Comesurfing – Learn how to surf

The best part of this Essaouira lesson is its clear goal: you are not just pushed into the water with a board and told to figure it out. Charaf begins with preparation and safety, then stays close as you learn how to catch a wave, rise from the board, and steer. That makes this a useful first step for anyone who wants more than a quick photo with a surfboard.

I like two things in particular. First, this is a private activity, so your group gets the instructor’s attention rather than sharing a large class. Second, Charaf is patient, observant, and willing to keep teaching beyond the advertised two hours when you still have energy. The main concern is that the experience depends on good weather, and the non-refundable booking rule makes your date worth choosing carefully.

Key points at a glance

• A private lesson with Charaf: Your group receives direct instruction instead of competing for attention in a big class.
• Land preparation comes first: You learn the basic movements and safety points before working with the waves.
• The goal is independent surfing: The lesson aims to get you catching waves and doing the pop up without help.
• Extra time may be possible: Charaf has stayed with students beyond two hours until they were exhausted.
• Near Essaouira’s public transport: The meeting point is Surf Essaouira, Wingfoil Camp Essaouira, on Avenue Mohamed V.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but ordinary cancellations are non-refundable.

What the Essaouira surf lesson is really trying to teach

Many first surf lessons are built around one small victory: standing up once. That is a fine start, but Comesurfing sets a more useful target. The aim is for you to catch a wave on your own and complete the pop up, the quick movement from lying on the board to standing on it.

That difference matters. A beginner who can stand only after an instructor pushes the board is still dependent on help. A beginner who can read a small wave, paddle at the right time, and rise without assistance has the beginnings of a real surfing skill.

I like this practical approach because it gives your two hours a clear purpose. You are not simply being entertained in the water. You are learning a sequence that you can repeat: prepare, position yourself, catch the wave, pop up, and ride.

The lesson also treats surfing as a physical and sensory sport. You learn through instructions, but you also learn by feeling the board move, judging the timing of the wave, and noticing how your balance changes. That combination is especially helpful for first-timers, since surfing can seem simple from the beach and surprisingly precise once you are on the board.

Meeting Charaf at Surf Essaouira

You meet at Surf Essaouira, Wingfoil Camp Essaouira, Comesurfing, at Avenue Mohamed V in Essaouira. The activity returns to this same meeting point at the end, which keeps the arrangement simple.

The location is near public transportation, a useful detail if you are staying elsewhere in town and do not want to arrange a private transfer. Your confirmation should arrive within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so give yourself time before the lesson rather than booking at the last minute.

Since this is a private activity, only your group takes part. That can make a real difference during the first session. You can ask Charaf to repeat a movement, slow down an explanation, or watch your technique closely without feeling that a whole class is waiting.

The meeting point is also practical for managing your day. The activity lasts about two hours, and it begins and ends in the same place. Still, allow extra time around the lesson. Surfing can be tiring, and the teaching may continue past the stated duration if you still have enough energy to work on the next step.

Starting on land before entering the water

The first part is preparation. Charaf explains the basics and works through the movements needed for surfing before you try to catch waves. This stage may feel less exciting than getting wet, but it is where you can understand the shape of the lesson and the safety points.

For a first-timer, this preparation is valuable for two reasons. It gives you a chance to ask questions while standing still, and it lets you practice the pop up before adding moving water and a board beneath you.

Pay attention to the order of the movement. Surfing is not simply a matter of jumping to your feet. You need to move with enough control to keep the board stable, and you need to rise at the right moment. A rushed movement can send you off balance before the ride has even begun.

The instructor’s close observation is another plus. Charaf has been described as careful about both training and safety, and that is exactly the kind of attention I want in a beginner lesson. You need someone who notices whether your feet, hands, and body position are working together, not someone who offers only general encouragement from the shore.

Learning to catch the first wave

Once you are ready, the focus shifts to the water and the timing of a wave. This is often the hardest part for a new surfer. You must judge when to paddle, keep the board moving in the right direction, and commit to the wave instead of hesitating.

The lesson’s private format helps here. Charaf can guide your timing and watch your attempts closely. That does not remove the learning curve, but it gives you a better chance to understand why one attempt works and another does not.

The early goal may be modest. You might first ride on your stomach, then bring your knees under you, then try to stand. One student reached the point of riding on their knees and nearly on their feet during the first course. That is a realistic picture of beginner progress: you may not finish as a polished surfer, but you can make a clear start.

I would treat the first session as skill-building rather than a promise of perfect standing rides. Ocean conditions, your fitness, your balance, and your willingness to keep trying all affect the outcome. The instructor can improve your chances, but no lesson can guarantee that every beginner will stand comfortably on the first day.

The pop up and the move toward independence

The pop up is the key skill here. It is the movement that takes you from lying on the board to standing while the wave carries you. The course aims to help you complete it without someone else doing the work for you.

