If you have been to Folly this spring, then you may have noticed some unusual activity. Maybe a beach access closed or large machines and pipes on the beach. Seems strange. What is this all about? Well, it is all due to the beach nourishment that is underway.

What is beach nourishment?

Beach nourishment is the processing in which sediment that has eroded due to storm activity or other features of a beach is replaced by way of pumping it back. The goal of beach nourishment is to build up a higher and wider beach that can withstand storms and erosion better and also provides more space for recreational use of the beach.

Why does beach erosion occur.

Beach erosion is natural. Typically beaches lose sand each year due to storms and long shore drift where the sand and beach sediment slowly work their way down the beach.

Why does Folly Beach need nourishment?

Folly Beach has a unique situation. Due to the construction of the harbor jetty, the long shore drift that should naturally make its way to Folly and help minimize eroding sand is blocked. The jetty blocks the drift from Sullivans Island and Isle of Palms which fans out around Folly and straight to Kiawah Island. This creates a situation where Folly Beach not only is losing sand, but is also blocked from gaining any new sand. Beach nourishment is the only way to remedy this problem and unfortunately is only a temporary fix.

The Army Corp of Engineers is one of the world’s top tier design and construction agencies with thousands of projects under their belt. They are responsible for maintaining our national water resources. They have their hands in seawalls, harbors, beach groins to name a few types of projects and have also been responsible for unintentionally making some quirky and amazing man made set ups for waves. While this process can feel intrusive and somewhat frustrating when you are trying to enjoy a beach day, it is most necessary in order to preserve our beach community. These men and women are working 24 hours a day if conditions allow and it has the potential to shape the sand bars for some epic days of surfing!

What is next for Folly?

Here are some highlights from the city’s website. They have done a great job explaining the process that is currently underway and for what we can expect to see over the next months after the project is complete. It’s fascinating and we strongly recommend you check it out.

Per The City of Folly Beach’s website, the project will be 5 miles in length, will cost 18 million dollars, and is Federally funded. The project is expected to finish in September of 2024.

This nourishment will take sediment from the Folly River using 1,200,000 cubic yards of sediment to complete the project.

They are currently operating two separate pumps which will operate in areas of 1000 feet in length for 5-7 days at a time before moving up the beach. This is a great way to accomplish the process and means your favorite stretch of beach will only be closed for a week.

A big thanks to everyone working days and nights on the project and fingers crossed for some epic sand bars in then coming years!

Are there waves on IOP?

Yes! There are consistent waves on Isle of Palms that make it a great option for surfing in the Charleston area and possibly much more convenient of you depending on where you live. Generally, whenever the waves are fun on Folly they will also be fun at IOP. IOP faces a little more south than Folly Beach which means it picks up even less swell when there is any north direction in it, but that is sort of irrelevant as Folly struggles to draw in these swells as well. 

What are the crowds like?

While the crowd has picked up some in recent years, you will find a much more spread out crowd when compared to Folly. There are a few spots on IOP that are considered better and draw more crowds, but nothing like the Washout or the Pier on Folly Beach. If you would prefer to surf alone we would recommend seeking out a quiet sand bar on Isle of Palms. While this is still possible at Folly, it’s a little easier at IOP. You definitely feel more breathing room out there.

What is the best time of year to surf on Isle of Palms?

If you are a new surfer or a beginner we highly recommend taking advantage of perfect summer waves to hone your skills and up your comfort level in the ocean. However, if you are intermediate or advanced we recommend targeting late summer and early fall as the best window to get some really fun tropical storm or hurricane swell. 

Does Isla Surf School teach lessons on IOP?

Yes! We have a location at 8th Avenue on Isle of Palms where we teach private surf lessons and offer a mini surf camp during the summer months. The quality, safety, and fun lessons we are known for on Folly are also available here! Check out some details HERE.

Is Folly Beach a better surfing beach than IOP?

It depends on what you want! There is great surf on Isle of Palms and we have had plenty of epic days out there, but we are still partial to Folly Beach as we’ve been located there for ten years and have too many good memories. We highly recommend IOP to anyone who lives north of the Ravanel Bridge, want a change of scenery, and value a thinner line up. But if you want to be part of the action and the pinnacle of surfing in South Carolina, Folly Beach is the place for you. As always, feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We are here to help make your surfing experience as fun as it can be!

Lessons can be scheduled through our website or call us at 843 813 7897 and we can get you set up!

What will we be offer on Isle of Palms?

IOP Surf Camp: at the heart of our lessons and surf camps is personal attention and safety. This has been our guiding principal since day one and we aim to provide the same services with individual instruction at the core. We will be offering 10 weeks of summer camp on IOP. Each week will have a max of 9 campers, will run 9am to 11am, and will be Monday to Friday. 

Details:

Monday to Friday

9am to 11pm

3-to-1 Camper to Instructor Ratio

9 Campers Per Week

Ages 7 and Up

Located at our 8th Avenue IOP location

$300 Per Camper

Private Surf Lessons: We will be offering our tried and true private surf lessons for all ages and abilities on Isle of Palms. These lessons will be 90 minutes long, all equipment provided, and will be held at 8th Avenue.

Why Isle of Palms?

IOP has a rich surfing history and culture that does not receive the same attention that Folly Beach does. We’ve certainly had our share of epic days surfing out there and have instructed several traveling groups for Warrior Surf Foundation over the years. We have fond memories on the beach there and look forward to providing a convenient and quality experience for that community. 

Who are these surf lessons and camps for?

The short answer, anyone and everyone! All ages and abilities are welcome. Are you an avid surfing who’s struggling with some of the more advanced techniques or someone who’s never held a surfboard, but have always dreamt about learning? Either way, we have you covered. We provide a welcoming environment that is tailored to your needs and goals. 

Summer Camp registration will go live on January 1 and lessons can be scheduled right now with our starting date of March 1. We look forward to developing an amazing community on Isle of Palms over the coming years. See you out there!

#1 Folly Beach, the best all around beach to visit and  top surfing beach in South Carolina.

