What board is right for you?

Learning to surf or improving your surfing is always best achieved when you are using a surfboard that suits your skills and ability but how do you choose?

When you first start surf lessons you need a really big board - long, wide and thick - this makes building your basic skills easy and makes it easier to paddle, catch waves and stable enough to stand.  It is also very forgiving so if you make a small error or mistime a wave you can generally get away with it.

As you improve you want to reduce your board size to be able to turn faster, sharper and push your surfing but if you make a jump too fast it can work against you.  The overall volume of your surfboard is a very important factor too, more important than just looking at the length.  If you need help choosing a surfboard as a surf coach and pay for a coaching session as they can see how you surf and how your current surfboard works.  They can then make the best judgement on board improvements.  Some guys in surf shops are great to chat to as well but there are some that just want to sell you a board as they want to get rid of it - whether it is suitable or not! 

Wave etiquette

Wave etiquette!

Learning to surf is a lot like anything you want to learn.  You need to understand the rules to play the game and enjoy the experience, however learning to surf, there are no written rules to follow only the surfers code.  This is a code to make sure everyone stays safe in the water, surf lesson newbies know how to conduct themselves and there is peace and tranquillity throughout the land, well, water.

So how does this work and what should you do to stay in the right side of learning to surf and not end up injured or injuring others?  Keep reading for your step by step rule book to learning to surf and surfing...

1) Always respect other surfers to gain respect in return.  Be courteous in the water and make sure you share the waves.  Especially if you are not from the local area as sometimes locals can not take nicely to those who do not follow this rule.  (Read 'Bustin' down the Door' for examples)

2) Paddle out around the peak not through it.  To enter the water to surf or learn to surf, you should look at where the waves are breaking and where the rips are to understand the line up.  Paddling around the peak, through the rip if generally best practice as you will then not get in anyone's way.  If you find yourself in the way when paddling out, don't try and paddle wide towards the shoulder (outside area) as you will generally be run over if there is a surfer on the wave, instead try to paddle into the breaking wave to avoid the surfer.  They will give you more respect for this as you have let them surf the wave.  If you can not duck dive, you quite possibly should learn this before going out any further than white water! (Join our Next Level Surf Coaching for full details!)

3) When catching a wave, the surfer closest to the peak (part of the wave that breaks first) has the right of way.  If you are further out from the peak, wait your turn.  Do not 'snake' people (paddle hard to get on their inside or outside to steal their wave)  Do not 'drop in' either (take off on the wav when someone else if already on it)

4) Be verbal when catching a wave if you are in the right spot of you are paddling for an 'A' frame peak (wave that breaks left and right)  Say 'my wave' or 'going right/ left' so other people know you are committed.  There is nothing worse that someone looking like they are going to catch it and pulling back and not saying anything.

5) Have fun, be cool and don't litter.  Respect the beach, each other  and Mother Nature.  If you follow this, the surf gods may reward you!

Any questions on this, please join our learn to surf lessons, surf tours or surf coaching clinics for a full understanding.

Stay safe and enjoy the surf.

Holiday Activities this Easter

Finding fun things to do in Easter can be tricky but we might have just the plans for you!  Torquay offers heaps of activities.  With Surf World on our door step, the surf school can take a step inside the surf lesson and learn all about its 100 year old history. There are features on famous surfers and every budding surfer can learn how surf lessons in Torquay originated.

For week two of the holidays we have a holiday learn to surf program running in Torquay called VEGEMITE SurfGroms.  Taking children through beach safety, ocean awareness and surf skills this surf lesson package is the perfect option.

2hrs per day for 4 days starting Wednesday 8th April, spaces are limited so book early to save disappointment.

Easter Learn to Surf Madness in Torquay

Easter Learn to Surf Madness in Torquay

Easter is set to take over the Surf Coast and Torquay areas and crowds will begin their pilgrimage towards our surfing mecca as the WSL pack up their Snapper Rocks Quiksilver Pro stadium for the natural amphitheatre of Bells Beach.  Learning to surf at Great Ocean Road Surf Tours surf school during this time of year is one of the best experiences any wannabe surfer can wish for.

With waves, wind and water temperatures at their best, conditions are generally favourable and waves are plentiful.

Our usual learn to surf tour packages can be found from both Torquay or Melbourne for 1 - 10 days of progressive surf lessons and learn to surf options so grab a friend and head down for a surf tour you will not easily forget.

Play spot the famous surfer, get your T-Shirt signed, watch the action unfold at Bells Beach and enjoy the numerous cafes and restaurants around Torquay on your days off from our surf school.

Surf tour packages can include rest days to watch the action as well as packages to see the sights of the Great Ocean Road so just let us know what floats your boat (or surfboard) and we will organise a learn to surf tour package to suit you.

Kids can enjoy our Easter surfing programs though our Vegemite SurfGroms or Junior Development surfing academy.  Programs will teach the kids everything they will need to know about surfing and beach safety as well as having fun in the surf.  To develop their surfing further our Torquay based academy of surfing - Junior Development will see they learn about taking their surfing to new levels through expert coaching, video analysis and Streetboarding sessions.

Make the most of the Surf Coast this Easter and book your perfect learn to surf package or surfing lesson in Torquay and call us for further information.  See you in the surf!   

Great Ocean Road Surf Walks - NEW

Great Ocean Road Surf tours are now encapsulating the ultimate taste of the Great Ocean Road in their new Surf Walks tours.

Offering transfers from Melbourne, these tours will take you along a part of the Great Ocean Road that is quite simply amazing.

Complete with a gourmet lunch from local produce and the option to taste test locally made wines, ales and ciders; this tour will make sure you leave with a piece of the Great Ocean Road engraved in your soul.

