How long does it take to get good at surfing?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 15, 2026
If you can spare the time to surf three to four times weekly, you should find you've developed good skills in about two years. What that means is that you'll probably become a good judge of surf and tides, will be able to catch all the waves you aim for, and won't have any problems paddling a long way out.
How long does it take people to learn to surf?
Learning to surf requires between two hours and one month of practice. If you're struggling for more than two months to ride a wave, then there's something wrong with you. The first thing you'll need to master is lying and balancing on a surfboard - that could take you between half-an-hour and two or three hours.
How long does it take to become intermediate at surfing?
Skills Development
From Level 5 Intermediate Surfer, it takes approximately 250-500 hours to acquire Level 6 Intermediate surfer skills. To progress from Beginner (Level 3 Surfer) and become a Level 6 Intermediate Surfer, it takes approximately 750-1500 hours in total.
How hard is it to get good at surfing?
On a scale of 1 to 10, it is fair to say that learning to surf is a challenge with a degree of difficulty between 2 and 7. Everyone has their own pace. Some people will get the hang of it in a couple of hours; others will need several weekends to get their adrenaline running for the first time.
How do you get really good at surfing?
- Pick a Good Teacher. If you decide to take some surf lessons, research the teacher in advance. ...
- Get Yourself a Soft-Top. ...
- Spend Some Time on Dry Land First. ...
- Pace Yourself. ...
- Don't Get Tangled with the Big Dogs. ...
- Get Comfortable Sitting on that Board. ...
- Paddle, Paddle, Paddle. ...
- Get Used to Wiping Out.
What is the best age to start surfing?
You can start surfing as early as 5 years old, but it is often best to start at around the age between 7-9. However, just because you didn't start at that age, does not mean you can't surf! There are certain surfing camps that have taught children as young as five years old.
How do surfers stay low?
4. Keep a Low Center of Gravity. Try to maintain a low center of gravity in the surf line by bending your knees. Staying low will increase your stability and will help you gain speed.
Is surfing an expensive hobby?
Some surfers join surfing competitions to help fund their expensive lifestyles. You may spend around $600 to $700 for new surfing gear. Surfing can be a cheap hobby or an expensive lifestyle depending on how devoted you are to it. Surfing can be expensive for the beginner, especially if you live near the coast.
Can you be naturally good at surfing?
A naturally talented surfer can become even better by thoroughly investing in improving their moves and responsibly overcoming physical and psychological limitations. Research, learn from the best, train consistently, and remember that there is always room for improvement.
Is surfing hard for beginners?
Before you start surfing, you must know this: surfing is one of the most difficult and complex sports in the world. Think about it. Not one wave is the same, so your playground is constantly changing. Elements such as wind, tides and swells are affecting the waves you surf differently every single day.
Why is surfing so addicting?
SURFING ADDICTION IS ALL ABOUT BRAIN CHEMISTRY
This results in you experiencing a flood of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Once you feel the intense joy and pleasure, your body and brain want you to keep going back for more. If you feel irritable after a few days away from your board, this is likely the reason.
What is the hardest part of surfing?
And the hardest part of surfing, by far, is paddling out, not surfing in. Carrying the board, getting back into the water, paddling through the waves, waiting for the next set…it's exhausting, and surfers spend far more time doing this than they do on the other part.
Is surfing everyday good for you?
Surfing provides many health benefits including: cardiovascular fitness – from paddling. shoulder and back strength – these muscles will strengthen from the paddling. leg and core strength – once you're standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up.
Can you teach yourself to surf?
It's completely possible to learn surfing on your own provided you are a persistent person, you have decent arm and leg strength and balance skills, you are willing to learn the surfing etiquette, and you have able to learn in a safe, beginner-friendly beach spot with small waves and low currents.
Can you learn surfing at 50?
At our surf and yoga retreats, we teach all different types of students–from varied backgrounds, athletic abilities, ages, and temperaments–how to experience the freedom and joy of riding the waves.
How often should I surf?
Re: How often do you surf? At least two days a week, up to five days a week depending on what the waves are doing.
What is the personality of a surfer?
7. Surfers are happy people. They are friendly and charismatic as well. It is because of the amount of time they spend in the sun that gives them their warm and cheery personality.
Does learning to surf hurt?
Surfing has the potential to hurt, especially if you're just beginning. That's because you're essentially trying to control a large, hard and heavy object in an ever changing, sometimes dangerous, turbulent environment. The best thing to do is just accept the bumps and the bruises as being part of the process.
Does surfing hurt?
Surfers most often sustain injuries to the leg, the head and face, the back, and the shoulder and arm. The main cause of injury is contact with a surfer's own board or someone else's board. 'Wiping out' and striking the seabed are also common causes of injury.
Is surfing affordable?
Alongside the grown-ups, surfing has never been more popular with teens and even tweens! Once you have a board, it's even a pretty economical hobby. Some of the best surf destinations around the world are a travel bargain.
What should be my first surfboard?
Your First Surfboard Should Be Big and Thick
Get a board that will give flotation and allows for easy paddling. A good average size board for a beginning surfer would be around 7 feet long and 19-21 inches wide and at least 2-3 inches thick.
How much money are surfboards?
How much does a surfboard cost? The average price of a quality surfboard is in the region of $600. However, you'll be able to get quality surfboards for as cheap as $250, and there are plenty for sale towards $1,000 and beyond.
Why is surfing so hard?
Physically Demanding
Another thing that makes surfing quite hard is just how tiring it is. As we've talked about above, you need to paddle around, duck dive, pop up, stand up, ride a wave, which all require lots of physical exertion. Surfing movements are also explosive and often performed at high speed.
Where do you look when surfing?
Experienced surfers can ride waves with shoulder lines that gradually drop, creating fast peeling waves. When you look at a wave out to the horizon, identify the highest point of the wave (the peak). From the peak, look at the shoulder line. If the shoulder line drops gradually, the wave will peel faster.
How do you pop up fast in surfing?
Warm up on the beach with some rounds. Aim for the center line in one smooth, agile motion. Try not to look down at what your body is doing. Keeping your head up and focused on where you're going next will help make the move translate into the ride faster.
