Canggu: 3-days surf course with ISA certified instructor

At Canggu’s Batu Bolong Beach, you learn surfing in three focused two-hour sessions, with the timing adjusted around the tides, waves, weather, and your schedule. Yahya, an ISA-certified instructor, keeps the lessons practical, and beginners work toward catching waves rather than simply hearing surf theory on the sand.

I like the flexible lesson times, which can mean getting into the water before the strongest sun and busiest beach hours. I also like the clear attention to safety and the private-group format, since Yahya can adjust the pace instead of pushing everyone through the same drills.

The main consideration is that this is a beach-based beginner course, not a guaranteed fast track to advanced surfing. Non-swimmers cannot join, and the final session may be adjusted if the sea or your progress does not suit the planned techniques.

Key points at a glance

• Three separate two-hour lessons: Choose the days that fit your Bali plans, with each session combining land instruction and water practice.
• Flexible timing at Batu Bolong: Yahya can discuss lesson times around tides, waves, weather, and your schedule.
• A strong beginner focus: Learn safety, paddling, standing, wave selection, positioning, and basic turning.
• Private instruction: The group size is private, allowing the lesson to match your confidence and ability.
• Useful equipment included: You receive a surfboard, rash shirt, water, zinc cream, and sun cream.
• A chance to progress: Some students move from beginner practice to a hardboard by the third day, depending on readiness.

Starting beneath Old Man’s at Batu Bolong

The meeting point is easy to find once you know the landmarks. Go to the main car park at Batu Bolong Beach, near the famous Old Man’s bar. Facing the ocean, walk left for about 200 metres until you reach Warung Bagus, also shown on Google Maps as the location for Matahari Surf School.

That short walk matters in Canggu, where beach access points and warungs can blur together. Give yourself enough time to find the right spot, especially for an early lesson. You meet your instructor there before moving into the first safety and technique briefing.

The beach setting gives this course a distinctly local, practical feel. You are not transported to a distant resort or kept in a classroom. Your introduction begins beside the same stretch of sand and water where you will practise, with the cafes and restaurants of Batu Bolong close by for before or after your session.

The course is taught in English, Indonesian, or Czech. The group type is private, listed for a group of up to one at the advertised price of $98, so check the booking details carefully if more than one person wants to join.

Day one: turning surf nerves into basic movement

The first two-hour session begins on land. You go through basic surf guidance, health and safety points, and warm-up exercises before handling the board in the water. This is important for a first lesson because surfing is not just standing up at the right moment. You need to understand where to position yourself, how to paddle, and how to respond when a wave approaches.

You practise paddling and standing with close instructor guidance in waves suited to your level. That wording is worth noting. The first day is not built around chasing the biggest wave available. It is about learning a repeatable movement and gaining enough confidence to try again after a fall.

For a beginner, the most useful part may be the correction you receive between attempts. Yahya’s teaching style is described as clear, patient, encouraging, and careful about risk. He also reads the waves before sending you out, which helps you work in conditions appropriate to your experience.

You should expect trial and error. You may stand briefly, miss a wave, lose your balance, or need several attempts before the movement feels natural. That is normal progress, not a sign that the course is failing. The value of having an instructor close by is that you can learn from each attempt instead of repeating the same mistake alone.

Day two: better paddling and smarter wave choice

The second two-hour lesson starts with a short recap of the basic techniques. Yahya then sets out the skills for that session, giving you a clear idea of what to work on rather than sending you straight into unstructured practice.

The focus shifts toward paddling for better wave entry and positioning. This is where surfing begins to make more sense. Catching a wave depends on what you do before the wave reaches you, including where you sit, when you start paddling, and how you angle the board.

You also learn to identify different types of waves and choose ones that suit your current ability. That is a useful skill beyond this course. A beginner who can read a manageable wave is better placed to practise safely than someone who simply follows every wave toward shore.

Basic turning is introduced as well. Do not expect advanced manoeuvres after one session. The point is to begin controlling the board instead of riding in one straight direction. If your first session went well, day two gives you more chances to link the land instructions with actual movement on the water.

This is also a session where the private format can help. If you need more time with paddling, the lesson can give that skill more attention. If you are progressing quickly, Yahya can add a greater challenge rather than holding you to a fixed group pace.

Day three: timing, positioning, and confidence

The final lesson looks at more demanding skills, but the exact level depends on the sea and your progress. You recap the techniques from the previous days, then work on timing your wave entry, positioning on the wave, and choosing larger waves when appropriate.

The plan also introduces manoeuvres on unbroken waves. That does not mean every participant will be ready for them. It means the course has room to move beyond the first stand-up if your balance, paddling, and wave judgment are developing well.

One useful progression reported by students is moving to a hardboard by the third day. Treat that as a possible milestone, not a promise. Your instructor should decide what board and wave conditions are suitable, and the course information makes clear that safety and learning progress can change the planned session.

The third day is less about collecting a final certificate and more about leaving with a better sense of what to do next. You may finish catching waves independently, or you may simply feel more comfortable paddling and standing. Either outcome is useful, especially if surfing is new to you.

Why the flexible days matter in Bali

The three lessons do not have to be taken on rigid consecutive days. You can choose the days that suit your schedule, and the teaching plan can be adjusted for weather, tides, wave conditions, and your development.

That flexibility is one of the best features of the course. Surfing depends heavily on conditions, and a fixed appointment at the wrong tide may not give a beginner the best chance to learn. Yahya has used WhatsApp to discuss suitable times with students, including sessions at lower tides for beginners.

