Legian waves can teach fast. This Level 1 surf course at Legian’s Double Six Beach is built for true beginners, with small 5:1 coaching from instructors like Budi and Gung. I also like that the lesson pack is practical: you show up and they handle the hard part, from the rash guard to the imported zinc.

One thing to keep in mind: conditions (tide, wind, and wave size) can affect when and how sessions run, so you should be ready for possible early starts and schedule tweaks.

Quick highlights

• Five 2-hour lessons packed with theory, practice, and hands-on practical drills
• Small groups (5:1) so you’re not left drifting while others surf
• All gear included, including board, leg rope, helmet, rash guard, towel, and imported zinc
• Door-to-door transfers across a big chunk of south Bali (including Legian, Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, and more)
• Good on-site setup with changing rooms, lockers, fresh-water showers, and a chill area

Double Six Beach: why this spot works for beginners

Double Six (Legian) is a smart choice for a first-time course because it’s a busy, established surf beach. That matters. You want a place where the school can run repeatable lessons, keep you safe, and focus on fundamentals rather than searching for conditions all day.

You’ll spend your time learning the basics that actually transfer between waves: where to stand, how to pace yourself, how to fall (and get up), and how to read the ocean enough to know when to try again. The goal here is not just catching a wave once—it’s getting enough repetitions that your body starts to understand timing.

Also, this course keeps you near a professional surf setup at Rip Curl School of Surf. That means you can get rinsed, gear stored, and ready between sessions without turning the day into a logistics puzzle.

Your five 2-hour sessions: how the learning flows

This is a five-day program with a daily rhythm of 2-hour lessons. Sessions are scheduled at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm, and the school will try to match you to the best conditions for that session. You’ll get a mix of classroom-style explanation and beach time, not just “go stand there and try.”

A typical day feels like a progression:

• Theory first: you learn the rules of safe ocean behavior and the basic mechanics of surfing. You’re not memorizing—this is the stuff that prevents rookie mistakes.
• Practice on the sand and in the shallows: you’ll rehearse skills like paddling position, timing, and controlling your board rather than hoping it works out once you’re out there.
• Practical on real waves: this is where the instructors help you refine what you tried earlier.

What I like about this format is that it respects your attention span. After two hours, you’re tired but not mentally fried, and the next session builds on what you already did.

By day five, the aim is to go from zero to hero in a realistic way: not “perfect surfing,” but better control, more confidence, and a clearer sense of how waves behave.

Price and value math: what $155 really buys you

At $155 for five 2-hour lessons, the headline value is not only the instruction. The lesson package includes equipment and support that most “cheap” experiences quietly skip.

Here’s what makes the price feel fair:

• Small group coaching (5:1), which improves your chances of getting corrections during the time you’re in the water.
• Full surf gear coverage: surfboard, leg rope (leash), helmet, and the school rash guard/leggings. Even the basics like a towel and fresh drinking water are included.
• Skin protection included with imported zinc (and the course is described as including sunscreen and board shorts as part of the full gear setup).
• Transport included from many south Bali areas (so you’re not paying extra for each day).

You’re still not getting lunch. Food isn’t included, and you’ll need to plan around that. But for a beginner course, the biggest hidden cost is often the gear and repeated transportation—this package handles both.

A final value note: the school also includes one million USD liability insurance. You’re paying a little for peace of mind, not just waves.

Pickup and where to meet: staying relaxed in south Bali

This course is designed for door-to-door ease. Pickup and transfer back are offered from a wide list of south Bali locations: Legian, Seminyak, Oberoi, Canggu, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Sanur areas.

If you’re not in the pickup zone, you’ll still need a clear starting point. The meeting point is at Rip Curl School of Surf, Hotel Prama Sanur Beach selatan (Jl. Cemara, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Bali 80228). The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Two practical tips:

• Make sure your pickup details are correct when you book, because the schedule is repeated daily.
• Plan a little buffer time around the lesson window. Even with transfers, Bali traffic can be a wild card.

The surf gear kit: what you’ll use each day

One of the most reassuring parts of this course is that you don’t need to shop for a surf “starter kit” before you go. The equipment list is set up to handle beginner needs and safety.

You’ll have:

• Surf board
• Leg rope (leash)
• Gath surf helmet
• Rip Curl rash guard and leggings
• Towel
• Imported zinc
• Sealed drinking water throughout the course
• Fresh fruit after the lesson

You still need to bring a swimsuit (bikini or board shorts), since it’s not included. But you won’t be worrying about the rest of the gear.

Small detail, big difference: fresh-water showers, soap, and shampoo are available. After a few hours in saltwater, that’s not a luxury—it’s part of recovering so you can actually keep practicing the next day.

Instructors, safety, and the real meaning of “small groups”

The biggest theme in the feedback is how safe and welcomed people felt. The instruction style shows up in the results: beginner surfers get enough attention to improve, and they don’t feel rushed into bigger wave attempts.

