What Age Do You Think It’s Okay For Surf Lessons?

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 10:46 am

My son is 6 and really wants to learn how to surf, but I think it’s a little young unless they make smaller boards for kids his age. What age do you think it’s okay for him to have lessons?
Thanks!!!!!!

Category: Learn to Surf

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2 Responses to “What Age Do You Think It’s Okay For Surf Lessons?”

  1. John F Says:
    November 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    When I was little, I started swimming in the ocean and back bays when I was five or six, I body surfed, I body boarded and played in the ocean I didn’t start to surf until I was 14. That was 43 years ago.
    I taught my son, but he really didn’t get interested until he was around ten. But he was also a swimmer from the time he was about three. I taught some friend’s children, starting around 6 or 7, and my niece at about 8.
    I am in varying stages of teaching all five of my grandchildren (ages 6 through 9). The first thing, was to teach all of them to swim, and then teaching them to play and boogie board in the ocean. As they become comfortable in the ocean, then they start to surf, a little. #2 granddaughter and #1 grandson are the most enthusiastic about surfing (ages 7 & 8).
    If he is confident in the ocean (and you are comfortable with him in the water), then by all means, let him start taking lessons. But, if you are not a surfer, don’t just buy him a board. Get him some good, professional children’s lessons, and rent a child size board for him to surf on. DON’T buy anything, just in case he ends up not liking it. I have two kid’s softtop boards to use for all five grand kids, so it was bargain for me.
    Good luck with him. It;s always great to see a little guy get started the right way. I hope he loves it like my family does.

  2. Meems Says:
    November 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    I don’t think age matters as much as swimming ability. If he gets dumped he needs to have the swimming skills and presence of mind to get himself back to shore. Call an instructor and ask them what age is generally appropriate, most have some sort of guidelines on this.