Newbie Surf Program

Our intergenerational newbie and newcomer program is for folks who are new to the BGS community and new to surfing!

if you are new to the ocean, to surfing, or just want a slower (re)introduction, We recommend This program as our pre-requisite to our other program offerings .

Our Alameda Beginner Intergenerational surf sessions are programs for adults and youth ages 9 and up who are new to surfing and to the Brown Girl Surf community. We introduce you gently to all elements of surfing – from wetsuits, to board safety, to learning how to practice comfort and safety in the ocean, all in a supportive girl* & women* -centered environment. This program is a great way to start your wave riding journey as there are no waves at Alameda Beach and the water is shallow. We have the time and space to practice first, just being in the water with our surfboards and going slowly. All equipment is provided.

We provide what you need to get started

wetsuit

Surf Board

Surf Board Leash

Support in the Ocean

We meet at Alameda Beach.

Upon registration for our program, you will receive an email with details on where to meet and what time specifically.

Our Wednesday programs run in the evenings (generally 5-7pm) and our Saturday programs run in the morning (generally 9-11am).

What to Expect

Up to 10 person intergenerational surf program
Connecting with BGS community
Joy and ocean connection
Building confidence in the ocean
Learning the basics of surf related gear

Focus on your unique surfing goal for the day
Ocean observation and surf safety
Learning about and practicing new surf techniques
Mindfulness + healing space

What to Bring
- A face mask and face towel
- A bathing suit. Please arrive wearing your bathing suit UNDER your clothes. If you don’t have a bathing suit, anything form fitting that you don’t mind getting wet will work fine. Shorts and a tank top or sports bra will do the trick.
- Towel
- Warm layers (even when it is warm in Oakland, it can sometimes be VERY cold at the beach) Make sure you have at LEAST a sweatshirt and pants. You may also want a jacket and warm socks
- A reusable water bottle
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses if you have them)
- Beach shoes (optional)
- A loose change of clothes for when you get out of your bathing suit.
- A bag to put your wet bathing suit in at the end of the day.
- If you carry medication (ex. EPI pen) or use an inhaler, please bring it.

What We Provide
- Wetsuits
- Booties (if needed)
- Surfboards + boogie boards
- All surf related safety equipment

Click to view a sample agenda
4:45pm – Arrive, check in
5:00pm – Welcome. Introduce self, Introduce BGS Land Acknowledgement, Circle and have folks introduce selves with movement, gender pronouns. Internal weather report
2 minutes of Mindfulness: Let’s take a few deep breaths to ground ourselves. Maybe take notice of where your body connects with the sand, what can you feel, hear or smell.
Something you are holding, and something you want to let go of and give to the water so you can be present today.
Group expectations: COVID-19 safety agreements
5:20pm – Wetsuits instruction
Each person puts on and takes off their own wetsuit.
5:30pm – Warmup
5:35pm – Instruction for participants: Emphasis will be on learning how to handle equipment themselves.
Wearing a leash, position & paddling, carrying board in, not putting board between you and wave, not grabbing strap thing. Optional popup lesson.
5:45pm – Safety review; quick snack & water break before we go in the ocean.
Hand signals:
Are you OK, Quit it!, Emergency – get out of water!, Last wave, It’s over get out.
5:50pm – Bottom Check Mindfulness
In-water walking out and handling board practice.
6:00pm – Paddling practice (paddling out, push up, turning around)
6:25pm – Turtle roll and sitting on board practice, will leave it up to participants
6:35pm – Paddle back to shore
6:45pm – Toasts & GROUP PHOTO!
7:00pm – Clean up!

A note about the unpredictability of the ocean:

At Brown Girl Surf we always put safety first. Our surf programs are subject to change due to weather and air quality. While we use all the means at our disposal to predict conditions ahead of time, sometimes conditions on site the day of an event do not align with the forecast.