Where learn to surf as a beginner?

You want to learn surfing and finally slide on a board through the waves? But where can you, as an absolute beginner, learn surfing the best and make a beginner surf course?

Surfing is not just the sport itself, but also a spirit and a great feeling of being one with the sea and the waves.

Even only to surf little green waves sidewards, it takes a lot of practice and practical experience.

So if you've never been on a surfboard before and you really want to learn how to surf, then you should do at least 1-2 surf courses.

We recommend to make at least a beginner surf course where you will get all the basic knowledge of surfing and after that you should also take an intermediate surf course.

Which countries are the best to learn surfing as a beginner?

Especially in countries and on coasts where there are many different surf spots, you can start very well as a beginner with the surfing.

Since the different spots are often opened different to the sea and there are also sheltered bays and beach breaks, the surf schools with the beginners courses can go exactly to the spots that are most suitable for the daily wave conditions for surf beginners.

The surf instructors of the surf camps know your region and the various spots well and know exactly when you can practice with which level of surfing at which spot the best practice.

Learn to surf in Europe

Europe is undoubtedly very well suited to surfing as the spots in Europe are very diverse and the different shorelines have spots to suit every surf level.

In Europe, especially the countries France (in summer), Northern Spain (in summer), Southern Spain (late summer - autumn) and Portugal (in summer) are recommended to do your first beginner surfing course because here at these seasons the waves are not too big for the beginner surf courses.

But also the canary islands in europe are good for you to learn surfing as a beginner.

Learn to surf in Australia

But also Australia has many different great surf spots that are also suitable for beginners and surf schools on weaker days.

Depending on the surf level of the surfing course, surf instructors will decide which spots are best for the students to learn how to surf during the day. So, if you happen to come to Australia, e.g. in the course of a Work & Travel stay abroad, then you can also start surfing at great dream spots there.

Learn to surf in the USA

California in the United States is similar to Australia. Again, there are some spots that are a little bit sheltered and work well for surf beginners even on days with big waves. Again, you can trust the experienced surf instructors that you bring you depending on the wave condition and skills of surfing students to the most suitable spots.

There are also spots and months in the year where the waves in California are rather small and therefore also on the house beach of the surf school are ideally suited for surf beginners.

Where should you rather not learn to surf as a beginner?

Of course, there are also some surf regions and countries in the world where you as an absolute surf beginner rather not should go into the water. These are mainly the countries with surf spots, which usually only break over sharp reefs with low water level and thus bring an enormous risk of injury for beginners, or even spots that generally bring rather fast and steep waves.

You should also avoid such spots as an absolute beginner since you could also hurt yourself here, either by the great power of these fast, steep waves, or because you as a beginner are still in the wrong place in the water and could possibly be overturned by an advanced surfer. People already died from an unfortunate impact due to a crash with another surfer.

For these reasons, as a pure beginner you should definitely not choose one of the following countries for a beginner surf course and to surf for the first time:

• Indonesia in the high surf season (Bali, Lombok, Sumatra, Java)
• Morocco in the period from autumn to spring
• Africa (Southafrica, Senegal, Ghana)
• Mexico
• Hawaii

Find a suitable surf camp for beginners

Our recommendation: Search specifically for a surf camp that definitely offers good beginner surf lessons and learn to surf in one of the above recommended countries as a beginner.

Ask the surf camps you are interested in when there is the best time to surf as an absolute beginner. They have the knowledge and will advise you well and recommend you the most suitable time and spot to learn surfing in their area.

To find a good and suitable surf camp for you, you can also look at the following article "How to find a suitable surf camp", or search directly with our unique surf camp search for a suitable surf camp.