Surf Lessons
At Coast to Coast, we offer our core surf lessons at Belhaven Beach in Dunbar. These classes are suitable for complete beginners to intermediate surfers (depending on wave conditions).
Our holistic approach to surf teaching pulls together all aspects of surf instruction to allow our students to become the best surfers possible.
We offer individual lessons, bulk lessons and holistic surf packages (surf, land training, visual feedback & theory). We also provide bespoke lessons for groups such as schools, corporate events & birthdays.
Beginner surf lesson
Our introductory surf lessons are a great first step in the art of surf riding. Lessons include a friendly Coast to Coast qualified instructor and top of the range equipment! Click ‘details’ to see what we cover.
- Introduction to safety in the sea and equipment terminology
- Negotiating the surf zone and learning to catch your first waves
- Learning to stand with control and good stance
- Lessons are open to complete beginners
- Midweek evening classes are adult only
- Surf one of the best beginner-friendly beaches in Scotland
- Book online in few easy steps
Beginner '+' surf lesson
Our Beginner + surf lessons help develop technique and control in the white water. We recommend two lessons at this stage as you learn how to stand for longer with more style, understand speed control and learn a variety of turning techniques.
Lessons include a friendly Coast to Coast qualified instructor and top of the range equipment! Click ‘details’ to see what we cover.
- Improve your paddling and pop up
- Learn how to ride a wave to the beach
- Learn how to go faster and slower
- Learn how to control the board and turn both directions
- Lessons are open to beginners who can stand
- Surf one of the best beginner-friendly beaches in Scotland
- Book online in few easy steps
Junior beginner surf lesson
We offer Junior only surf lessons dedicated to long people aged 7yrs to 16yrs looking to learn and develop their surfing. This lesson is aimed at beginners looking to surf for the first time through to those wishing to develop technique and control in the white water. We recommend three lessons at beginner level, as you learn how to stand for longer with more style, understand speed control and learn a variety of turning techniques.
Lessons include a friendly Coast to Coast qualified instructor and top of the range equipment! Click ‘details’ to see what we cover.
- Learn how to catch your first waves
- Learn how to be safe in the water and equipment terminology
- Learn how to stand and ride waves to the beach
- Learn speed control the board and turn both directions
- Lessons are open to complete beginners and those that have had a couple of shots before
- Surf one of the best beginner-friendly beaches in Scotland
- Book online in few easy steps
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, 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
Intermediate surf lesson
Take a leap forward in your surfing with our intermediate lessons. Learn to improve fundamental surfing moves and hone in on your technique with our detailed instruction. We offer eight separate skills to learn and each skill can have multiple drills and lessons.
- Speed generation
- Bottom turns, cut backs & top turns
- Forehand & backhand
- For surfers who have good control on unbroken waves already
- Book online in few easy steps
Junior holiday surf & adventure camp
Fantastic holiday surf and adventure courses for juniors from 7 to 16! Adapting to daily conditions with surfing, bodyboarding, surf skate, paddleboarding, coasteering and beach games.
- Multi-level progressive surf course aimed at beginners and improvers
- Four morning or afternoon lessons Monday to Thursday
- Experienced staff max. 8 children per instructor.
- Surf skate, coasteering and stand up paddling if no waves
- Fun in all conditions!
- Juniors must be able to swim minimum 50m
Bulk surf lessons
We offer the ability to get a discount if you book multiple lessons at the same level.
Discounts are for purchases of 4 beginner, improver or intermediate classes.
Complete beginner lessons are available daily. All other lessons are available weekly, subject to waves.
Holistic surf packages
Want to really hit the ground running with your surfing? Our multi-learning packages are where to start.
Book 3 surf lessons, 3 surf skate classes and 3 surf theory classes at beginner, improver or intermediate level and receive a bundle discount.
These bundles can also run alongside fitness programmes or our visual feedback products. Our holistic approach is a proven way to improve all elements of your surfing.
Group lessons
We specialise in providing tailor-made surf and multi-activity lessons for large groups. We work with many different group types from school and student organisations to corporate events, birthdays, family gatherings, and more.
We run Scotland’s leading school surfing programme with a ladder of development from local lessons to national team. We can provide risk assessments, insurances and are registered with AALA.
To find out more about our facilities, packages and group discounts, please get in touch.
Private lesson
Our private lessons are super fun and aimed at small private groups (4 to 8 people) who wish to have a more tailored or specialist experience. Prices range from £45 to £75 per person, depending on group size.
Private lessons for 1-3 people are possible at quiet times and cost between £90-£120pp depending on group size.
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.
