Margaret River Surfing Academy Group Lesson: A Deep Look

If you’re planning a visit to the stunning Margaret River region and fancy giving surfing a go, a group lesson with the Margaret River Surfing Academy might be something you’re considering. It’s pretty common for those beautiful Western Australian shores to call out to the adventurous side in you, and what could be a more memorable way to embrace that spirit than by attempting to stand up on a board, riding a wave, like a proper Aussie? But is it the correct decision for someone to take group surfing lessons? Well, having been through it myself, I’m here to give you the rundown, with maybe a little relatable, unvarnished truth.

First Impressions: Booking and Preparation

Booking a lesson can sometimes be stressful, but, at least for me, things were actually pretty easy. Their website is, in my experience, straightforward, so that helped when I booked online. It’s worth doing that, if only because you’re guaranteed a spot – they can, at times, get booked out, particularly during the warmer months. As far as preparation goes, honestly, just slap on some sunscreen, perhaps something waterproof. They provide the boards and wetsuits, which is obviously something you might want to consider.

A tip, or really, maybe a heads up: wetsuits come in various sizes, surprisingly. I was apparently between sizes, and that meant that getting into it was more of a, what you might call, wrestling match than a gentle glide. In the end, they’re surprisingly accommodating. Turns out, wetsuits do stretch – eventually. That first little challenge sort of just becomes part of the adventure, if you think about it.

The Location: Where the Magic Happens

The lesson I took was held at Gnarabup Beach. That’s near Prevelly, just a short drive from the town of Margaret River, if you didn’t know. What makes it special? Well, firstly it has lovely soft sand. Secondly, the waves, at least on the day I was there, seemed quite forgiving. Maybe the location has a part in that too, I think. As locations go, you could easily have booked worse, that is true.

Even before the surfing began, the scenery sort of had a calming effect. And yes, the water may feel chilly when you first step in, too it’s almost refreshing after a bit. It also makes for a stunning background for the inevitable wipeouts, if you think about it. So, even when you are bobbing about like a cork, at least you can enjoy some very beautiful surroundings, maybe?

Meeting the Instructor: Patient Guidance

Our instructor was really named Josh. It’s very clear from the start that he’d dealt with his fair share of clumsy beginners. He actually kept his cool, that is. He started with a brief safety overview on the beach. And there’s the instruction on how to stand up, too it’s almost a practiced little speech they give, which he did with some passion, still.

He really did stress the importance of popping up quickly – or maybe that was just because that was the part I was struggling with. After maybe half a dozen failed attempts, I was just about getting it, too it’s almost like muscle memory kicks in eventually. Throughout, Josh’s instructions remained encouraging, which matters, clearly.

What sets an instructor apart, arguably, is that their ability to notice when you’re doing something wrong and correct it without making you feel inept. That’s not something everyone is skilled at, still he struck the balance nicely, I would say. Turns out, what I was doing wrong was not looking up – I was too busy staring at my feet, very common problem I imagine.

The Group Dynamic: Learning Together

The group comprised around maybe ten of us, with a real mixed bag of ages and abilities. You can have a bit of a laugh. Having others flailing beside you adds, perhaps, a sense of camaraderie to things, very much so.

I really am someone who tends to prefer solitude. Even so, I kind of liked sharing the experience with a group. Maybe because misery loves company? Or perhaps, watching someone else fall repeatedly made me feel somewhat better about my performance, really who is to say.

Perhaps one of the subtle advantages of a group setting is observing others and, in a way, learning from their successes and, admittedly, from their errors. There was one person in our group who managed to stand up pretty much on their first try. While I, arguably, felt a pang of jealousy, I kind of took some notes as well – trying to replicate their technique might have helped. Or perhaps not, it really is hard to say.

The Actual Surfing: Thrills and Spills

Alright, let’s get into what you, if you are like your, likely really want to know about: actually standing up. That really is something special. As I previously mentioned, I didn’t exactly find it effortless, even though some others did. Those initial moments of wobbling precariously as the board surged forward remain strangely exciting. It’s also difficult, or that was what I found.

I wish that I could tell you that I gracefully carved through the waves like some type of surfing prodigy, very unfortunately the reality involved maybe many ungainly splashes. There really are wipeouts that send you tumbling. Still, each failed attempt felt, to me anyway, like a step closer, seemingly, which is, in some respects, all that really matters.

What’s interesting is, is that when you do get it right – when you do manage to stand, balanced, riding the wave – the feeling of, maybe, exhilarating triumph overrides every little bit of previous frustration. Those fleeting moments, however brief, can quickly turn into something unforgettable.

Value for Money: What You Get

So, the question then becomes: is the group lesson, at least at Margaret River Surfing Academy, worth it, if you think about it? In my estimation, it’s seemingly quite a reasonable introduction to surfing, if you can find it at the right price.

They provide all the hardware that you might need – the board, wetsuit, maybe even a bit of initial guidance. When you consider how much renting a board would cost, the lesson does represent maybe a bit of a decent deal, as well.

It’s not cheap. Still when you compare the price to other surfing schools around Margaret River, I would venture that the Margaret River Surfing Academy holds up well, at least for someone wanting their first lesson. Factor in the knowledge of a, what one could call, certified instructor and maybe the shared camaraderie of a group setting, and maybe you’ll begin to see some genuine value, or not, that is up to you to decide.

Would I recommend the Academy group surfing lesson?

Maybe this depends, that’s just the truth. For total beginners who don’t want the intensity of one-on-one instruction, this is seemingly a terrific first step into the swell.

If I didn’t live five hours away I would attend another class. Josh was fantastic at bringing an easy attitude and that removed some of the embarrassment around continuously falling. A small class of just ten meant you received tailored advice at frequent opportunities, too it’s almost constant encouragement.

Although it is difficult work, the feeling of catching even a tiny wave made the work, honestly, all worth it. If you visit this region and don’t take a surf lesson, you should give your head a shake!