Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Are you insured?
We hold public liability insurance. We can provide further details on request however, it is still very important to ensure your own safety in and out of the water.
What qualifications do the instructors have?
All of our surf coaches have a passion for teaching and passing on their surf knowledge. Each of our coaches holds a beach lifeguard qualification or equivalent and a surf coaching qualification. We are able to adapt each lesson to the individual to ensure you progress in a safe and confident way. We are also DBS checked and the lead instructors are qualified in lead safeguarding training to ensure the children are safe during their time at our surf school.
Where can I park?
There is parking available outside our little surf hut in the car park along the front of the bay, parking is free.
Can I buy a voucher for a gift for someone?
Activity vouchers are a popular gift for birthdays or Christmas presents. They can be bought and paid for in advance at our shop. Vouchers will be sent electronically via email as part of a booking confirmation and can be tailored to suit the occasion. Recipients of the voucher can simply enquire with the dates of when the wish to take their activity quoting the voucher number. Feel free to email us if you wish to know more.
What if I need an inhaler / wear glasses?
We carry a waterproof basic first aid kit that we leave on the beach. Inhalers can be kept in this along with any other medication you wish to take onto the beach during your lesson. If you wear glasses and are unable to enter the water without them and are unable to wear contacts as an alternative, then we advise you use a strap to ensure that if they come off in the surf then they do not get lost.
Questions about Private / Group Lessons
How long do the lessons last?
Private 1:1 lessons last an hour, groups of 2 or more can last upto 1.5 hours depending on the conditions and how the students are getting on. (Sometimes students are quite tired earlier than 1.5 hours!). We can arrange longer lessons for larger groups if required just send us a message and we can tailor the lesson to you.
How much does it cost?
Please see our price list on our website
What should I bring with me?
Please bring a towel, bathers, some waterproof sunscreen and some water. (Please apply sunscreen preferably 30 mins before you are due to go in the water to allow it to sink into the skin)
Who will be my instructor?
Your lesson will be taken by an experienced instructor who is passionate about progressing your skills and confidence levels. We really want you to enjoy the experience and finish the lesson having wondered why you hadn’t learned to surf earlier! All instructors are qualified in surf coaching and beach safety.
What time should I arrive for the lesson?
Please aim to arrive 10 minutes before your lesson starts to ensure you find a parking space and also to allow you to get your wetsuit on.
What will I learn during the lesson?
If you have never surfed before then we start with the basics of beach safety, parts of the surf board and techniques for getting you stood up. We tailor each lesson to the individual. By the end of the surf lesson you can expect to safely control your board, catch a wave, pop up and ride it into the shore. Some people pick it up really quickly and others take a little longer but you are guaranteed to progress at your own pace and enjoy the experience.
Is the equipment included in the lesson price?
Yes, all the surf equipment will be provided by us. We have a range of surf boards to choose from and use have 4mm durable wetsuits from children’s size XXS all the way through to adult’s size XXL. Please bring something to wear under your wetsuit and a towel. We always recommend waterproof sunscreen too, even if it’s cloudy. Please apply this before you arrive for your lesson to enable it to sink into the skin so that it doesn’t wash into your eyes when you get in the water.
Can we keep the kit after the lesson is finished?
Yes! If you are not too tired after your lesson and wish to practice what you have learn then we encourage you to keep the equipment and surf till it gets dark if you so wish to.
How many lessons are recommended for progression?
This really depends on your surfing ambitions, ability and confidence. We offer a variety of surf lesson styles and formats. After your first lesson, our instructors will be able to advise how many lessons it may take to reach your goal. For some, one lesson is enough to give them all the tips they need to stay safe and have fun in the water. For others, they prefer to book further lessons to improve their confidence and skills.
Are there any restrictions on who can have a lesson?
You must be a confident swimmer, able to swim 50m unaided. There is no age restriction, we only advise that you are healthy and physically able. We can teach very young children on a 1:1 basis who cannot swim and introduce them to the water and surfboard. These lessons are done in very shallow water and often the child will enjoy just lying on the surfboard as they catch a small wave to the shoreline.
What happens if the surf is too dangerous or too small / flat when I’m supposed to have my lesson?
The last thing we want is to cancel any surf lessons but sometimes this is impossible to avoid due to adverse weather conditions. Equally, if there are no waves at all then we advise you to postpone the lesson. We keep a close eye on the forecast and if we feel the conditions are not going to be suitable for the lesson to go ahead then we will contact you at the earliest and discuss options for rearranging the lesson.
How do I book?
You can make a booking by emailing or calling us (details on our contact page) or you can visit us at our shop to make a booking. We require full payment to confirm your booking which can be done by cash or card at the shop or by online BACS transfers (details will be sent via email during the booking process).
