I have never surfed SUP before, is SurfSUPNI Surf School right for me? --  Most of our students have never surfed before so don’t worry about being the only beginner! All that matters is that you are comfortable wearing a lifejacket and being in the water and that you are ready to have the time of your life!

Is SurfSUPNI Surf School regulated? -- Yes. We are really proud that our surf school is an ISA Accredited School so you can rest assured we have all the correct qualifications, insurance cover and so on.  Our instructors are also trained lifesavers through Irish Water Safety and we have a level 2 instructor to help those who REALLY want to ramp up their progress.

Why should I select SurfSUPNI Surf School? --  We are NI's premier Stand Up Paddle School and offer a great experience to our clients.  Just look at Trip Advisor to see our fabulous ratings and comments.  We really value our custom and WANT you to have such a good time you tell people about it!

Our location, Portballintrae Harbour and beach is the safest learning place in the area for learning Stand Up Paddleboardin (SUP). It has all the facilities and is perfect for families, groups or individuals.

Instructors,  We believe in offering you outstanding customer service and the highest level of surf tuition. Any programme is only as good as its staff and their training. The calibre of our surf instructors is probably our greatest asset. At SurfSUPNI Surf School, our team are incredibly highly trained and motivated, totally dedicated to helping you learn new skills. Our instructors work with you in small well structured groups(up to 6 at a time) so you have a  fantastic and productive learning experience and stay safe at all times. 

Where do the surf SUP lessons take place? --  All of our surf SUP lessons take place at Portballintrae Harbour area, the safest and best harbour in the area to learn to surf SUP. 

Can we keep the kit after the surf lesson has finished? --  After your surf lesson, we ask you to return the equipment. However, if you want to hire the equipment then let us know and we will hook you up!

After taking a beginners surf lesson, will I need any more lessons? --  The first surf lesson gives you the basics, gets you standing up on your board, keeping you as safe as possible while you have loads of fun! If you want to progress to surf waves, then you will need more surf SUP lessons. Usually 4-6 lessons are enough for you to master the basics and be ready to go out and practice on your own.  However, this depends on a number of factors, such as fitness and stamina, surf conditions, winds and tides. Check out our Lessons and Courses. 

How many surf lessons do you recommend? -- This is down to your available time, budget, commitment, fitness levels and aspirations. For a beginner, we would normally recommend at least 2 or 3 lessons to start off as this would allow for a reasonable progression. However, for a more fulfilling development with a view to being able to keep on surfing for the rest of your life, a 5 or 6 lesson course is advisable.  By the end of this, it is usually possible to get to a level where you could go out on your own and practice your skills.

How many surf lessons a day do you recommend on a course of lessons? --  Once again, this depends on your personal circumstances. As a general rule, if you have time, our recommendation is to take one surf lesson a day if you are on a longer course.  This allows for plenty of rest between sessions. We tend to see better levels of progression from our students with this structure and motivation levels remain higher.Surfing is a demanding sport and people often overestimate how much they will be able to achieve quickly. Taking it easy and giving 100% on the session is the way to go.

What if I have a medical condition? Can I still take part in surf lessons? -- Please contact us in advance if you have any concerns about your health. (Link to email form)

What times are the lessons at SurfSUPNI Surf School? --  We run surf courses from 9am 11am 1pm and 3pm in high season, meeting at our SurfSUPNI boathouse at the harbour 15 minutes before the start time. Private 1:1 lessons are available at any time.

I have been surfing SUP for a while and I don’t want beginner type group lessons. What else can you offer?

Every single surfer or sportsperson, regardless of level, will always benefit from coaching.  We offer improver and developer lessons specifically aimed at surfers who are looking to develop their skills. We can cater for everyone from a first time novice surfer to a competition level surfer.

What age range are your students? --  We have students of all ages from 8 yrs old upwards. There is no upper age limit and we have introduced people in their sixties and seventies to the fun of paddleboarding.

Do you provide all the surfing SUP equipment? -- Yes. We use Liquidshredde surfboards with safety fins for all of our beginners. We use great wetsuits from Circle One. If you have your own equipment, you are of course welcome to bring it along.

What do I need to bring? --  You will need to bring a towel, sunblock, clothing suitable for the weather on the day, some money for refreshments and plenty of enthusiasm!

Do I need to book? -- It is best to book in advance.  If you leave it to the last minute or just drop in, there are no guarantees we will be able to fit you in.  Many days, particularly in the height of summer, can be fully booked. We work to strict coaching ratios, so this places limitations on us with staffing levels.  The earlier you can book your surf SUP lessons, the better as this means you will definitely be able to have surf SUP lessons at the time you want.

How do I book my surf course? --  Most of our surf courses (except those that include accommodation or special courses) can be booked online and we have a secure site for online payment. 

For all accommodation packages, we will check for availability and then get back to you at the earliest opportunity. We endeavour to answer all enquiries within 24 hours.  Depending on the type of booking, a deposit may be required. This can be paid over the telephone, using a debit or credit card or via internet banking.  Some bookings, especially large groups, will require full payment 14 days before arrival. After booking, a confirmation will be emailed or posted with all the information you require.

What sort of payment do you accept? --  We accept payments online via PayPal, cheques or cash

What if conditions are unsuitable on the day? --  When learning to surf SUP novices need calmish conditions similar to how a novice skier learns on the gentle nursery slopes. Feeling safe and comfortable enhances learning much faster. We operate from one of the safest and best learn to surf SUP spots in the Northern Ireland.  In the rare event that conditions are unsuitable for surfing SUP we will make every effort to reschedule your lesson. This does not happen often. In fact, we average a 95% surfability factor during our season so days are rarely missed.