A Parent’s Honest Look at the 2025 Children’s School Holiday Surf Session (Ages 8-13)

The school holidays are fast approaching, and so, you’re likely on the hunt for something genuinely special for your 8-to-13-year-old. I mean, it’s honestly a real challenge sometimes to find an activity that pulls them away from their screens and gets them properly excited about the outdoors. We recently had the chance to check out the 2025 Children’s School Holiday Surf Session, and basically, it was a pretty remarkable experience that felt like more than just a lesson. This review, you know, gives you the full, unvarnished scoop from a parent’s point of view, really, focusing on the bits that matter most: the fun, the safety, and the skills they bring home.

A Warm Welcome and Getting Suited Up

So, the moment we arrived at the beach, the atmosphere was, well, pretty relaxed and incredibly exciting at the very same time. You could, like, feel the positive energy right away, which is obviously a great start for any kids’ activity. The team of instructors, you know, greeted every single child by name, a small gesture that was a really nice and personal touch. They actually seemed genuinely happy to be there, and their enthusiasm, like, made all the difference in setting a comfortable tone. It wasn’t just a job for them; you could sort of tell they loved sharing their passion for the ocean. We were then guided over to the equipment area, and so, every piece of gear looked almost brand new and very well-maintained. It’s the kind of thing you look for as a parent, right?

The kids, you know, were kind of buzzing with anticipation as they were fitted for their wetsuits, each one chosen to make sure they’d be warm and comfortable in the water. The instructors were very patient, making sure every strap was secure and every child felt good. Then came the big moment of picking a board; they were these soft-top foam boards, you know, perfect for beginners and really safe. The instructors helped each child find a board that was just the right size for them, which is apparently very important for balance and control. You could just see the kids’ faces light up as they stood next to their very own surfboard, and in a way, that’s when the adventure really began for them.

Learning the Ropes on the Sand

Before anyone so much as dipped a toe in the ocean, there was, as a matter of fact, a super important session on the dry sand. I honestly think this was one of the best parts of the whole morning. The lead instructor, basically, broke down the mechanics of the “pop-up,” which is that quick move to get from lying down to standing on the board. You know, he cleverly made it into a fun game, so all the kids were practicing their moves on the beach, tumbling over, and laughing a lot. It wasn’t a rigid drill; it was, like, learning through play, which is definitely the best way for this age group to absorb new information. They repeated the movements in a kind of “surf yoga” sequence, and so, you could see them building muscle memory without even realizing it.

They also learned about ocean safety in a way that was actually engaging and not at all scary. The instructors talked about the ocean as if it were a living thing, explaining, like, how to read the waves in a simple way and how to spot where the calmest water was. They also went over the different hand signals they would use in the water, so everyone knew what a “thumbs up” or a “paddle now” signal meant. To be honest, watching this comprehensive but fun briefing was very reassuring from a parent’s perspective. It showed a deep respect for the ocean and a serious commitment to the children’s well-being. It was pretty much a masterclass in how to prepare kids for a new challenge.

Read our full review: [Children’s School Holiday Surf Session Full Review and Details]

Finally Hitting the Water

So, this was the moment everyone was waiting for, right? You could literally feel the excitement building as the kids picked up their boards and headed for the shoreline. The instructors took the group into the shallow, white, foamy water, and at the end of the day, their organisation was seriously impressive and so smooth. With a really small student-to-instructor ratio, you could clearly see that every single child was getting almost constant attention and personalized help. No one was ever left on their own, and that, for me, was a really big deal. An instructor was, like, right there beside each child, helping them position their board, telling them which little wave looked promising, and then giving the board a gentle push to get them going at just the right moment.

The first attempts were, honestly, a glorious mix of wobbly knees, big splashes, and even bigger grins. It was just pure, chaotic fun. Actually, the sound of the kids shrieking with laughter and cheering for each other every time someone caught a bit of a wave was just the best thing to hear. It was incredible how supportive they were of one another, which I think was a direct reflection of the positive environment the instructors had created. Some kids were, you know, laser-focused on trying to stand, while others were perfectly happy just riding the whitewater on their bellies, feeling the rush of the ocean. The instructors celebrated every little victory, making each child feel like a champion, which was just so great to watch.

You know, what I really saw out there wasn’t just kids learning to surf. It was kids learning that it’s okay to fall down, because getting back up is actually part of the fun.

How Safety Is Handled from Start to Finish

Okay, so let’s talk a little more about safety, because as a parent, this is obviously the most important part of the entire experience. The surf school, it’s pretty clear from the very beginning, puts the safety and well-being of the children above absolutely everything else. The instructors are not just people who are good at surfing; they are, you know, fully qualified professionals with surf coaching and lifesaving certifications. You sort of get the sense that they could handle any situation calmly and competently, which gives you incredible peace of mind just standing on the beach watching.

The lessons themselves, you know, are always held in a specially designated, flagged area of the beach that is pretty much perfect for beginners. The instructors select the spot each day based on the conditions, always choosing a place with a sandy bottom and no strong currents or hidden rocks. They also have, of course, a full first-aid kit and safety equipment readily accessible on the sand. Moreover, they consistently brief the kids on what to do if they fall off their board – like how to surface with your arms protecting your head – which, actually, is something that happens a lot. They make it a normal part of the process, so it’s not a shock when it happens. The whole operation, really, feels very professional and secure.

What Your Child Will Really Take Away

By the time the session wrapped up, some of the kids were managing to stand up for a few brilliant seconds, while others were simply happy and exhausted from just riding the whitewater on their bellies, and you know, that was totally celebrated too. What every child left the beach with was, in a way, much bigger and more lasting than just a new physical skill. You could literally see their self-confidence grow and blossom in just a couple of hours. They faced a real, physical challenge, they fell down dozens of times, and, basically, they got right back up again with a huge smile on their faces. That’s a life lesson right there, isn’t it?

They were also, you know, working together in a really informal way, making new friends outside of their usual school circles, and just having an absolute blast in the fresh, salty air. I saw kids helping each other carry their boards and giving high-fives after a good ride. At the end of the day, that’s what a great school holiday adventure is really all about. It’s about building resilience, fostering a love for nature, and creating those happy memories that they’ll talk about for a long, long time. This surf session delivered all of that, and then some. It’s basically an experience we would absolutely recommend to other families looking for something a bit different and very rewarding.

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