What level surfer am I?

A guide

We understand you want to feel confident that our coaching is a good fit for your level of surfing. Equally, it’s important for us to know you’re at the right level for our coaching programmes. We’ve created this handy guide to help you define your level and ensure your surfing ability is right for the coaching option you’re considering. You must be a competent swimmer and have basic ocean awareness.

Level 1 - Novice

This is the minimum standard for surfers to join our coaching programmes. Novice surfers are more advanced than beginners who’ve just started surfing. They’ve surpassed the learn-to-surf stage and want the next level of coaching to help progress their surfing.

Here’s how to tell if you’re a novice surfer:

You’ve been surfing for 1-2 years
You can paddle through the white water
You can catch unbroken waves by yourself
You’re able to predict if a wave will be a right or a left
You have difficulty identifying the ideal peak positioning for take-off
Your pop-up is inconsistent and your foot positioning is a mixed bag
You can’t go left as well as you go right, or vice versa

What you can learn from our Level 1 Coaching Programmes:

Paddling techniques
Basic surfing equipment
Peak overview techniques and safety aspects
Surf etiquette
How to duck dive correctly
How to pop up on a surfboard correctly
Proper surf stance
How to read waves
How to position yourself best for unbroken waves
How to do basic turns

Level 2 - Intermediate

Intermediate surfers can generate their own speed but it may not yet be optimised. They attempt manoeuvres (such as cutbacks or floaters) with some success but generally have technique or timing errors. These surfers have often reached a plateau where improvement has slowed or stopped.

Here’s how to tell if you’re an intermediate surfer:

You have at least 2-3 years of surfing experience

You can paddle out the back unassisted in 3-4ft surf
You can duck dive competently
You’re starting to try different board shapes, slowly surfing smaller funboards or fish-shaped boards
You’re able to angle your take-off and go down the line on a wave
You’re starting to attempt basic manoeuvres

What you can learn from our Level 2 Coaching Programmes:

Effectively generate more speed
Pick the right waves
Choose the right surfboard for specific conditions
Pick the right line for different types of waves
Improve your bottom turns
Improve your top turns
Perfect your stance
Use your rails correctly to turn
Improve your overall flow and ability to read waves

Level 3 - Advanced

Advanced surfers can take off in a deeper, faster section of the wave and surf top to bottom. They can successfully complete committed manoeuvres (such as snaps and re-entries) in the critical part of the wave.

Here’s how to tell if you’re an advanced surfer:

You’ve been surfing for many years and have experience in a wide range of surfing conditions
You’re comfortable in solid 4ft surf
You ride high-performance shortboards
You can take off deep behind the peak
You aim to surf top to bottom in the critical part of the wave
You can perform standard manoeuvres successfully most of the time
You are starting to try progressive manoeuvres with at least some success

What you can learn from our Level 3 Coaching Programmes:

Draw the best line to maximize your speed in all conditions
Position yourself for the ideal take off
Refine your equipment for peak performance
Pinpoint and improve any performance flaws in your surfing
Learn the correct techniques for successful progressive surfing
Get a full breakdown of any aspect of your surfing that needs attention
Learn how to surf to the judging criteria
Learn competitive preparation strategy and techniques
Heat simulations