Surfing Lesson in Canggu: My Honest 2025 Review & Tips

So, you’re thinking about surfing in Canggu, which is really cool. The sun, you know, has this certain warmth in Bali that just hits different. You actually feel it soak right into your skin before you even touch the water. I mean, the air itself smells like salt and maybe a little bit like incense from a temple nearby. It’s pretty much the perfect setting for trying something new, right? A lot of people come here with that one picture in their head: gliding across a wave with the sunset glowing behind them, and to be honest, I was one of them. The idea of taking a surfing lesson here is almost a rite of passage for a Bali trip. This isn’t just a simple rundown of facts, though. I’m going to walk you through my own experience, so you can kind of get a feel for what it’s actually like to be out there on the water for the first time.

Why Canggu is a Great Place to Learn to Surf

Okay, so you might be wondering why everyone talks about Canggu for surfing. Well, it’s because the beaches here are just sort of made for learners. Batu Bolong beach, for instance, has these long, slow, rolling waves that are honestly super forgiving. They don’t just crash on you instantly, you know? They kind of give you a moment to figure things out, which is something you really appreciate when you’re fumbling with a giant board. The sea floor is mostly sand, so you’re not too worried about hitting sharp reefs, which is a real plus. It’s actually a very different scene from the more serious surf spots you hear about. The whole atmosphere here is incredibly relaxed and just a little bit bohemian. You see people from all walks of life, just out there having a good time, and that’s seriously contagious.

The Vibe and The Waves

The feeling you get when you first walk onto the sand at Batu Bolong is pretty unique. You have all these surf shacks lined up, you know, with rows of colorful boards just waiting. The instructors are typically hanging out, smiling, and they’re not pushy at all, which is a nice change of pace. I mean, they seem genuinely happy to be there, and that kind of sets the tone for your whole lesson. The waves themselves are more or less consistent, especially in the morning before the wind picks up. They break in a predictable way, so your instructor can literally tell you, “Okay, get ready, the next one is yours.” It makes the whole process feel much more manageable. You just sort of paddle out next to dozens of other people who are also learning, and there’s this shared sense of clumsy determination in the air. It’s pretty fun, to be honest.

Choosing the Right Surf School in Canggu

Alright, so picking a school can seem a bit overwhelming because there are just so many options. My advice, really, is to walk along the beach and just talk to a few instructors. You kind of get a feel for their personality and teaching style right away. I actually just looked for a school where the instructors seemed patient and were giving their current students a lot of one-on-one attention. You want someone who is ISA-certified, which basically means they’ve had proper training in safety and instruction. Also, ask about the group size. A smaller group, like maybe two students per instructor, is almost always better because you get more feedback. I mean, you’re paying for their time, so you might as well get as much of it as possible, right?

Private vs. Group Lessons

You’ll have to decide between a private lesson or a group one, and honestly, both have their points. A group lesson is obviously cheaper and it’s kind of fun to learn with other people who are also struggling. You can laugh at each other’s wipeouts, you know, and there’s a certain camaraderie to it. A private lesson, on the other hand, is all about you. The instructor’s focus is 100% on your technique, and you’ll probably progress a bit faster. They can tailor everything to your specific needs and fears, which is a huge benefit if you’re a little nervous. For my first time, I actually went with a semi-private lesson—just me and one other person—and it was sort of the perfect balance. We got plenty of personal guidance but still had someone to share the experience with. Prices vary a bit, but you can typically expect a two-hour lesson to cost a certain amount, and they should include the board rental and a rash guard too.

My First Surfing Lesson: A Step-by-Step Experience

The Beach Briefing

So, before we even touched the water, my instructor sat us down on the sand. This part is honestly more important than you’d think. He spent about twenty minutes just drawing lines in the sand, showing us how a wave works and where we should be. He talked about safety, like what to do if you fall, which is basically to cover your head. He also explained how to carry the board so the wind doesn’t turn it into a giant sail, you know? Then came the most awkward part: practicing the “pop-up” on the sand. You lay on the board and try to jump to your feet in one smooth motion. I felt pretty clumsy doing it, but practicing on stable ground first is actually a really good idea. It helps build that muscle memory, so your body just sort of knows what to do later, or at least that’s the theory, right?