How can Folly Beach not come in as the top beach in Charleston? Folly is a quick 15 to 20 minute drive from downtown and has something to offer for just about everyone. For surfers or those looking to take surf lessons, Folly Beach is a no brainer. The six mile island includes South Carolina’s top surfing spot, The Washout, as well as numerous other sand bars that are great for long boarding or learning. Our location at 3rd West Street on Folly boasts one of the best long boarding/learning sandbars on the island.

Folly has plenty of great post surf eats like Taco Boy, Lost Dog Cafe, Berts, and Jack of Cups to name a few. Along with the great surfing and food, there are plenty of unique vacation rentals for you and your crew to stay at. The beautiful thing about visiting Folly Beach is there is something for everyone. Surfers, foodies, all day beach goers, nature lovers, fisherman, and night owls. Our favorite part about this stretch of sand is the ability to enjoy the amenities on the island while still being able to go to either end of the island to enjoy a secluded nature walk. On the west end you have the county park and on the east end you have Morris Island and the lighthouse. These are both great little nature adventures, especially in the morning and evening hours.

#2 Sullivan’s Beach, the best non-activity based beach for a day trip or romantic getaway.

Sullivan’s Island boasts the most beautiful beach and real estate in Charleston; however, it lacks consistent waves due to the harbor jetty blocking most swell. This means no water sports, which is a big issue for us. While most of our time is spent on Folly Beach surfing and teaching lessons at our main location, we love coming to Sullivans for an evening walk followed by dinner and a cocktail. It is a much quieter scene and is home to some of our favorite restaurants like The Obstinate Daughter. We highly recommend visiting this beautiful little beach town for a day trip or a romantic evening, but because there are not many places to stay on the island we wouldn’t recommend it for your vacation.

#3 Isle of Palms, the best choice for golfers and those looking to relax at one of the many vacation rentals available on the island.

We love Isle of Palms and actually just opened our second surf lesson location on 8th Avenue on the island. We’ve had many good days of surfing at IOP and working with travel groups from Warrior Surf Foundation, but it is a little more out of the way. Isle  of Palms is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Charleston and while the beach has decent waves, some fun restaurants, and plenty of vacation rentals, it lacks the quirky charm and energy of Folly. We would still highly recommend IOP for your vacation especially if you’re looking to do a lot of golfing and hanging at the house.

Bonus Beach! Morris Island, a convenient and fun way to see Charleston from a different perspective and to feed your adventurous side.

If you have access to a boat we would recommend visiting Morris Island for the day. It’s a fun island to explore and even surf depending the swell. The trip to Morris is a fantastic way to see Charleston from a different perspective and to better orient yourself with the geography of the low country. You’ll pass by Fort Sumter as well as some massive cargo ships headed up the Cooper River which is always a sight. On the quick boat trip to the island you will have a great vantage point of the Charleston Peninsula, James Island, Mount Pleasant, Sullivans Island, and the Ravanel Bridge. After this trip you will have a whole new sense and appreciation for the layout of Charleston. Once on the island you can pull up with the other boats and enjoy music and some beverages or you can walk the island for shark teeth and explore the beauty of this untouched stretch of beach.

Isla News: We have two bits of exciting news this week! 

1. We are now teaching surf lessons on Isle of Palms! You can schedule private and group lessons at our new location by calling us at 843 813 7897.

2. We are offering open group classes at our Folly Beach location. There classes are intended to push your surfing forward in a social environment with a minimum party size of 1 to sign up.

Surf Forecast: Who scored yesterday? Hopefully you saw our instagram post on Saturday and surfed yourself out on Sunday! Looks likes like some good long boarding waves on tap for this week. Monday to Thursday all look fairly similar with surf in the knee to thigh range with the lightest winds on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday are looking a little small at the moment, but should be great for the kids. Thursday may have potential to be a sneaky fun day with Cindy swell filling in so keep an eye on that.

Best Bet: Wednesday morning for fun clean waves.

Weather Forecast: Our weather forecast is looking pretty great at the moment. This feels like the first real week of summer with temps in the high 80s. At the moment we’re not seeing too much thunderstorm activity, but don’t be surprised to see some afternoon thunderstorms to pop up throughout the week.

World of Surfing: The WSL Rio contest is underway. They’ve had one day of contestable waves on the first day of the waiting period and they’re now looking at a pretty pathetic forecast for the remaining window. Look for the contest to run later in the week. Certainly not the most exciting or jaw dropping conditions for a contest, but it’s also amazing to watch your favorite surfers in waves that we can find on Folly Beach.

Surf Forecast: The surf for Monday to Wednesday is looking a little lack luster, but will be a really nice size for campers and kids to get a lot of waves and to build confidence. Looking like some potential Thursday to Sunday. The size should come up a bit Thursday (target the morning before the wind kicks up) with Friday to Sunday looking like the days to target with surf in the thigh high range with windows of light winds.

Best Bet: Friday-Sunday morning, wind will be lightest, low tide friendly spot.

Weather Forecast: At first glance the weather forecast is looking quite ominous, but nothing out of the ordinary for a summer week in Charleston. Don’t let the current forecast dissuade you from taking advantage of your vacation or days off. We recommend taking full advantages of the mornings as these storms tend to come through in the afternoon. The weather is very fickle in the summer and tends to change constantly. There is always hope! Fingers crossed we dodge some storms!

World of Surfing: Who watched the El Salvador Contest? Felipe Toledo and Caroline Marks took the win in pretty average looking conditions. Next stop is Rio de Janerio, Brazil with the waiting period beginning on June 23. Any predictions? We’re backing Felipe’s surfing and momentum and hoping we see Caitlin Simmers unleash her full potential. The shifty beach breaks of Rio suit both of their styles and ability. 

We came across this short film of Mark Healey over the weekend and thought it was insightful and inspiring. We’ve met Mark before and he is one of the nicest and gnarliest guys on the planet. Listening to Mark discuss his process of allocating limited mental and physical band with to his family and all his pursuits is applicable to all our lives and pursuits. Watch the short film HERE.

Local Events: Ziggy Marley will be playing the Charleston Music Hall on June 21 and the Fleet Foxes are at the Firefly Distillery on June 24. Both good options to see some rad music.

