I’ve met dozens of people who started surfing and completely changed their lives to include surfing at the top of their priority list. Surfing is a gateway to travel, art, and nature. It will take you to the most beautiful locations on earth and give you close friends you meet along the way. Learning to surf, however, can be frustrating. Fortunately for new surfers in El Paredón, Cocorí offers surf lessons to help get you out in the water and up and riding.
Don’t paddle out alone — the most important tip
The wave at El Paredón is powerful at any size. Beginner surfers should never paddle out alone. If you’re new, take lessons for your first few sessions. Our bilingual instructors will show you the local break and the fundamentals. Of all the tips you’ll hear, not paddling out alone is perhaps the most important.
Use the right board for your skill level
Choosing the wrong board is one of the most common beginner mistakes. If you’re learning, ride a longboard with plenty of float and stable surface area to pop up on. Soft tops or longboards are ideal. At Cocorí, our rental quiver includes beginner-friendly soft tops.
When in doubt, don’t go out
If you’re doubting whether you’re skilled enough to paddle out safely, do not paddle out. There will always be days with small surf. Paddling out over your head can put you and those around you in danger.
Master the fundamentals in white water
Popping up, paddling, and turtle rolling should be practiced in the shallows in white water before you graduate to the lineup.
Learn how to turtle roll
El Paredón is a powerful beach break that requires a serious paddle out. If you can’t turtle roll or duck dive, you’ll never make it to the lineup. When the incoming surf is about 6 feet (2 meters) away, grab the rails, roll over, let the wave pass, then roll back and keep paddling.
Practice proper surf etiquette
Etiquette keeps us safe and adds order to the lineup. El Paredón is rarely crowded, but the rules still apply: respect the locals, don’t drop in, respect priority for the surfer closest to the peak, and be mindful of your equipment.
Be mindful of the current and the rip
El Paredón’s mighty surf produces a strong rip. Look for rough or disturbed water leading from shore out to sea. If you get caught, do not fight the rip toward shore. Swim or paddle parallel to the beach, then head in.