A New Wave of Adventure: Beginner Surf Lesson in Phuket, Thailand

Full disclosure: I find the ocean both beautiful and terrifying. There is so much to learn about it, and what I do know comes from documentaries that show you a cool-looking fish and then tell you all the ways it’s dangerous. Don’t even get me started on anything in the deep sea. 

I love looking at the ocean and letting the waves hit my feet. I’ve recently graduated to swimming out far enough to where I can’t feel the ocean floor, but not too far.

If I’m such a scardy cat, how did I end up taking a surfing lesson?

As I mentioned earlier this year in the post New Year, New Adventures, I have a larger goal of learning to scuba dive this year. This may be a crazy notion, as I just stated that the water is scary. However, I am old enough to know that most things we fear come from not knowing. We fear the unknown. We also fear the negative things we know.

The ocean is terrifying because it’s unfamiliar, so I thought, “let’s get acquainted”. Surfing was the perfect next step from floating just above the ocean floor. Why? 

• Beginner surf lessons happen close to shore

• Learning to feel the current

• Balancing on a board on moving water builds confidence

• I have always wanted to try surfing, but those LA prices 😮‍💨

Photos were provided by the staff and edited by me in Adobe Lightroom

How I Booked My First Surf Lesson

Through the app Klook, I booked an hour-long beginner surf session with Beyond Surf Kata Phuket. It costs around $30 (~ 1000 baht). The lesson included 15 minutes of land training, 1 full hour in the water, photographs, and 1 video. 

Depending on where you stay, some surf centers offer pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation. 

The staff was professional, friendly, and very attentive. They took form very seriously and never hesitated to point out that good form meant better safety.

Prepping for My First Lesson

In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to prep for. But as it turns out, just prepping for a normal beach day was fine. 

• A bathing suit (that I knew would not come undone)

• A Towel

• A Ziplock bag for my phone

• And I showed up an hour early because I wanted to relax on the beach before the lesson.

I took a motorbike from Patong Beach to Kata Beach. The morning air was fresh, and the views were amazing. I highly recommend traveling via motorbike while on the island. (If you have an international license, you can rent your own or use apps such as Bolt or Grab to call a ride.)

Again, I showed up early, so I sat at the beach for a while before meeting one of the instructors at a pre-designated area. I was taken to a shady spot where I was taught the basics of surfing.

We went over:

• Starting position

• The 3 steps to standing

• Proper standing position

• 2 ways to get off the board safely

Over all it was about 20 minutes of shore practice before we headed out into the water.

There were four people in the class, including me. We got into the water with 2 instructors and one instructor watching from the shore while also taking pictures.

Facing the Ocean (and My Nerves)

It was a bit nerve-wracking knowing I would learn to surf with so many people watching. Kata Beach, while not as packed as Patong Beach, has an older crowd with a chill vibe, which brings a lot of onlookers. 

Surprisingly, the onlookers were more terrifying than being in the water. The water was warm and welcoming. We walked not too far from shore. I am 5 feet and did have to swim a little, but my instructor could still touch the ocean floor. Once situated on the board, I was ready to catch my first wave. 

Riding My First Wave

Luckily, I did not have to worry about when to catch a wave. The instructor was sure to tell me exactly when to paddle and when to stand. Despite my nerves, I caught the wave on my first try.

Was my form off? Without a doubt.

Did I get off the board properly? Absolutely not.

Lets focus on the fact that I was able to stand on a board on water -a win is a win. 

The joy I felt was plastered on my face and seemed to bring on more onlookers 🥲. 

Would I Surf Again? (Spoiler: Yes!)

My first surfing experience was just the beginning. By the end, I was ready (and looking) for bigger waves and other surf opportunities. In less than 2 hours, I learned:

1. My core strength is better than I thought.

   • No, seriously, how did I have the balance and control to stand on the board?

2. Working with the ocean makes it less terrifying

3. My joy is magnetic

   • Not only were strangers stopping to watch me surf, but several came by the surf shop to inquire about lessons for themselves.

4. I won’t always catch the wave, but I should always be ready too.

   • What’s that saying? “Be ready so you don’t have to get ready?”

   • A lot of surfing is being prepared and patient. Waiting for the right moment to showcase all you’ve learned.

Waiting for the next wave

Surfing was just one of the many things I experienced for the first time on the island. I may have even found myself in a scuba diving suit 🤫

“What’s one thing you’ve been scared to try but can’t stop thinking about?”