Private Surf Lessons Ireland
One-to-one coaching, paced around you, on Donegal's Atlantic coast
Sometimes you just want someone to watch what you're doing
Group lessons are great.
But they're not for everyone.
Maybe you prefer learning on your own. Maybe you've already had a few lessons and know exactly what you want to work on. Or perhaps you're a beginner who would simply feel more comfortable with the instructor focused on you.
That's where a private surf lesson comes in.
One-to-one surf lessons
With one-to-one tuition, the lesson is about your surfing.
You can spend more time on the things you're struggling with instead of moving on because the rest of the group is ready.
It might be something simple.
Your position on the board.
Your paddle.
Getting up.
Catching the wave at the right moment.
Small changes can make a noticeable difference.
Private surf lessons are ideal if you want undivided instructor attention, a flexible schedule, or extra coaching to push past a specific hurdle in your technique. If a small shared class suits your budget better, our Adult Surf Lessons offer similar personalised feedback in a small group setting. For stag parties, hen parties, or corporate days out, our Group Surf Lessons are designed to keep everyone in the water together.
You don't have to be advanced
Private surf lessons aren't only for experienced surfers.
If you've never surfed before, you can start here too.
Some people simply learn better when they have a bit more individual attention. There's nothing wrong with that.
You can ask questions when you need to, take a little more time with something that's giving you trouble and get feedback based on what you're actually doing.
Already catching waves?
That's where things get interesting.
Once you've got the basics down, there's a lot more to surfing than standing up.
You can work on your paddling, timing and positioning. You can start thinking about which waves to take and how to ride them instead of simply trying to stay on the board.
That's the side of surfing that private coaching can really help with.
Wave riding and hand paddling
Getting onto a wave starts before you're standing.
Your paddle makes a difference. So does where you sit, when you start moving and how you position the board.
If you're working on wave riding, improving these basics can make the whole thing feel easier.
The same goes for hand paddling. It might not be the most glamorous part of surfing, but getting your paddle technique right matters.
Private surf lessons in Donegal
If you're looking for private surf lessons in Ireland, Donegal gives you a great setting to work on your surfing.
Inishowen is surrounded by the Atlantic, and people travel here from around Donegal and the wider North West.
If you're staying around Inishowen, Malin Head or the Fanad Peninsula, you can make a private lesson part of your trip.
And if you're travelling from Derry, the area is also within reach for a day out.
Learn at your own pace
There's no need to rush through a lesson just to say you've done it.
If you're struggling with something, work on it.
If something clicks, build on it.
That's the advantage of having the session focused around you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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A wider range of people than you'd think — total beginners who want more individual attention, people returning after a lesson or two who want to fix something specific, and more experienced surfers working on paddling, timing, or wave positioning. The common thread isn't skill level, it's wanting the instructor focused on you rather than splitting attention across a group.
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No, complete beginners can start with a private lesson just as easily as anyone else. Some people simply pick things up faster with one-to-one feedback rather than watching a group demo and hoping it translates. If budget's more of a concern than complete privacy, the adult surf lessons page covers a smaller shared class that still gets fairly personal feedback.
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Quite a bit, actually — paddling technique, timing your entry onto a wave, board positioning, and starting to read which waves are worth taking rather than just trying to stay upright. It's the stage where coaching starts mattering more than repetition.
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Yes, the location works for day trips from across the North West, not just people staying right in Inishowen. A private lesson can slot into a day already built around exploring that stretch of coast rather than requiring the whole trip to revolve around it.
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Not usually — private lessons are built around one person's pace, so they don't suit a full group the way a shared session does. For stag dos, hen parties, or corporate days, the group surf lessons page is the better fit, since it's designed to keep everyone in the water together.