Surf Forecast: Surf is in the 1-2’ range for the week with WSW winds until Friday when the wind will calm down. What does this mean? We’ll have perfect size waves all week for working on you surfing with semi-clean/drifty conditions until Friday. Friday thru Sunday look ideal with Saturday being the standout day with light offshore winds in the morning which will create clean conditions.

Best Bet: Friday-Sunday. Targeting Saturday if you only have one day available.

Weather Forecast: Looking like a pretty standard week of summer weather in the low country. Chances of thunderstorms each day, but nothing standing out to us at the moment besides Wednesday afternoon when thunderstorms look quite likely. In general, we recommend planning morning activities before afternoon storms roll in.

Isla Updates: We are already in Week 3 of Summer Camp and we’re coming off one of the most epic weekends of teaching conditions. Finger’s crossed for more! We highly recommend booking for this weekend if you can. As it stands, it could be a classic weekend of waves and weather.

World of Surfing: The World Surf League is currently in El Salvador for the 7th stop of the 2023 season. Finals day should run towards the end of the week with some exciting and important heats for the title run. Ian Gentil will take on Felipe Toledo in semi-final one and Liam ‘Brien will take on California’s Griffin Colapinto in semi-final number two for the mens. On the women’s side we have Steph Gilmore and Tyler Wright in semi-final number one and Carissa Moore versus Florida’s Caroline Marks in semi-final two. Who do you have? Our money is on Toledo, Colapinto, Gilmore, and Moore taking out the semi-finals with Toledo and Gilmore winning the event.

Local Events: Ziggy Marley will be playing the Charleston Music Hall on June 21. We can’t think of a better summer concert and definitely recommend going to see Ziggy if you can.

While the shortboard revolution has forever changed the performance surfing in the  upper echelons of our sport, this same concept trickled down through all types of board designs. The twin fin, single fin, and mid length renaissance as been in full effect for the last ten years or so which can be seen in every line up in the world. It wasn’t long ago that every surfer was carrying a high performance shortboard to their local average beach break. Nowadays folks are surfing boards appropriate for their skill level and the waves at their home break. Alternative shapes now out number traditional high performance shortboards on average days here in Charleston which makes perfect sense. Who wants to be stomping on a shortboard in knee high waves when you can be surfing with speed and flow on a twin fin, mid length, or even a longboard surfboard?

The surfing community has always been a stubborn one. Change is often resisted and takes years to be accepted, but it feels like we have entered a new realm of surfboard design where thinking outside the box is not only accepted, but actually encouraged. Surfing is about fun, not just performance. While those go hand in hand I believe the fun factor now outweighs the high performance needs of your average surfer.

What does this mean for you and your surfing? In short, it means we all have access to a ton of different crafts from your local shapers as well as major brands and there has never been a better time to explore alternate shapes and find what works best for you. I think it is imperative that every surfer has a longboard or a mid-length surfboard in their quiver living in Charleston. While the high performance shortboards will always have a place in the waves on Folly Beach, the majority of days will be ridden on something a little wider and floatier and fun.

Surfboard design and innovation is directly correlated with the new found inclusion and diversity in surfing. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s surfing was a white male dominated sport with 90% of surfers riding ridiculous high performance surfboards. With a shift in the industry and culture, surfing has become a lot more open minded to alternative shapes and running parallel to that theme, we have also seen a huge increase in women and minority surfers. This has been incredible to watch develop over the last 15 years or so. We have the most excited crop of young women surfers on the World Tour we’ve ever seen with Caity Simmers, Molly Picklum, and BettyLou Sakura Johnson. Check out the CT ranking for the women here. Surfing is becoming more accessible for all walks of life and I believe this will be the theme for the sport for the next decades. It’s fun and meant for everyone!

Surfing inclusion organizations:

1. Surfers Not Street Children

2. Black Surfing Rockaway

Some of our favorite board models at the moment:

1. Album Surf - Sunstone Model

2. CI- Twin Pin

The sport has exploded in the last ten years and so have services based around surfing. So are surf lessons worth the time and money or should you take it on yourself? As Charleston’s top rated surf school, we strongly encourage folks to take a lesson before buying or renting a board. Here are our top reasons to take a surf lesson. 

1. Get out of your comfort zone. We spend so much of our time in controlled environments, why not try something a little thrilling and different? Surf lessons are a great way to get back to the basics. Have fun, be humble, take your ego out of it and learn something new.

2. Interact and work with Isla’s amazing staff. Our friendly and knowledgeable surf instructors will steer you in the right direction whether it’s post surf tacos or what board you should buy. You will also be introduced to all our regular clients and the community of independent surfers that have grown around our beach location over the years. This makes starting a new and intimidating sport like surfing so much more approachable.

3. Exercise! Why not get your exercise in a super fun environment. Surfing is a full body workout and no matter how good of shape you’re in, we promise you will sleep like a baby after 90 minutes in the water. 

4. Be in nature! Spend 90 minutes in the sun and surf and re-charge after a long work week or any other stress in your life. The sun, surf, and open air make surfing great for your mental health and often times sitting in the line up for waves can lead to some insightful and meaningful conversations.

5. Learn from professionals. We cannot stress this enough. Learn from the surfing professionals. This ensures you learn proper technique, etiquette, and you remain safe. Our life guard certified instructors watch your back every step of the way and ensure you are learning properly. We have heard so many horror stories from folks who have rented and gone on their own or let a nonprofessional give them a free lesson. Don’t let this be your surfing experience.

6. Fast track you’re learning curve. We don’t doubt you can learn how to surf on your own, but we can guarantee we will make your learning curve much more enjoyable and much quicker by being taught by us. Whether you’re a first time surfer or an intermediate who feels stuck at their level, we can cut down the amount of frustration and time you spend on improving your surf skills.

7. Overcome fear. The ocean and waves can be intimidating and scary, but the more you understand about conditions the better off you will be. Our surf instructors will provide you with years of ocean and surfing knowledge that does not come easily. Soak it all up and increase your ocean/safety awareness. This will be crucial for when you are ready to go out on your own.

8. Camaraderie. Even if you take a one-on-one private surf lesson, you will be cheered on by fellow surfers and clients. It’s one big family at our Folly Beach location and everyone is there to help and root for each other. You will walk away with new friends after your first lesson, there’s no doubt about that. 

