Here you can search for surf schools around the UK & Ireland and learn some of the basics of surfing including whether you are goofy or natural, the pop-up, correct paddling technique, duck diving and what a floater is!

Surf schools are without doubt the best and safest way for any beginner to learn to surf, coupled with a healthy dollop of practising. However really understanding this fantastic sport will not come over the course of a couple of lessons and so this online surf school will hopefully provide a bit more of the theory to help novices develop their way 'out back', so that once you have a board, a wetsuit and a leash you are ready to start surfing.

Learning to Surf

The simplest way to find a surf school on Surfing Genie is to find the beach you want to go to and then click the 'Local businesses near this beach' link. Alternatively search by the regional links below:

North Devon  North Cornwall  Newquay  West Cornwall  South Cornwall  South Devon

South East  East Anglia  East England  North East England  The Channel Islands

Isle of Man  East Scotland  Moray Firth  North Scotland  Outer Hebrides  Inner Hebrides

North West Wales  Pembrokeshire  Gower Peninsula  South East Wales

Southern Ireland  West Ireland  Donegal Bay  North Coast  Irish Sea

This online surf school will hopefully provide a bit more of the theory to help novices develop their way 'out back', so that once you have a board, a wetsuit and a leash you are ready to start surfing.

Are you Goofy or Natural?

No, this isn't whether you look the part on the beach, but what stance you use. In the same way as a boxer may be a South Paw or a cricketer may be left-handed, a surfer may be a Goofy Footer. The best way to find out is to lie down and jump up in the classic 'squat' of a surfer, arms thrown out wide. If your left foot is forward you are a Natural Footer, if your right foot is forward you are a Goofy Footer. There is no right or wrong but it is important because you must attach your leash to your REAR leg.

The Pop-Up.  

Practice your 'pop-up' on the beach. Not to be confused with a 'pop out' which is a type of board, the pop-up is the motion of going from lying down to being stood up on a board. It is a very explosive action and must be mastered, as it is the difficult transition between two very stable positions. First find a flat piece of sand, free from rocks or anything else that might damage your board. Dig a hole for the fins so they don't take all your body weight and push some sand under the nose and tail, which will be lifted a bit by the curve of the board. To pop up lie face down on your board in a position so your feet are just on the tail. To pop-up follow the following steps:

1. Place your hands under your shoulders and grip the sides of the board.
2. Push up sharply so your arms and back are straight.
3. For a brief second place all your weight and balance on your arms and bring your feet up; your rear foot to the tail of the board, your front foot almost between you hands, approximately shoulder width apart before letting go with your hands and standing up.
4. Distribute your weight evenly, but with slightly more weight on your front foot. Both feet should have the toes and heel straddling the stringer (the wooden strip that runs down the centre of the board). Your feet should be at 90 degrees to the stringer so you are looking over one shoulder at the front of your board.
5. Appreciate that it is easier said than done!

As you practice your pop up you will realise that if you aren't explosive you will stop half way on your knees. This is disaster in the water and will guarantee you fall off. Don't worry about looking stupid on the beach (its better than in the water), practice and lots of squat thrusts makes perfect!

The Pop-Up

Down to the water.  

First do your safety check (see Safe Surfing). When you are ready to enter the water, carry your board down to the waters edge and put your leash on there. This saves any embarrassment of tripping up mid-beach, with 6 feet of rubberised nylon wrapped around your ankles.

Carry your board out until you are knee to waste deep and can put it down into the water. Keep it by your side as you get out to a safe depth where the waves are coming through with some power. For learning the white water near the shore is fine but you must be at least waste deep.

Practice lying on your board and finding a point of balance. The nose should be pointing 3 to 6 cm above the horizon. 6 - 10 cm is too much and your weight is too close to the tail. If the nose is only just above the water, your weight is too far forward. Practice until you find the perfect point of balance, it will make paddling a lot easier.