Early starts are worth considering. One student particularly liked being in the water before the sun became too strong and before the beach became as crowded. The course does not promise a specific daily start time, so you need to check availability when booking and confirm the hour directly with the instructor.

The tradeoff is that your schedule needs some give. You may not receive the exact time you first prefer if the tide or weather is unsuitable. That is a reasonable compromise for a surf lesson, but it is worth remembering if you have tightly packed day trips planned from Canggu.

Safety for first-time surfers

Surfing has real physical demands, even in beginner conditions. You must be able to swim, and the course is not suitable for non-swimmers. Bring swimwear and a towel, and expect to spend the lesson moving between beach instruction and water practice.

The safety briefing covers health and safety points before the practical work begins. Yahya also selects waves according to ability and gives close guidance during the early exercises. Several students describe feeling safe because he did not rush them or put them into conditions beyond their level.

That does not remove all risk. You can still fall, tire, or find the water more demanding than expected. Listen carefully to the instructor, take the warm-up seriously, and tell him if you are uncomfortable or need a slower pace.

The supplied rash shirt helps protect your body from the sun and board friction. Zinc cream and sun cream are included, along with water. I would still bring your own towel and swimwear, as those are specifically listed for you to bring.

Equipment, media, and what is included

The course provides a surfboard for each lesson, plus a rash shirt, water, zinc cream, and sun cream. That makes the $98 listed price easier to assess because you do not need to arrange the basic board and sun-protection items separately.

GoPro photos and video are also listed as included. However, one student noted that photographers in the water may offer additional photo services with separate fees. Clarify before the lesson which images are part of your booking and whether any extra photographer service is optional.

Media can be more than a souvenir. Watching your stance, falls, and timing may help you understand what happened during a wave. If photos matter to you, ask how the included GoPro material is delivered and what it covers before you enter the water.

The equipment list is practical rather than fancy. You are paying for instruction, board use, and a structured three-day learning plan, not for a full-day beach club experience. That is a good fit if your main goal is to learn.

What the $98 price means

At $98 for a private group of up to one, the price should be judged against six hours of instruction rather than a single introductory lesson. You receive three two-hour sessions, equipment, sun protection, water, and listed GoPro media.

The value is strongest if you use all three days. A one-off lesson can show you the basic movement, but the three-session format gives you time to correct mistakes, revisit paddling, improve wave selection, and work toward turning and better positioning.

The private format may also justify the cost for someone who wants close feedback. You are not paying only for a board rental. The useful part is having Yahya read the waves, choose suitable practice, and adjust the lesson to your progress.

The price is less appealing if you want a casual board hire or a large social group. You should also confirm the group pricing if you are booking for more than one person, since the supplied price is stated as $98 per group up to one.

The teaching style and language options

Yahya is the instructor most often named in the supplied information, and his role is central to the experience. His approach is described as cheerful, patient, clear, caring, and flexible with timing. He also builds confidence without rushing the lesson.

That balance matters in surfing. Technical instructions need to be simple enough to remember while you are paddling and watching a wave. Encouragement matters too, since beginners spend plenty of time falling before the movement becomes familiar.

You can take the course in English, Indonesian, or Czech. If communication is important to your learning style, select the language that lets you understand safety instructions and technical corrections most clearly.

Some students continued with extra lessons after the three-day course. That option is not presented as part of the price, but the school can provide a natural next step if you want to keep improving in Canggu.

Who should book this course

I would recommend this course most strongly to a first-time surfer who can swim and wants a structured introduction over several days. The lessons suit someone who prefers personal instruction, practical feedback, and a schedule that can move with the tides.

It can also work for a beginner who has tried surfing once and wants to improve paddling, wave entry, and balance. The third day gives the course enough time to address more than the first stand-up.

You should think twice if you want advanced performance coaching from the start. The course can introduce larger waves, unbroken-wave manoeuvres, turning, and positioning, but the actual level depends on conditions and your progress.

It is also not suitable for non-swimmers. If you dislike schedule changes or need every hour fixed well in advance, the tide-based flexibility may feel inconvenient rather than helpful.

Practical verdict: should you book?

Book it if you want three useful attempts at learning to surf rather than a single quick try. The combination of private instruction, flexible timing, and careful wave selection gives beginners a sensible way to build confidence at Batu Bolong Beach.

The strongest reason to choose it is Yahya’s personal teaching approach. He explains clearly, keeps the mood light, and adjusts the session to the sea and your ability. The main caution is simple: you must be comfortable in the water, and your progress cannot be guaranteed.

Before booking, confirm the available start times, the exact meeting point at Warung Bagus, the group price, and how the GoPro photos and video are supplied. If those details suit your plans, this is a practical three-day introduction to surfing in Canggu.

FAQ

Where does the surf course meet?

Meet in the parking lot near Old Man’s bar at Batu Bolong Beach, or at Warung Bagus, about 200 metres from the car park. The school is also shown on Google Maps as Matahari Surf School.

How long is each surf lesson?

Each lesson lasts two hours. The full course includes three lessons across three days.

Can I choose which days I take the lessons?

Yes. The days are optional, so you can choose dates that fit your schedule. Lesson timing may also be adjusted for weather, tides, waves, and your progress.

Who teaches the course?

The course is provided by Matahari Surf Lesson Canggu, Bali. Yahya is the named instructor in the supplied experience information.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, Indonesian, and Czech.

Is the course suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The course is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What equipment and supplies are included?

The course includes a surfboard, rash shirt, water, zinc cream, sun cream, and GoPro photos and video.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.