Great Ocean Road Surf Tours hit the head lines

With their continued success, Great Ocean Road Surf Tours hit the front page of the Surf Coast Times this week.

"We love creating the most amazing, personalized and sustainable surf tours for our customers.  To be recognized for this is a huge achievement and one we are very proud of."  Said Alistair Lawson, owner/ Director of Great Ocean Road Surf Tours.

Telstra Australian Business Awards Winners 2013

The Telstra Australian Business Awards had their night of nights on Tuesday 2nd July 2013.

Finalist in Regional Business and winners in the Mirco Business category were Great Ocean Road Surf Tours.

"We are honored to be in the Telstra Business Awards with so many other amazing businesses and to win our category was unbelievable." Said Alistair Lawson, Director of Great Ocean Road Surf Tours.  "We work so hard on delivering a professional and passionate experience and to be recognized for our efforts is fantastic."

Great Ocean Road Surf Tours won the Micro Business category for the passion they showed for their business, there professionalism and their commitment to ecotourism and sustainability.  They will now head to Sydney for the national awards which will be held on 22nd August.

Telstra Business Awards finalists 2013

Great Ocean Road Surf Tours have once again been recognized for their learn to surf tours and lessons through the Telstra Business Awards 2013.

The multi-award winning ecotourism company have wowed judges with their high levels of professionalism, customer service and business delivery to secure a finalist position in the high profile awards.

The winners will be announced in a gala dinner at the Crown in Melbourne on Tuesday 2nd July.

"We are thrilled to be recognized as finalists in the Telstra Business Awards 2013.  Owner Alistair Lawson said.  "It is a very prestigious award and all businesses involved are of a very high caliber."

Save the Children Ceduna Style

In May 2013 the Quiksilver Foundation wanted to put money into the Save the Children Australia program and aid unprivileged children in remote areas.  They wanted to run the Vegemite SurfGroms programs in a number of areas.  We at Great Ocean Road Surf Tours were asked to run a program in Ceduna, South Australia for 43 kids.

We travelled 2 days straight and ran a program for 2 days.  It was an amazing experience with half the kids being from the local Indigenous community everyone had a blast and hopefully they have learned a lot about surfing, beach safety and ocean awareness.

Hopefully we get to go back again next year and do it all over again!

100% Carbon Neutral by 2014

As a business that relies on the gifts of Mother Nature to inspire and enjoy. We would like our learn to surf surf school to be 100% carbon neutral by 2014. We use a carbon calculator to help work out our business emission on an ongoing basis to help monitor them. From this we have implemented ways of reducing our carbon footprint. By joining Carbon Neutral's planet a tree program to offset them we are bringing our surf tours down to be completely carbon neutral.
At this stage we have all our vehicles carbon neutral and plan to take the business to 100% by 2014.
For more information on Carbon Neutral visit their website www.carbonneutral.com.au

Stand Up Paddling

Great Ocean Road Surf Tours now offer beginner and intermediate Stand Up Paddle (SUP) lessons. Our flat water lessons are a great introduction to one if the fastest growing sports around. We teach you how to control your board and paddle as well as teaching some skills you will need to get you into the surf.
Learning the basics is very important for you to stay safe and surf well with others around you.

Great Ocean Road Surf Tours New Trees Project

Multi-award winning Great Ocean Road Surf Tours continue to raise the bar on their learn to surf business. We have just purchased over 100 trees to be planted for re vegetation areas. By aiding the Carbon Neutral project we are helping to decrease our own carbon footprint and aid a valuable cause.

We can breathe easy knowing we are doing our bit to help bring our business to a more environmentally friendly one.

Being Australia's first surf school to be certified under Ecotourism Australia, it is important for us to lead so others can follow.

April - Best month for Surfing

April is one of the best months of the year to learn to surf or improve your skills. We have quality swells which produce some fantastic waves throughout this part of the season with offshore winds making conditions glassy.
Water temp is still around 19 degrees and crowds are minimal!
Take the plunge and call us today for your learn to surf adventure!

Rip Curl Pro

Come and see Bells Beach light up with the ASP World Tour surfers this weekend when the Rip Curl Pro event is on.
With good conditions forecast we should see some great surfing. Hopefully we get to see Bells Beach look like our new gallery photos from local photographer Darren Noyes-Brown.

NEW SHOP NOW OPEN!

Great Ocean Road Surf Tours have moved our award winning learn to surf tours to new premises.
If you want to join the best surf school to learn to surf and join a surf lesson this Easter, come and see us at 106 Surf Coast Highway, Torquay.

Last week term 1 Vegemite SurfGroms

We are now in the final week of our term 1 Torquay Vegemite SurfGroms learn to surf program.
Thank you to everyone for getting involved, it has been a fantastic term with heaps of surfing, beach games and ocean awareness.
Easter Intensive learn to surf Vegemite SurfGroms programs now open and term 2 coming soon.

New swell this weekend

A new swell looks like hitting this weekend. Great waves around Torquay for our learn to surf lessons and surf tours from Melbourne.
Spaces still left for Sunday if you want to join us.

New website and mobile site LIVE

Hope you enjoy our new look website and mobile site. Easier navigation, options and great new design. Let us know what you think.

Staff member Sam wins Victorian longboard title

Sam wins the Victorian state longboard ing title which continues her roll after winning in New Zealand last month.
Teaching our learn to surf programs and Vegemite SurfGrom programs over the summer, Sam now heads to Queensland for the Noosa Surf Fest. Good luck Sam.

News shop coming soon

Our new location at 106 Surf Coast Highway, behind Strapper Surf is currently being built.  Our move will see a huge change for the business and our customers as we will offer an upgrade in facilities and services and the opportunity to ride the tube without leaving the building!

Watch this space!