FAQs

FAQ

Accommodation in the area

Brighton Hotel just 2km from Sandgate Beach.

There are also plenty of AirBNBs in the area. Website: https://www.airbnb.com.au/

As Sandgate is on the direct train line from Brisbane Central, many people choose to stay in the city. Website: https://www.expedia.com.au/

Are there changing rooms and showers?

Yes, next to the beach there are public toilets and outdoor showers.

Booking confirmation

If you have made payment and completed the registration/indemnity form, booking confirmation would have been sent to your mobile or by email. If you have not received such notification, but have paid and completed form, please contact our office at info@surfconnect.com, quoting your order number.

If weather is not suitable for your lesson to take place, an email or a text message will be sent to your mobile, so please check your mobile before leaving home on the day.

If you do not hear from us, that means your session is on as scheduled. No need to contact us to check as there may not be anyone at the office, especially on weekends.

Can I change my booking?

Changes of date/time is welcome provided 24 hours notice is given. No shows will void payment/voucher.

If your booking is with a booking agent, 48 hours notice is required.

If you cannot attend due to a medical reason, you may reschedule within 24 hours prior to your booking, provided you can supply a Doctor's note stating you are unfit to attend the said activity, together a $50 rebooking fee.

'No-shows' will result in payment or voucher void.

Cancellations or 'No-shows'

'No-shows' will result in payment or voucher void.

Do I need booties or wetsuit?

Booties: It is entirely up to you if you wish to wear booties. Sandgate is all sand bottom, no rocks, but some people prefer to wear booties, some do not. You can buy them at KMart, BigW or Anaconda.

Wetsuits: During summer, you would not need a wetsuit, unless there are jellyfish around. We have wetsuits for rent if required.

Equipment

All equipment for the lesson is included, unless you have your own.

Facilities at Sandgate (Food, toilets, showers)

Sandgate has everything within 50m of the beach - toilets, showers, cafes and fish and chips, kids parks, even free BBQ.

How to get to Sandgate?

Sandgate Beach is about 10minutes walk from Sandgate Train Station. Sandgate station is on the Shorncliffe line, direct from Brisbane City. Train ride is only just over 30minutes from the City.

Sandgate also has bus services to and from the city and many other suburbs. Details: https://translink.com.au

Location Guides

See our 'Location Guide' page.

Parking

Parking is all free along Sandgate beach.

Refunds & Purchase discounts

If a lesson is cancelled due to weather, you may opt for a refund or reschedule to a date that suits you. Note all refunds incur a 2% non-refundable processing fee charged by Shopify. There are no refunds on vouchers.

You can also accumulate up to a maximum of four hours of what you spent in lessons with us as 'Purchase discount' towards any of our packages we have in stock. Only lessons taken within three months of the purchase date will be considered. This offer is subject to availability, terms and conditions.

Registration and indemnity form

All participants must complete registration and indemnity form prior to booking confirmation. Form link:

https://form.jotform.com/242792638072867

Storage facilities

You are welcome to store your personal belongings securely in our van during your lesson. Whilst the van is kept locked at all times whilst unattended, we do not accept any liabilities for any loss or damage.

Voucher bookings

If you have a voucher with a third party company, please contact the voucher company to make bookings.

If you have a Surf Connect voucher, please email a copy of your voucher to info@surfconnect.com together with the date you would like to book in.

What do I learn in the first lesson?

Kitesurfing:

All lessons are run in accordance to the IKO syllabus. Lessons are only run if weather is suitable. If there is no wind, there will be no lessons and no charge.

For first lessons, you would normally spend about 30-45minutes on land, going through all the safety, theory, setup, and basic land drills, then the rest of your lesson will be on water.

You will be flying a full size kite, learning all you need about kite control, body dragging, relaunching and all essential kite skills. When you can demonstrate competency in kite control, you will be taught to ride the board. Riding the board normally happens in the second lesson. Learning how to kitesurf is like learning how to drive a car. Some people can get up riding within 3 hours, some may need longer.

We conduct an evaluation at the end of each lesson and give you a copy to take home. That way you know exactly what you have learnt and accomplished in that lesson, and what still needs to be learnt.

Kitesurfing is an extreme sport that carries a high degree of danger, so very important you have all the basic skills before going on your own.

You can also see our detailed lesson plan at the booking/payment page.

WingFoiling:

In your first lesson, you will spend about 30-45minutes on land, going through all the safety, theory, setup, and basic land drills, then the rest of your lesson is conducted on water.

Depending on wind conditions, the instructor may teach you on a paddleboard with a wing in the first water session, before progressing onto an actual wingfoil board.

You can also see our detailed lesson plan at the booking/payment page.

Windsurfing:

In your first lesson, you will spend about 30-45minutes on land, going through all the safety, theory, setup and basic land drills, then the rest of your lesson is conducted on water.

Over the 2 hours, you should learn all the skills to know how to sail out, turn around and sail back to shore, together with the basic self-rescue skills.

You will also receive a 10% discount code for all future lessons, and after your learning, you can lo claim back what you spent on the first 4 hours of lessons against any of our packages in stock.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing you can get in the water with. Cap and long sleeves shirts recommended for sun protection. Sunscreen and sunnies too. We have rash shirts and sunnies for sale. Please advise before 5pm the day before your lessons if you require them.

What if my voucher has expired?

If it is expired due to cancellation because of weather, we can extend voucher as you are already booked into the system. If you have not booked in (i.e. activated your voucher), and your voucher is an external company voucher (i.e. not issued by Surf Connect), then you need to contact the voucher company direct as once a voucher expires, we do not have access to it in our booking system.

What if weather is not suitable?

As our activities are totally weather dependent, if the wind/weather is not suitable (i.e. too much or not enough wind), a text message will be sent to your mobile. So please ensure you check your mobile before leaving home on the day. If you do not hear from us, that means your session is on as scheduled.

When should I arrive for my lesson?

Arrive at least 10minutes before your booked in time.

Where do I meet?

Please meet your instructor at the Surf Connect’s van, which is parked opposite 164 Flinders Parade, Sandgate, Qld 4017. In case you are using GPS navigation to find us, make sure you type in ‘Sandgate’ after Flinders Parade as there are a few Flinders Parade around.

Any other questions, feel free to email us anytime.