The best surf schools in Australia

Nicola McClean finds some of the best surf schools around Australia for little frothers.

Sunshine, sand and sea are an inherent part of the Aussie lifestyle, so what better way to spend the school holidays than at a surf school? Big on fresh air, fitness and fun, surfing is a brilliant sport for kids. We’ve rounded up some of the best spots to get your wannabe groms walking on waves.

Western Australia

Surfing WA has been operating its surf school at Trigg Beach in Perth for more than 35 years. Recognised as one of the best surf schools in Australia. The school has introduced some 7,000 frothing grommets between five and 12 years old to the unbeatable joys of surfing. With group and private lessons by appointment, special programs over school holidays and a network of more than 20 coaches. Sessions are not only fun, but will also equip kids with the necessary skills to enjoy safe surfing.

Queensland surf school

Walkin’ on Water surf school

Gold Coast

Whack on a wetty and get ready to tackle the waves at gorgeous Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta. Its gentle waves make it an ideal place to start your surfing career, no matter your age or level of fitness. Walkin’ on Water offer group and private surfing lessons for all, with expert instructors teaching the littlies safety skills and theory in a nurturing environment, getting them upright and smashing the waves in no time. Walkin’ on Water is also the Gold Coast’s number-one provider of SurfGroms, the world’s first national junior surfing program for five to 12-year-olds.

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New South Wales

Soul Surf School

Byron Bay

If Chris Hemsworth’s Insta-videos of him piggybacking his daughter while surfing don’t inspire you to tackle the Byron waves, then nothing will. Soul Surf School Byron Bay has your back, offering a variety of programs for a range of abilities. The mobile surf school finds the best, fun and safest waves at over 10 locations.

Your grommets will develop into competent surfers because classes are delivered in a fun and easy to understand way. Mini frothers aged from five to 12 can choose from half-day to five-day courses to solidify their abilities.

Let’s Go Surfing

Whether your family is wave-watching in beautiful Byron Bay or making a splash at Bondi and Maroubra beaches in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Let’s Go Surfing offers experiences both in and out of the water.

From school holiday programs and after-school lessons to private lessons, classes are perfectly tailored to kids and families. For those who’d prefer to soak up a bit of Bondi surf without getting wet, the Discover Bondi Guided Beach and Coastal Walking Tour is an exciting exploration of surf culture. Oh, and the Let’s Go Surfing crew supports the Australian Marine Conservation Society, so we’re giving double shakas for that!

Manly Surf School

Known for its promenade of pine trees and buzzing ambience, Manly in Sydney’s Northern Beaches is a must-visit for beach-loving families. Manly Surf School offers mixed lessons for adults and kids, so you and your groms-in-training can tackle the foam together. During the school holidays, the surf school offers birthday party packages. Or book a private lesson for a one-on-one experience.

Across four classes running daily, budding young surfers are matched to a correctly sized board and placed in age-appropriate lessons to have them riding the waves with confidence in no time.

Victoria

URBNSURF

Tullamarine, VIC

Not near the beach? No problem! In fact, the team at URBNSURF ensure kids and adults learn in the most controlled environment possible with no critters in the water.

Melbourne’s crystal-clear, all-immersive surf experience is the first dedicated surf park in Australia. The park produces up to 1,000 ocean-perfect waves per hour, ranging from gentle half-metre swells to barrelling two-metre waves. The intensity can be adapted to suit the experience of any surfer. When out of the waves, kids will love the playground and the chance to ‘free surf’, or take part in structured lessons.

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.

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