5 Mistakes to Avoid During Your First Family Surf Session
Want to experience your first surf session with your family in Lacanau? Great news: it’s a fantastic idea! But like any first time, it can come with its share of challenges if you’re not properly prepared. Surfing is fun and exotic, but it’s also technical and demanding. Between boards, wetsuits, waves, and overexcited kids, things can quickly get overwhelming.
To make sure your experience is all about fun (and not stress or sunburn), here are the 5 most common mistakes to avoid. You’ll quickly see that family surfing in Lacanau can be an unforgettable activity.
1. Picking the Wrong Spot or a Random Time
Lacanau is full of stunning beaches, but not all of them are suitable for beginners. With shifting sandbanks, tricky currents, and crowded conditions in peak season, it’s important to pick the right area to avoid a nightmare session. Some beaches are calmer and more family-friendly than others—perfect when you’re with children.
And whatever you do, don’t just head out in the middle of the day, at high tide and with strong swell. That’s the fastest way to scare off the kids (and the parents too). The ideal conditions? Gentle waves, light winds, and a falling tide with accessible whitewater near the shore—perfectly safe and fun for everyone.
Ask a local surf school like Ocean Ride for advice: we know exactly when and where to go in order to learn safely. Plus, we often know the quieter spots away from the crowds, where kids can have a blast with zero pressure.
2. Forcing Kids (or Parents) to Surf When They Don’t Feel Like It
Surfing can be intimidating. It’s wet, noisy (thank you, waves!), sometimes cold, and for many, totally unfamiliar. If someone in your family isn’t into it, don’t force them. Enjoyment comes from willingness and timing—and yes, even adults can feel nervous.
It’s better to ease into it, no pressure. Play in the foam, roll around in the waves, or just lie on the board and feel the water. Little by little, everyone builds confidence at their own pace. And if it doesn’t click today, that’s okay—next time might be magical! Everyone experiences surfing differently, and that’s perfectly fine.
3. Skipping the Instructor and Trying to Go It Alone
It might sound fun to play surf coach—especially if you’ve done a bit of surfing in the past. But trust me, surfing isn’t something you just wing, especially not when guiding an entire family. Things can get chaotic quickly: dad’s shouting, mom’s stressed, the kids are grumpy… and nobody actually makes any progress.
A surf instructor is a calm, neutral, experienced guide—and most importantly, patient. They make the experience safer, smoother, and way more fun. At Ocean Ride, we love running family sessions: we understand family dynamics and have tricks to motivate the kids and reassure the grown-ups. And nothing beats seeing a kid smile after their first take-off. Plus, parents will love not having to manage everything themselves!
4. Using the Wrong Gear for Your First Family Surf
Board too small, wetsuit too big, leash too short, or a stiff resin board… Bad gear can completely ruin your session. Choosing the right beginner surfboard is key. Comfort is crucial—especially for kids, who need buoyancy, stability, and warmth. A wetsuit that’s too tight or too thin can ruin the fun fast.
At a surf school, everything’s covered: wide, soft foam boards, wetsuits that fit properly, trained supervision, and well-maintained equipment. Plus, gear is replaced regularly to avoid unpleasant surprises. Trust the pros—it saves you from beach tantrums, unnecessary slips, and tears in the cold water. And you? You can focus on what matters: sharing a special moment with your loved ones.
5. Setting the Bar Too High and Comparing Yourself
Everyone learns at their own pace. Some will stand up quickly, others will just laugh (or fall) the whole first session—and that’s perfectly okay. What matters is keeping things positive, being encouraging, and having fun. Celebrate every attempt—even the flops! Those are the memories that stick: the laughter, the goofy poses, the waves you catch together, the clapping from the beach.
Forget comparing yourselves to other families or the advanced students training nearby. Remember: this is your adventure, with your energy and bond. And don’t forget to snap some photos—they might be blurry, but they’ll be full of joy.
With a bit of preparation, some patience, good gear, and the help of a surf school like Ocean Ride, your first family surf session can become an unforgettable memory. Guaranteed laughs, real progress, and stronger family bonds. Who knows, maybe it’ll spark a new shared passion to enjoy every summer on Lacanau’s waves?
From age 5, with proper supervision. At Ocean Ride, our instructors are trained to safely teach even the youngest children. They use fun, pressure-free methods to help kids learn while having fun.
Yes—and it’s actually highly recommended! You’ll share a unique experience with your loved ones. We tailor the session to each person’s level so that everyone has a good time, regardless of age or ability.
No need to be an athlete! What matters is motivation and listening to your body. Most of all: don’t compare yourself to others. Surfing works the whole body, but everyone progresses at their own pace. It’s also a great way to get back in shape.
It varies a lot. Some stand up in an hour, others in a few days. The key is to enjoy learning. It’s not about performance—it’s about the joy of learning together.
