Next time you are over in Orlando why not use the opportunity to learn a new skill and have a great family day out at the same time – have a go at Surfing.
You will need to get yourself over to the East Coast where the bigger waves are which is about an hour away from Orlando.
We had a Group Lesson from Cocoa Beach Surfing School ( although there are other schools also available ) which was $60 per person for 3 hours providing there are a minimum of 3 people.
Having booked your lesson you just need to confirm with them the day before that the conditions are likely to be OK for the day of your lesson.
On arrival you register and then spend time in the classroom being taught about Ocean / Water Safety and specifically about Riptides, how they are formed and how to get out of one.
You are also given an overview of Marine Life Awareness and how to deal with creatures such as Stingrays and Jelly Fish.
Then it is onto the practical side of paddling and standing techniques and finding out if you are “ Regular” or “ Goofy” and there is plenty of opportunity to hone your skills on dry land before you head over to the beach and get wet.
Everyone is issued with a Soft Surfboard, Rash Guards and Sun Screen are also available.
Once you are out in the Ocean the instructor spends a great deal of time helping you to identify the right wave, and then even giving you a push to get you going.
It takes sometime to get all the pieces to fall into place, however once you do it is a real thrill to ride a wave into the beach ( even if the wave is only about two feet tall !! )
Once the lesson is over we had the opportunity to keep the boards for the rest of the day and improve your technique ( or in my case just keep falling off ).
All in all it was quite tiring and physically demanding, however it was also really good fun and an opportunity for all the family to be involved in the activity.
By the way in case you were wondering being “ Goofy “ has nothing to do with Disney or even your Dentist it simply means that you stand on the board with your Right foot forward whilst “ Regular “ surfers stand with their Left Foot Forward.
You will need to get yourself over to the East Coast where the bigger waves are which is about an hour away from Orlando.
We had a Group Lesson from Cocoa Beach Surfing School ( although there are other schools also available ) which was $60 per person for 3 hours providing there are a minimum of 3 people.
Having booked your lesson you just need to confirm with them the day before that the conditions are likely to be OK for the day of your lesson.
On arrival you register and then spend time in the classroom being taught about Ocean / Water Safety and specifically about Riptides, how they are formed and how to get out of one.
You are also given an overview of Marine Life Awareness and how to deal with creatures such as Stingrays and Jelly Fish.
Then it is onto the practical side of paddling and standing techniques and finding out if you are “ Regular” or “ Goofy” and there is plenty of opportunity to hone your skills on dry land before you head over to the beach and get wet.
Everyone is issued with a Soft Surfboard, Rash Guards and Sun Screen are also available.
Once you are out in the Ocean the instructor spends a great deal of time helping you to identify the right wave, and then even giving you a push to get you going.
It takes sometime to get all the pieces to fall into place, however once you do it is a real thrill to ride a wave into the beach ( even if the wave is only about two feet tall !! )
Once the lesson is over we had the opportunity to keep the boards for the rest of the day and improve your technique ( or in my case just keep falling off ).
All in all it was quite tiring and physically demanding, however it was also really good fun and an opportunity for all the family to be involved in the activity.
By the way in case you were wondering being “ Goofy “ has nothing to do with Disney or even your Dentist it simply means that you stand on the board with your Right foot forward whilst “ Regular “ surfers stand with their Left Foot Forward.