About Daniele Moscardini
The wind, the waves and the guardian
My teachings are built on honesty, passion and deep respect for the ocean. And the people.
I believe surfing is not a performance. It is a conversation between your body, your mind and the ocean.
Every wave is different. Every surfer is different. And yet, most surf schools treat everyone the same: the same exercises, the same corrections, the same generic advice repeated to groups of strangers.
I do things differently.
I work through what I call the FFC Method. Three principles that guide everything I do.
Foundations. Because a house without solid foundations will collapse. And so will your surfing. Before anything else, we build the right base for your level, your body and your goals.
Feedback. Because you deserve to know exactly what you are working on and why it matters. Through video analysis, structured sessions, personalised homework and honest coaching, every step of your progression is clear and intentional.
Care. Because you are not a number. You are a person with a story, a body, a set of fears and a set of dreams. I genuinely care about your journey, not just your technique.
I believe the ocean is for everyone. Every body. Every age. Every background. Every fear.
And I believe the best surfer is not the most talented one. It is the one who gets out of the water with a big smile on their face.
The Story of Daniele Moscardini
Riding the Waves of Passion
From the Italian coast to the volcanic shores of Fuerteventura. From a child afraid of the sea to a surf coach who has made the ocean his life.
What you are about to read is not just a story about surfing. It is a story about fear, passion, purpose and finding the place where you truly belong.
The Beginning:
The first time I touched the ocean, I was afraid of it.
I grew up in Italy. The Mediterranean, the sea of my childhood, scared me. There was something unpredictable about it, something I could not control. And for a long time, that fear stayed with me.
The first time I tried surfing I was ten years old. I was in Tuscany with my uncle Damiano. He put me on a board, pointed me towards the whitewater and told me to paddle. I had no idea what I was doing. But something happened that day, something I still cannot fully explain.
I did not become a surfer that summer. But I became someone who needed to find his way back to the water.
That experience never left me. And today, when I work with someone who is afraid of the ocean, I do not just understand them intellectually. I remember exactly what that fear feels like. I have lived it. And I know the way through.
Fuerteventura, My Neverland:
I did not plan to end up in Fuerteventura. The island found me.
I arrived almost 16 years ago and I never really left. Something about this place felt different from the moment I arrived. The wind, the volcanic landscape, the raw beauty of the north, the Atlantic swell breaking on empty beaches. It felt like home in a way nothing had before.
I believe this island has an energy. Something ancient and volcanic that runs beneath everything. I believe that if you come here with the right intentions, with honesty and respect, the island keeps you. It has kept me.
Fuerteventura is one of Europe’s finest surf destinations. Consistent waves, over 300 days of sunshine, mild Atlantic water between 19 and 22 degrees all year round. But what kept me here was not just the surf. It was the feeling that this place had something to teach me, and that I had something to give back.
I built my life here. I built my coaching here. El Cotillo became my spot, my classroom and my home.
From Surf Instructor to Surf Coach:
There is a difference between teaching someone to stand up on a board and truly helping someone progress.
It took me years of teaching, of experience, of making mistakes and learning from them, to understand that difference deeply enough to build my entire work around it.
I am a licensed ISA Level 2 and FCS Level 2 surf coach, an ISA Surf Judge Level 1 and an RLSS UK certified ocean lifeguard. I have been teaching surfing for over 15 years, working with surfers of all levels across Europe and beyond. In the last few years I made the step from instructor to coach, from group lessons to fully personalised one on one work.
That decision changed everything.
When you work with one person at a time, you see things you cannot see in a group. You notice how they breathe, how they hold tension in their body, what happens in their eyes before a wave. You understand not just what they are doing wrong but why. And that is where real coaching begins.
Mind, Body, Surf:
Surfing asks everything of your body and your mind. So you need to know both.
I have always been an athlete. Long before I became a surf coach I trained martial arts, practised functional training, studied movement and mobility. I run trails, I move, I train. Not as an obsession but as a form of respect for the body that carries me into the water every day.
I studied nutrition at school. I have always paid attention to how I eat, how I move, how I recover. And over the years I have come to understand that the body and the mind are not separate things. They speak the same language. They need the same care.
This is not just my personal practice. It is part of how I coach.
Surfing demands explosive legs, a strong paddle, a flexible spine and a calm mind under pressure. If you want to progress in the water, you need to work outside of it. That is why my coaching, especially in longer programmes, includes dryland training, mobility work and exercises designed to prepare your body for exactly what the ocean will ask of it.