How many people can I book into one lesson?
There are no restrictions on number of students in each lesson although above 8 will require an additional instructor for safety reasons which incurs an additional charge. Please note though that as the number of students increases for a lesson, the less 1 on 1 time each student will have with the instructor.
I have my own equipment, can I use it for the lesson?
Yes of course, you are more than welcome to bring any of your own surf equipment to use on a surf lesson with us.
Please note though that if it is a cold or windy day and you only have a summer wetsuit, you may prefer to wear one of our slightly thicker rental wetsuits to keep you warm. Also, we can advise as to whether we think your surfboard is suitable for the conditions on that day, we may advise you to use one of our surfboards but of course this is completely your decision.
Where can I leave my belongings while I surf?
You may leave your belongings on the decking area of our surf hut under the benches, it is very safe although if you have valuables, it is advised that you store them in your car just in case.
FAQ – Summer Camps
What are Summer camps like at Laneez surf school?
The instructors and the children on camp have a great opportunity to all get to know each other really well. We aim to tailor the surf instruction to each individual to really help them progress throughout the week with their surfing and confidence in the water. We ensure they learn a lot throughout the week about beach/surf safety, surf etiquette, surf technique, surf forecasting and more. This involves instruction in the water and fun classroom based sessions out of the water. We can cater for beginners through to those who have already had a lot of surf experience. We also make time for a lot of fun, including games in and out the water.
How do I book a summer camp?
You can book by completing the registration form online and emailing a copy to Laneez1999@gmail.com. The registration form can be found on the ‘summer camps’ section of our website. Upon receipt of payment via online bank transfer (details on the registration form) we will confirm the child’s place on our surf camp via email confirmation. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions at all.
When are summer camps and how much do they cost?
Camps run Monday – Friday 9am-4pm during the school summer holidays and cost £230 per child. Please see the registration form for further details.
What do they need to bring; clothes / lunch / money?
Children will need to bring a towel, bathers, water and snacks if they wish. A change of clothes is also advised in case their clothes get wet. The weather can change quickly at the beach so please ensure they have clothes for varying weather conditions including something warm in case they are cold after being in the sea and a waterproof jacket if possible. Waterproof sunscreen is essential. Children can bring their own packed lunch or they can bring money if they wish to buy their lunch from the line-up*. We also sell confectionary, hot and cold drinks at our surf hut that they may purchase. There is also an ice cream van opposite our hut in the car park. We allow the children to make their own decisions on what they wish to eat. If you would like to restrict them in anyway then please let us know.
*The line-up sell a range of hot and cold drinks, burgers, hotdogs, wraps, ice creams etc.
What are the ages of children on camp?
The minimum age is 8 years old. There is no upper age limit although generally we rarely have children over the age of 15.
Who will look after the children on camp, are the instructors qualified?
The children will be looked after by qualified surf instructors who are DBS checked and have experience in first aid. The lead instructors have also undergone lead safeguarding training. Please review our parent’s handbook (available on our website) for more details on this.
What facilities will the children have access to?
We have a toilet and a changing room on site. We have a grassy area to hang out on in the sunshine and a large tent for us all to hide in should the weather take a turn for the worse. We also have our little shop at the surf hut which the children can hang out at with all the staff.
What happens if they become unwell?
We will contact you immediately if your child becomes unwell and arrange for your child to be collected should they wish. In the case of an emergency, we will contact the emergency services. Staff are first aid trained and we also have lifeguards at hand who are highly experienced in first aid.
What happens if they are unable to surf because of the poor weather conditions?
If the beach is ‘red-flagged’ by the lifeguards on duty (usually due to storms / lightening / fog etc), or the instructors feel the conditions are too dangerous, the children will not partake in any water-based activities. Instead, we will provide other activities for the children at our surf hut. In unusually severe weather conditions, it may be requested that the children are collected and taken home.
What equipment is included?
All equipment is included including wetsuits and surfboards. We have wetsuits for all sizes from XXS child to XXL adults. We also have surfboards for different abilities and conditions. If the children have their own wetsuits and surfboards, they are welcome to bring these with them to use for the week.
What are the teaching ratio’s?
The maximum ratio we work to is 1 instructor to 8 students which is in line with the governing body guidance.
How can I make a complaint?
Please see our complaints form below, click and download for more details.
Do I get a refund if the camp is cancelled?
Yes. If we have to cancel a week of camp for any reason, you will receive a full refund. If you decide not to attend on the day, unfortunately we cannot offer a refund as it is unlikely we will be able to fill the space. If you book on to a week of camp and cannot attend for any reason nearer to the time, we will always aim to try to fill that space for you and in doing so we would be able to provide you with a refund if we can.