FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?

• Our surf retreats are for anyone who is hoping to improve their surfing while getting the chance to relax on the beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico.

• Our retreats are also for anyone who is just hoping for a fun way to stay active on their vacation through surfing and participating in fun group activities.

• Recommended levels are Beginner to Intermediate surfers.

• These trips are for anyone aged 18 - 70. Families also welcomed if minors are accompanied by guardian.

I’M NOT BOOKING WITH SOMONE, CAN I COME SOLO?

• YES! Most people on our retreats book a solo spot. Our guides do a fantastic job of fostering a sense of camaraderie over the course of the week that will make the experience more enriching for everyone

• We’re sure you’ll make fast-friends on this trip

• Couples are also very welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the couples-rate by sharing a room

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO GET OUT OF THIS TRIP?

• Our goal is to provide you with high quality surf lesson and guiding services by Locals trained and certified instructors.

• You should expect to rapidly improve your surfing while experiencing the joy, allure, and adventure associated with the quintessential surfing experience: a surf trip!

WHO WILL BE MY GUIDES?

• Your retreats will be operated by SurfWell, Locals Surf School’s official retreat partner.

• SurfWell was founded and is organized by Locals owner Mike Reinhardt with the goal of providing the best possible, surfing, wellness and adventure experiences to Locals students. Since he was a young, Mike has always dreamed of exploring the world through surfing and aims to share this sense of wonder and discovery with his clients by providing these retreat experiences.

• Your SurfWell guides are Locals trained and certified instructors who receive regular training from Mike. They are fluent English-speaking instructors from Puerto Rico who will be able able to provide you the best possible experience from the local perspective. Wherever you go, it’s best to learn from the locals!

WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?

• There are two main airports on the Island: Aguadilla (BQN) and San Juan (SJU).

• Aguadilla airport is a mere 15 minutes away from our retreat house. If flying into Aguadilla, our guides will pick you up and bring you to the retreat house.

• San Juan is about a 1.5 hour drive from the retreat house. This is still not very far compared to the typical 3 hours one must drive from the airports of Costa Rica to their beaches.

• If flying into San Juan, you must arrange your own transportation to the retreat house.

SHOULD I RENT A CAR?

• Renting a car is not necessary since your guides will take you to and from the breaks every day as well as on any additional activities.

• You are also steps away from the beach and a local food market. You are just an 8 minute walk to many of the restaurants, bars, and shops of the area as well.

• However, rental cars are generally pretty cheap so you are encouraged to rent your own car so that you may explore the island on your own or just have the freedom to be mobile. There is free parking at the retreat house.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE TRIP?

• We will reach out about a month in advance to check-in and make sure you have your flights booked and know what to do to prepare.

• About a week in advance, we will also hold a Zoom orientation for all guides and guests of the retreat to answer any questions, go over the game plan, and get to know each other.

• While it is not necessary, it is a good idea to take a lesson or two with Locals or anyone else before your trip so that you are brushed up and ready to make the most of your surf trip.

• It is not necessary but it is also helpful to get in the pool a few times before your trip and just do some basic lap swimming to feel more confident in the water.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• The water and air temperatures are quite warm all year long. Expect the average air temperatures to be 84 degrees with 82 degree water. So, pack some Summer clothing and a fair amount of bathing suits that you will feel comfortable surfing in.

• You should also bring a few rash guards and plenty of sunscreen. If you forget these items we will have extra.

• It is not necessary but you should also bring a pair of reef booties. Any brand will do.

WHAT ARE THE WAVES LIKE?

• Puerto Rico has quality consistent waves at this time of year with a variety of surf breaks for us to choose from.

• Many waves are reef breaks but some are sand-bottom breaks.

• There are waves for all levels of surfer in the area. Some within walking distance, others within a 15 minute drive.

• If the waves are too big in the area, there are other breaks within a 25 - 40 minute drive that will be more manageable.

DO I NEED TO BRING A SURF BOARD?

• No you do not but you are welcome to if you’d like. Just keep in mind airlines charge a board bag fee.

• If you don’t bring a board, we have a variety to choose from at our local partner shop.

• The boards are yours to use all week, even when not taking a lesson and you can swap out boards anytime for a different one.

WHAT TIME IS CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT?

• Check-in is at 4pm on Day One and Check-Out is at 9am on the last day.

