Mattdog: JL, Yup San Pareil would be excellent for lessons however is very low tide sensitive. The tide must be 2M or lower at Northwest Bay. There is lots of exposed sand and you could do a long drag. Go in the morning for best NW, but also works great in SE too. Turn right on highway 19A just after the Esso station that is a log cabin, just before the Orange bridge over Englishman River. Eagle Point in Nanaimo is a better spot since it works at 3m or lower tide and you get a massive expanse of sand. for example it would work until 11 am tomorrow morning. Drive to the End of Blueback drive and walk down the cliff 279 steps to the beach. Eagle point also has shallow water for body drags and duffing tricks.