Surf Levels at Chica Brava

A Simple Guide to Surf Levels

Chica Brava is for adult women who want to learn to surf or surf more consistently. Our retreats are designed for first-time surfers through intermediates, especially women who want clearer structure, better coaching, and real progress.

You do not need prior surf experience or a specific fitness level. You just need a willingness to learn in a supportive, small-group environment.

Most guests are in their mid-30s to late-40s, though we regularly welcome women from their 20s through their 70s. Some are brand new to surfing. Others have surfed on and off for years and want more consistency, confidence, or direction. Many arrive solo.

Our retreats are intentionally small and capped at 9 guests. Each week includes a mix of experience levels. You do not need to worry about choosing the “right” level. We group surfers by ability and learning style, and we adjust sessions daily based on conditions and progress.

Below is a simple overview of the surf levels we work with and how you will select your level during registration.

Beginner

– “I’ve never surfed before”
– “I’ve tried surfing a few times.”

What We’ll Work On

✨ Mastering the pop-up
✨ Ocean safety and board handling
✨ Surf etiquette and lineup awareness
✨ Paddling fundamentals and turtle roll technique
✨ Paddle school and in-ocean drills
✨ Learning to recognize and select waves
✨ Catching waves with control and confidence
✨ Understanding wave basics and how to read surf reports
✨ An introduction to surf culture, board design, and fin setups
✨ Surf theory, personalized goal setting, and daily video review
✨ Each day includes two 60-minute surf lessons plus a 60-minute Empower Hour™ supervised independent surf session.

Focus

Helping you feel safe, supported, and confident in the water while building a strong foundation you can continue to grow from. Our primary goal is to get you paddling for, catching and riding waves on your own and, most importantly, to give you the skills and information you need to feel comfortable renting or buying a board and confidently paddling out to surf on your own after you leave.

Intermediate

– “I can paddle out confidently, catch unbroken green waves, and ride them down the line.”

What We’ll Work On

✨ Building on everything covered in the Advanced Beginner program
✨ Refining pop-up efficiency, paddling, and positioning
✨ Improved wave recognition, selection, and timing
✨ More consistent down-the-line surfing
✨ Developing bottom turns, top turns, and cutbacks
✨ Surfing with greater flow, control, and intention
✨ Reading waves and choosing right or left more effectively
✨ Understanding wave dynamics and conditions
✨ Surf theory, personalized goal setting, and daily video review
✨ Each day includes two 60-minute surf lessons plus a 60-minute Empower Hour™ supervised independent surf session.

Focus

Providing clear feedback and structure so everything starts to click. The goal is more intentional, consistent surfing through refined fundamentals, better wave selection, and stronger positioning.

All retreat options are suitable for intermediate surfers. Stronger or more experienced intermediates may especially enjoy our owner-led Intermediate+ retreats.