Beginner's Paddle Surf Course in El Puerto de Santa María

Context El Puerto de Santa María lends itself to paddleboarding twice over. On one hand there is Valdelagrana beach, inside the bay of Cádiz, with sheltered water and low swell that forgive those first wobbles. On the other, something you rarely find on the coast: a wave pool in the town itself, where conditions stay the same whatever the wind is doing.

The experience The lesson starts on land with the essentials: how to stand on the board, how to hold the paddle and how to stroke without going straight into the water. Then you get in with the instructor beside you, correcting your posture stroke by stroke. Within the hour most people are moving along on their feet with some confidence, which is exactly what a first lesson is for. The gear is included: board, paddle and buoyancy aid.

Who it's for It is designed for people who have never stood on a board. No particular fitness is needed, but you should be able to swim and be comfortable in the water. The price per person usually drops as the group grows, so going as a pair or a four works out better than going alone.