Canggu: Surfing lesson with ISA certified instructor

Surfing looks easier from the sand. This two-hour lesson at Canggu’s Batu Bolong Beach gives you a patient, ISA-certified instructor, the board and safety guidance you need, plus close coaching in the water. Beginners start with the basics, while stronger surfers may receive technique tips or visit another surf spot around Bali.

I especially like the one-on-one attention in the waves and the careful land practice before anyone paddles out. Yahya, Ari, Jey, Dady, and the wider teaching team are repeatedly praised for being kind, clear, and encouraging. The main caution is that conditions can change: one booking found the waves too large for a beginner, while another session was moved because of poor morning weather. You should be comfortable in the sea and ready for a real arm workout.

• Batu Bolong Beach setting: Meet at Pantai Batu Bolong in Canggu, a well-known place to learn in Bali.
• Two hours of instruction: Begin with safety, warm-ups, paddling, and standing drills on the sand before entering the water.
• Private booking: Only your group participates, with close coaching available in the water.
• Named instructors: Yahya or Ari may teach your session, with other instructors including Jey, Jo, Ray, and Dady mentioned as part of the team.
• Equipment included: Surfboards and instruction are provided, with rash vests, sunscreen, water, storage, showers, and photos or videos available according to the information provided.
• Good value at $25: The price includes the lesson and equipment, though photographs and videos cost extra.

Why Batu Bolong Is a Useful Place to Learn

Batu Bolong Beach is the meeting point for this lesson, located on Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong in Canggu. The activity begins and ends there, so you do not need to deal with a complicated route between several parts of Bali.

The lesson is designed around learning by doing. You are not simply handed a board and sent into the surf. The session starts with a land briefing, where your instructor explains the basic parts of surfing, how to handle the board, and what to watch for in the water.

That preparation matters. Standing on a moving board requires quick footwork, balance, and a simple sequence that can feel confusing when a wave is approaching. Practicing the movement on the sand gives you a chance to understand the steps before adding current, whitewater, and nerves.

The beach also makes a practical base because the lesson can include changing and rinsing facilities. The exact setup may vary, but the service has provided rash vests, water, sunscreen, storage, and showers during sessions. Ask what is available when you confirm your booking.

The First 30 Minutes: Safety Before Surfing

Your instructor begins with basic health and safety guidance. This is not filler. You need to understand where to place your hands, how to position yourself on the board, and how to respond if you fall.

The team also covers the conditions in the water and chooses waves suited to your ability. That last point is important, but it does not mean every session will feel gentle. Surf conditions are not fixed, and one participant specifically found the waves too big and strong for a beginner.

A warm-up follows the safety talk. Surfing uses more than your legs. Paddling taxes your shoulders and arms, and repeatedly getting back on the board takes effort. Several people found the session tiring, especially in the arms, so do not treat this as a quiet beach activity.

The dry drills focus on paddling and the movement from lying on the board to standing. Your teacher watches your form and corrects the sequence. One session spent about 30 minutes on these exercises, which helped the students catch their first waves once they reached the water.

I like this structure because it gives nervous beginners a clear start. You can ask questions on the beach, where it is easier to hear instructions and think through the movements.

Into the Water With Close Coaching

Once the instructor feels you can handle the basic drills, you take the board into the sea. The lesson uses waves considered suitable for your level, and the instructor stays close to guide your attempts.

The most praised feature is the personal coaching. The activity is sold as a private class, meaning only your group participates, and the teaching style can include one instructor working directly with each person in the water. For a first lesson, that close attention is far more useful than a large class where you wait for a turn.

Your teacher helps with positioning, timing, paddling, and the moment to stand. You will probably fall. That is part of the lesson, not a sign that you have failed. The instructors are described as patient and encouraging, and they keep giving short tips rather than burying you in technical terms.

Yahya receives especially warm praise for clear explanations, steady encouragement, and a calm manner. Ari is described as friendly, kind, experienced, and always smiling. Jey is praised for patience, while Dady helped one group progress through the dry drills before entering the waves.

The team’s approach seems to be supportive without being overly serious. If you catch a few waves and stand up once, you have made real progress. Some beginners managed to stand during their first session, and one person caught about five waves.

What Beginners Can Realistically Expect

You should not arrive expecting to surf smoothly for two hours. The session includes instruction, warm-up exercises, falls, paddling, and repeated attempts. Your success will depend on the sea conditions, your fitness, and how quickly your body learns the standing motion.

The lesson is aimed at beginners, and the instruction covers:

• Reading the waves
• Basic health and safety
• Paddling position
• Moving from lying down to standing
• Surf stance and balance
• Choosing waves suited to your ability

The instructors aim to help you stand, but the supplied information does not guarantee a successful ride under every condition. That is a fair distinction. A teacher can improve your odds, but the ocean still makes the final decision.

You should also be able to swim and feel reasonably comfortable in the sea. One booking specifically noted that the water was deep and the waves were rough, even though the group felt safe with the instructors nearby. The activity says most people can participate, but that should not be confused with a promise that the session will feel easy.

If you need a break, tell your instructor clearly. One less positive experience involved a participant who felt breaks were not allowed when needed. Most of the feedback describes attentive care, but this is a useful reminder to speak up when you are tired.

Choosing a Time Slot in Canggu

Several time slots are available, which helps you fit the lesson around your day. A late afternoon session from 4pm to 6pm was praised for its pleasant timing, with the chance to see the sunset and have dinner nearby afterward.

Morning conditions may be more uncertain on some days. The operator has monitored the weather and moved a session to a later time when the conditions did not look suitable. That kind of change can be inconvenient if you have a tightly packed schedule, but it is better than forcing beginners into poor surf.

