Your surfing level is best described by what you can do consistently without help, rather than how many holidays you have taken. Before booking coaching in Popoyo, explain how you catch waves, where you surf and which parts still require support.
This guide helps you describe your experience. It is not a substitute for an assessment by your coach in the actual conditions.
Start with three honest questions
- Do I catch waves independently, or does an instructor position and push my board?
- Am I riding broken whitewater, unbroken waves, or both?
- Can I control my direction and finish a ride deliberately?
A short answer to each is more useful than simply saying “I have surfed before.” Also mention how recently you surfed and whether you have experience beyond one familiar beach.
Total beginner: building the foundations
If you have never surfed, say so. You do not need to arrive with a perfect pop-up or your own board. Your booking discussion should cover your swimming ability, comfort in the ocean and what to expect from the first lesson. Start with our total beginner program to understand the foundations covered.
Returning beginner: previous lessons, more consistency needed
You may have stood up several times but still need help finding the right starting position or catching waves. That experience matters, but it does not automatically make you intermediate. Explain which parts you repeat reliably and which happen only occasionally. Rebuilding a foundation can be a better use of coaching than rushing into more demanding waves.
Advanced beginner: moving towards greater independence
Perhaps you are starting to catch unbroken waves and work on a controlled direction. Tell the team whether you choose the wave yourself, whether you need a push and whether you can repeat the result on both sides. Our advanced beginner page gives you another reference for that conversation.
Intermediate: describe your surfing, not just the label
If you catch unbroken waves independently, describe how you position yourself, ride along the face and manage your board around other surfers. Explain what you want to improve. Being confident at one break does not mean every unfamiliar break is appropriate. Conditions, fitness and experience all matter when selecting a session.
What should you send before booking?
Send a recent, representative surf clip if you have one, and explain whether it shows a typical ride or your best wave of the trip. Add your usual board, the type of waves you normally surf and one specific goal. Do not worry about making your experience sound impressive: accurate information helps the team advise you.
Can my level change during the stay?
Your needs can become clearer once the coach has seen you in the water. Ask how the team handles adjustments rather than expecting a particular group assignment before arrival. No level label guarantees suitability for every wave or a fixed rate of improvement.
Explore our surf coaching approach or tell us about your experience before choosing your stay in Popoyo.