CAPE MAY SURF FIELD GUIDE
Cape May’s Gentle Hour: Group Surf Lessons for Ages 8 and Up
A one-hour group surf lesson in Cape May that teaches ocean safety, wave skills, and confidence with soft-top boards and certified instructors.
Cape May’s Gentle Hour: Group Surf Lessons for Ages 8 and Up.
On Cape May’s sheltered shorelines, EcoVentures runs one-hour group surf lessons designed to get beginners and returning surfers onto gentle waves. Lessons are led by professional, CPR- and First-Aid–certified instructors who teach ocean safety, wave skills, and the basics of reading tides and rip currents while using soft-top boards for a safe, forgiving learning experience.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Professional, certified coaching with local experience
Lessons are taught by professional surfers with decades of experience; instructors hold CPR and First Aid certifications and EcoVentures deploys multiple instructors in every lesson to increase wave time and individualized attention.
Practical ocean-safety training
Instruction includes ocean-safety skills such as how to avoid rip currents, how to use tides and waves to your advantage, and techniques for safely negotiating breaking surf.
Soft-top boards for a safer first ride
EcoVentures provides soft-top boards for a forgiving, safe learning surface; group classes emphasize independent paddling—participants must be able to paddle back through the surf to reach instructors.
What the day feels like
How the hour unfolds
Expect a compact progression from a beachside briefing on ocean safety to in-water practice and quick transitions into catching gentle waves. Multiple instructors circulate through the group so participants get more waves and targeted feedback while learning wave selection, positioning, and basic ride technique.
THE INSTRUCTORS
Professional, certified coaching with local experience
Lessons are taught by professional surfers with decades of experience; instructors hold CPR and First Aid certifications and EcoVentures deploys multiple instructors in every lesson to increase wave time and individualized attention.
THE SAFETY
Practical ocean-safety training
Instruction includes ocean-safety skills such as how to avoid rip currents, how to use tides and waves to your advantage, and techniques for safely negotiating breaking surf.
THE GEAR
Soft-top boards for a safer first ride
EcoVentures provides soft-top boards for a forgiving, safe learning surface; group classes emphasize independent paddling—participants must be able to paddle back through the surf to reach instructors.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this lesson is best for — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Soft-top surfboards are provided by EcoVentures for a safe, fun experience.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What ages can participate?
Lessons are available for participants aged 8 and up.
How long is each lesson?
Each group lesson is one hour long.
Do I need prior surfing experience?
No prior surf experience is necessary, though group classes are recommended for people who are already comfortable in the water.
Are boards and equipment provided?
Soft-top boards are provided as part of the lesson.
What safety training do instructors have?
Instructors are CPR and First Aid certified and include ocean-safety instruction such as how to avoid rip currents and use tides to your advantage.
Will instructors assist me if I can't paddle back through the surf?
Group classes require participants to paddle back through the surf to reach instructors; instructors cannot leave the class to assist paddling through the surf.