Raglan: 2 Day Surf Lesson Package

Two consecutive lessons give you something a single surf class cannot: time to practice, rest, and try again. Day one covers the basics, while day two lets you work on those skills with fresh tips from the instructors at New Zealand’s first surf school.

I like the small groups of six and the simple all-in setup, with a board, wetsuit, classroom theory, and water support included. I also like that you are supporting a local whanau business rather than booking a large commercial outing. The main drawback is that each lesson lasts two hours, so this is a focused introduction, not a full-day surf camp.

Key points

• Two consecutive lessons: Practice on day one, then return on day two while the movements are still familiar.
• Small groups: A maximum of six participants gives the instructors a better chance to offer individual help.
• Ngarunui Beach meeting point: Find the red truck and surf trailer in the beach carpark.
• Equipment included: Your surfboard and wetsuit are provided, so you need only bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.
• Instruction in English: Both theory and water support are part of each two-hour session.
• For ages 12 and up: Children under 12 cannot take part in this package.

Why two surf lessons work better than one

Surfing looks simple from the beach. Lie on the board, paddle, stand up, and ride. In practice, your timing, balance, body position, and confidence all have to cooperate at once.

That is why I like the design of this package. You get two consecutive days instead of one isolated attempt. The first lesson introduces the basic skills and gives you time to practise them. The second lesson brings you back before the information has gone cold, allowing the instructors to repeat, adjust, and build on what you learned.

You should not expect to become an accomplished surfer in two sessions. That would be a tall promise. But you can expect a useful start and a clearer sense of how to continue. The package is aimed at helping you feel more comfortable in the water and giving you the base for regular practice.

The two-day format also helps you judge if surfing is for you. After the first session, you may still be thinking about where your feet should go and how to balance. The second session gives you another chance to test those ideas instead of ending just as the sport begins to make sense.

Meeting the school at Ngarunui Beach

Your meeting point is easy to identify: the red truck and surf trailer in the Ngarunui Beach carpark. That detail matters because beach carparks can be busy and unfamiliar, especially if you are arriving for an early or afternoon lesson.

There is no listed transport from Raglan, so plan to get yourself to the carpark. The activity information gives the beach meeting point but does not state a transfer service, parking arrangement, or exact arrival time. Check your booking details for the meeting time and allow enough time to find the red truck, change, and get ready.

Ngarunui Beach is the setting for both lessons. Keeping the activity in one beach location makes the two days easy to follow. You return to the same meeting point, use the same type of equipment, and focus your attention on learning rather than working out a new schedule.

The package is available in the morning and afternoon. That gives you some room to fit surfing around a day in Raglan, though your preferred time may not always be available. Morning and afternoon conditions can feel different, so check the available session when you book.

Day one: theory, equipment, and your first practice

The first two-hour lesson is your starting point. The instructors cover the information you need before you begin, then support you in the water as you put it into practice.

The inclusion of theory is useful for a beginner. Surfing is not only about standing on a board. You need to understand the basic process before you try to repeat it, and a short explanation on land gives you a framework for the water session.

Your board and wetsuit are included. That keeps the first day straightforward and saves you from arranging separate rentals before you have even decided if you enjoy the sport. You need to bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Those are small items, but forgetting any of them can make a beach lesson less comfortable.

The first day is likely to feel busy. You are listening, watching, moving, and trying to remember several instructions at once. Do not judge your progress too quickly. The value of this session is that you get a proper first attempt with an instructor nearby rather than trying to work everything out alone.

The water support is especially important. You can receive help while practising instead of waiting until the end of the lesson for a general recap. The activity information does not name individual instructors, but it does specify experienced English-speaking instructors and a group limit of six.

That small group size is one of the strongest features here. Six people is still a group, so you will not have an entirely private lesson. But it is small enough for the instructor to keep track of participants and offer personal guidance more easily than in a crowded class.

Day two: repeat the basics and sharpen your approach

The second lesson is where the package earns its place over a single class. You return for another two-hour session and continue with the same broad mix of theory and water support.

Do not think of day two as simply repeating day one. Repetition is the point. Surfing depends on doing the same basic actions often enough that they begin to feel less awkward. The instructors can give you continued tips and support, helping you focus on the areas that need more work.

The supplied information does not set out a minute-by-minute schedule or promise a particular number of waves. That is useful to remember when setting expectations. Your session is shaped by the lesson plan, the group, and the conditions on the day.

What you can count on is a second day of instruction, equipment, and practice. You are not paying for one class followed by a suggestion to rent a board on your own. The package keeps the learning process together across two consecutive days.

This is also a good point to notice how you feel in the water. Some people find that confidence grows quickly once they have had a first attempt. Others need more time. Two lessons cannot guarantee the same result for everyone, but the second session gives you a fairer chance to find your rhythm.

What the $98 price includes

At $98 per person, the package includes two consecutive surf lessons, a board, a wetsuit, theory, and instructor support. The listed duration is two hours, which appears to refer to each lesson rather than the whole two-day package. Confirm the session details when booking if the timing is important to your plans.

