Innocent Surf School Reviews

We think it is important that you can read our reviews knowing that they're genuine and unedited (after all that's the only innocent thing to do). So we use Facebook and Trip Advisor so you can see who left the review and even contact them if you like. You can read all the original posts on the the reviews section of our Facebook page. You can also check what people have been saying about us on www.TripAdvisor.com or just scroll down...

John Greely

Just wanted to send a quick note to say thanks for everything last week. Sonja and I (once again) had a great time surfing with Innocent. Your teaching philosophy is one of the primary reasons for the school’s success. You teach the fundamentals of surfing in a fun environment.

All of the instructors are knowledgeable, helpful, energetic, and personable. Sam was great. He outlined each step in advance and before we hit the water would say, “So the goal for this lesson is to accomplish . . . .” That teaching approach was critical to helping us improve. After each wave, he ensured we were OK, provided positive comments on what we did correctly, and gave us helpful insights on what we could do to improve on the next ride.

I would recommend the Innocent Surf School to anyone.

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Bryan Dehmler-Buckley

"After living in paradise for 8 months we were happy to report that all four of the family made it up and were riding waves in Nosara. We of course couldn't have done that without the help of Gem and Ru and their great instructors at Innocent Surf School. Their dedication to the methodology of surf instruction and safety as the number one concern made for an incredible experience for all of us.

The instructors, Jack and Alex specifically, really gave our son a vote of confidence while making the time in the water fun. They turned around an unsure to-be surfer into a boy who can't stop talking about riding waves and when his next chance will be.

Gem gave Danielle and I are first lessons three years ago and we kept coming back for more of the magic. Danielle accomplished her goal of riding a green wave and I spent many hours in the water giving it my all.

Thanks for making the experience one we will remember forever. We miss you guys and wish you all the luck on the coming year.

Bryan, Danielle, Owen & Lucy"

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Ian Leew

"Erin and I went for 1 lesson and took 3!!! They were worth every penny. The staff at Innocent surf school were a perfect mix of cool, professional and most importantly helpful. Being from Canada we wanted to maximize the speed of our progression as we don't get too much time to practice unless on vacation. Innocent is all about this. We learned so much and had a lot of fun.

We recommend this school to everyone - we recommend going to Costa Rica solely for Innocent Surf School - you might like the heat, scenery, ocean, monkeys, and people too!!!!!"

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Emily Gustafson

"When searching for surf lesson in Nosara (via the internet) Emily and I were looking for two things:

1) Instructors with more than just boards and a playground. We wanted people who could break surfing down into learnable bits that we could practice individually and later assemble in to a ridden wave.

2) Instructors who approach the task of surf coaching with the same amount of dedication as we put into our preparation and surf sessions.

We definitely found both of these things with Innocent Surf School.

We've both taken lessons in whitewater kayaking and windsurfing. The one technique all three instructors shared was the video analysis. We were psyched when we found out Innocent surf school uses video analysis since there's nothing better than actually seeing yourself with your butt sticking out to make you not want to stick it out anymore ; ) So seeing the video session offered on the website put your school in the category with my previously successful instructors.

In short we were looking for the best surf coaches with the best instructional prowess. Despite not trying any other schools in the area, we both feel confident that we couldn't have had a better time anywhere else (in the world).

Some things we thought were most helpful about the instruction:

1) Focused on fundamentals

2) Taught each new skill in a way we understood the technique and appreciate its purpose (this helps with patience and motivation)

3) Built on skills we learned at a pace we could handle."

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Jeff Little

"Let's face it, we all want to become better surfers and the fastest way is to take lessons. We have a second home in Guiones and spend plenty of time there and Innocent Surf School will improve your surfing.

We continue to take lessons with Ru, Gem, Alex, and Jack and all of our friends who visit us we make sure they take lessons from them. It doesn't matter what level you are beginner, intermediate, or advanced, they will improve your surfing."

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Melanie Cappelmann

"Innocent Surf School is top notch! I would recommend them to anyone who wants to learn to surf. After the very first lesson, I was hooked! Can't wait to go back to Nosara for more. Thanks Alex!"

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Andrew Seiffert

"Just got back from a great week+ with the Innocent crew in Nosara...these folks are the best. Great philosophy, great technical approach to teaching, great people, great location, and, most importantly, they really believe in what they're doing. I've gotten lessons before but nothing as specific and technical, and real-time feedback out back is so important to tweaking your approach. Al, Mat, Ru, Gem, and Becky were great to be out in the water with, and Ru was always ready to remind you of bad habits back on the video! With the great swell this week my comfort on the big stuff is really coming together and I now feel ready to take the next step up in surfing wherever I go (but I'll definitely be back to Nosara!).

Thanks again!"

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Jon Dunn

"When you drag your girlfriend who does't surf all the way to Nosara from the UK for a month long surf trip, you hope that the fact you have organised some lessons for her pays off. Thats where Ru, Gem and Alex at Innocent really came up trumps. Vicky was a little scared to say the least but thanks to the patient, positive approach from the guys, after 2 lessons she was already putting me to shame with her near perfect stance in the white water. Making the next step and going out the back was somewhat emotional but the perseverance of the Innocent team and Vicky of course, really paid off. She was absolutely stoked when she caught her first unbroken wave and is still grinning I think! The progress Vicky made was unbelievable and I reckon I am good for a return visit next year. I had done a fair bit of surfing but wasn't really making much progress. After 6 lessons with innocent my whole approach to surfing was completely changed. I can really reccomend the video sessions, the feedback they provided was excellent and I now have a real clear understanding of what I am trying to achieve and how to go about it. Whether, it was wave selection, paddling technique or manouvers the guys kept things simple yet really effective. No matter what your ability Innocent have so much to offer. Surfing aside, we were lucky to have such a long stay in Nosara but it wouldn’t have been half as enjoyable without the guys from the surf school. From their great accommodation at ‘Lotus Villas’, their hospitality and their obvious enjoyment in what they do – these guys rock! Ru, Gem and Alex, a massive thank you and see you soon. We're missing the surf so much you wouldn't believe! I cannot reccomend you highly enough."

