Instagram DM opener for a girl who posts her surfing lessons

A post about surfing lessons is different from a post about a sunset surf or a trip. When she writes about pop-up drills, footwork, or reading a set, she is showing you how she thinks about the sport and what she wants people to take away from it. That is the thing to notice. Look at the caption and at what she is pointing at in the photos. Is she correcting a stance, explaining why a wave broke a certain way, or cheering on someone who is still struggling? Each of those tells you something about what she enjoys about teaching.

This also helps you avoid the generic compliment. Her comments section is probably full of people saying she looks great or that they want to learn. Being specific about the lesson stands out because it shows you actually read the post. It also tells her you are interested in the part of her life she chose to share, not just how she looks doing it.

The best opener for someone who teaches is a question about the thing she already knows well. Something she can answer in a sentence or two without much thought, and that gives her a small chance to share a bit of her own opinion. For example, you might ask what she finds people get wrong most often in the first few sessions, or what made her start teaching instead of just surfing. Both invite a real answer and show you care how she sees it.

Keep the question open enough that she can go in more than one direction, but narrow enough that she knows what you mean. Avoid questions with a yes or no answer, and avoid anything that sounds like you are asking for a free lesson or a recommendation. A question about her own experience keeps the focus on her and gives the conversation somewhere to go.

Give her a day or two before following up, especially if she replies briefly. A surf instructor works outdoors and around tides, so she may be on the water, in classes, or just offline. A short reply that comes a day later is normal and does not mean she has lost interest. If she answers with one line, your next message can be a little warmer and a little more specific, such as continuing the topic she raised.

If you send a message and get nothing back, leave it for about a week before trying again, and only once. A second message that references the first and adds something new, like a short comment on a more recent post, is fair. A third message or a message that asks why she has not replied tells her you are more invested than she is. At that point, stop and move on. Most people who do not reply simply are not interested, and a polite end is better for both of you.