With a 5:1 ratio (student to instructor/assistant), you’re more likely to get:

• quick corrections to your paddling or stance,
• guidance on when to try versus when to wait,
• help with basics like balancing and getting up properly.

Instructors named in feedback include Budi and Gung, and both came up in positive ways for being patient and supportive. For me, that’s crucial in Bali surf learning. Confidence in the water comes from feeling you’ll be helped when something goes wrong—like wiping out, losing balance, or not catching the wave you expected.

Also, a professional school setup usually means more consistent safety routines: gear checks, supervised wave selection, and a clear understanding of ocean safety. Even if you’re brand new, you’re not just placed into the surf and forgotten.

What’s happening at the facility between sessions

You’re not just arriving, surfing, and disappearing. Rip Curl School of Surf has amenities that make the day easier—especially when you’re repeating lessons over multiple days.

On-site, you can use:

• private changing rooms
• individual lockers
• private bathrooms
• fresh water showers
• a chill area with cold drinks and tables/chairs
• off-street parking

There’s also mention of tea, coffee, and fruit in the course overview. So you’re not stuck waiting hungry, but you should still expect that full meals are on you.

If you’re bringing a friend or family member, the locations are adjacent to places to eat and relax while you’re in the water. That’s a small detail, but it keeps the day from becoming awkward waiting.

Scheduling reality: tides, wind, and why early mornings help

This program runs multiple daily session times, and the school schedules based on tide, wave size, and wind. Translation: you might not always get the exact same “feel” from one day to the next, and you should stay flexible.

The good news is the school says they’ll make every effort to schedule your course accordingly. The practical takeaway is this: don’t book a huge dinner plan right after your last session unless you like living dangerously.

The schedule is confirmed one day in advance, which is helpful. Still, you should be prepared for early starts since better conditions often happen earlier.

Also, different disciplines and levels may need slightly different conditions, so the session you end up in could be matched to what your group needs that day.

Photos and learning tools: keeping the progress going

Rip Curl School of Surf photographers will take photos during the lesson. Those photos are available for purchase after you complete the program. If you like tracking progress visually, it’s a nice add-on—because beginner surfing changes fast, and it can be hard to remember what you improved between days.

You’ll also get a student study book during the course, with soft copies you can download from the website. This is useful if you want to review safety basics or refresh technique between lessons.

And after day five, you’ll likely have two key things:

• a better idea of what to focus on next time,
• and a safety baseline so you know how to act in the lineup.

Who should book this Level 1 surf lesson?

This course fits best if you’re:

• a total beginner or still very early in your surfing,
• looking for small-group coaching and not just “surfing time,”
• traveling with a plan for transfers and gear included,
• okay with a multi-day routine and the reality of scheduling around tide and wind.

It can also work well for teens, based on the experience of teenage sons joining the 5-day course and having a strong time. If you’re worried about being “too young” or “too inexperienced,” this is exactly the kind of structured setup that helps.

Balanced note: one negative experience shared that the course was good for a first try, but later they compared it to a different surf school and felt they could have had something even better. That doesn’t mean this is bad—it just means if you’re extremely picky about coaching style and end goals, it’s smart to shop around and know what you want to optimize.

Should you book Surfing Group Lesson Level 1 Beach Surfer?

I’d book it if you want the easiest path to learning to surf in Bali without juggling gear or transport. The 5-day structure, the small coaching ratio, and the fact that you’re covered for the big gear needs (board, leash, helmet, rash guard, towel, zinc) make it a strong value for most first-timers.

Skip this (or at least think hard) if:

• you already have your own gear and transportation figured out and want a cheaper self-guided option,
• you need a perfectly rigid daily schedule with zero early starts,
• or you’re chasing a very specific coaching philosophy and want to compare multiple schools before committing.

FAQ

How long is each lesson?

Each lesson is scheduled for about 2 hours per day, with a five-day program.

How many students are in a group?

The course runs with a 5:1 student-to-instructor/assistant ratio.

What surf equipment is included?

You get the surfboard, leg rope, and a Gath surf helmet, plus a Rip Curl rash guard & leggings and a towel.

Is zinc or sunscreen provided?

Imported zinc is included. The course overview also says sunscreen is part of the included gear setup.

Do you provide hotel pickup and transfers?

Yes. Pickup and round-trip transfers are offered from many south Bali areas, including Legian, Seminyak, Oberoi, Canggu, Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Sanur areas.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at Rip Curl School of Surf at Hotel Prama Sanur Beach selatan, Jl. Cemara, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Bali 80228, Indonesia.

What times do lessons run each day?

Lessons are scheduled daily at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

What should I bring?

You should bring your swimsuit (bikini or board shorts). Everything else for surfing is provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.