Your first surf lesson is one day away. You're excited, a little nervous, and not sure what to expect. Here are 3 things you can do right now that will make your first session significantly better — and help you stand up on your first wave.

1. Watch Your Pop-Up the Night Before

The pop-up — going from lying flat on the board to standing up — is the most important movement in surfing and the one most beginners struggle with. The good news: you can practice it on dry land before you ever touch the water.

Lie face-down on a flat surface (your bed or a mat), place your hands under your chest like a push-up, and in one explosive movement push up and bring your back foot under your hips, then your front foot. Land in a wide, low surf stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, arms out for balance, body facing sideways.

Do this 10 times tonight. Your body will start to remember the movement. In the water tomorrow, when your instructor shouts “now” and the wave hits you, your muscles will know what to do.

Common mistakes to avoid: Don't put your knees down first (it slows everything down). Don't look at your feet (you'll lose balance). Don't stand with your feet too close together. And don't stand too upright — stay low, stay flexible.

2. Eat Well and Hydrate — Surfing is Physical

Most first-timers underestimate how physical surfing is. Paddling against waves uses your shoulders, back, and core in ways that most gym workouts don't. You'll be in the water for 2 hours, in the sun, with cold water and physical exertion. You'll be tired at the end — in a good way.

The night before: eat a decent meal. Nothing heavy, but enough carbohydrates to give you energy — pasta, rice, bread. Don't go to bed hungry.

The morning of your lesson: eat breakfast at least an hour before. A banana, toast, yoghurt, or a proper Moroccan breakfast if you're staying in a riad. And drink water — at least 500ml before you arrive. Dehydration and physical exertion in the sun is a bad combination.

Bring a water bottle to the beach. Drink before you get in the water and after each session. When you're having fun in the surf, it's easy to forget to drink — but you're sweating and losing energy the whole time.

3. Leave Your Ego on the Beach

This one sounds simple but it's the tip that makes the biggest difference. Surfing is humbling. You will fall. You will fall a lot. You'll fall on waves you felt sure you had. You'll fall in front of people. You'll get mouthfuls of saltwater and come up sputtering. That's not failure — that's exactly how everyone learns to surf.

The beginners who progress fastest are the ones who follow their instructor's advice exactly, aren't afraid to look silly, and stay relaxed even when things don't go right. Tension in your body kills your pop-up. Frustration kills your wave count. The surfers who relax, laugh at their falls, and trust the process always end the session having caught more waves than those who fight it.

Your instructor has taught hundreds of people to surf. When they say to move your foot forward, move it forward. When they say wait for a bigger wave, wait. When they say “that's enough for today, let's take a break” — take the break. They're not limiting you. They're making sure you end the session smiling and wanting to come back.

What to Bring to Your First Surf Lesson

  • Swimwear (wetsuit is provided by us)
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen — apply before you arrive, the sun reflects off the water
  • Water bottle
  • A dry change of clothes for after
  • Cash for tips (never required but always appreciated)

Everything else — board, wetsuit, instruction — is included in your surf lesson with Surf Twins Essaouira.

Ready? Let's Go.

Book your first surf lesson via WhatsApp at +212 643 806 655. Same-day bookings available. We reply in minutes and we'll see you on the beach. 🤙