9. Knock it off the bucket list. Maybe you’re just interested in surfing once so you can say you’ve done it. That’s fine by us, but we highly recommend scheduling a lesson to do this. Make your one surf session a fun, memorable, and successful one by utilizing all the experience, knowledge, and skills of Isla Surf School. We are also very confident you will be back for more, surfing is addicting!

10. Learn a life long skill/passion/hobby/sport/art form. Surfing is an activity you can do in some of the coolest places in the world and well into yours 70s. Surfing will take you on some amazing travels and you will learn a lot about yourself along the way. It is also a fantastic community to be a part of. Surfers are very aware of their impact on the environment, tend to donate time and resources to charitable causes, know how to have fun, and enjoy the simple things in life. It is a great community to be a part of. 

Beginner Surf Lessons (Folly Beach):

Our beginner surf lessons are perfect for those who are new to surfing or have limited experience. During these lessons, our instructors will teach you the fundamentals of surfing, including how to properly paddle, stand up on the board, and catch waves. We'll provide you with all of the necessary equipment, including a surfboard and wetsuit, and our instructors will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Intermediate Surf Lessons (Folly Beach):

If you already have some surfing experience and are looking to take your skills to the next level in Folly Beach, our intermediate surf lessons are perfect for you. Our instructors will work with you to improve your technique and help you catch bigger and better waves. We'll provide you with more advanced equipment, including high-performance surfboards, and teach you more advanced maneuvers, such as carving and cutbacks.

Advanced Surf Lessons:

For experienced surfers who are looking for a challenge, our advanced private surf lessons in Folly Beach are designed to help you take your skills to the next level. Our instructors will work with you to improve your technique, teach you advanced maneuvers such as aerials and tube riding, and help you develop your own unique style. We'll provide you with the latest high-performance surfboards and other specialized equipment to help you reach your full potential.

Private Surf Lessons:

If you're looking for one-on-one instruction or want to customize your lesson plan, we offer private surf lessons. Our experienced instructors will work with you to create a personalized lesson plan based on your skill level and goals. Private lessons are perfect for those who want individual attention or have specific areas they want to focus on.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced surfer, Isla Surf School's Folly Beach Surf Lessons have something to offer. Contact us today to schedule your lesson and experience the thrill of riding the waves with our experienced instructors!

FAQ’S

Is Folly Beach a good place to learn how to surf?

Yes, Folly Beach is a great place to learn how to surf. The beach has a great sandbar that offers a safe and fun environment for beginner surfers to learn and progress their skills. With waves breaking through all tides, Folly Beach is the perfect playground for anyone looking to catch a wave and experience the thrill of surfing.

What is the water temperature like at Folly Beach?

The water temperature at Folly Beach varies throughout the year, with the warmest temperatures usually occurring from June to August. During the summer months, the water temperature can reach up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter months, it can drop down to the mid-50s. We provide high-quality wetsuits to keep our surfers comfortable and warm during their lessons.

What is the minimum age for surf lessons at Isla Surf Lessons in Folly Beach?

The minimum age for surf lessons at Isla Surf Lessons in Folly Beach is 7 years old. Our experienced instructors tailor the lessons to the skill level of each participant, so whether you're a beginner or an experienced surfer, we've got you covered.

Can I bring my own surfboard to Isla Surf Lessons?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own surfboard to Isla Surf Lessons in Folly Beach. However, we provide high-quality surfboards, wetsuits, and leashes for all of our campers, so you don't need to bring your own unless you prefer to.

What happens if I need to cancel my surf lesson at Isla Surf Lessons in Folly Beach?

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel your surf lesson at Isla Surf Lessons in Folly Beach, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled lesson, we may not be able to offer a refund. However, we will do our best to reschedule your lesson for a more convenient time.

Tip #1: Know your skill level and limits. It can be hard to be honest with yourself, especially around the hype of a big day of surfing, but understanding your surfing ability and limits of your physical and skill level is crucial to avoiding getting into trouble. You need to push your surfing out of your comfort zone, but you also need to say no and pass on days that seem too dangerous for you. 

Tip #2: Watch conditions before every surf. Watching the waves for 5 minutes prior to paddling out can make all the difference. Are there any rip currents or hazards like jetties, reef, submerged structures, etc you need to know about? Have you seen a set break yet? These small details help prepare you for a fun and safe surf. The more information you can soak in, the better off you’ll be during your session.

Tip #3: Size up the crowd. We like to surf away from the crowds, but it’s inevitable you will have to surf amongst the crowd from time to time. Getting an understanding for the crowd can come in handy. Are you surrounded by veteran surfers who can handle themselves or is it mostly beginners who don’t have good board control on the wave and ditch their boards duck diving? Knowing this can be the difference in avoiding getting hit by someone else board. As a general rule, never paddle directly behind someone on the way out to the line up. If they do ditch their board, you would be in the worst spot. 

Tip #4: Surfing with friends is always the move, but if everyone is busy you can always surf near other people if you feel more comfortable. Strike up a conversation and meet some new friends. We also think it’s a good idea that your group of friends have some general first aid training and know how to preform CPR. Take a course together or if you are already certified you can run your friends through the basics so your group is better prepared to handle and situation that may happen surfing or in general in life.

Tip #5: Don’t underestimate the ocean. The big and gnarly days of surfing usually catch out attention the most, but in our experience, most accidents happen on the small days in shallow water. Always be aware of your surroundings and understand that things can go wrong even on the smallest summer days.

Bonus Tip: Know where your nearest urgent care or hospital is in relation to your local break and save your local public safety departments number as a favorite in your phone.  

Folly Beach Public Safety: 843-588-2433

With that being said, surfers can be very fickle people. We all have the brands we like or the stye of wetsuit or bathing suit we prefer. So gifting for surfers often comes with a high probability of not getting the exact right item. We’ve made it a little simpler for you this year and we have listed our top 5 gifts for surfers in your life. Check it out!

