Four of five students followed the lesson coach (far left) out to the part of the beach without rocks under the water.

The fifth student, the second coach and the team naturalist photographer followed close behind.

The tips of the boards were buried in the sand to prevent them blowing over during the lesson.

The coach drew practice surf boards in the sand. These would be used to teach the technique of standing on a board.

One of the coaches (left) described to the group what would be taught first.

While the English speaking coach described the lesson ahead, the Spanish speaking coach finished drawing the practice boards in sand.

Practice falls were used to determine which foot was the natural lead foot.

The center of balance of the board was pointed out to the group.

A miniature board drawn in sand was used to describe the proper leg placement when first lying on the board.

The coach laid on a drawn board to show how to center yourself for proper balance.

The English speaking coach described the technique of standing up on a board.

The first step to stand on a board was to force your torso up using your arms so that your hands remain on the board but you are now on your knees.

The second step to stand on a board was to move your lead foot forward to rest even with your hands. The lead foot was the one naturally extended when you stop yourself from falling.

The third step to stand on a board was to rotate and stand smoothly to a balanced position. Note that the feet are now equally distant from the board's balance point, thereby balancing the board.

The students are then allowed to practice the same technique to stand. Practice was on the drawn boards first.

The students rise to their knees and bring their lead foot forward, thereby completing step two.

Students successfully demonstrated they could stand on the pretend boards drawn in sand.

The English speaking coach gave each student individual tips to clarify the technique of standing and balancing.

The students had successfully completed practice and looked forward to the real boards.

A real board was carried out to the water so that the coach could demonstrate on water.

The coach placed the board into the low surf and demonstrated again the balance points on the board.

The coaches took their boards out so that they could demonstrate on actual waves.

The coach paddled to catch a wave so he could demonstrate how to stand.

The students, having completed land-side training, picked up their boards to try their lessons on water.

Having completed training on land, the students carried their boards out into the constantly breaking surf.

The students were dwarfed by the size of the ocean into which they ventured to practice surfing.

Practice began on the actual ocean surface.