There are surf schools that operate out of Trigg, Scarborough, Brighton and as far South as Secret Harbour. Most charge around 20 bucks for a couple hours lesson/gear hire.

They can lend you a board, wetsuit and whatever other gear you need to get a feel for surfing, and saves you a small fortune on buying your own gear.

Not only do you learn the basics from someone who knows what they are doing, but you'll even learn about wind, tide, rips, wave selection and a host of other goodies.

Most importantly, they'll (hopefully) teach you about surfing ettiquette, dropping in, snaking and where to paddle out, so you don't get off on the wrong foot with other surfers and everybody gets to enjoy their time in the water.

Hi Darc,
I have to disagree with Late Starter.
I reckon the best thing to do is get out there on your own or with
some mates as often as you can in any conditions.
The less people to use the surf schools the better.( I would be pleased to see
them gone)
Learn the rules first and have fun.
Good luck

Never used a surf school myself and never really had any problems with them.
If you get a good instructor I can see them being worth every dollar you'd spend.

As for how I learned...just got a board and hit the water as much as humanly possible. Learn about tides, swell, wind etc but before you get in the water....PLEASE learn surf etiquette.

Most surfers don't mind new guys paddling out...I know I sure as hell don't mind...but the moment people start cutting me off I start getting really pissed off. I'm not the kind of guy that will have a go at other surfers in the water but it does grind my gears when I lose a good wave to someone who is either oblivious or just doesn't give a toss. Also, no matter your intentions, you WILL cut people off. I do it occasionally and I've been surfing for a while now. Most of the time a simple apology is all that's needed and more often than not you'll get a "yeah no worries mate" from the guy you've cut off.

Just some things to be mindful of. Most importantly though mate...make sure you're having fun.

hes talking stand up ozsurf, not your booga booard

Darc84 said...

So i guess it all comes down to personal preference whether to use a surf school or get a mate to teach you. I am probably not the type that would just grab a board and give it a whirl and being a chic i would probably want some sort of guidance before jumping straight in and possibly harming myself and others. Be rest assured though that i would learn surfing etiquette before jumping in, don't want to be getting off on the wrong foot with all the ppl out there that have been doing it for years

You should have mentioned you were female earlier - now that its out in the open, just sit back and watch the offers for 'personal tuition' roll in.

If you live SOR check out Doug's surf school in Secret Harbour - gonesurfin.com.au . He does 'girls only classes' most sunday mornings. My sister is in her mid 20's and learned to surf there - she thought it was great and felt much more comfortable learning with a class full of girls.

Apparently paddling out blind into a strange group of guys can be quite intimidating for some people. Thank heavens for surf schools, hey Ozsurf?

Good Luck Darc, it will change your life!

Dont worry about finding it daunting Darc.
You will mostly get encouragement,especially being a girl.
I dont like surf schools because they encourage too many people to
take up surfing (selfish i know, but less crowds the better.)
They also seem to always set up where ever i happen to be surfing

Oh...you're a girl...I'll teach you how to surf then hahah

So i have another question - what is the best board for a beginner to use?

mocha1 said...

Subasurfs

Brilliant

doggie said...

Darc84 said...

So i have another question - what is the best board for a beginner to use?

Start out on a foamy, like the surf schools use. They are easy to surf (and fun) plus if you get hit they dont hurt you, or anyone else

Try and get one that is about one foot bigger than you. You need stability when learning and these boards give that to you in truckloads.

Bset advice I can give at this stage is have fun and dont give up

Oh ok great thanks for that, the last thing i want to be doing is getting smashed in the face with a board or smashing someone else in the face, that would make me extremely popular. Thanks heaps for all the advise guys, need to do as much research before I jump right in. So is there a best beach to learn at or does it not really matter?

LateStarter said...

Brighton just south of Scarbs isn't bad for newbies, and Secret Harbour is fairlyy learner friendly as well.

Both are beach breaks in fairly shallow water, so until you get your paddling sussed you can just jump off the sand and onto your board when a wave comes.

Both beaches have sandy bottoms so you don't cut your feet on any rocks/reef.

Yea def Brighton, can get a bit hairy further north. Secret Harbour is good south of the car park, its generally a bit smaller there.

Darc84 said...

If only there was a beach that was just for learners so that I am not embarassing myself the whole entire time, but i guess it would be amusing for you seasoned surfers though

The sooner you stop caring about being embarassed, the more fun you'll have
I have a few mates who would love to learn to surf but are to afraid of looking like fools. Their loss.

What area do you live in, in Perth?

Not that far though. I lived in Bibra Lake for a couple of years and was in the water 4 times a week
This time of the year, maybe just head to Leighton/Port beach and practice on the white wash...or if you can be bothered, jump on the freeway and head to Secret Harbour. This big waves break out the back so there is a long ride of white wash that is perfect for learning on.

How much you willing to spend on a board to learn on?

I learnt at brighton and leighton; they are two places I now really avoid. I personally bought a board and self taught with no experience. Went every day for three months and finally stood up. Another three months and I figured out that wobbling to the beach wasn't the goal in surfing, and started to trim. A surf school would have taught me that in a lesson or two. Anyway, I'm not for or against surf schools. Some people carry on like if you haven't been to a school for the given sport you shouldn't be out there (namely kite surfers), but I reckon that's a load of bunk, particularly in surfing. No one owns the place, just get out there.

Another thing to help you surfing is physical size / intimidation. People don't play nice sometimes and it helps if you look like you could harm them. I recomend giving no respect and not talking to people until you've caught a wave or two or at least figured out who the friendly people are talk to them. Even if you find one friendly person, talk to them and they'll help you into it, talk you through the break. Anyone who is arrogant take nothing from them, keep your back turned to them and don't aknowledge them and if they say anything, say something straight back even if you're in the wrong (people have to learn and start somewhere!). You have every right to be there particularly at places like Brighton.

I wouldnt worry about all the intimadation crap Darc, for starters just find some broken shallow beach break waves.

Shallow, knee to waist deep so you can stand and control the board easily.

At first just stand in the shallows and when the white water gets near push forward and jump on the board and let the wave push you.

If the wave passes you, you havnt pushed forward hard enough.

Once you get going on a wave, push up with your arms and arch you back.
Do this a few times just to get used to what you have to do.

At this time you are close to standing up.

Now you have to work out what foot farward you are. You need to do this before standing of course. To work this out is easy, if you ride a skateboard you already know. But if you havnt stand up straight and get someone to push you forward, which ever foot goes forward first is normally the one, right foot goofy left foot natural.

Thats some things to work on