1. Isla Surf School E-Gift Card. This is an obvious starting point. We offer gift cards for all of our surf lesson types, besides summer camp. This is a great gift for anyone in your life who has always talked about learning to surf. We recommend going for a semi-private lesson, that way you can join in on the lesson and share the experience with your loved one. It’s a win-win. If you have a surfer in your life who is struggling or not having as much fun as they used to, this gift card can be a great way to re-inspire them with a coaching session. We can address any problems that may be holding them back and can get them stoked on the sport again! Use code: BLKFRI to save 10% on all purchases until December 10.

2. Seven Day Puerto Rico Surf Retreat with Locals Surf School This is a really exciting gift. Our longtime friends at Locals Surf School are offering surf retreats in Puerto Rico this winter. The retreats are 7 days long and include accommodations (your own room and bathroom), transportation, surf guides, and anything else you would need to have an amazing experience. This is a moment for you to try something new, meet great people, and improve your surfing more in one week than it takes a whole year on the East Coast. There is no better way to get better than a surf trip. And here is the best part, use code: isla125 to save $125 on your retreat! Whether this is a gift for yourself or for you and your partner, this is truly a great opportunity.

4. Surfline Subscription: This one is fairly self explanatory, but it is still a great way to get the surfer in your life something they will use every single day. A Surfline Subscription can make a big difference in their life and adds real value to their everyday routine.

5. Slowtide Beach Towel: Sometimes a simple gift is the best option. Every surfer uses towels, so why not have a super soft and cool one? We are big fans of having a good/favorite towel and think everyone should have one.

Let us know if you have any questions about our gift cards or the Puerto Rico retreat and be sure to take advantage of these discounts! Have a great holiday season!

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]]>2022 Gift Guide for SurfersPeter MelhadoWed, 02 Nov 2022 21:07:38 +0000https://www.islasurfschool-charleston.com/journal/2022/11/2/are-surf-lessons-worth-it559d8a4ae4b00abf56ee52f3:59c9465503596e9882e17788:6362db263907ce7b91c140a3Are surf lessons worth it!

This is a common question we are asked and while we are hardly neutral when it comes to this topic, let us tell you why surf lessons are 100% worth it.

We cannot tell you how many lessons we teach who have a horror story about surfing with a friend or significant other. It is very common for friends and spouses to forget about their “lesson” once in the water. Often people are left to fend for themselves amongst the waves, the crowd, and the hazards with little to no knowledge on etiquette, board control, or even the basics about wave riding, paddling, or popping up. It’s a recipe for disaster and often leaves folks reluctant to sign up for a proper surf lesson. 

However, our clients worries are put to ease within five minutes of our lessons when they realize we have a structured approach to learning about ocean conditions, surf etiquette, board knowledge, board control, and a solid foundation of paddling and pop up techniques they are filled with a new confidence and trust in their ability and their safety while with professional surf instructors.

Here are the top five reasons why surf lessons are worth it. You can also check out our post. “The benefits of taking surf lessons” from a few years ago.

1. It is the safest way to learn. We use the safest equipment and teach at a very user friendly sand bar. The alternative of renting or borrowing a fiberglass board and heading to the Washout is a recipe for disaster. We also have a professional staff who will take you through the complexities of wave riding in a step by step approach and will be by your side the entire lesson

2. Our surf lessons are educational. Yes, the goal is to get up and ride waves with the help of your instructor, but we also want all of our clients leaving with new found knowledge about currents, tides, etiquette, safety, ect.

3. You will meet amazing instructors and fellow clients while surfing with us. The community based around our beach location has turned into something really special and people are always looking for new surf partners and to help first timers out in this exciting new journey.

4. Specific instruction. We do not teach boiler plate lessons. Each lesson is tailored to our clients age, ability, and comfort level. We also offer coaching for intermediate surfers. This is a fantastic way to have major break throughs in your surfing.

5. Confidence building. Just like most things in life, confidence is a key ingredient to success. It’s hard to build confidence in a dangerous environment or one where your chance of success is so slim that it crushes your morale. While being self taught can be a huge accomplishment and joy in life, enlisting the support of professionals is nothing to be ashamed of. It will make the journey far more enjoyable and successful and you will make plenty of friends along the way.

Late fall is a fantastic time to learn how to surf. Water temps are still mellow and we are providing wetsuits with every lesson and the crowds are gone. Come surf with us and have the sandbar all to your self. Feel free to shoot us an email or a call with any questions you may have about the process or feel free to schedule directly through the website. Cheers!

Today we will breakdown a daily surf forecast for Folly Beach. This is the desktop version of Surfline. This is just an intro, but it will be a great foundation to understand what is happening day to day surf wise in the Charleston area. If you do not have a Surfline Premium account, Magicseaweed or Swellinfo could be good options and we can always do a intro to those platforms as well. Let’s jump in!

First, find Folly Beach on the site and click “Regional Forecast”. You will see the display we have below. This will give you a fairly accurate macro view for the next 3-7 days. Depending on the system generating the waves, everything is subject to some pretty big changes and nothing is set in stone. We tend to look at the 5 day forecast for Folly Beach and base our lesson schedule around that. Once you have an idea of what the week ahead holds, you can hone in on a day or two that interests you.

We want to look at 9/20. The first thing you will see is a colored rating bar for “AM” and “PM”. In this case Surfline is calling for “Fair” conditions for both halves of the day. What does “Fair” mean? Surfline uses a colored rating system from the worst, “Very Poor” (gray) ,to “Epic” (red), as good as it gets. In between the worst and the best a beach can get are five other ratings. Because we live in Charleston, we primarily see “Poor” and “Poor to Fair” conditions. We do have our share of “Fair” days as well, but “Fair to Good” and “Good” are quite rare and “Epic” is very very rare and would require all conditions from a Hurricane coming together for Folly Beach for that to be warranted. We recommend looking out for “Poor too Fair” and “Fair” days. That is the bulk of fun surfing days you will have in the Charleston area.

So below our AM and PM rating we will have wave size in both feet and height in comparison to a human body. The measuring of waves will forever be one of the funnier parts of surfing. Two people will describe the same morning of waves as thigh high and six foot. People tend to exaggerate and we find it’s better to downplay size. No one likes to hear its head high only to find out its stomach at best. You’ll have to make your own judgment, but a 2-3 or thigh to waist high day is a super fun day for Folly. 1-2 feet is totally surfable and fun, but thigh to waist is the bread and butter for the majority of surfers and very user friendly in our region.

