1 Week Beginner and Intermediate Surf Program in Nosara, Costa Rica

Your week overview - 7-night beginner surf program

Get ready for an exciting week of surfing, learning, and adventure in Costa Rica! The beginner surf program includes 11 surf lessons over six days, giving you plenty of opportunities to build confidence, refine technique, and experience the thrill of catching waves.

Most days will feature two surf lessons - one in the morning and one in the afternoon - allowing you to practice and improve in different conditions. On the day of the breath-hold workshop, there will be only one surf lesson to ensure a balanced training schedule. Lesson times will be adjusted daily to match the best ocean conditions, maximizing your learning experience.

Beginner Surf Program: Learn to surf with confidence!

Whether you’re a first-time surfer or getting back into the water, this program will give you the skills and confidence to master white water waves and take the first steps toward catching green waves in intermediate lessons. Surf sessions are just the beginning. Ride On Surf Camp's surf theory classes cover ocean safety, wave reading, surf etiquette, and forecasting, helping you understand the waves before you ride them.

A surf-specific training session will sharpen your pop-up, stance, and balance, while video analysis and yoga for surfers enhance technique, flexibility, and body awareness - the key to progressing faster. For those in this seven-night program, a breath-hold workshop boosts confidence and breath control, helping you to feel more at ease in the water and ready for bigger challenges.

During your stay, you will also have the opportunity to advance to higher levels as long as the instructor deems you ready and conditions allow. For example, if a guest excels after the third beginner lesson, the instructor may recommend transitioning to intermediate lessons, depending on both progress and ocean conditions.

Breath-hold workshop for surfers

This workshop is designed for surfers of all levels, aiming to enhance your physical and mental skills for tackling tough conditions in the water. Ride On Surf Camp's goal is to help you build confidence, self-awareness, and self-control, so that you can remain calm and composed when things don’t go as planned.

A common challenge surfers face in tricky situations is resisting the water. In this workshop, you’ll learn to relax and work with the water instead. You’ll discover simple techniques for calming your body and mind, along with insights into freediving, breath control, and relaxation strategies.

The session includes practical breathing exercises and apnea training, guided by your instructor in both a classroom setting and a pool environment. By the end, you’ll not only understand how to apply these techniques while surfing but also in everyday life or any physical activity. Breath training can significantly enhance both your mental resilience and physical performance.

What makes Ride On Surf Camp's beginner surf program special?

• Progressive learning approach - 11 surf lessons over six days, ensuring steady skill development
• Twice-daily surf sessions - Morning and afternoon lessons on most days, maximizing water time
• Top-quality surf equipment - Provided for all lesson sessions
• Surf theory classes - Learn ocean safety, etiquette, wave reading, and forecasting
• Surf-specific training - Focused on pop-up mechanics, stance, balance, and technique to accelerate progress
• Video analysis (three sessions) - Get personalized feedback to fine-tune your skills
• Yoga for surfers (two sessions) - Improve flexibility, balance, and recovery
• Breath-hold workshop - Build confidence and breath control for a safer and more relaxed experience in the water

This program is designed to give you the necessary tools to become a confident beginner surfer while immersing you in the surf lifestyle.

Beyond the waves

• Surf theory classes cover key topics like safety, etiquette, wave reading, and forecasting, helping you understand the ocean and improve decision-making in the lineup.
• A surf-specific training session is dedicated to technical aspects such as pop-up mechanics, stance, weight distribution, and balance, ensuring a strong foundation for progression.
• Three video analysis sessions in the evenings provide valuable insights, helping you correct mistakes and fine-tune your technique.
• Two yoga classes support flexibility, balance, and recovery, keeping your body primed for surfing.
• The breath-hold workshop will teach essential techniques for breath control, confidence, and safety in the water.

By the end of the week, you’ll leave with improved skills, a deeper understanding of the ocean, and amazing memories. Whether it’s your first time standing up or you’re looking to refine your technique, this program will set you on the path to becoming a more confident surfer. Surf, progress, and have fun. See you in the water!

Why Ride On Surf Camp?

At Ride On Surf Camp, they’re more than just a place to stay - they’re Nosara’s premier surf hotel. Their beachfront location puts you just steps from some of the most consistent and fun surf breaks in the world, making the ocean your playground.

Whether you’re learning to surf or fine-tuning your skills, their expert instructors offer daily lessons for all levels, ensuring personalized guidance through every stage.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Costa Rica’s surf culture, where stunning scenery, a welcoming surf community, and the Pura Vida lifestyle come together. Your surf getaway starts here.

Surfing conditions

Playa Guiones offers consistent, beginner-friendly waves year-round, making it the perfect place to learn and progress.

• Best season for surfing: Waves break all year, with bigger swells from May to September and smaller, more manageable waves from November to April.
• Water temperature: Stays at around 26-29°C (79-84°F) year-round - no wetsuit needed!
• Beach break: The sandy bottom makes it a safe and fun learning environment.
• Tides and conditions: Ride On Surf Camp schedules lessons based on the best tides and conditions for your level.