15 Day Learn to Surf Camp

Enjoy a scenic drive to Coffee Bay with the Coffee Shack shuttle, which will pick you up from your bus or flight in Mthatha.

Check in and get settled with a welcome drink, then relax or stroll down to the beach to get your bearings.

You will meet our surf instructors; discuss the program for the next few days and any previous surfing experience you may have (none is necessary). Dinner is served around 19:00.

Grab a quick cappuccino before your 2-hour morning group surf lesson at 07:30, (we never have more than 5 surfers in any of our groups). In this first lesson, you will learn the basics of paddling, catching white waters and standing up, if you have never surfed before. The instructor will assess your surfing skills, so that we can customise your package according to your ability and allocate you the appropriate equipment. Return to Coffee Shack for breakfast.

At 10:30 you depart on the Rhini Village Walk, which is an introductory experience of contemporary rural Xhosa life. Then you have time to relax, enjoy the hammocks, take a swim, before your first theory lesson, an “Introduction to surf equipment”. Dinner is a hearty two course meal, served at 19h00. After dinner enjoy the company of travellers around the campfire or get some much-deserved sleep

Sleep in if you want, enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Depart at 10:00 for “Beach Day” - a day of surf lessons, sun, beach volleyball and general fun. Enjoy another group lesson on the “Beach Day” and use of the appropriate surf boards all day. Freshly toasted sandwiches are served for lunch. Before dinner you will have your second surf theory lesson, and the usual delicious 2 course meal at 19:00.

Your first private lesson will be after breakfast, giving you a chance to put your new learned surf theory into practise. That evening you will have your third surf theory lesson, before the usual 2 course dinner at 19:00.

Another happy day starting with a standard group surf lesson at 07:30, come back and enjoy breakfast. You then head off to explore the exciting Mpuzi Cliffs and Caves, lunch is included. Enjoy the usual two course dinner that evening.

MPUZI CLIFFS AND CAVES
If you enjoy exploration and adventure this is the daytrip for you. A spectacular day spent picking your way down goat paths along the Mpuzi cliff edge. Check out the caverns and the Bat Cave, discover hidden pathways and secret pools and do some mind-blowing cliff jumps! Scramble back up the rocks and teeter across the “land-bridge” back to base-camp for lunch under the trees. Then get the adrenalin going again with a cliff jump into the Mpuzi River before returning to Coffee Shack.

FACTS
Depart 10:30 - return 15:00;
Approx. 2hrs hiking (5km) including rock scrambling;
Includes a lift back to Coffee Shack;
Includes lunch and you can purchase cold drinks, chips & chocolate from the cooler box.
Swimming & cliff jumps are not compulsory;
You need at least 1.5l of water, shoes (trainers or sandals, not flip-flops), sunscreen/hat, camera, bathers/towel.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. After breakfast learn about Sustainable Coffee Bay NPO (Non-Profit Org) and visit Ikhaya Labantwana Montessori Preschool, learning more about how they are changing people’s lives and the challenges faced to give children the greatest gift in life - a good education, in remote rural areas. The rest of the day is yours, join the daily scheduled “day trip” to explore the area, use your free “board hire” to get in some extra practise or just relax in the hammocks. That evening the Xhosa Village dinner is an evening of dancing, singing, joy and an opportunity to interact with your hosts in the village, with a traditional meal and beer included.

Another exciting day starting with a standard group surf lesson at 07:30, come back and enjoy breakfast. 10:30 depart on the guided hike to the iconic Hole in the Wall, delicious sandwiches toasted on the fire for lunch is included. Enjoy the usual two course dinner that evening.

HOLE IN THE WALL HIKE
An always popular 3-hour walk to one of the region’s most beautiful natural features. This 9 km coastal hike takes you through remote rural villages, passing the baby “hole in the wall” before reaching the Mpako River that passes through the Hole in the Wall. Relax under the milk woods or go for a swim while the guide prepares a tasty lunch of sandwiches toasted on the open fire. If the ocean permits, try a daring jump into the hole. We will then drive you back along the scenic gravel road, arriving just in time for a sundowner with a favourite drink.

