Surf schools

NSW is blessed with some of the world’s best surf beaches. All along the coast, professional surf schools can get you catching a wave even if you’ve never touched a board. There are lessons for kids and adults of all skill levels, from absolute beginners to pros looking to learn new tricks.

Surfers walking along Broken Head Beach in Byron Bay, North Coast

North Coast

Cabarita, on the far North Coast, is one of Australia’s official National Surfing Reserves. The team from In2Surf will have teach you the basics or improve your technique in a lesson. Brush up your skills with Lets Go Surfing or Soul Surf on the picture-perfect beaches of celebrity hideaway Byron Bay and nearby Lennox Head.

Angourie Beach, near Yamba, is another National Surfing Reserve. Join a former Australian champion for a lesson on these world-class waves with the Yamba-Angourie Surf School. At Seal Rocks you can immerse yourself in the surfie lifestyle on a weekend escape with Waves Surf School including accommodation, lessons and equipment.

Port Stephens Surf School runs lessons at four beautiful beaches across the region, led by highly-qualified guides. In Newcastle, one of the State’s most famous surf spots, you can catch a wave at Nobby’s Beach with Newcastle Surf School or meet Learn to Surf Newcastle at Stockton Beach.

Central Coast

Just 90min north of Sydney, the golden beaches of the Central Coast are a great place to learn. Central Coast Surf Academy and Central Coast Surf School will take you to all the best spots. Beginners will love the consistent swell at Umina Beach and small waves at Terrigal. More advanced surfers should head for Copacabana.

Women learning how to surf with Illawarra Surf Academy on Corrimal Beach near Wollongong

South Coast

With 17 stunning beaches, Wollongong is a great place to hit the waves. Book in a lesson with Illawarra Surf Academy, AST Surf School or Swell Surf School. Further south is another National Surfing Reserve, Killalea. Let Pines Surfing Academy take you out at legendary Killalea Beach, known locally as The Farm.

Spend a few days (or a whole week) learning to surf at Gerroa with Surf Camp Australia. Former world champion surfer Pam Burridge now runs a surf school at picturesque Mollymook. Get on a board around Batemans Bay and Broulee with Surf the Bay or tackle the waves of the Sapphire Coast with Coastlife Adventures.

Couple learning to surf with Pines Surfing Academy Surf School at Killalea Beach ('The Farm'), Shell Cove

Learning to surf

The accredited surf schools provide you with all the necessary equipment, such as soft learner surfboards. And the temperate NSW climate allows you to learn year-round. There are lessons for intermediate and advanced surfers too, with professional coaches guiding you to the next level.

Valuable life-long tips you’ll learn in surf school include:

  • How to engage the ocean safely
  • Surfing etiquette and rules
  • How to turtle roll or duck dive
  • How to change a board’s direction

 

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