Mind. Body. Surf. Three things. One journey.
A Wave Rider’s Life:
Between sessions, I think about surfing. I study it, I break it down, I rebuild it.
Coffee, notes, boards on the wall. That is what my mornings look like when I am not in the water.
Surfing has been many things for me: a fear to face, a passion to chase, a craft to master and a language to share. Today it is my life’s work.
I surf because I love it. I coach because I know what it means to feel lost in the water and to finally find your way. And I want to be, for every surfer who works with me, the person I never had when I was starting out.
Someone who guides with patience, knowledge and real care.
I invite you to join me. Catch your wave. Find your smile. And let’s see where the ocean takes you.
My Values and Philosophy
I think it is really important that you know what I believe in, how I work and why it matters. These are not just words. They are the foundation of every session, every coaching relationship and every decision I make as a coach. This is who I am, beyond the certifications and the years of experience.
The philosophy of Daniele Moscardini:
Surfing is not a competition. The goal is never performance for its own sake. The goal is understanding. Understanding the ocean, understanding your body, understanding what you need to work on and why it matters.
I work with total beginners and experienced surfers. I work with people who have never been in the ocean and with people who have been surfing for years but feel stuck. I work with people who are genuinely afraid of the water. This is something I take very seriously, because I have been that person and I know exactly what that fear needs: not pressure, not performance, but patience, trust and the right guidance.
Empathy is at the core of everything I do. When I work with someone I do not just observe them from the outside. I try to feel what they are feeling, to understand what is happening inside their body, to see the wave through their eyes. That ability to truly put myself in someone else’s experience is, I believe, what makes the difference between a lesson and a real coaching relationship.
My coaching is inclusive and respectful of any individual story, body or athletic level. There is no ideal surfer body. There is no ideal background. There is no right age to start.
What matters is the desire to learn and the willingness to slow down, build solid foundations and trust the process.
Progression in surfing is rarely linear. Some days you fly. Other days the ocean wins. Both are part of the journey and both have something to teach you.
My job is to help you understand what to work on, how to work on it and why it matters. Not just during our sessions. For every time you paddle out, for the rest of your surfing life.
Reviews
shabnam peykam
4 weeks ago
I had an amazing surf lesson with Daniele! He is incredibly professional, positive, and passionate about teaching.
After just one session, he understood both my physical and mental strengths and weaknesses. He gave me clear, practical advice on how to improve my weak points while also encouraging me to build on my strengths. His feedback was personalized and easy to understand, which made me feel much more confident in the water.
I highly recommend Daniele to surfers of any level. I’m a complete beginner, and I was extremely satisfied with my lesson. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, supportive, and motivating surf instructor, Daniele is the perfect choice!
After just one session, he understood both my physical and mental strengths and weaknesses. He gave me clear, practical advice on how to improve my weak points while also encouraging me to build on my strengths. His feedback was personalized and easy to understand, which made me feel much more confident in the water.
I highly recommend Daniele to surfers of any level. I’m a complete beginner, and I was extremely satisfied with my lesson. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, supportive, and motivating surf instructor, Daniele is the perfect choice!
Laura Serani
4 weeks ago
The lesson is tailored to the individual, and you don't feel like (as often happens in Fuerte schools) just a number or a client to be entertained.
Daniele cares about your experience and your progression, motivating you and helping you understand, through movement analysis and listening, what you can improve now and in the future.
He cares about his work and truly thinks about the little details that make a difference, like tricks, tips, and videos and photos with a Go Pro!
He's very passionate about his work, positive, and professional! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ✨
Daniele cares about your experience and your progression, motivating you and helping you understand, through movement analysis and listening, what you can improve now and in the future.
He cares about his work and truly thinks about the little details that make a difference, like tricks, tips, and videos and photos with a Go Pro!
He's very passionate about his work, positive, and professional! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ✨
Martina Bahrke
1 month ago
I came to Daniele through a recommendation, and I left as a fan.
I've been fortunate enough to work with some excellent surf coaches, and Daniele is certainly no exception. I had 11 days of private lessons with him, and his coaching goes far beyond simply paddling out, spending some time in the water, and doing the same thing again the next day.