• Please keep in mind that some flights to Aguadilla won’t leave JFK until 11pm on Day One so you may not arrive until 4am on Day Two. Don’t worry though, there are no activities planned for the evening of Day One as guests will be arriving at different times so we cannot coordinate any group activities.

• If arriving to Aguadilla on one of the early morning arrivals, don’t worry, your guides will still pick you up and you will get the chance to rest and catch more sleep before we get started for the day with orientation and your first lesson around 10:30am on Day 2, the first full day.

IS THERE DECENT WIFI? CAN I WORK REMOTELY?

• Yes, the retreat house has great wifi and you will find it quite easy to work remotely as we build-in enough free time into the trips.

• Also, there are plenty of spaces in the retreat house to get the privacy you need if you don’t wish to work in your bedroom.

WHAT ABOUT CELL SERVICE?

• Any cell carrier that works in the U.S. will work well in Puerto Rico

• There is no need to contact your cell company to get a travel pass

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE?

• Each guest has their own private bedroom with their own private bathroom

• People who book together with the couples rate will share a bedroom

• Each bedroom has a queen or king bed

• Rooms are assigned based on booking order

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WAVE CONDITIONS AREN’T GREAT FOR ME?

• The great thing about surfing in a place like Puerto Rico is that conditions are quite reliably good

• Furthermore, if conditions aren’t right for you at one spot, other spots in the area will likely be better suited to your needs

• As you should imagine, we cannot control the weather or waves though so you should come into the experience with an open mind and be patient with the conditions as your instructors will work hard to get you the bet conditions but cannot guarantee them.

• The group will travel together to the surf spot of the day based on your surf guides’ judgement. They will sometimes split the group into two based on experience level so that they can each surf a spot that is most appropriate for them

DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL GROUP ACTIVITIES?

• No you don’t and can have as much alone-time as you need

• However we encourage you join us for all of the fun things we do together because one of our goals is to foster a sense of camaraderie over the course of the trip that will make it more enriching for everyone

WHERE SHOULD I PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE AND HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND?

• It really depends on how much coverage you want but you can expect to spend between $50-$150. It's worth talking to your heath insurance provider first to see what kind of coverage they would provide you in Puerto Rico. Most insurance companies provide coverage in the event of a medical issue because it is a commonwealth of the US but still, talk to them first.

• Besides medical coverage, travel insurance is also typically purchased to protect your travel costs in the event that you can no longer make the trip.

• A common option is Allianz Global but here is a helpful article with some other options: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/best-travel-insurance

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

• All bookings are final. There are no options for a refund or possibility of rescheduling.

• Refer to your travel insurance to seek reimbursement for the cost of your booking.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Flights are not included in the retreat price but are relatively cheap and easy to find.

• All participants must be able to swim.

• All participants must sign a liability waiver.

• All participants must purchase their own travel insurance to protect against any flight cancellations or schedule emergencies that you may experience that won’t allow you to go on the trip. There are no refunds for any such circumstances. While SurfWell LLC has it’s own liability insurance, your travel insurance policy will also ensure that you receive any immediate medical support should you need it during the trip. Typical costs of such policies range from $50 - $150. Proof of policy must be shown before departure.

• You will be staying in a home with other guests and traveling in a car with other guests.

• Locals Surf School LLC and SurfWell LLC are not responsible for any damages, injuries, death, or bodily harm caused to any guests.

• We are not responsible for weather or wave conditions that may negatively impact the trip in any way.

• If the waves are deemed too rough by your guides and you are simply unable to surf on any given day, the lesson will be postponed to another day on the trip such that you will receive two lessons in one day. If the guides are unable to offer you the makeup lesson while on the trip, you will receive a credit for a group lesson with Locals Surf School that can be taken anytime at their location in Rockaway Beach, NY. There will be no refunds for the missed lesson on the trip.

• Daily lunch is defined as a combo of water, juices, sandwiches, snacks, fruit, protein shakes, and/or similar items. Lunch will be offered on the beach after a surf session. A full meal will not be provided.

• If your guides determine that you are unable to keep up with the rest of the group in the water such that you are becoming a danger to yourself or the rest of the group, you will be required to pay an upgrade fee of $60 per additional lesson to take private lessons instead of your booked group lessons for the remainder of the trip. This is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of you and the rest of the group.

• All bookings are final. There are no options for a refund or possibility of rescheduling.