Paddling Out

Okay, paddling is the real workout of surfing. My arms were feeling it after just a few minutes, to be honest. Your instructor is with you the whole time, though, telling you when to paddle and when to rest. Getting through the first line of white water—the broken waves close to shore—is a challenge in itself. You sort of have to push through it, and you get knocked back a few times. But once you get past that, you’re in the calm zone, just sitting on your board and waiting. It’s surprisingly peaceful out there. You’re just bobbing on the water, watching the sets roll in, and listening to your instructor. It’s in these quiet moments that you can actually take a breath and think, “Wow, I’m really doing this.”

The Pop-Up and the Many Wipeouts

This is where the real fun begins, I mean, if you can call it that. The instructor positions your board, tells you to get ready, and then, as the wave comes, he shouts “PADDLE, PADDLE, PADDLE!” You paddle like your life depends on it, and just as you feel the wave lift you, he yells “UP!” Then you try to do that pop-up you practiced on the sand. My first ten attempts were just complete failures. I went sideways, backwards, head-first into the water—you name it. You get a mouthful of salt water and have to start all over again. But honestly, it’s pretty funny. The instructor is super encouraging, just laughing with you and giving you little tips each time. “A little more to the back,” he’d say, or “You’re thinking too much, just feel it.”

Riding a Wave (Finally!)

And then, it just happens. After so many tries, one time you push up, your feet somehow land in the right spot, and you’re just… standing. For a whole two or three seconds, you are actually riding a wave. It is the absolute best feeling. You’re not even thinking, you’re just gliding, and the world sort of melts away. I remember letting out a huge whoop of joy before I inevitably lost my balance and tumbled into the warm water. It didn’t matter, though. I did it. That one short ride is literally all it takes to get you hooked. You paddle back out with this huge, stupid grin on your face, feeling totally ready to do it all over again.

What to Expect After Your First Lesson

After your two hours are up, you will be so, so tired. My arms felt like jelly, and I had a few little scrapes on my knees from the board. It’s a full-body workout, for sure. You’ll probably feel a little sore the next day in muscles you didn’t even know you had. But alongside the physical tiredness, there’s this incredible sense of accomplishment. You faced a challenge, you fell a lot, but you got back up, and you rode a wave. It’s a pretty powerful feeling. You’ll spend the rest of the day replaying that one successful ride in your head, and you’ll definitely find yourself wanting to go back out there. It’s honestly an addiction in the making.

Pro Tips for Your Canggu Surf Adventure

To make sure your first time is as good as it can be, here are a few extra pointers. These are just things I kind of learned along the way.

• Wear a rash guard: So, the school will probably give you one, but it’s really not optional. It protects you from the sun and, more importantly, from getting a nasty rash on your stomach from the wax on the board. You’ll definitely be glad you have it.
• Reef-safe sunscreen is a must: You’re out in the sun for two hours, and the reflection off the water is intense. Seriously, slather it on your face, neck, and the tops of your feet. You’ll thank me later, trust me.
• Hydrate before and after: Paddling is hard work, and you’re in salt water, so you get dehydrated pretty fast. Drink a lot of water before you go and have a bottle ready for when you finish.
• Go in the morning: The conditions are usually best early in the day. The waves are cleaner, there’s less wind, and the crowds are sometimes a little thinner. It’s just a better overall experience.
• Manage your expectations: Just remember, the goal of your first lesson is simply to have fun and maybe, just maybe, stand up once. You are not going to look like a pro, and that is completely okay. Embrace the process, laugh at yourself, and just enjoy being in the ocean, right?

I mean, surfing is more or less about just letting go. You can’t control the ocean; you just have to work with it. It’s a pretty good lesson for life, actually.

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