Yangyang surf school: Level 2 side-riding at Seolak Beach, Surfhorang

I've come here three or four times a year, so you can take this as an honest review. Surfhorang is especially memorable to me because it's where I took my very first surf lesson in Yangyang.

That first class was so much fun, and that's the day I really fell for surfing. I've come back with friends many times since.

A photo holding my board in front of Surfhorang. Coming back to the place where I first learned felt a little like returning to the starting point.

What makes Surfhorang worth going back to

• Seolak Beach is great for beginners. The distance to the lineup — the point you have to paddle out to in order to catch waves — is short, so you spend less time pushing through the surf. That means more chances to paddle back out and go again.
• The lessons are kind. Maybe because they've been running this shop for a long time, but they explain things in a way that keeps first-timers from getting scared.
• It's not just a lesson and done — they take photos and let you watch video too. There's also a stay option, so people who combine everything can have an even more fun time.

Surfhorang location and parking (an easy drive from Sokcho)

• 🏢 Business name: Surfhorang
• 📍 Location: 9 Dwitnaru 2-gil, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon, South Korea, 2nd floor, Surfhorang
• 🕒 Hours: Daily 09:00–20:00
• 🚗 Parking: Use the Seolak Beach parking lot, then head toward the CU convenience store alley

From the Seolak Beach parking lot, it's about a 30m walk into the CU convenience store alley. It's a good spot for anyone looking for surfing in Yangyang, and also convenient for those looking for surf lessons from Sokcho, since it's an easy drive down. (I usually book a stay in Sokcho, though.)

The entrance area with the Surfhorang flag and boards. Once you're near the ocean, it already feels like you've arrived to surf.

That day I surfed from sunrise all the way into the evening, so I ended up with photos of both day and night.

The building's exterior at night. It's an easy walk from the Seolak Beach parking lot, so it wasn't hard to find even on a first visit.

A closer look at Surfhorang's exterior in the morning. Going up to the 2nd floor leads straight into lesson prep and gear guidance. Even first-timers won't find the flow confusing.

Being close to the ocean makes it easy to head straight to the beach after getting ready. This matters more than you'd think for a surf lesson. Boards are heavy.

Why Seolak Beach is good for beginner surfing

Having been to a lot of surf shops, I've noticed a real difference. The instructor and the shop matter, but the ocean itself really matters — especially for beginners, because of stamina.

Seolak Beach. The point where waves come in is close to the shore, which is less of a burden for beginners.

To surf, you have to keep paddling out into the ocean before you can catch a wave. If that distance pushing through the waves is long, you burn through stamina fast.

Seolak Beach has a relatively short distance to the lineup, the point that's actually good for catching waves. That means you can paddle out quickly, come back quickly, and go again. More attempts at waves in the same amount of time makes surfing more fun.

The indoor theory class before the water

Back to it — Surfhorang tends to explain things so that even first-time surfers don't get too scared. My own first lesson was here, and it was satisfying enough that I kept surfing.

You first listen to basic theory indoors. It's a flow where you understand posture and safety rules before heading straight into the ocean.

Even though I took the Level 2 class, I went back to being a beginner and listened to explanations of where waves form and where to catch them. For people learning for the first time, this kind of explanation means less panic in the water.

Level 2 lesson: learning to side-ride a wave

This time I learned side-riding — the feel of riding along the face of the wave for longer. By the way, from here on all the photos were taken by Surfhorang.

The moment of carrying the board into the ocean. From here it's less about theory and more about time spent feeling it in your body.

Watching the wave and timing it. This timing is the hardest part at first. The moment of standing up in sync with the wave. It might look like it only takes a short time to find your balance on the board, but it actually takes quite a bit of focus. It's fast too, so once you catch it, it almost feels like riding a motorcycle.

The riding continues. In the Level 2 lesson, the sense of steering direction mattered more than simply standing up.

The surfing is also put into video. The actual speed and the feel of riding the wave come across better than in photos. Looks lower than it is, right? It's not low. You have to try it yourself.

Showers and accommodation at Surfhorang

The surf photos on the walls inside give off the feel of a shop that's been running a long time. It's not just a place to rent gear — it's a place with a huge amount of lesson experience built up.

I've personally been to a lot of different places, and the shower facilities here are good, and most of all... it's not intimidating. A lot of surfers can look a bit intimidating, but Surfhorang is nothing but kind.

The shower and wash area. Having lockers and shower facilities was convenient. Surfing is more comfortable when cleaning up afterward is easy, which makes the rest of your day easier too. That's another reason I recommend this place!!

There's also a stay space. For people coming from far away for surfing in Yangyang, staying overnight instead of just taking a lesson and leaving seems like it would make for a more fun trip. The bed area was clean too. Considering the whole flow of surfing, showering, and resting, having a stay option handled in one place is a real plus.

Who should book a lesson at Surfhorang

• Anyone wanting to learn surfing in Yangyang for the first time
• Anyone looking for surfing near Sokcho who's considering Seolak Beach
• Anyone who wants kind explanations plus photos with their surf lesson
• Anyone who values catching as many waves as possible
• Anyone who wants to combine a stay with a surfing trip to Yangyang

Surfhorang stays memorable to me as the place where I took my very first surf lesson. This Level 2 class was great too, and I'll be back again.