The short answer
What should you bring to a surf lesson in Costa Rica?
Wear a secure swimsuit and bring drinking water, sun protection, a towel, dry clothes and any personal medication you may need. Flow provides the surfboard and lesson equipment, so beginners do not need to buy or travel with surf gear before their first session.
A small beach bag is usually enough. The best surf-day kit handles sun, salt water, sand and a possible rain shower without giving you a pile of valuables to watch from the ocean.
What Flow provides for your lesson
Your Flow lesson includes the surfboard and equipment used during the session. We match the board to your size, experience and the conditions so you can learn on something that supports the goal of the lesson. First-time and beginner lessons are held at Dominicalito, and most intermediate lessons take place there as well.
If you are joining an intermediate-to-advanced coaching session, the location and equipment may change around the conditions and what you want to improve. You are welcome to bring your own board when you want coaching on the equipment you normally ride.
What to wear in the water
Choose a swimsuit that stays secure while you paddle, fall and climb back onto the board. A long-sleeve rash guard adds sun coverage and helps reduce rubbing against the board. Most surfers around Dominical do not need a wetsuit, but comfort can vary with rain, wind, time of day and how long you stay in the water.
Remove jewelry that could snag or disappear in the ocean. Tie long hair securely, and avoid a clip with hard edges where your head or body could land on it during a fall.
Sun, water and heat
Apply sunscreen before the session according to its label, and use clothing for extra coverage. Choose broad-spectrum, water-resistant protection and plan time to reapply after swimming, sweating or drying off.
Bring a full reusable water bottle and drink before and after the lesson. If you tend to need more than plain water after activity, pack the hydration option that already works well for you rather than testing something new at the beach.
What belongs in the beach bag
- A towel and a complete change of dry clothes
- Sandals that are easy to rinse
- A small amount of cash in colones
- Your phone, keys and identification in one secure place
- Any inhaler, allergy medication or other personal item you may need
- A snack for after the session if you know you get hungry quickly
A small waterproof dry bag helps keep the wet and dry parts of the day separate. It is also useful during green season, when a clear morning can still turn into a strong shower later.
If you are bringing your own surfboard
Check the board before leaving your accommodation. Look at the leash, leash string, fins and any recent repair. Pack the correct surf fin key, a spare leash string and wax made for warm water. A small repair kit can be useful on a longer trip, but do not rely on a rushed beach repair for damage that needs time to dry and seal properly.
If you fly with a board, inspect it on arrival before the first session. Check the airline’s size and weight rules when choosing protection, and leave open damage with a repair professional rather than rushing it into the water.
If you are traveling without a board
You can leave the board at home and still plan a full surf trip. Tell Flow your height, weight, age group, current level and what you are working toward. Those details help us choose a board with the right balance of stability, paddle power and responsiveness for the session.
Ask for a board that supports the skill you’re practicing. The board guide explains how size, volume and shape change the feel, so you can compare without buying before you’ve tried anything.
What to add during green season
Keep a packable rain jacket, extra towel and dry clothes in the car. A waterproof pouch for electronics is helpful even when the main bag claims to resist water. If you are driving to another beach, store everything so a sudden stop does not send wet boards or loose bottles through the vehicle.
Rain by itself does not always cancel a surf session, but lightning, visibility, river runoff, ocean conditions and road access can change the decision. Follow the coach’s instructions and avoid assuming that the morning plan must stay fixed.
What parents should add
For children, bring a familiar snack, extra water, a dry outfit and sun coverage they’ll keep on. Goggles can help a child feel comfortable during beach or gentle-water familiarization, but they aren’t default surfing equipment. Ask the coach what to use for the actual lesson, including whether water shoes suit that day’s entry. If another adult is staying with a baby or young child, shade and a dry place for essentials make the wait easier.
Do not leave children unattended near the water. At Dominical, ask at the large blue lifeguard stand for current beach-safety information. Check on-duty coverage before entering at any beach; it can differ by location and day. Beach conditions can change even when the water looks calm from farther away.
What to leave behind
Leave expensive jewelry, unnecessary electronics and large amounts of cash at your accommodation. Avoid leaving valuables visible in a parked car. The beach is easier when the only things waiting on the sand are items you can replace.
You can also leave behind the pressure to own every piece of surf equipment before you begin. A lesson is a good place to learn what you actually use before buying a board, leash, fins and a full travel setup.
The two-minute surf-day checklist
| Category | Bring | Check before leaving |
|---|---|---|
| Wear | Secure swimsuit and rash guard | Nothing loose or likely to snag |
| Sun and water | Sunscreen, hat for after and full water bottle | Protection applied and bottle filled |
| After the surf | Towel, dry clothes, sandals and snack | Wet items have their own bag |
| Personal | Medication, phone, keys and small cash | Valuables are secure and minimal |
| Own board | Board, leash, fins, fin key and warm-water wax | Leash and board checked for damage |
Frequently asked questions
Surf packing questions, answered
Do I need to bring a board to a Flow lesson?
No. Flow provides a surfboard and lesson equipment and matches the board to the surfer, goal and planned conditions.
Do I need a wetsuit in Dominical?
Most surfers use a swimsuit or rash guard in the warm water around Dominical. Rain, wind, session length and personal comfort can still affect what feels best.
Can I leave my belongings with the instructor?
Bring as little as possible and ask Flow about the plan for personal items before the session. Do not bring valuables that are not needed at the beach.
What if it rains on the lesson day?
Rain alone does not always cancel a lesson. Flow checks the full situation, including lightning, visibility, runoff, ocean conditions and road access, before confirming the safest plan.
This packing guide is original Flow guidance based on local lessons and beach days around Dominical. Use current official weather and safety information alongside your coach’s instructions.