He provides detailed analysis and feedback both in the water and on land, along with practical exercises to work on between sessions. Truth be told, it also was a humbling experience at times... Even though I'd already invested some time (and money) into my surfing, we went back to the basics to correct several small (and some not so small) technical issues that are fundamental to getting better. Looking back, I only wish I'd done that much earlier.
My main reason for booking, however, wasn't necessarily to progress to the next level. What I really wanted was to become more confident in the water. Thanks to Daniele's patient, structured, and thoughtful coaching, I can honestly say that I achieved exactly that.
If I return to Fuerteventura, Daniele will be my first call. I couldn't recommend him more highly.
I've been fortunate enough to work with some excellent surf coaches, and Daniele is certainly no exception. I had 11 days of private lessons with him, and his coaching goes far beyond simply paddling out, spending some time in the water, and doing the same thing again the next day.
He provides detailed analysis and feedback both in the water and on land, along with practical exercises to work on between sessions. Truth be told, it also was a humbling experience at times... Even though I'd already invested some time (and money) into my surfing, we went back to the basics to correct several small (and some not so small) technical issues that are fundamental to getting better. Looking back, I only wish I'd done that much earlier.
My main reason for booking, however, wasn't necessarily to progress to the next level. What I really wanted was to become more confident in the water. Thanks to Daniele's patient, structured, and thoughtful coaching, I can honestly say that I achieved exactly that.
If I return to Fuerteventura, Daniele will be my first call. I couldn't recommend him more highly.
Nicole Riker
2 years ago
Learning to surf completely transformed my life, and I owe it all to Daniele! He’s an exceptional coach who prioritizes quality over quantity in every session. Daniele is deeply committed to helping you progress while ensuring you feel comfortable and safe in the water. His passion for the ocean and surfing is contagious, and he channels that energy into making every lesson inspiring and impactful. Each session is tailored to help you get the most out of your experience, and his supportive approach builds both skill and confidence. I can’t recommend him highly enough!
Wilson Vasquez
4 years ago
If you are a beginner or intermediate Surfer and need to have a Surf Instructor, then this is the guy to come over in Fuerteventura.
I met Dani or me and my wife met Dani 3 years ago before the pandemic with another surf school, however he is now working on his own.
Dani is a certified instructor and someone who will take it's time to really explain you how this wonderful sport works. He will go from step 1 all the way with you just because he is a very passionate guy. If you need a 1 to 1 session or Videoanalyse session he can also do it.
Language he speaks are Italian, English and Spanish so far I know, if there is a new one he can put it in the comments.
I think his prices are not overrated, so fair enough let's say. If you need to rent equipment he can also organized that for you.
So from our side he is HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Dani thanks again for the amazing lesson time and your support.
I met Dani or me and my wife met Dani 3 years ago before the pandemic with another surf school, however he is now working on his own.
Dani is a certified instructor and someone who will take it's time to really explain you how this wonderful sport works. He will go from step 1 all the way with you just because he is a very passionate guy. If you need a 1 to 1 session or Videoanalyse session he can also do it.
Language he speaks are Italian, English and Spanish so far I know, if there is a new one he can put it in the comments.
I think his prices are not overrated, so fair enough let's say. If you need to rent equipment he can also organized that for you.
So from our side he is HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Dani thanks again for the amazing lesson time and your support.
andrea gentilini
4 years ago
What to say about Daniele..
An incredible surf instructor with a true passion for surf and teaching. He is truly able to make you feel comfortable and safe at every time. I can only recommend, with his advices I was able to catch my very first proper wave!!
An incredible surf instructor with a true passion for surf and teaching. He is truly able to make you feel comfortable and safe at every time. I can only recommend, with his advices I was able to catch my very first proper wave!!
Julia Wenderoth
4 years ago
Dani is one of the best surf coaches I know. He took my surfing to the next level with his amazing coaching skills. I always feel save with him in the water as he is an experienced lifeguard. You have a lot of fun with him and leaving the water with a smile is for sure which is for me the most important thing. Contact him if you want to experience surfing as a wonderful way of life and not "just" a sport.
Carolina Benzi
4 years ago
Daniele is a very experienced and capable coach. I have taken 5 lessons with him and he helped me a lot with technique and confidence. One day, I was feeling sick in the water and he took me out in 10 mins from very far away, demonstrating to be a very skillful lifeguard as well. I strongly advise anyone who is looking for 1:1 surf coaching to contact him.
Your Journey Starts Here
Whether you want to train with me in Fuerteventura, work together online or join one of my retreats, there is a path for you.