A Complete Surfing Guide to Surfing In Australia

This is our Complete Guide to Surfing in Australia.

There is no denying that Australia has a reputation for being one of the premier surfing destinations around the world. Victoria definitely has helped Australia to gain this status. As the treacherous waters of the Bass Strait surround this location, you can expect incredible surfing.

1. When are the best seasons for surfing in Australia?

 When it comes to the surfing seasons, you’ll be happy to know that any time is a good time to go surfing in Australia. There are great waves all year round!

But I still recommend surfing in Australia in Autumn (March-May), the reasons are below:

The Australian summer (December-February) is not very consistent. However, the summer cyclone season is a much-awaited time of year, as it delivers epic conditions lasting seven days or more. The weather can be quite hot and this is also the peak tourist season.

Autumn (March-May) is a great time to go surfing in Australia. The swells are pumping, the water is at its warmest, the wind is mainly offshore, the weather is more pleasant, and the beaches are not as packed.

Autumn season in Australia is always my fav to visit and to surf 

The Australian winter (June-August), has the most reliable surfing conditions. This is the low tourist season and the beaches are less crowded. The water is a bit colder during this time.

Spring is the least consistent time of year, but you’ll still find waves that work.

2. The best-surfing destinations in Australia

Not only is the beach and the surfing lifestyle embedded in the Australian way of life, but it is in their hearts, and there’s no surprise why. Offering an abundance of beaches that are not only suitable for sunbathing but produce some of the best surf waves in the world, these are the beaches you must head to if you’re looking for that next new wave

- Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Although there are plenty of beaches along Queensland’s coast, it is the countless world-class beaches suitable for surfing throughout the Gold Coast that is the gem here.

Surfer in a barrel waves

From the long sandy beaches to the many waves calling your name, there is no surprise that some of the best surfers in the world call this Australian paradise home. From Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks to Narrow Neck and Surfers Paradise, there are plenty of waves to surf, and beaches to relax on.

- Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

In the north of Brisbane on Sunshine Coast is another one of the best surfing spots in Australia. Noosa Heads is known for being the country’s beginner surfer’s paradise.

Surfing lessons at Noosa Heads beach

If you enjoy longboard surfing, Noosa Heads delivers some of the smallest swells, which is excellent for longboarding and surfing newbies. Even with the big waves from time to time, they are never too harsh.

Noosa Heads will be a good surfing spot for expert surfers who want a relaxing time on the water or looking to better their techniques. You can get some of the smaller yet longer waves in here, which can go as much as 200 meters.

- Treachery Beach, Seal Rocks, New South Wales

Part of the New South Wales’ coastline that has miraculously remained undeveloped, the waves along Treachery Beach at Seal Rocks generate some of the best waves in the southerly swell. Whether you are a true ‘soul surfer’ or simply looking for the experience, this is a truly unique experience away from the hustle and bustle of civilization.

- Bells Beach, Torquay, Victoria

There is nothing better when it comes to a surfing spot than the historical and spiritual home of surfing in the country, Bells Beach. It’s the home of the Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival, the most prestigious and oldest surfing event in Australia, which began in 1962.

Surfing the sunrise at Bell’s Beach, Victoria, Australia

A hundred kilometers from Melbourne, you’ll find the shallow reefs and powerful waves in Bells Beach. It’s one of the top surfing destinations in Australia for advanced surfers, a must-visit if you want challenging breaks.

- The Pass and The Wreck, Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay, located at the easternmost edge of mainland Australia, was once a quiet fishing town. However, it has become an authentic coastal city lined with beach houses of the rich and famous over the years. Behind the glitz, Byron Bay remains to be one of the top surfing destinations in Australia and all over the world. You can have your pick in the seven surf beaches in the area, but two of the most popular are The Pass and The Point.

A group at Byron Bay beach

The Pass is on the northern edge of Byron Bay, which delivers long, fast, and hollow waves that are perfect for pro surfers. If you are an experienced surfer, The Wreck is one of the top surfing destinations with its treacherous tides and rips just off the Main Beach.

3. What to Eat Before And After Surfing

 One of the best ways to prepare for your surf session is to have an energy-boosting snack beforehand. Then, after your great time out in the waves, it'll be food-o'clock, so choose healthy muscle feeding foods to help replace the energy burned and help build a stronger and fitter surfing body for yourself... You'll be ready for your next session before you know it.

Before Surfing

Smoothie - time to get creative, try using either a fruit juice base with frozen fruits or for something more filling, milk, banana base with oats, frozen fruit again and even a teaspoon of peanut butter... sounds strange but will make the smoothie thicker

Smoothie - a drink without limit creative

Coffee - this may be surprising, but the caffeine in coffee can be just the boost you need to help paddle that bit harder whilst surfing.

A coffee before surf will boost your spirit to maximum

Banana - a quick energy boost and full of good vitamins and minerals

Cereal - this one's for the breakfast addict, a small bowl of cereal will contain a good amount of carbohydrates that will release their energy over the next 3 - 4 hours. Perfect for a good surf session.