That focus gives the lesson more value than a purely supervised beach activity. If you are considering more surfing after Essaouira, learning the basic mechanics properly now can save time later. You will still need practice, but you will have a better idea of what you are trying to repeat.

Comesurfing describes an intermediate surfer as someone who can catch waves independently and ride them after completing the pop up. That is an ambitious target for one first session, though the lesson is designed to move you in that direction. Most students are expected to reach the intermediate level by the end of the first session, but you should read that as an aim rather than a personal guarantee.

I appreciate the independence test because it is easy for a beginner lesson to feel successful while the instructor does most of the work. Here, your progress is measured by what you can do on your own. Even if you finish the session still working on your feet, you should know which parts of the process need more practice.

A patient instructor can change the experience

Charaf is the central part of this activity. His English is described as good and fluent, which is useful when instructions need to be quick and precise. Surfing involves movement, timing, and safety, so clear communication is not a small matter.

Patience is just as important. New surfers often repeat the same mistake several times before the movement begins to make sense. An instructor who stays attentive can correct the problem without making the lesson feel rushed.

The strongest practical detail is that Charaf may stay with you beyond the planned two hours, essentially until you are exhausted. That does not mean you should count on an unlimited lesson, but it shows that the session is not treated as a strict stopwatch exercise.

I would still be honest about the physical side. You need a moderate level of fitness, and paddling, balancing, falling, and getting back on the board can take more out of you than expected. If you are already tired before the lesson, the extra time may not be an advantage. Listen to your body and use the instructor’s guidance on when to stop.

What the $76.69 price means

At $76.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Essaouira. Its value comes from the private format and the amount of direct teaching, not from a long sightseeing route or a list of included attractions.

If you want a quick introduction to surfing with close attention from an instructor, the price is easier to justify. You are paying for preparation, safety guidance, repeated attempts, and coaching aimed at independent wave riding. The possible extra time also improves the value if you are still making progress after the basic session.

The price is less attractive if you are only curious about holding a board or trying surfing once with no interest in technique. You may not need a private lesson for that. This experience makes more sense for you if you want to learn the right movements and continue surfing later.

A private booking can also be useful for two people with different skill levels, though the supplied details do not explain how instruction is divided within a group. If you are booking with others, it is sensible to confirm how many people are included and how the teaching will be arranged.

Weather, cancellations, and choosing your date

Surfing depends on the sea, wind, and weather, so conditions matter more here than they do for many city activities. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

The stricter point is the cancellation policy for your own plans. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. I would avoid booking this until you are reasonably sure of your Essaouira schedule.

The activity is booked, on average, nine days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, especially if your time in Morocco is fixed. Book early enough to find an available date, but check the weather outlook and your transport plans before committing.

Because the activity depends on conditions, flexibility helps. If you have only one free morning in Essaouira, the lesson carries more risk than if you have several days and can accept a new date.

Who will get the most from this lesson

I would choose this for a first-time surfer who wants personal instruction, clear safety guidance, and a real attempt at riding independently. It also suits someone who likes learning by doing and does not mind repeating the same movement until it improves.

It is a good match if you are staying near Essaouira’s public transport and want an activity that begins and ends at one central meeting point. The two-hour format is short enough to fit into a larger day, though you should leave room for fatigue and possible extra teaching time.

You should think twice if you dislike physical activity, need a fixed end time, or cannot accept a non-refundable booking. You should also keep expectations realistic. A first lesson can give you a strong start, but it cannot replace repeated practice in the water.

My recommendation for booking

I would book Comesurfing if your main goal is to learn the basics rather than simply pose with a surfboard. The private format, patient guidance from Charaf, strong focus on safety, and emphasis on catching waves without help give the lesson a clear purpose.

The best reason to choose it is the attention to the full process. You prepare on land, work on the pop up, practice wave timing, and keep trying until you have a better sense of what independent surfing requires.

I would skip it if your schedule is uncertain or if $76.69 feels too high for a two-hour introduction. The weather requirement and strict cancellation rule deserve careful thought. For a committed beginner with moderate fitness and a firm date in Essaouira, though, this is a focused and useful first lesson.

FAQ

Where does the surf lesson start?

It starts at Surf Essaouira, Wingfoil Camp Essaouira, Comesurfing, at Avenue Mohamed V in Essaouira, Morocco.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the lesson last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. The instructor may continue beyond two hours if you are still able to practice.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What level of fitness do I need?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What is the lesson designed to teach?

The lesson teaches basic surfing technique, safety, wave catching, and the pop up. The goal is for you to catch waves and ride without assistance.

What happens if poor weather cancels the lesson?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled. If you cancel or request a change yourself, the payment is non-refundable and cannot be amended.