Improver Surf Lessons

Our improver surf lessons are specially designed for those who have mastered the basics and are ready to take their surfing to the next level. We dive deeper into the world of surfing – covering more complex techniques, wave reading, and surfing etiquette.

With a strong emphasis on safety, and plenty of personalised attention from our highly experienced coaches, you can feel confident and focused on honing in your skills.

Improver surf lesson

Learn to catch small unbroken waves, with focus on your paddle and pop up techniques. Lessons include a friendly Coast to Coast qualified instructor and top of the range equipment! We offer three progressive improver lessons. Each lesson lasts 2 hours. Please arrive 15 minutes early to get ready. Click ‘details’ to see what we cover.

  • Paddling & catching small green water waves
  • Angled take offs and trimming along waves
  • Speed control and introduction to cut backs
  • For people looking to gain confidence in the green water
  • Book online in few easy steps

Requirements

Minimum age is 7 years old. All participants must be able to swim 50 meters unaided.

Duration

Lessons last two hours.

Location

We are based at Belhaven Surf Centre, next to the south side of Belhaven Beach. There’re available hot community showers – £1 coin for one minute.

Equipment

We provide wetsuits, boards and accessories. All included in the lesson price.

Group Size

Maximum 8 to 1 instructor.

Conditions

In the event of no waves or extreme weather we offer alternative sport, rescheduling, voucher or a refund.

FAQs

Standard lessons last for two hours. This is from the lesson start time to finish time in the water. Please allow roughly 15-30mins extra for the walk back and changing.

Most classes are groups, with ratios of one instructor to 8 pupils. More advanced surf and paddleboard classes can be smaller number. For classes with younger participants we normally provide assistants to compliment the instructors. We can offer weekday private classes and these will appear on our website when we have availability?

Please bring a towel, swim costume and sun protection. It can also be useful also to bring £1 coins for the surf centre hot showers and the beach car park. There are local places to eat within 5-15 minutes walk and there is also a food van that sells coffee, cakes and toasties at certain times of the year in the beach car park. 

We provide excellent wetsuits and accessories appropriate to conditions so you are warm and comfortable throughout the year. All surfboards, skateboards, paddleboards and bodyboards are also included in the cost of lesson. And safety equipment is provided for coasteering and skateboarding classes.

You can find level guides for SUP and Surf under the corresponding tabs on our website.

We recommend checking surf forecast www.magicseaweed.com. Type in Belhaven Bay. Usually, 1-2ft+ is a good indication there will be waves. You can also check out our surf forecast here.

For all lessons and hires we require all participants to be able to swim a minimum of 50 metres unaided.

We have a team of experienced instructors who have current surf lifesaving qualifications and surf and play in our waters regularly. All of our activities are regularly risk assessed to ensure customer safety. We also are assessed by AALA every two years.

We advise you not to take part if pregnant. We understand many pregnant women have taken part in sport successfully but due to the potential to fall or for a board to hit the body in our main three sports, we prefer to be cautious and will welcome you back with open arms when you have brought your new arrival into the world!

All classes on the east coast meet at the 

Belhaven Surf Centre 

36 Back Road (on Shore Road)
Belhaven, Dunbar
East Lothian
EH42 1NX

Have another question?

Do you have a question about our lessons or packages? Just fill out the form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Find your surf level

Surf coaching can help you improve quickly but it’s important to start at the right level.

We have 4 stages of development: beginner, improver, intermediate and advanced.

The way we teach, where and what we offer varies depending on your level.

Beginner

Ideal for?

  • Those new to the sport of surfing
  • Those who have surfed before but struggle to catch or stand in white water waves

Aims: To have fun surfing safely while developing your technique and knowledge – becoming a white water warrior!

Availability: Daily lessons subject to waves and tours.

Improver

Ideal for? 

  • Those who can catch waves and stand with good posture consistently and in control in white water
  • Those who are surfing unbroken waves but are struggling to catch unbroken waves, trim along or control speed.

Aims: To position, paddle, pop up and glide better along unbroken waves safely while developing your technique and knowledge – becoming a green wave glider!

Availability: Weekly lessons subject to waves and tours.

Intermediate

Ideal for?

  • Those that can surf with control along an unbroken wave.
  • For those that wish to improve their speed and manoeuvrability.

Aims: To have fun learning to use your body, the wave and your board to surf dynamically learning the foundation skills in surfing – becoming a blue wave ripper!

Availability: Weekly lessons subject to waves, bespoke offseason lessons, online coaching and tours.

Advanced

Ideal for? 

  • Those that have the foundation manoeuvres dialled but wish to know more.

Aims: To use the wave differently surfing deeper, further, higher and lower.

Availability:

Tours and bespoke offseason lessons, online coaching.