You can either meet at Batu Bolong Beach or arrange pickup from Canggu by scooter. Confirm the pickup details in advance, since the meeting point is specific and the activity ends there.

The beach location also gives you an easy plan for the rest of the day. After a two-hour lesson, you can stay around Canggu, watch the sunset during a late session, or head for a nearby meal. Keep in mind that the activity itself ends back at the meeting point.

What Is Included for $25?

At $25 per person, this is a strong value for someone who wants a proper introduction rather than a quick board rental. The price includes the two-hour lesson, instruction, and surfing equipment.

The value comes from the teaching time. You get land drills, a safety briefing, warm-up exercises, and time in the water with guidance. The private format is another advantage, particularly if you are booking with a partner or small group and want help tailored to your level.

Some practical extras have been provided during sessions, including water, storage, a shower, a rash vest, and sunscreen. Since not every inclusion is listed as a formal feature, confirm these details before you go instead of assuming they are guaranteed.

Photography and video are an extra cost. The service can take pictures or videos of your session, and one group bought the complete set for £50. This could be worthwhile if standing on a wave is a special holiday moment, but it is not needed to learn. Decide before you see the images, since it is easy to get carried away after your first successful ride.

Group discounts are available. The experience is private, but that does not necessarily mean you must book for only one person. A group of seven beginners had a good session, though the exact instructor-to-participant arrangement should be confirmed for larger bookings.

The Instructors Make the Difference

The teaching team is the strongest reason to book this lesson. Yahya is repeatedly praised for being friendly, patient, easy to understand, and willing to keep encouraging students after they began to improve. Ari brings experience from Java and is described as warm and cheerful.

The team also includes Jey, Jo, Ray, and Dady in the supplied session details. The provider says you will be told in advance whether Yahya or Ari is teaching, which is helpful if you have a preference.

A good surf instructor does more than push you into a wave. The best part of this lesson is the combination of safety, simple explanations, and repeated correction. You get help with the parts that are hard to notice on your own, such as foot position, timing, and how to keep your balance after standing.

The instructors also seem to adjust their pace. Some people were encouraged to keep trying as they improved, while others appreciated that the teacher did not rush them. That balance suits a first lesson, when one student may be ready for another attempt and another may need a short rest.

Private Lesson, Small Group, or Larger Booking?

The activity is described as private, so only your group takes part. That is a major plus if you want direct attention or are traveling with a partner who has the same level.

A private booking can also make the lesson less embarrassing for a complete beginner. You can ask basic questions, repeat the standing drill, and admit that your arms are tired without feeling you are holding up a class of strangers.

For a larger group, the experience may work well, but you should ask how many instructors will be in the water. A group of seven beginners enjoyed the session, yet the quality of personal coaching depends on the number of teachers available at the same time.

Couples and families may find this especially appealing. Two people can learn together, encourage each other, and share the cost of any optional photos or videos. Children are not specifically discussed in the supplied details, so do not assume age suitability without checking first.

The Main Drawbacks to Consider

The chief weakness is the ocean itself. Weather and waves can change, and a spot that feels manageable one day may be rougher the next. The provider may move the start time or cancel when weather is poor, offering another date or a full refund.

The lesson can also be physically demanding. Paddling, falling, climbing back onto the board, and trying again will leave many beginners tired. If you have limited strength or need regular rest, tell the instructor at the start.

Pickup is offered from Canggu by scooter, but the published meeting point is Batu Bolong Beach. The details do not promise pickup throughout Seminyak or other parts of Bali, so confirm your transport rather than assuming it is included from your hotel.

Finally, photos and videos are not part of the $25 price. They are optional, but the extra charge can be significant, especially for a group. Treat them as a keepsake, not as part of the core lesson.

Who Should Book This Surf Lesson?

I would choose this lesson if you are a first-time surfer who wants patient instruction and a private setting. It also suits beginners who prefer a friendly coach over a large surf school format.

It is a good match for couples, friends, and small groups who want to learn together. The several time slots help you fit surfing into a Canggu day, and the late afternoon option can lead naturally into sunset and dinner.

Intermediate and advanced surfers may also benefit, since the description allows for visits to other surf spots around Bali and feedback on style. Still, beginners are the clear focus, so stronger surfers should confirm the exact plan for their level.

You should reconsider if you cannot swim, dislike strong physical activity, or need a guaranteed gentle sea. The lesson is designed to be safe and supportive, but it takes place in real surf, not a controlled pool.

Should You Book Yahya Zakaria’s Canggu Lesson?

Yes, if you want an affordable and personal first step into surfing. The $25 price includes the board, instruction, safety briefing, and two hours of coaching, while the instructors receive unusually consistent praise for patience and clear guidance.

Book with realistic expectations. You may stand on your first wave, but you may also spend much of the session paddling and falling. Check the weather, confirm pickup, ask who will teach, and tell the instructor when you need a rest.

For a beginner at Batu Bolong Beach, this lesson offers the right mix of structure, encouragement, and hands-on help. Its one real variable is the sea, so flexibility is part of the deal.

FAQ

Where does the surfing lesson begin?

The lesson begins at Batu Bolong Beach, Pantai Batu Bolong, Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Badung, Bali.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Batu Bolong Beach.

How long does the lesson last?

The beginner surf lesson lasts approximately two hours.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered from Canggu by scooter. You can also meet the instructor directly at the beach.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What does the beginner lesson include?

The lesson includes land-based surf guidance, health and safety information, warm-up exercises, paddling practice, standing practice, surfing equipment, and instructor guidance in waves suited to your ability.

Who may teach the lesson?

Your teacher will be Yahya or Ari, and you will be told in advance who your instructor will be. Other team members named in the supplied details include Jey, Jo, Ray, and Dady.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the activity, you will be offered another date or a full refund.