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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.