“Yo Bra, Wanna hit the sets and get inside those kegs”? Surfing isn’t easy. The lingo is hard enough. But for those willing to put in the time, and master the basics, the rewards are truly exhilarating. When learning anything for the first time, you will inevitably feel a little stupid. However, even Kelly Slater started out this way, you cannot go pro overnight. However, to help in your journey to surfing super stardom, Australia has some ideal surfing spots for those just starting out. Whether on the East coast or on the West coast, Australia has a plethora of great surfing spots for you overgrown grommets.
Considered one of the best places in the country to learn to surf, Byron Bay offers a variety of waves for surfers of all levels. From placid rollers off Watego, to bigger breaks in Tallow – Byron is a great place for all surfers. Other examples include Lancelin in Western Australia, Noosa’s main beach in Queensland, and the famous Bondi Bay of Sydney.
So where do you start trying to learn? Many will pick it up from friends or family members who already know how to surf. To get confident in the basics, attending a surfing class will help you to get standing on that new board of yours. Classes are usually only a couple of hours long, and are often in small groups of 4-6 people. Most of surf schools in Australia are not licenced, and are more of a casual set up on the beach. There is dozens of surfing schools at Byron Bay, but only one in fact is accredited. However, this does not mean the others will not give you a good lesson, you just may have to pay them cash. Surfing school will generally provide all the equipment, however, to solidify your new found knowledge; it pays to get out on the water soon after your lesson. So be sure to have your own board, as well as a wetsuit on hand.
Be sure to play it safe, there is the temptation to go and hit the big barrels, but know your limitations. Stay away from risky spots with a lot of rocks or unforgiving reefs. Try and avoid crowded spots as nobody enjoys a fin to the back of the head. Lastly, don’t try and impress anyone, you are a surfer, not a side show. “Play it cool brah”.