FACTS
Depart 10:30 - return 15:30-16:00;
Approx. 3hrs non-technical hiking (9km);
Includes a lift back to Coffee Shack;
Includes lunch and you can purchase cold drinks, chips & chocolate from the cooler box;
Swimming not compulsory;
You need at least 1.5l of water, shoes (trainers or sandals, not flip-flops), sunscreen/hat, camera, bathers/towel.

A day of rest or exercise - it is a day off from organised activities. You decide, breakfast and dinner are as usual.

Your second private surf lesson will be after breakfast, giving you the opportunity to practise your surf theory in the ocean. The afternoon is yours to play. The usual 2 course dinner at around 19:00.

Sleep in if you want, enjoy a leisurely breakfast. At 10h30 leave for “Beach Day” and delicious freshly toasted sandwiches are served for lunch. That afternoon you will go with your host family, where you will be spending the night. Experiencing real rural Xhosa village life, assist collecting water or wood or in the fields, whatever is happening that afternoon. A unique fun, cultural exchange, and opportunity to experience a life different to yours. Dinner and breakfast are included

VILLAGE OVERNIGHT
“Village Overnight’s” are an important part of the Coffee Shack experience and an authentic way to participate in contemporary, rural Xhosa living. It is a chance to get involved in family life and learn the traditional roles of men and women in the family; collect water, collect wood, make mud bricks, look after the animals, share a meal and learn the Xhosa language. This is a unique opportunity to ask questions and learn a lot.

FACTS
Depart 15:30 and return 09:00 the next morning;
Approx. 30min walk;
Includes traditional cooked meal and a light breakfast, Bedding provided;
You will need shoes (trainers or sandals, not flip-flops), camera, torch;

After breakfast with your host family, you return to Coffee Shack. You will have your third private surf lesson later that morning, or afternoon depending on conditions. Learn the traditional Xhosa art of beading and make your own beaded bracelet, under the guidance of a traditional craft lady, and learn more about the life of Coffee Bay’s informal traders. The usual 2 course dinner at 19:00.

Another happy day starting with a group surf lesson at 07:30, come back and enjoy breakfast. The rest of the day is yours, join the daily scheduled “day trip” to explore more of the area, use your free “board hire” to get in some extra practise or just relax in the hammocks. That evening you will have your fourth(final) surf theory lesson, before the usual 2 course dinner at 19:00.

Your fourth private surf lesson will be after breakfast. During the day, you will learn a little about the Wild Coast intertidal zone in the Coastal Conservation and Awareness discussion, which includes a “Beach Clean-up”. The usual 2 course dinner at around 19:00.

Your fourth private surf lesson will be after breakfast. During the day, you will learn a little about the Wild Coast intertidal zone in the Coastal Conservation and Awareness discussion, which includes a “Beach Clean-up”. The usual 2 course dinner at around 19:00.

Departure day if you must leave our little paradise. Use your free “board hire” and tag onto the morning surf lesson, to get in some last-minute practise and then breakfast before you leave. Check out time is 11:00, safe travels, we hope to see you again soon.

*Please note that the program for this surf camp itinerary may run in a different order, due to weather, ocean or other unforeseen conditions.

With the beach to ourselves most of the year, the soft easy, gentle gradient of Coffee Bay beach makes it the perfect spot to learn to surf or to work on improving your surfing technique and skills. Conditions are often perfect for lessons with super safe, waist deep water for your surf lessons. We use the best learner specific soft boards, and as you progress we can also supply more advanced boards for the intermediate surfer. Our focus is on you learning to surf quickly, effectively and with style; secondly as with all things ‘Coffee Shack’, is that you have ‘FUN” and enjoy the experiences whilst learning something new.

13 x Night’s accommodation
14 x Breakfasts
12 x Dinners at camp
1 x Xhosa Village Home stay
1 x Xhosa Village Dinner
4 x 2-hour surf lessons
4 x private surf lessons
2 x Beach Day
4 x Surf Theory lessons
1 x Half Day surfboard & wetsuit hire
1 x Beach clean-up and coastal awareness intro
1 x Introduction to Sustainable Coffee Bay Npo (Non-Profit organisation)
1 x Guided hike to Hole in the wall
1 x Guided Xhosa Rhini Village Explorer
1 x Guided Mpuzi Cliffs and Caves Hike
1 x Traditional Xhosa dinner excursion
1 x Xhosa bead workshop
1 x Coffee Shack t-shirt
Shuttle to and from Mthatha, to meet your bus or flight