That price is strongest for a beginner who needs equipment as well as teaching. Buying or arranging a board and wetsuit separately would add work and cost, while a single lesson would offer less practice time. Here, the second session is the main value: it gives you another supported attempt while the first lesson is still fresh.

The value is less clear if you already surf confidently or own suitable equipment. You may prefer a rental package or a private lesson aimed at specific skills. This two-day option is built for starting, stepping up, and gaining confidence rather than for advanced coaching.

The group limit also helps the price make sense. You are not booking a private instructor, but six is a modest group size. If personal attention is your top priority, compare it with the school’s private lesson option. If you want a guided introduction at a lower cost than private coaching, this package has a practical middle ground.

The local school connection

Raglan Surf School is described as New Zealand’s first surf school and as a local whanau business. Those details give the experience a strong local connection.

For you, that means the booking is not only about learning a sport. It also supports a family-run business based in the place where you are taking the lesson. This can matter if you prefer to spend your activity budget with local operators rather than large outside companies.

The school’s long experience is also relevant for beginners. A first surf lesson can be full of small uncertainties, from getting into the wetsuit to understanding what the instructor means in the water. A school built around teaching gives the session a clearer purpose than simply handing you equipment and pointing toward the waves.

Only English instruction is listed. You should be comfortable following explanations and receiving tips in English. The group is limited to six, and the activity is not suitable for children under 12.

Who should book this package

This is a good fit if you are:

• Trying surfing for the first time
• Looking for more practice than a single lesson provides
• Happy to learn in a small group rather than privately
• Visiting Raglan and able to return to Ngarunui Beach on two consecutive days
• At least 12 years old
• Interested in supporting a local whanau business

It may not suit you if you have only one available day in Raglan. In that case, the school’s one-day group lesson may fit better. It may also be the wrong choice if you want private coaching, a longer daily session, or a package aimed at more advanced surfers.

You should also think about your wider schedule. Two consecutive two-hour lessons require two separate visits to the beach. That is manageable for a stay in Raglan, but awkward if you are passing through for a few hours.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Your board and wetsuit are supplied, so you do not need to arrange those items yourself.

Sunscreen is especially worth remembering for a beach activity. You will spend time outside before, during, and after the lesson, and the water can make sun exposure easy to underestimate. A towel is just as practical after the session, particularly if you need to continue with your day.

Wear swimwear that is comfortable under a wetsuit. The supplied information does not list changing facilities or storage, so keep your personal items simple and bring only what you need.

You should also allow room in your plans for the lesson to be about learning, not sightseeing. The package is not described as a beach tour or a scenic outing. Its purpose is instruction and practice, so book it because you want to spend two days working on surfing.

How the feedback supports the choice

The experience has a 4.8 rating from six reviews, and the most specific comment praises the quality of the instructions. That lines up with the package’s main purpose: learning the basics with guidance rather than simply renting equipment.

The sample feedback comes from a German participant who took part on January 24, 2025, and gave the experience five out of five for good instructions. It does not provide names of instructors or detailed comments about wave conditions, equipment, or the beach setup, so you should not read more into the score than it supports.

Still, clear instruction is the part that matters most for a beginner. Good equipment helps, but a board and wetsuit alone do not tell you how to use them. The combination of theory, water support, and a second consecutive session is the sensible reason to choose this package.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That is useful when your North Island plans are still shifting, though it does not remove the need to check the exact booking conditions and session time.

Lessons are usually offered in the morning and afternoon. Select a time that leaves enough space around the rest of your day, since the package requires two consecutive days.

The activity is conducted in English. The group is capped at six participants, and children under 12 are not accepted.

Should you book the Raglan two-day surf package?

Book it if you want a proper first step into surfing, not just a quick try. The second consecutive lesson is the key advantage, giving you time to repeat the basics and use fresh advice before the first session fades from memory.

At $98 per person, the package offers fair value for two lessons with a board, wetsuit, theory, and water support included. The small group limit of six makes it more personal than a large class, while the local whanau ownership adds a worthwhile connection to Raglan.

Skip it if you cannot stay for two days, need private coaching, or already have solid surf skills. For everyone else, especially beginners aged 12 and over, this is a focused and sensible way to begin a surfing routine at Ngarunui Beach.

FAQ

How long is each surf lesson?

Each lesson lasts two hours. The package includes two consecutive days of lessons.

What does the two-day package include?

It includes a surfboard, wetsuit, two consecutive surf lessons, theory, instruction, and support in the water.

Where do I meet the instructors?

Meet at the red truck and surf trailer in the Ngarunui Beach carpark.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The surfboard and wetsuit are provided.

Are the lessons held in the morning or afternoon?

The lessons are usually available in the morning and afternoon.

What language are the lessons taught in?

The instructor language is English.

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Is the package suitable for children?

No. Children under 12 are not permitted to take part.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.