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Rodney Charles

"I had an awesome experience with Innocent surf school! I had already taken surf lessons in both Australia and California before but the crew at Innocent were by far the best and they really know how to teach. No matter what level you are, you'll come out of there a better surfer. They're also the nicest people and have an awesome set up. Definitely check em out if you're in Nosara."

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Bryan Grace

"My buddies and I just recently retruned from a trip to Nosara. I considered taking lessons, but never put much thought into it. One afternoon I was out in the water by myself and I noticed Jack giving a lesson to someone. I sat in the water and watched them for a while. I was so impressed by what I saw that I approached Jack while out in the water. He recommend that I walk over to the shop and speak to either Gem or LuLu and try to get in on the following morning's video lesson. I hurried out of the water and made my way back to Innocent and signed up for my first lesson. The lesson went above and beyond my expectations so I decided to sign up for more. I really felt that Jack and Ru (Jack and Ru were out in the water for the lessons) instilled so much confidence in everyone, which allowed us all to push through on the rough paddle out when the swell was getting big. This was Wednesday, April 22, the week of the big swell which peaked I think on Thursday or Friday. I ended up catching my biggest and most fun wave the day of my Wednesday lesson and had the most stoke ever. If you are at all on the fence about getting lessons, head over to Innocent and speak to them. They are all super friendly and their lessons are superb. You will leave Nosara a much better surfer than when you arrived, if you take lessons with Innocent. I wanted to take more lessons after my first few but we unfortunately had to leave to head back home. Innocent surf school is such a great place and everyone there is wonderful. Whether you are an experienced ripper or someone who has never surfed, Innocent will make you a better surfer. Thanks again guys! We will be back to see you on our next trip to Nosara!

Bryan Grace
Boulder, Colorado"

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Meica Magnani

"I fell in love with surfing from dry land - through books, magazines and videos. Captivated by the 'experience of surf' and what it meant to so many people - I traveled to Costa Rica in 2007 to learn. After two lessons in Tamarindo and Jaco, where I received little more than a few encouraging hollars and some sloppy attempts to push me into waves, I was convinced that the best way to learn was to just get a board and go out in the water. I hoped that one day I'd just miraculously find myself with the ability to stand and manuever my board across charging mountains of water. I was optimistic and dedicated, thrashing about in the water for hours at a time, but clearly not getting very far.

Thankfully, I soon met Ru and Gem. Walking on the beach the day I arrived in Nosara, I saw a girl (Gem) standing by a sign for a surf school (Innocent). I decided to ask her about the tides (as if I knew what to do with that information at the time... but you gotta start somewhere - fake it till you make it, right?) and ended up getting into an enthusiastic and very informative discussion about surfing. I signed up for lessons. I ended up staying in Nosara and taking lessons with Ru and Gem for over three weeks.

I recently returned to Nosara (my fascination with surfing exponentially increased once I actually stood up and was working on simple turns- thanks to Innocent!). I intended to take one lesson with Ru and Gem for old times sake but, of course, after my first lesson, I signed up for three more. I learned something new to work into my surfing EVERY SINGLE lesson, not to mention all the advice and information they have to offer if you just hang around the shop for a bit.

Ru, Gem, and Alex are skilled teachers - attentive to the needs of the individual, following a successful method, and full of enthusiasm about not only the sport, but teaching itself.

See you guys again! Thank you.
Meica Magnani
Oregon/Maryland/Wisconsin, USA (in spirit: Costa Rica)"

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Drew Bedford

"Ru and Jack have been great teachers - they clearly communicate the basics and then get you wet to put it to the test. Their technique basics have helped my surfing immensely. And of course, Guiones is the best classroom! Check out their new bigger office. Solo bueno!"

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Shari Peach

"We are the biggest fans of Innocent Surf School. The philosophy of the whole school is perfect, and I've never had athletic instruction with such professionalism and skill. Thanks so much for opening the sport to me, and offering the tools to someday not require more instruction! You are by far the best instructors I've had!"

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Florence Foley

"Both Jack and Ru were great teachers. My biggest problem was my fear of the waves, which as you can imagine can be a bit of a problem if you're trying to surf. Ru's practical and logical approach to it all eased my fears and I actually caught a big wave!! Surfing has been on my bucket list for quite sometime, and thanks to Innocent Surf School I've been able to scratch it off and I'll definitely surf again. Thanks!!"

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Janice Moberly

"Thanks so much for taking such good care of Selena during our month in Nosara. Your surf school helped improve her surfing tremendously. Your program is consistent and seamless. Each instructor uses the very same terminology and stresses the same points in the same order AND you all make the entire experience cool and fun. You should all be very proud of the work you do each day. We will be back !!!!

Janice Moberly ( Selena's Mom )"

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John Anderson

"After searching worldwide for a surf school, my wife and I chose Innocent Surf School in Nosara, Costa Rica. We were not disappointed. It was apparent from the moment we arrived that this was the place. Ru’s gregarious personality and Gem’s affable smile immediately set us at ease……these traits clearly rivaled by their incredible knowledge of the sport. Ru and Gem work diligently to tailor their approach to ones surfing ability, and their knowledge and patience made for an amazing learning experience, one which changed our surfing lives. We ended the week with the take away tools to help us continue to improve our skills once we returned home. Further proof of our belief in Innocent Surf School……..we will be returning in April! Pura vida.

John & Katherine Anderson
Ocean Park, Maine"

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