Some of our returning surf holiday guests find it difficult to pinpoint exactly what their surf level is. Asking yourself the right questions and being honest with yourself about your surf level is the best way to make sure you pick the right surf camp. After all, there’s nothing worse than choosing the wrong surfing level and than not being able to surf at all! Of course, our surf instructors are always on hand and happy to help you figure out what level of ability you are.
Joe, one of the Star Surf Camps founders, has been a surf coach for almost 10 years. Here’s what he recommends in terms of establishing your surf level:
“If this will be your first time surfing, Level 1 | Beginner is right for you. When on surf holidays with us, our experienced surf team will guide you through the first stages, getting you standing on the surfboard and teaching you vital information about handling yourself in the water. We aim to get you to beaches with small, manageable waves, gradually building your confidence throughout your surf holiday week.
If you’ve surfed a few times before, you certainly have the basics down. Now you want to improve your pop-up and get into the green waves. Level 2 | Improver provides the surf coaching you need to get ‘out back’. You’ll learn essential surf etiquette and advice for safety in the water, all the while honing your surf skills towards an intermediate level.
Level 3 | Intermediate is our intensive, intermediate course, the ‘Green Wave Riders’. If you’ve already got your confidence up and are happy in green waves, but you want to perfect your pop-ups, get to grips with a few turns and cutbacks, and generally catch more waves on your sessions, this is the course for you. We will train you to choose safe places to surf, forecast the conditions and feel comfortable going out on your own as an independent surfer.
And, if you’re confident ‘out back’, have a great pop-up, and some basic cut backs and turns, then Level 4 | Advanced is for you. Now you’re looking to advance your surf skills. This course trains you in improving turns, duck diving, positioning, speed, control, cutbacks and a variety of other techniques. Getting to the best waves of the day is essential for this course. Whether that’s a 6am dawnie or a sunset session, our surf coaches will get you to the right beach at the right time to take advantage of the best waves.”