Before you book
Frequently asked questions
What happens in a lesson, what to bring, and everything else people ask us before their first surf.
What happens in a surfing lesson?
We will meet at the beach most suitable to the ability of those people booked into the lesson. Everyone will be provided with all the equipment required, including a suitable wetsuit and board. Firstly we will spend some time on the beach talking through all the safety aspects of our surf lesson, rips, currents, waves and how to stay safe. Next we will do some warm up exercises that may include skating, yoga and surf gym before moving on to basic techniques and fundamentals. This can include how to paddle and stand up on your board, we do this on the sand. Once we have mastered our paddle and pop up, we will get in the water with our coaches and get started.
Intermediate and more advanced surfers may skip a few steps, but our philosophy around coaching remains the same no matter your ability. We will coach wave by wave, analysing your posture and progress.
Videos of lessons are available so you can continue the learning experience out of the water.
What happens in the SmoothStar lessons?
We will meet at the designated skate park and each student will be given a helmet and SmoothStar skateboard. Your coach will talk through how the SmoothStar works, and will demonstrate and show you the unique techniques, turns and movements you can do on the SmoothStar. Your lesson will then focus on practising basic through to advanced skating techniques starting on flat surfaces, advancing to vertical ramp elements.
How long is a lesson?
A surf lesson will take two hours.
How old do I need to be?
Pro Surf Coaching caters to all ages, starting from 1-80 years!
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes you need to be able to swim and be able to tread water, however, we do understand not everyone may be used to swimming in the surf. We teach to your ability and generally will stay in waist deep water. We will always have a coach or support person close by. Young children will always stay in the shallows, close to shore.
What do I need to bring?
Bring a towel, and a warm set of clothes, a drink bottle, and a hat if it’s hot and apply some sunscreen half an hour before you come. Pro Surf Coaching will provide a wetsuit, surf board and in the SmoothStar lessons, a helmet and skateboard. Additional safety wear for the skateboarding is not provided.
Do you operate all year round?
Yes we do! Typically we will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day.
What if the weather or forecast is not good?
Wherever possible we will try and keep to original booking times. In the event of unsuitable weather, bad tides or a lack of suitable conditions, lesson time, day and location may be changed at the discretion of Pro Surf Coaching.
How many people are in a group lesson?
Our group lessons will have 3-8 people, this applies to both surf and skate. Should there be more than 8 people, a second coach will be provided.
Can I cancel?
Cancellations can be made up until 24 hours prior to your lesson for a full refund. Any cancellations after this time will not receive a refund.
Do I need to sign a waiver?
Yes all students must sign our waiver.
Still not sure? Send us a question or call 0494 744 980.
Still deciding
What a first lesson actually looks like
We meet at the beach that suits the group booked in that day, and everyone is given a wetsuit and a board. The first part is on the sand: rips, currents, waves, and how to stay safe.
Then warm ups, the paddle and the pop up on dry land, and once you have those we get in the water with you. Coaches stay close, and young kids stay in the shallows near shore the whole time.
Ready to get in the water?
Tell us who is surfing and what you are after, and we will sort out the right lesson or program for you.