Ask what you must do independently
Find out what paddling, take-off and board-control skills a session expects. Explain your experience rather than choosing the most flattering label. If you have only surfed with direct support, say so; that affects the kind of session that may work for you.
Distinguish the wave from the group
The same technology can offer different configurations, and a session can be organised in different ways. Ask how surfers enter the lineup, return after a ride and respond to a fall. Group organisation matters alongside wave shape.
Read the venue’s own briefing
Do not assume advice from one pool transfers to another. Confirm equipment rules, arrival time, supervision and the process if the session is unsuitable. Ask the operator before paying if a requirement is unclear.
Use a manageable progression
Choose a session that lets you practise a defined skill, not simply the largest wave available. Ask a coach what to observe and what would justify moving to a different level. Keep the decision grounded in control and consistency rather than a category name.