Jeffreys Bay Surf Lesson Review: Catch Some Waves in 2 Hours

So, you’re thinking about grabbing a board and hitting the waves at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa? That’s absolutely fabulous! Very, very well-known for its stellar surf spots, Jeffreys Bay–or J-Bay, as some people call it–lures surfers, like your average person draws breath from all across the globe. But very, very maybe you’re not a pro surfer, or even that experienced, for that matter? Or that you’d enjoy learning a bit before heading out to the surf? A 2-hour surf lesson may just be the move for you; that’s just awesome! In this review, so we’ll go over what you can expect, a bit about what to watch out for, and really why it is almost worth every penny of your hard-earned cash.

First Impressions: Meeting the Crew and Gear Check

Okay, so when I got there, first things first, you want to see just what kind of operation is going to be teaching you something that just might be fairly important. So the instructors came across as knowledgeable and friendly, that kind of gives you an immediate sense of, like, “Alright, this could be okay,” you understand? The gear, now, that looked up-to-scratch, too it’s almost important. We’re talking soft-top boards, ideal, that, for beginners, that they just provide enough stability while you’re trying to, like, not fall flat on your face. Wetsuits appeared to be well maintained too; that’s a relief, you might be surprised how quickly saltwater ruins this kind of thing. It just really adds to, very, the excitement when you’re not stressing that you’re going to freeze to death or be stuck with stuff that feels like it’s been through a trash compactor, that’s right?

On the Sand: Learning the Basics

You’re definitely not leaping right into the ocean the moment you arrive, just in case you were wondering. A good amount of time is just spent right there on the beach, so instructors break down all the absolute basic stuff for people who are likely beginners. Stuff, like your pop-up technique, how to hold yourself, and what you should be watching when that wave’s just making its way right at you. The instruction they give you? Very clear and easy, that you can understand, so they even used some pretty cool demos, that just makes you understand how you should move. The instructors emphasized that they’re emphasizing just how important safety is too it’s almost part of the whole learning package, that is that? A thing they go over is ocean awareness, what to be watching for, and respecting that you can only go against mother nature so much. So after about half an hour of running around on the beach you finally understand where you fit in on this sliding puzzle of wave/surfboard dynamics.

Hitting the Water: Catching Your First Wave

Here is when the magic happens, alright. It might feel scary when you’re lugging the board to the ocean, but here’s where you go out there and put your brand new education to the test. That the instructor is just with you every step of the way. So, at least in my lesson, they help position you for the wave, that’s nice; giving you, like, a small push when that moment is perfect. This really helps beginners get that sensation of riding a wave right away. So of course, the first couple of attempts can, very, feel shaky or downright hilarious as you wipe out in totally unpredictable ways. But with each attempt, you begin to understand how to manage yourself. They can make adjustments that are small but meaningful, which really can make a difference. It wasn’t too long before most people in the lesson were basically riding the wave all the way into the shore with what looks like just a little bit of style. By the end of those two hours, I was super tired, yet very satisfied. It was definitely a great workout and I came away feeling like I learned quite a lot! Who am I kidding, my first wave was a disaster and probably the closest I ever felt to dying of total laughter!

Overall Vibe: J-Bay and the Surfing Culture

Taking a surf lesson is definitely about just more than just learning how to stand on a board, very. Very, you’re jumping into the surf culture headfirst! Jeffreys Bay has that distinct surf town vibe – very, very laid-back and welcoming, I would almost say that a little surfing will have you just drinking the sea mist up. During your lesson, they are definitely sprinkling in a bit about the history of the spot, significant surfers, and just why the waves here happen to be some of the most legendary you’re going to get just about anywhere. I think the instructors made it, that, feel less, kind of, like some lesson and more, almost, like this invitation into an exciting subculture. You find out after some time with locals that everybody just, actually, wants you to feel comfortable giving it your best effort. Plus, so the views from the water are actually fantastic. Just when you’re sitting out there between sets, you want to just stop for a moment and also take it all in – very awesome.