Below the wave height we will have a brief description from Surfline’s southeast regional forecaster giving us the rundown of what is to be expected. While this may be all you need to make the call on skipping work or telling the family it’s a beach day, you would be best served by continuing to sift through the information below to have a better understanding of what the day will hold.

Now that we’ve covered the basic description of what the waves and wind are expected to do on Tuesday, let’s take a deeper look into the swell, wind, and tide and their respective directions and speeds.

First up, the swell. There’s no surfing without the swell so that’s always our most important ingredient. You will see a section with the time displayed from 12am to 12am. The white or lighter part of the display represents the hours in the day we can surf due to light. Within this display we have one clear orange line with arrows on it. Other than that we have random arrows with varying sizes and direction. What does all this mean? At first glance how are you supposed to get any info from this. Each line of arrows or in this case random one off arrows represents different underlying swells. Wait, there’s more than one swell per day? Yes, you will more than likely always have multiple swells on any given day; however, we are looking for the most dominant and organized. In this case, that is the orange line with arrows. Due to how disorganized and random the other swells are, they are not really relevant in this case. If there were other more organized swell lines than we may have a “combo swell” situation where we have several different swells that could combine to create potential very fun conditions on our beaches, but for Tuesday we only need to focus on the one dominate swell.

Take your mouse and hover it over the orange line. By doing this you will be able to see a small map clearly showing the direction of the swell. We can see it’s pointed towards our coastline. This is good because it means our beaches will pick it up. What if the orange arrow was parallel with our coastline? This would mean our beaches would miss most of the swell and it would head straight to North Florida. This would not be good. You can see it says 2.4ft at 9s. 2.4ft is the swell height and the 9s means “9 seconds” which is the period/interval or the distance between waves. This data will come from a network of buoys off the South Carolina coastline that are reading ocean conditions. The lower the number of seconds the period is the weaker and more disorganized the swell and waves will be when they break on Folly. The higher the number of seconds the period is the more organized and stronger the swell will be. But be careful, would 22 seconds be good? Absolutely not, it would be way too powerful for our beach breaks and would result in closeouts or waves that are not rideable. For these longer period swell events you would need some sort of structure. By that we mean a reef, a point, or even an inlet or a jetty to break the swell up. For our Folly Beach case study, we would say that anything from 7 seconds to 11 seconds is our sweet spot. Below our wave height and period we have SE 125 Degrees. This is telling us that the swell is coming from the southeast which we can see from our orange arrow on the map. This specific south east swell direction would directly correlate with 125 degrees on the map. Don’t get too hung up on the degrees, just worry about the direction in terms of north, south, and east, and west. For Folly Beach we ideally want a swell from the SE, but straight south works, east works, and even though N and NE swell is not ideal for the direction our beaches face, if it is a big enough swell from a No’easter for example we will still get some waves, but it will be drifty and will lack the shape we want.

Up next in our list of ingredients is wind. While swell is the obvious starting point, the wind can really make or break your day. A perfect swell means nothing if your winds are horrendous. What do we mean by horrendous? Well, you basically have two variables. Wind speed and wind direction. If you have a bad wind direction (onshore or cross shore) it may not be ideal, but as long as the wind speeds are low, you’ll be just fine. However, if you have cross shore or onshore winds at a high speed of let say 15-20 mph, it will drastically decrease the quality of the waves even if the swell size, period, and direction are perfect. We need the wind and swell to cooperate to have a really good day come together. So below you will see the same display we had for the swell; however, for the wind we have individual arrows with varying sizes and directions. The smaller the arrow the lighter the wind and the direction of the arrow shows you which the direction the wind is blowing in. You can see we have very light winds for the whole day. Does this mean the entire day is going to be glassy and perfect? Not necessarily. Let’s take a look by hovering out mouse on the arrows. You can see that at 12pm the wind is 5kts out of the NNW. This is almost perfect for Folly Beach surfing. The wind is coming from off the coast which will create groomed and cleaned conditions and whats even better, it is very light. If that offshore wind were to clock in around 20kts you would run into the problem of difficult entries into waves for beginners due to the wind blowing surfers out of the waves and it would also beat down the swell quickly and it would be a short-lived event. With the wind being light offshore, the swell is not in jeopardy of dying out rapidly. If you scroll your mouse from 6am to 6pm, you will see the wind is light offshore and then suddenly at 3pm the arrow pointing off the beach clocks all the way around and points towards the beach. What does that mean? Well, this means the wind that held offshore consistently for the majority of the day is going to swing around and turn onshore. This will create more texture in the ocean and will decrease the quality. Now that we know this, it’s clear we need to target before 3pm. 6am to 3pm is a lot of time, do I just randomly pick a time to go down to the beach? No, our last ingredient to this swell will be the key to picking your few hour window to surf if you aren’t able to be at the beach all day.

Let’s talk tide. The tides are so crucial to surfing in Charleston. Jump the gun and surf dead low and you will find the swell seems way smaller than expected and it is mostly closet outs. The lack of water will pull energy away from the swell and will also mean the waves will be breaking poorly in very shallow water. Surf the dead high tide (especially around a full moon) and you may be greeted with very soft and crumbly conditions that are barely rideable. While this is the general idea with the tides on Folly Beach, there are definitely certain portions of the beach and certain swells that can work on dead low or dead high, but that is up to you figure out. Walk or bike the beach as much as you can and try to find certain areas that seem to be better or work better on certain tides. For the sake of this though, we will generalize Folly Beach as a mid to high tide beach break. This means we want to catch an incoming tide from around the 2-3 hour mark to the 4-5 hour mark. As you can see from the tide chart below. Dead low tide is 10:14am. This means that from around 12:30pm to 3:30pm would be ideal tide wise, but if the forecast were to hold 100% accurate you would run into a wind shift around the 3pm mark, which wouldn’t be the end of the world but conditions would certainly deteriorate. The other option would be to surf first light (6:43am) to maybe around 9am. While this would be a dropping tide and not the rising tide we would ideally want, the benefit of doing the early morning would be the safety of catching the cleanest portion of the day with a good level of water on the sand bars. There is always the potential the wind comes up much earlier than 3pm and you kick yourself for missing the perfect thigh high glassy waves of the morning.

