Puerto Escondido has no shortage of surf schools, and the gentler inside breaks at Zicatela and at Playa Marinero — the beach just north of the main pier — are suitable for beginners. Most surf schools operate out of the Adoquín area and offer two-hour lessons for beginners that cover the basics of paddling, popping up, and reading the waves. Classes are typically small groups of four to eight people.
Playa Marinero, just north of the main pier, is where most lessons for beginners take place — the waves are manageable and the beach is sandy enough for soft falls. A few of the surf schools are long-established and employ qualified instructors who speak English. It's worth asking around, as quality varies.