Private Surf Coach focused coaching for intermediate & advanced surfers

In private coaching, the first session is set by me. After that, once I know your surfing, fitness and confidence in the water, we decide the next steps from session to session. Private lessons give us room to expand your comfort zone. We do not follow the rhythm of a group. We choose the window that fits the goal: easier when that is the right call, more challenging when you are ready for it. Private coaching is not only about polishing technique. It is also about testing yourself with guidance, building confidence for new situations and keeping safety in the foreground. With Take Off, the goal is not to chase perfect waves all the time. You learn to make the best of real conditions, also when it is choppy or blown out. When Famara is dangerous or truly unsurfable, we discuss alternatives face to face, when it becomes relevant, from session to session.

Intermediate is a horrible word. It leaves so much space for interpretation. In general, an intermediate surfer is not working on the basics anymore. Paddling and pop-up work. Most of the time, when positioning and timing are good, you are able to ride along the wave and control speed and direction. Typical struggles at that stage are: wave choice and timing, lack of technical precision in manoeuvring, problems with duck dive and turtle roll, and finding your way back to the line-up without getting caught on the inside. What you should consider when you are in doubt about which format fits you best: in intermediate and advanced lessons, we paddle into the line-up, catch a wave and paddle back several times. We surf in the breaking zone, where the water is too deep to move or hold position by wading. That means, to take advantage of intermediate and advanced lessons, you should not be afraid of a lot of paddling to come back to the line-up and hold position while waiting for the set. I can empathize with the sentence “Yes, they have shown me the turtle roll, but I do not like doing it,” but it is a clear sign that you are not ready yet. On the other hand, “I do the turtle roll routinely, but I want to get into shorter boards and want to learn how to duck dive properly” fits a lot better with an intermediate or advanced session. Diving techniques — and understanding which one to use with what kind of board — are essential to not waste time and energy getting stuck on the way back. If you decide that you do not like either of them, you will not practise them, they will never work as they are supposed to, and you will never like them.

For me, an advanced surfer has already fully understood the concept of harvesting energy in the pocket and steeper sections, and is able most of the time to make use of their skill and knowledge. Duck dive and turtle roll are already routine, and loss of control only happens occasionally. Wave choice and timing have become minor issues, occurring mainly when surfing at a new spot, where waves may break differently than at your home spot. You are looking more for refinement and for a closer look from a trainer who can give you hints on how to improve certain manoeuvres, strengthen the connection between your anatomy and the board's anatomy, and build more tools to link manoeuvres and different sections of a wave. It is not about the type of board you are riding. I do not care if you prefer shortboard, longboard or a foamy, as long as you are able to perform and have fun with your favoured board choice.

Of course. That is actually the point. Surfskate training is a useful add-on to work on balance, posture, turning mechanics and movement patterns. Or just for fun. I never get tired of recommending it, especially to every landlocked surfer. Please find the prices in the Surf and Surfskate sections and just mention the combination in your request. I will include a complete personal offer in my reply.

I do not offer a transfer service for organisational reasons. Contact me anyway if you cannot rely on public transport or hire a car, and I will help you find a solution.