LEARN TO SURF

QUICK, SAFE AND FUN

Surf Lessons

Learn to surf with us

Perfect beginner conditions

Surfing is such a great watersport and when you are in the hands of true surf professionals surfing is accessible for people of all ages, so never think you're too old to learn to surf!

The Dominican Republic has perfect beginner learn to surf spots; water and air temperatures are warm year-round, so you can leave your wetsuit at home.

Swell Surf Camp
Swell Surf Camp Coaches

Our Coaches

At Swell surf camp, all our surfing lessons are given in groups in a structured manner, using properly I.S.A. qualified surf coaches.

This means that Swell’s surf instructors have all completed specific training in teaching techniques, including Practical and Theory Lessons, Life Guard Training and CPR/Basic First Aid.

As a result, you could not get better surf coaching on our learn to surf holiday.

Coaches
Beginner or Intermediate

Learn 2 Surf Holiday

We have taught 1000's of people the fun sport of surfing in a fun, safe and quick way. One question we get asked a lot is: "Am I too old to learn surfing?" The answer is: No, if you are healthy and can swim then we can teach you how to surf! We have taught lots of people to surf in their 40'S, 50's and 60's on their surf holiday.

Qualified surf instructors

Qualified surf instructors

Our qualified ISA surf coaches and low student to coach ratio, ensures that you will receive great surf lessons from surf coaches who have themselves been taught how to correctly communicate their methods and advice. You could not be in better hands on your surf vacation

Surf theory lessons

Surf theory lessons

Learning how waves are formed, how to paddle correctlyand spot the best place to sit, are just some of the topics covered in the learn to surf course. With a week-long stay, our learning to surf course consist of a theory surf lesson & 5 mornings of surf lessons / coaching, followed by supervised surfboard rental.

Details

A typical day of surfing with Swell

6:30
6:45
7:00
9:00
9:30
10:30
12:15

* The above is an indication of a typical day, however we are always dependent on weather, tide, wave conditions and skill levels of surfers, so timings can be subject to change.

Swell Surf Camp Nature Swell Surf Camp Nature

Our Surf beach

Ideal For learning to surf

There are plenty of stunning beaches in the Caribbean, but very few beaches have the surf conditions that our local surf spot offers: white sand, mellow warm waves and a shoreline lined with palms trees.

Another reason why Playa Encuentro, where we surf is so good is that it's one of the most consistent surf spots in Central America: there are surfable waves year round and normally we can surf about 350 days per year.

Because of these characteristics we don't have to go and find a different surf spot every day, Encuentro has something for everyone. As a results, we don't waste time 'highway surfing' (searching for waves), but more time actually riding good waves. Surf beach



SOME QUICK QUESTIONS

WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY OF SURF LESSONS AT SWELL ?

Please check the slider above on this webpage; it gives a breakdown of a typical learn how to surf with Swell day, including all relevant timings. There are additional surf theory lessons given during the week, along with paddle-practise in our swimming pool at the surf camp.
In order to help you with flight timings, you will not be surfing on your day of arrival, but you should be able to fit in a lesson or a practice on your day of departure as the majority of flights into Puerto Plata arrive and depart in the afternoon.

WHAT MAKES SWELL DIFFERENT?

When we started to make plans for Swell Surf & Yoga retreat, we had 1 goal in mind: to create the best luxury surf camp / surf retreat experience in the world!

We are one of the only places in the world that was purposely designed from scratch by an internationally known architect to be a surf & Yoga Retreat. Unlike most other surf camps and retreats around the world that have converted an old rental house into a surf camp, this is not the case at Swell!

When it comes to food, we love good tasty organic food ourselves, so that is what we serve our clients

Learn to Surf lessons? From ISA qualified surf instructors that can teach in a structured manner and that have a passion for learning people how to surf

Most surf instructors have a passion for surfing, that’s not good enough: we require our surf instructors to have a passion for teaching people how to surf

The Swell Promise:

We aim to be the best Adult Surf Camp / Surf & Yoga retreat

To do so we:

  • Provide high quality how to surf courses.
  • Provide our guests with super comfortable rooms.
  • Serve tasty home cooked meals.
  • Have friendly and knowledgable staff.
  • Create a friendly, social and welcoming environment.

ABOUT SWELL

About Swell :

After living in the Dominican Republic for 8 years and loving the great outdoor watersport lifestyle, Jeroen (from the Netherlands) and Clare (for the UK) decided it was time to share their knowledge of the Dominican Republic all that this stunning country has to offer with visitors from around the world.

Clare and Jeroen were already familiar with surf coaching retreats, resort and adult surf camps in many different countries and have had to stay in some very ordinary surf travel accommodation in their quest for great surfing waves, they knew that there was something missing in the market of surf camps; a place which was still social, but offering better quality accommodation, great food, nicer beds, cleaner rooms: A stylish, luxury surf retreat with surf lessons and surf coaching. They set about designing the kind of place they would want to stay in themselves:  a luxury surf camp.