A small bowl of cereal can release energy over the next 3 - 4 hours

Flapjack/Nuts - for a quick snack, the oats in flapjacks will keep you going for hours with their slow energy release, whereas nuts contain the right amount of healthy oils and calories to keep you surfing for longer

If you don't have flapjack, you can try any nuts which can help you surf longer

After Surfing

Jacket potato with filling: tuna/bean/cheese/egg mayo - time to refuel with the natural carbs found in the jacket potato and the protein in the filling that will help repair muscle tissue. For an added boost, eat the potato skin as it is the part that contains the most vitamins of the potato.

 Protein in the filling will help repair muscle tissue

Brown rice/whole wheat pasta with fresh veg and chicken or Quorn - make the most of getting some healthy protein in you to help your surfed out arms. Choose organic chicken where possible or the tasty veggie equivalent of Quorn.

Milk or Orange Juice- the quickest answer to hunger: got milk? Full of calcium, protein, and energy, milk will stave off hunger until you are ready to eat a proper meal. Whereas, if milk isn't your thing, then down some orange juice to replenish your vitamin C levels and give yourself a calorie boost... just remember this is only a temporary fix until your next meal. 

Prawn, vegetable, and noodle stir fry - seafood is some of the easiest protein to digest, so have fun creating oriental-inspired stir-fries with egg noodles, green leafy vegetables, prawns, scallops and shrimp to name but a few.

4. First Time Surfing? Here are 5 Things You Need To Know

How good at swimming do I need to be?

You don't need to be a pro, but basic swimming skills are a must. The surf school you sign up for or the individual you take a lesson with may have different rules, but they will require a certain level of swimming ability. "We require everyone to be able to comfortably swim three to four lengths of a typical pool," Expert says

 Basic swimming skills are a must if you want to surf

"If [the rope that connects your ankle to your board] were to break, and you were to lose your board, you should be confident enough in your swimming skills to make it to the beach in whatever conditions you are paddling out in," Expert says. You should also be able to float and tread water for a couple of minutes if you need to, Expert says.

A few other safety things to remember: Never surf alone, and always respect the ocean, Expert says. If there are lifeguards, it's a good idea to check in with them to make sure the conditions are safe. If there isn't a lifeguard on duty? It's probably not the right time or place to try surfing for the first time.

What if I don't get up on my first try?

One of my biggest fears every single time I get on a surfboard is that I'm not going to catch a single wave. It's possible, but with an instructor helping you, it's also unlikely—they basically push you into the wave to help you catch it.

If you miss a wave, you can always try it again, just never give up

"Surfing, in my opinion, is one of the hardest sports there is," People say. "No wave is ever the same and the ocean and weather are constantly changing. You have to put in your time in to see results but the results are well worth it because there is no greater feeling than riding a wave," they say.

Also, an important reminder: "You are going to wipe out! There is no getting around it," Burt says. "So get used to it! Have fun with it! You are falling in water, not cement."

What makes one board better than another for beginners?

The thicker and longer the board, the easier it is to paddle, stand up, and balance on

The easiest board to learn on is a soft-top board, and an 8-foot size is the best for all ages, Expert says. The thicker and longer the board, the easier it is to paddle, stand up, and balance on. It makes sense: The more surface area you have, the wider your legs can be to balance. There are a variety of different boards your instructor might put you on, depending on where you are, but it will likely be taller than you.

Have Someone To Show You The Basic Technique

Surfing is one of the most complex and technical sports in the world. Imagine learning the wrong basic techniques and then having to “unlearn” your bad habits before you can continue your progression.

If you have an experienced person show you how to surf, that will be great

Trust us, this advice comes from inland surfers that started to dedicate their life to surf way too late in their life. Still today our coaches make us realize we’ve learned certain things the wrong way and it’s very difficult to change old habits. The bottom line is: if you’re serious about learning to surf, learn it the right way. Have an experienced friend or surf coach show you the right basics for the first few days.

The Importance Of Your Surfboard

In any sport, having the right equipment helps you perform. But surfing is different. It can make the difference between surfing 20 waves or 0 waves in your session.

Choosing the right surfboard will completely change the experience. It’s not about having the “brand new model”. It’s about having the right volume and rocker. The volume is the measurement of how much flotation the board has. It’s a function of length, width, and thickness. Basically, when you start surfing, you want lots of volumes (choose either a longboard or a foamboard, boards that are wide, thick, long, and have a flat rocker). Our favorite boards for the first days are 7″4 Gnaraloo foamboards, they are very thick and wide, but not too long so the nose doesn’t drive often.

Conclusion

Surfing has so much going for it. It’ll challenge your endurance and strength. It’ll give you that rush of doing something pretty dangerous.

But it’s not easy. It requires great physical fitness to match the unpredictable conditions you’ll like to encounter.

Learning the basics is just the start. Once you get a taste of it, we’re sure you’ll agree. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Let us know how your first time goes in the comments below!