FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to book? Yes. Pre-booking is essential as we have limited spaces. Booking early ensures you have the spaces you require. Booking is easy, just click book now and follow the instructions.
I haven't signed the disclaimer or my enrolment questionnaire, do I need to? Yes. We need these completed before you will be able to join an activity. Completing them is easy by going back into your Eola account. Not sure how to get into your account? Have a look here 'Online booking guide'. Check spam or junk folders if you haven't received a confirmation email, an invite to book, or invitations to fill in disclaimer and enrolment questionnaire.
What do I need to bring for lessons? All you will need for your lessons are, swimming trunks/small shorts for boys, swimming costume/bikini for girls. Bulky items will be uncomfortable under a skintight wetsuit. Suncream,drinking water, towel and appropriate clothing for before and after the lesson. Warm weather proof clothing is a good idea!
Will it be cold? The water is likely to cold early and late season, but we use UK sealed winter wetsuits for our activities year round! These are thicker and much warmer than the cheap unsealed suits used by many UK surf schools. We also provide boots as standard and for the coldest winter months hooded suits (or separate hoods) and gloves.
How long do lessons last? Our comrehensive beginner lessons are 2 hours, taster surf sessions 1 hour 15 minutes. Paddle board comrehensive lessons are 2 hours, taster sessions 1 hour.
Do I need to be a really strong swimmer to have lessons? For beginner lessons and improvers, for all our activities being confident swimmingin open water is fine. Beginner lessons are run in waist deep water and carefully managed by expert instructors, with SLSGB/RLSS NARS rescue qualifications. For more advanced surf lessons we do require a swimming ability of 50m . We can sometimes offer besopke activities for those not able to meet the minimum requirements, please contact us directly before booking.
Do I need a high level of fitness to learn to surf? Surfing is a physical activity, but it is your lesson, and you choose the pace. You can get out for a break at anytime during lessons. Having a good base level of fitness is a good idea, to get the most from your lessons. Have a look at our blog for some surf fitness ideas.
What age can you learn to surf or paddle board? Our minimum age for learning to surf is aged 7 upwards. There is no upper age limit. For SUP lessons minimum age is 11. Children must be able to carry their own board. We can sometimes offer besopke activities for those not able to meet the minimum requirements, please contact us directly before booking.
Do I need to hire the equipment for my lessons? No all equipment is included in the lesson cost. Suitable soft foam surfboards applicable to your size are used for beginner lessons. We use UK winter wetsuits year round and wetsuit boots as standard.
Are AberAdventures regulated? We are a Welsh Surfing Federation approved surf school and regulated by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). This means we adhere to strict safety guidelines. We have valid insurance up to £10,000,000. We are currently applying to be a British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA) approved paddle board school.
How many surf lessons will I need? This varies from individual to individual, but as a general rule 2-3 beginner surf lessons will give you a firm grip of the basics (riding white water waves) and necessary safety protocols. If you have aspirations to be out back catching unbroken waves, then having more lessons is a must. A popular choice is one lesson a day until you feel confident, then hiring for a day or 2 to practice before returning for more lessons to further your progression. There are many factors to consider that affect your rate of progression. Surf and wind conditions, budget, aspirations, stamina and fitness levels all need considering.
How many paddle board lessons will I need? Ivariees from individual to individual. Most people find they can stand and paddle after 1 lesson, others find it takes a little longer. Having further lessons, really allows you to become proficient with refining stroke techniques, manoeuvring the board effectively and learning how to be afe while out on the water.
Where do AberAdventures run lessons? We operate lessons in Borth or Ynyslas, for surf lessons, depending on the surf conditions for the day. Paddle board lessons run either in Borth or at Llyn Pendam. Have a look at the following link for directions. How to find us. We decide the day prior to the lesson where will be suitable. It is vital that you get in contact to confirm where and if lessons will be suitable to run lessons. We are also able to run lessons further afield for larger group bookings, get in touch to find out more.
What facilities are available? For Borth lessons, there are public toilets (not to used for changing), cafe and shops. Ynyslas and Llyn Pendam have no facilities. We recommend bringing everything you need and visiting a toilet before arriving. Most people get changed by their vehicle and lock keys in the AberAdventures van. If you travelled without a vehicle then you are welcome to leave your belongings locked in the van.
What happens if conditions are no good? Having flexibility is a must for weather related activities, (which all ours are). In the case conditions are unsuitable for lessons on your chosen day, there is then the chance to re-schedule, offer you the chance to do another activity (availability and conditions depending) or offer a credit voucher, valid for 12 months. We can offer a refund if non of these are suitable, but we do unfortunately have to charge 25% of the full cost to cover, staff retainers, administration, booking system charges and bank charges. We require 14 days notice of any cancellations from you to receive any refund. See our full Terms & Conditions.
Will lessons go ahead in the rain? Yes.
How can I pay for a lesson or activity? All activities require full payment in advance to secure the places, our booking system powered by Eola is easy to use and accepts payment from all major credit/debit cards. If you do encounter any problems then please just drop us a line. For surf/paddle board lessons and hire use the 'book now' button to check availability and book. For other activities, (or times different to those on Eola) please send us a message, or give us a call to check availability and arrange a booking. hello@aberadventures.com 07976 061 514.
I haven't received a booking confirmation email from Eola? If a confirmation email hasn't gone into your inbox, check your spam and junk folders too.
I have had a reminder email to complete a dsiclaimer and questionnaire, but I don't know where to go? CLick the link in the reminder and follow the directions.