THE WORLD’S FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT LUXURY SURF CAMP!

So they hired a renowned Swiss architect for one purpose: to come up with the world’s first purpose-built, luxury surf coaching retreat/  resort.

Since opening in the winter 2009/2010 Swell surf instructors have taught 1000’s of people how to surf in a safe, fun and structured manner. Since its opening, Swell has won multiple awards and has 100’s of excellent reviews from happy guests. Swell continues to be one of the top surfing destinations for couples, groups and solo travellers to go to as the #1 luxury surf camp holiday.surf camp reviews

It’s not just surfing on offer at Swell; You can learn to kitesurf, learn wingfoiling, take yoga classes, go horse riding on the beach or in the mountains and enjoy some truly spectacular outdoor adventure trips like canyoning for example.

Swell offers package surf holidays that take all the hassle out of the planning, with airport transfers, transport to the beach and much more, so all Swell guests can enjoy a stress-free luxury surf experience. You just have to book your flights, and they will take care of the rest!

With great food being such an important part of anyone’s surf vacation, Swell delivers there too; with superb home-cooked food at the camp and on the evenings when guests go out to dinner, a large choice of restaurants offering a comprehensive choice of dining are all within a few minutes walk.

HOW DO I BOOK A HOLIDAY WITH YOU?

Booking a surf trip with Swell is easy:

Check out the various pages on our website, we have a lot of information about what we offer, that way you know exactly what you can expect when you book a trip with us.

We want happy clients at Swell.

We try to be as honest and transparent about what we offer. We do not make promises we cannot keep because we know how important your next holiday is for you. If anything is not clear on our website, do send us an email so we can help you make the right decision.

We hope we can welcome you in our place!

Jeroen & Clare (owners Swell Surf Camp)

  1. Check the different packages that we offer on the pricing page to get an idea if what we offer suits your needs and budget.
  2. Send us a quick message with your dates and we get back to you in a few hours to tell you if we have space in that particular week for you (or suggest alternative dates). We will also send you a price quote with exact details on what is and isn’t included in our surf holiday packages.
  3. To reserve your stay at Swell we require a deposit so we can confirm your stay. Payment is done via 128-bit secured external credit card processor (alternative payment options are available).

Once payment is made, you send us your arrival details so we can make sure we have our taxi pick you up from the airport for a hassle free start of your surfing vacation.

If you have any questions, we are here to answer those for you; we want to make sure that you are booking the right surf holiday (even if that means you not staying with us).

When you send us an email we get back to you very quickly (that’s a promise).

Swell does not work with any travel agents, or external sites for our bookings

I HAVE NEVER SURFED BEFORE, IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?

Yes! We set up our learn to surf program to be a perfect match for complete beginners who have never surfed before to intermediate surfers who have had some surf lessons before but need surf coaching to learn more advanced surfing techniques.

What about age? Am I too old?
We get a lot of these questions in via email:
I want to learn to surf at 40
I want to learn how to surf at 50 or even 60+ etc.
The answer is: Yes if you can swim and are mobile we can get you up and riding on a wave in our 5-day-learn-to-surf course. Don’t let your age hold you back!
Our local surf beach has one of the best learn to surf conditions in the whole of the Caribbean.

CAN I COMBINE SURFING & KITESURFING?

If ‘just’ learning to surf or ‘just’ learning to kitesurf is not enough, and you want the ultimate watersport action holiday, then yes you can combine our learn to surf holiday with kitesurfing or the new sport of Wing surfing.
The surfing is mostly done before mid-day, then at around 13.00 to 14.00 the trade winds kick in for ideal kite and wing surfing.
Just ask us about the packages that we offer that combine different sports, surf in the morning, wind sports in the afternoon and you will surely sleep well and satisfied in the evening.

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  • Think of Swell as the anti-surf camp. There’s plenty of surfing, of course, but the similarities to other surf camps end there. For starters, the rooms are stylish — more boutique surf hotel than reggae-loving surfer digs. Then there are the legendary breakfasts (omelets, pancakes and crepes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and fruit bowls). Structured surf lessons take place each morning, with an instructor alongside you and the head surf coach watching from shallow water, ready to offer learn to surf tips between riding waves. If you are serious about learning to surf, then Swell should be on top of your destination list. Highly recommended!

    Reference Source:
    [Frommer’s Travel Guides]

    Designed with the discerning surfer in mind, Swell Surf Camp is far from a crash pad. The spare clean lines, plush bedding, modern photographs and funky furniture say ‘boutique surf retreat’ but the pool, ping-pong and foosball tables and social vibe suggest otherwise. A huge wood communal table is the center of the hanging-out action, after all the surfing is done. Highly recommended!

    Reference Source:
    [Lonely Planet]

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