Getting up on a surfboard can take some practice.

Fortunately, instructor Jake Olson has you covered in the best summer school class in Florida.

  • Cocoa Beach Surf School is run by Flohana
  • Students are led in surf drills and safety procedures
  • Company also rents boards

"I've had 6-year-olds all the way up to 65-year-olds,” says Jake, an instructor with Flohana, who operates the Cocoa Beach Surf School by Flohana.

The iconic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier serves as the backdrop as students grab a board and first hit the sand for practice.

"Most people we get have never been in the ocean,” Jake says as class begins.

Students are lead in a series of drills and safety instructions in the shade under the boardwalk before heading into the water.

"Paddle bro! Paddle hard! Now pop up. Sideways. BOOM! That's it!!” Jake shouts like a coach, as though a wave were approaching. The only wave here is that of the stares of bystanders walking past the pier at the students lying on surfboards in the sand.

Practicing standing on dry land is the first step to standing up on a board.

"Realistically, out there is going to be a lot tougher,” Jake warns.

Yet, as Amber Henley discovered, practice makes perfection.

"I'm from Kansas. I play basketball and run track. I don't surf."

That's until this summer, following plenty of wipeouts for Amber.

"I don't think I have enough fingers or toes to count,” Amber admits. After several lessons, she now joins Jake as an assistant instructor.

"You got it dude. That's it, man,” Jake says as the on-land practice wraps up.

With that, Cocoa Beach Surf School by Flohana students grab their foamy boards, built for buoyancy and head out into the Atlantic. Each board is bulky, heavy and equipped with rubber fins, to reduce the chance of injury and increase the odds you’ll be able to stand up.

"Everybody has to have a leash, that way, your board doesn't take off,” Jake says as students get attached to their board.

He then takes students out into the Atlantic, where they attempt to catch a wave.

Once you're lying on the board, chest down, Jake then points the nose of the surfboards towards the beach. When the right wave appears, Jake pushes riders forward and then shout instructions.

“Pop up, dude!”

From the shore, Amber runs play-by-play.

"Much better than the first one,” Amber says on Scott’s second attempt. “He's lasting longer ... Uh oh!"

After standing for several seconds, Scott tumbles, falling victim to the surf.

Students are given several chances to get up on the boards during an hour or two hour lesson. One-on-one lessons and group sessions are available.

"When you're learning, you are going to fall,” Jake says. “That's part of the fun."

The waters around the Cocoa Beach Pier are shallow. In fact, during low tide, the water level at the end of the pier is only waist deep. Lifeguards will keep swimmers out of a designated “surf zone” reserved for surfers only. This way, novices will not have to worry about hitting a swimmer in their path.

"Scott's getting it pretty well,” Amber concludes at the end of the lesson.

For those who want to return to class, the Cocoa Beach Surf School by Flohana also rents boards, minus the instruction, so you can practice again next weekend.

"You're about a seven or an eight, man,” Jack says scoring Scott’s performance. “Just getting up and catching the wave is good."

Lessons begin at 9 a.m. daily and conclude around 5 p.m.

"I've never had anyone not stand up, and luckily, you guys didn't break my streak today, so I am stoked about that,” Jake concludes.

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