Being able to communicate your current skill and experience to us before you arrive at Yalah Surf allows us to plan your week of coaching to maximize your progress. “Intermediate” can mean anything from a few days to a few decades of surfing, so we use a 4-level surf system. When you’re here, you’ll be learning alongside one or two other surfers who are at the same level as you. We never mix ability levels within groups. Here is a summary of which skills are specific to each level.

Level 1 Surfing

Level one coaching begins in the forgiving whitewater. You won’t go deeper into the water until you’re comfortable to do so. You’ll learn how to select and catch waves unassisted; how to stall and accelerate the board; the difference between trimming and carving turns; and the functional stance which will allow you to perform big turns and progress onto catching unbroken waves during your stay.

Level 2 Surfing

Level 2 surfers can comfortably stand on the board and are focusing on catching unbroken waves. So you’ll learn to paddle through the white water efficiently and safely; learn about binary and dynamic wave selection; work on agility and prediction drills; angle your take off; create speed down the line; understand etiquette and know how to confidently and safely deal with any situation which may present itself to you.

Level 3 Surfing

Level 3 surfers can consistently catch head high waves without assistance. Most of the coaching is done with a video camera, allowing you to see exactly what you’re doing right and where you can make an improvement. We start with how to find the fastest trimming line, then how, why and when to perform horizontal carving changes of direction (cutbacks), then it’s about climbing on top of breaking sections (floaters).