Lastly, Surfline provides a nice little display with the weather forecast for the day as well as first and last light and sunrise and sundown. This just helps you plan your surf even better.

In summary, when reading the forecast, you are looking to see what are three main ingredients are doing. Swell, wind, and tide. Our job is to look at the information Surfline provides to see when the swell, wind, and tide all come together to create the optimum window to surf each day. Really good conditions rarely last long and you will often find you miss the best window, but the more you read into each swell and do your best to pick out the best three hour windows the better you will get and one day you will find yourself getting the best window of the swell. Understanding a Surfline forecast is applicable to any region and beach in the world, but be sure to understand the specific tides and likings of the beach you want to surf. Every beach likes different swell direction, wind direction, tides, periods, ect. Good luck and let us know if you found this helpful and would like more guides to understanding surf forecasting. Cheers!

1. Power. The power of a swell traveling from a distant Tropical Storm or Hurricane to the shores of Folly Beach will be more than the typical wind swell we get. This doesn’t mean the waves will always be bigger than other wind swell events, but it will mean the swell lines will be much more lined up and defined due to the longer period and even if it is only thigh high, the waves will still have more push to them.

   
   

2. Equipment. This is directly related to number 1 and again doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the size of the waves. A longboard is your best friend as an east coast surfer no matter your level. As a beginner, it offers you the most stable platform to catch waves with ease in order to build up reps and sort out the basics of surfing. As an intermediate or advanced surfer living on the east coast and more specifically in Charleston, it means more days in the water having fun. With the longer period will come opportunity to break out your mid length, fish, or even shortboard you have been dying to use. With more power and push in the swell it will be easier to master your smaller crafts and in many cases the shorter crafts will be better suited for these fall swells.

   
   

3. Crowd Control. Surfing in Charleston has exploded (just like everywhere else) over the last ten years and even more so since 2020. Nothing wrong with this at all, but there are many unwritten rules of surfing that some may not fully understand. At a bare minimum you should be honest with yourself about your skill level and comfort level in bigger surf. This is not only to keep you safe, but also to keep everyone in the line up safe. Herd mentality tends to take over on any good day of waves. Try to stay away from the best peaks on the beach if you’re still learning or even an intermediate. The folks on the best peaks have put in countless years and tend to be the best folks in the water. They can utilize the shape and size of the stand out spots to their full potential while someone on a longboard who is an intermediate will be more successfully on a smaller, sloppier, less crowded peak down the beach. In short, know your ability for safety reasons and to pick an appropriate place to surf. Avoid the crowds and find your own peak. Nothing better than that. If you are unsure of what spots might be best for you check out our guide. GUIDE TO THE BEST SURFING SPOTS ON FOLLY BEACH

   
   

4. Beware of the Hype. Knowing where and when to go is critical to scoring good waves. Too often people blindly depend on the rating surf forecasters put up for any given day. Charleston surf forecasting can be fickle. What wind and swell works best for Folly Beach? Is this 5 foot at 22 second interval going to work? Is this high angled NE swell direction good? These are the things to know. Take the time to do some research so you can make your own decisions. We would recommend using Surfline and Windy in conjunction. Check out our guide to understanding swell periods and direction for Charleston surfing. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SWELL PERIODS AND DIRECTION.

That is all we have for now, but if you have any questions be sure to shoot us an email and we will do our best to further explain anything. Now we pray for surf!

Every year we struggle to find a fun team building activity for our staff in Charleston. Don’t get us wrong, there are plenty of options, but our team is too big for a lot of the activities we are really interested in and some other options can feel a bit stiff for our liking.

Our Charleston surf outings are perfect for companies ranging from 6 to 40 people. We require all participants to be able to swim, but other than that no experience is required. What if several of your team members already know how to surf by themselves or have had a few surf lessons with us already? No worries, all experience levels are welcome. The beauty of our outings are that we have one instructor for every three of your team members which means we can break up into groups based on experience or even comfort level in the water. This means that everyone is going to learn something new and challenge themselves. There is no reason for beginners to feel pressured to keep up with the more advanced surfers or for the advanced surfers to feel held back by first time surfers. Everyone will push themselves at their own pace.

So why is a surf outing a good idea for my team or company? While getting a private surf lesson with us here in Charleston is a super fun experience on its own, learning to surf with your whole company takes it to a whole new level of fun. It’s a super fun activity for everyone to be involved with, your team will not only learn a new skill (or improve an existing one), but they will also learn a ton about the ocean and the local area, it is a healthy activity for your team, and it promotes team building and camaraderie.

Your team will get a good work out in a beautiful environment and it will make any other activities planned for later in the day like drinks or a dinner taste that much sweeter. Your team will have earned that cocktail and it will be oh so rewarding. You all will sit around the table or the bar reminiscing on the thrills and spills of the day and workplace heroes will be born. The water cooler will be abuzz with ever exaggerated tales of Lynda catching a 12 foot wave or how Jerry conquered his fear of the ocean.

Your team will leave with a memorable high. There is nothing quite like a group of working professionals high fiving each other with the biggest grins on their faces. Surfing will bring out a healthy level of encouragement, laughter, support, and competitiveness amongst your team that is healthy and fun.

Treat your team to a fun activity that won’t break the bank, requires very little planning on your behalf, and that promotes so many positive elements of being a team and working towards a common goal.

If you are in the Charleston area, you are most definitely aware that summer has arrived. We have had some blistering temps, but luckily it looks to be cooling down a tad in the back half of this week.

Dreaming of summertime bliss is a norm in America. Everyone has fond memories of their summer break as kids and even as adults we crave the more relaxed and warmer summer months. Summer and the beach are synonymous, but what does it mean to be a surfer in summer and why would Charleston be the right place for a surf vacation this summer?

