At Thrust Surfing Schools , we focus on three main principles for teaching people to surf:

Simplicity, Respect, and Consistency.

Our instruction methods are simple and can be modified for people of all ages, we strive to maintain a comfortable and respectful environment at all times, and we stay consistent with what we teach and how we teach it. The result of this method is a professional, safe, and fun environment where everyone can learn to surf quickly and effectively. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions.

NO! People of all ages and backgrounds surf, and you can too. It’s a quick and easy way to get and stay in shape, and can be an exciting way to improve your lifestyle, challenge yourself to learn something new, and meet many new and interesting people.

Sharks live in the ocean, so when we surf we are in their territory; we must respect that fact. That being said, where we surf sharks don’t usually come close to shore. Shark attacks in New York are EXTREMELY RARE. According to the International Shark Attack File, since the year 1670 there have been ONLY 6 shark attacks in New York waters, NONE of which were fatal. Sharks don’t want to hurt humans, and are more afraid of us then we are of them.

The minimum age is 7 years old, but exceptions are made for strong swimmers.

No, we do not provide wetsuits because you don’t need one for a lesson. However, the water can be chilly even in the summertime, and if it’s windy or cloudy during your lesson you should definitely bring one. It’s always better to be warm rather than cold when surfing. Contact us to make special arrangements for wetsuits, or for the best local surf shops to purchase wetsuits at.

No, surfboard rentals are included in the lesson price. If you’d like to use your own board, that’s fine as long as we approve the substitution beforehand. We highly recommend using the soft boards we provide for lessons, as they are made for safe learning for beginners. We are not responsible for damage/loss of equipment you bring for a lesson.

It is highly recommended that you have some swimming skills before a surf lesson. We can provide you with swimming lessons before we surf, however it’s important to realize that YOU CANNOT GO SURFING UNTIL YOU CAN SWIM! If you take a surfing lesson and cannot swim sufficiently, we will teach you. Pricing is the same for a swimming lesson

YES! The first topic we cover in surf lessons is getting comfortable with the ocean. If you’re nervous in the ocean, that’s all the more reason to come take lesson.

We only run lessons in safe conditions. If it’s completely flat or especially big waves, we will reschedule your lesson at your convenience for no charge. We never bring you out in dangerous conditions.

We surf rain or shine, fog or no fog. We stay out of the water only if the weather is dangerous or extreme (lightning, thunder, high winds, etc). We never bring you out in dangerous conditions, and will reschedule your lesson at your convenience for no charge.