FAQ's
I have never surfed before is Sorted Surf School right for me?
Most of our students have never surfed before so dont worry about being the only beginner!
Is Sorted Surf School regulated?
Yes. We are really proud that our surf school is a (BSA) British Surfing Association Accredited Surf School. We also hold a Bournemouth Borough Council licence and are fully insured to teach and hire.
Sorted Surf School is located on the award winning beaches of Boscombe, Bournemouth. We are located directly in front of Europe's only artificial surf reef on the left (East) side of the Pier. We have a purpose built Surf School with changing facilities and safe keeping of your valuables.
All of our surf lessons take place on Boscombe Beach, normally on the East side of the Boscombe Pier. We will assess the conditions on the day to make a better decision on location.
Can we keep the kit after the surf lesson has finished?
After your surf lesson, we ask you to return the equipment back to the school. However, if you want to hire the equipment from us to practice in your own time, then we can arrange this for a small charge.
After taking a beginner’s surf lesson, will I need any more lessons?
The first surf lesson gives you the basics, gets you standing up on your board in the white-water surf zone, keeping you as safe as possible while you have loads of fun! If you want to progress to the ‘outback’ and ride unbroken waves, then you will need more surf lessons. Usually 4-6 lessons are enough for you to master the basics and be ready to go out and practice on your own. However, this depends on a number of factors, such as fitness and stamina, surf conditions, winds and tides. Check out our Lessons and Courses.
How many surf lessons do you recommend?
This is down to your available time, budget and commitment. For a beginner, we would normally recommend at least 2 or 3 lessons to start off as this would allow for a reasonable progression. However, for a more fulfilling development with a view to being able to keep on surfing for the rest of your life, a 5 or 6 lessons would be sufficient. By the end of this, it is usually possible to get to a level where you could go out on your own and practice your skills.
What if I have a medical condition? Can I still take part in surf lessons?
All customers must complete the booking form prior to their surf lesson. This gives us information on your medical condition and it is not disclosed to any third party. Please contact us in advance if you have any concerns about your health.
What times are the lessons at Sorted Surf School?
We run surf / SUP Lessons from 10am – 12 noon and 2 – 4pm, meeting at our surf school on the beach 15 minutes before the start time. Private 1:1 lessons are available at any time. Our Kids Club runs every weekend of the year from 2pm-4pm with an hourly session Monday evenings from 6-7pm (April – November). During the kids holidays we run the kids club 7 days a week.
I have been surfing for a while and I don’t want beginner type group lessons. What else can you offer?
Every single surfer or sportsperson, regardless of level, will always benefit from coaching. We offer intermediate level lessons specifically aimed at surfers who are looking to move from beginner status to intermediate. These types of lessons are usually booked in as a group lesson. We can cater for everyone from a first time novice surfer to a competition level surfer.
What age range are your students?
We start most of our students from 8 years old and above. We have no upper age restrictions as we’ve been pleasantly surprised by many 70+ students.
Do you provide all the surfing equipment?
Yes. We use foam topped surfboards with safety fins for all of our beginners and have a range of other boards for improver students. We currently are sponsored by Rip Curl which gives us the privelage of having some of the best wetsuits on the market. We have a wetsuit for all conditions and accessories for the colder months of the year. However, if you have your own equipment, we would allow you to use it in private 1 to 1 lessons only due to safety.
You will need to bring a towel, sun block, clothing suitable for under a wetsuit and plenty of enthusiasm.
Do I need to book?
It is best to book in advance. If you leave it to the last minute or just drop in, there are no guarantees we will be able to fit you in. Many days, particularly in the height of summer, can be fully booked. We work to strict coaching ratios, so this places limitations on us with staffing levels. The earlier you can book your surf lessons, the better as this means you will definitely be able to have surf lessons at the time you want.
Will I need to pay a deposit?
Yes we require 50% up front for surf lessons per student to hold your place. For example on a normal group lesson that costs £30 we would require £15 up front and £15 to pay on the day.
What sort of payment do you accept?
We accept most major credit and debit cards or good old faithful cash.
When learning to surf novices need small surf conditions. Feeling safe and comfortable enhances learning much faster. We operate from one of the safest surf beaches in the South. In the rare event that conditions are unsuitable for surfing we will offer a alternative substitution which is normally a STAND UP PADDLE BOARD Lesson. SUP'ing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the UK. Most techniques you would learn in a surf lesson can be taught on our stand up paddle boards. However, if this does not scratch your surfing itch than we are happy to re-schedule your surf lesson for another date. If we cannot reschedule we will credit you with a voucher that will be valid for 12 months. In exceptional circumstances such as bereavement or serious illness, we may issue a refund. Please note that your travel insurance may provide a full refund if the reason for your cancellation falls within the terms of your policy so we recommend clients take out a suitable insurance policy prior to booking a surfing lesson with us.
We would highly recommend that you don’t. However if you must cancel your lesson, you must do so 48 hours before your lesson is due to start to receive a refund. Anyone cancelling within 48 - 24 hours will be given an option to re-schedule their surf lesson but will not receive their deposit back. 24 hours or less will loose their deposit.
Sorted Surf School