 two of us, 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, and vice versa. any ideas or suggestions for capturing the moments without any non-surfers in our party?

There aren't any designated cast members there to take pictures. you could ask another person in your class to take pictures if you and your cousin are surfing at the same time. You can also ask the instructors to take pics.

 

[disney_imagineer]

There aren't any designated cast members there to take pictures. you could ask another person in your class to take pictures if you and your cousin are surfing at the same time. You can also ask the instructors to take pics.

really? i feel bad just asking cuz i figured everyone else in the class would be too busy or in a bad position to be able to take pics. and won't the instructors be too busy making sure we're ok to take pics?

 

[hockeybabe]

I would probably ask someone else's relatives/spectators to try to snap a few for you. You might get the instructors to snap a few pics prior to instruction, but you are right, they are kept busy.