1. Water Temperature. While the water temperature heats up along the whole East Coast, there are few places like Charleston where you can be in board shorts or a bikini comfortably for the whole summer. For folks still thawing out from the deep winter freeze, this can be the one and only reason to come surf in Charleston for a summer vacation, but no matter how you look at it, it is a huge bonus. You don’t need to schlep a ton of gear. Bring your favorite board and your favorite swimwear. Done and dusted.

2. Potential for really good swell. Well, couldn’t that be said about everywhere on the East Coast during summer and fall? Yes. But, it is particularly true for Charleston. We do not get a lot of the winter swells due to the high angled nature of the direction of the those systems, so summer and fall is really our time. What is more, even on our best days of swell, there is always something for everyone. This cannot be said about many other places, but here in Charleston between the tides, the different beaches, and some novelty spots, you can enjoy every swell no matter your craft or ability. That is a special thing.

3. Community. The Charleston surf scene has developed into a flourishing space filled with characters, businesses, events, and most importantly, very nice people. This doesn’t mean you should drop in on people or paddle out to the most crowded peak, but just like anywhere else, if you show a little respect you will find genuinely good people who want to hear your story and grab a beer and taco with you after your session. Share some waves and chat with some folks in the line up and you are sure to find a friend and a Charleston tour guide.

4. More than waves. Have you ever been on a trip with the sole purpose of surfing for 8 hours a day just to get there for the worst flat spell of the year? Charleston surfing is not immune to this problem, but unlike some other surfing destinations, we boast some of the best bars and restaurants in the country. If you aren’t careful you may end up eating your way thru Charleston instead of surfing. We have great music venues and events year round. Charleston is such a vibrant town filled with history, creativity, and passion. No matter what you are into, you will find some of the best of it here in the Holy City.
5. It is easy to get here. I feel like the is all that needs to be said, but we’ll elaborate. If you live on the east coast, you might as well drive and bring all your boards and friends. If you live elsewhere, you can catch an affordable flight to Charleston International with such ease, it’s a no brainer.

It is never too soon to start planning for summer break. For many parents, the expression “I’m bored” is all too familiar when school closes for the summer. For others, summer brings inactivity and far too many hours of sleep and video games.

Surfing is the perfect solution to boredom and inactivity. It is one of the most popular sports in the world with up to 35 million people engaging in it worldwide.

Read on to start your search for the best surfing lessons Charleston has to offer. Explore why signing up for surf camps is the best way to spend your summer.

Where Can I Get Surfing Lessons?

Now that you are sold on surfing, it is time to hunt for surfing lessons near me. Look no further than Charleston which has some of the highest-rated beaches in the United States.

Our camp on Folly Beach provides packages and programs that are tailored towards each surfer’s experience level. There is plenty of parking and campers can use the public restrooms and showers throughout the day.

What Should You Look For In A Surfing Camp?

Some camps take as many applicants as possible. The end result is a poor camper to instructor ratio. Surfing students do not get the attention that they need to properly learn the sport.

The camper to instructor ratio is one of the most important things to look for in a camp. Here at Isla, we cut off registration for our summer camps at 15 students.

This way, we can maintain a 3:1 camper to instructor ratio. This makes for a personalized experience for each surfer with lots of one-on-one time.

Many people wonder what they need to bring to summer camp. At Isla, all surfing equipment is provided to its campers each day.

They receive surfing equipment such as boards and rash guards. This helps save money as people can see if they love the sport before investing in a board and other necessities.

All you need for an Isla surf camp is a towel and sunscreen. Campers should also bring a lunch and a bottle of water for the day.

What Will I Learn At Surfing Camp?

Our surfing camps teach students of all different experience levels. At a minimum, every camper learns about ocean safety. Students are taught how to judge the ocean and spot dangerous currents or riptides.

Surfers are also taught about the sport’s etiquette. Campers learn how to conduct themselves properly in the ocean and the unwritten rules of the sport.

Lastly, they will learn surf skills to allow them to navigate the ocean. Instructors carefully evaluate each camper and build off the experience level that they demonstrate.

How To Choose The Perfect Surf Camps?

You are now ready to choose the perfect summer surfing camp. Our advice is to find a camp with an appropriate camper to instructor ratio. This way, you can receive the attention that you deserve.

You also want to look for a camp that teaches ocean safety and adjusts the lessons to your skillset. If you are interested in our Charleston surf camps, contact us today to get started.

Surfers can take their sport with them to any beach on Earth. All you need is a board and a suit to ride a wave. Surfing is liberating and allows you to get in touch with nature and yourself.

If you have never surfed before, it is never too late to start. Read on for a guide to surfing lessons in Charleston. Explore topics such as how to improve surfing skills and what to expect in your first surf lesson.

What to Look for in Surfing Lessons

If you have a poor experience with your first surf lesson, it may turn you off from trying again. It is important to hire an experienced surfing instructor.

There are a few character traits to look for in a surfing instructor. For starters, you want someone who is patient. They understand that this is a new journey for you. Your instructor uses his energy to build up your confidence and not break it down.

Another thing to look for is a strong communicator. You want an instructor who can relay surfing techniques in terms that you can understand.

Lastly, it is important to find instructors who are experienced. They should know the local surf scene and how to find the best waves.

Also, instructors should be knowledgeable on different surfing techniques, boards, and more. Your instructor will teach you about reading ocean conditions and how to assess tides. They may coach you up on what gear to invest in and how to maintain your surfboard.

What to Expect at Your First Lesson

You do not need much for your first surf lesson. In fact, you do not even need any equipment, as surfboard rentals are available on site. You can see if you like the sport first before investing in a surfboard.

Your instructor is going to get to know you and ask why you are interested in learning about surfing. They are going to get a feel for your athletic ability and knowledge about surfing. The instructor is going to assess your surfing skills and whether you are a novice.

There may be some drills that take place on land before hitting the waves. The goal is to make sure you are ready to take on the ocean.

Your instructor is not going to ask you to do anything you are not comfortable doing. Our goal is simply to make sure that you have a positive experience and embrace surfing.

Your Guide to Surfing Lessons in Charleston

You are now ready to start a new journey into the world of surfing. Few things are as peaceful and meditating as floating in the ocean. At the same time, there are not many sports that can compete with the exhilaration of riding a wave.

If you are ready for surfing lessons in Charleston, contact us today to make an appointment.