Everything you need to know before you paddle out

Yes. With daily lessons and no more than 3 students per instructor, you progress fast.

Basic swimming, feeling comfortable in the ocean, good energy and reasonable fitness.

Yes: board, leash, rash guard and wax. If you'd like to use your own board, your instructor will check that it suits your level.

Itacaré has good weather almost all year, and rain doesn't spoil the waves. When it's windy, we go to the most sheltered beach.

From November to April, light clothes. From May to October, something warmer for the evenings and a rain jacket.

Ilhéus, 70 km (43 miles) from Itacaré.