Surfing in Imsouane as a beginner: what to expect

Why Imsouane comes up so often

Imsouane is an Atlantic fishing village centred around a bay and a small port. The regional tourism board highlights its long waves, local surf schools and equipment rental. That combination explains much of its appeal: surfing is part of the village, rather than something squeezed into a trip somewhere else.

A long ride can sound especially appealing when you are learning. But a place being known for surfing does not make every part of it suitable for every person. Swell, wind, tide, other surfers and your own experience all matter. Ask a local instructor to choose the area and session for your level on the day; a photograph cannot make that decision.

Describe your surfing, not just your label

Two people who call themselves beginners may need very different sessions. One might be practising standing up in white water; another might be paddling out and beginning to catch unbroken waves. Neither description is a test you need to pass. It simply gives a coach something useful to work with.

Before contacting a retreat, write a short, honest description. Include when you last surfed, how often you get in the water and what you usually manage without help. If you have had a long break, say so. Feeling rusty after months away is relevant information, even if you have taken several lessons before.

• Where do you normally surf: white water, unbroken waves, or a mixture?
• What feels comfortable, and what still makes you hesitate?
• What would you most like a coach to help you practise?

Give coaching a clear place in the week

Ask how many sessions are coached, how groups are organised and what happens when conditions change. Equipment access and a lesson are different things. Having a board for the day does not mean that every extra session is supervised, or that more time in the water is always the most useful choice.

The Essentially Gem programme includes five coached sessions across six full surf days, with groups organised by level and a maximum of five surfers per coach. There are also two video analysis sessions. Additional lessons are optional extras. These are programme details to compare with your needs, rather than a promise of a particular result.

Pick one useful goal for the first few days

It is tempting to arrive wanting to fix everything. Start with one observation your coach can help you understand: where you place your hands, when you begin paddling, or what you notice before choosing a wave. Let the coach help you decide which detail deserves your attention first.

After a session, note what you tried and one question for next time. Video can help connect what something felt like with what actually happened. Progress might mean understanding a recurring mistake or making a calmer decision, rather than moving to a smaller board or catching the longest wave in the bay.

Plan for the hours between sessions, too

Your room, meals and downtime shape the week as much as the surf timetable. Consider whether a shared room sounds sociable or whether having a door to close would help you recharge. Leave space for unplanned time; you do not need to fill every gap with another activity.

This retreat includes seven nights at Shaka Ashore, daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a goodbye dinner. Other lunches and dinners are not included. Airport transfers are also separate: Gema can help coordinate arrivals so guests may share a car, but a shared transfer depends on flight times and cannot be guaranteed.

Work out whether this particular week fits

The Essentially Gem retreat runs 27 Feb – 6 Mar 2027 and is for women who are beginner or progressing surfers. Ideally, you will have tried surfing at least once and already know you enjoy it. Gema is the host, while local instructors take care of the coached surf sessions.

If you are unsure about your level, ask Gema before booking. You can read the brochure and the room options on the booking page, then contact Gema with your questions. You can make a better decision with that conversation than by trying to fit yourself into the word beginner.