What is Surfing

Surfing involves standing on a specially designed surf board and riding a breaking wave.

Why Surf?

Surfing is more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle. Free, natural and exhilarating.

There is nothing quite like the experience of catching one of nature’s forces – the breaking wave. You are able to harness that power to speed you along the wave and perform a variety of manoeuvres.

In the ocean, no two waves are the same. Every wave you ride will be unique. Each wave has its own challenges to test your skills.

The real challenge of surfing is your ability to “read the waves”, choose a suitable wave, be able to catch it and judge how to best surf it and which manoeuvres to perform. This takes years of practice and is the difference between average and experienced surfing ability.

How to Surf

In order to surf, you need to know the skills of surfing and you also need to know the about the surf environment, surf safety and your equipment.

Greater knowledge and practice in these areas is the only way to improve you skills

ASI provides the skills, knowledge and framework to help you develop your surfing skills, pursue a career as an surfing instructor or sports coach, or become a professional competition surfer.

ASI can help you get there !

History

Surfing is generally acknowledged to have originated in the Hawaiian Islands about 200 years ago.

Early European explorers observed people paddling on in the water on wooden planks then catching a wave, standing up and riding it back to shore.

Since those early sightings, surfing has come a long way, with people taking up surfing on just about every country in the world with a coast and waves.

Surfing is now also conducted in wave pools. Unlike the ocean, waves in a wave pool are the same making them easy to catch, practice and perform manoeuvres. You don’t need to develop skills in “reading the waves”.

Types of Surfing

Shortboard Surfing

Uses a small board usually under 7ft. It is very unstable but is very manouverable allowing the surfer to perform manoeuvres more easily.

Longboarding / (Malibu Surfing)

Use long wide board usually 9ft over in length. They are a stable board, making it easier to ride, but less manoeuvreable. Surfers use special longboarding manoeuvres such as “hanging ten”.

Traditional Surfing

Defined as pre 1969 surfing style criteria and includes all board styles and types, including:

Old Mal / timber
Loggers
Early 70’s twin fins

The surfer is focussed more on continual motion, style and grace.

Surfing Experiences

Learn to surf or enjoy surfing with a range of surfing experience options. Surfing is now more fun and easier than ever.

Taster
Simply for fun. Choose 1-3 hour introductory session and enjoy the experience.

Lessons
Learn some skills and techniques and soon be surfing like the pros !

Private Coaching
One-on-one coaching, ideal to work on your own style and surfing ability.

Competition Coaching
Develop your competition surfing skills. Work with ASI Master Surfing coaches who have first hand personal competition experience and successes in developing surfing champions.

Surf Wise Learn to Surf Certificate Courses
Surf Wise certificate programs take you step by step through the learning to increase your surfing skill. From beginners up to the elite-advanced level 10.

Kids - After School Activities
Ideal for kids. Offering a range of surfing skill levels.

Kids Camps
Offered throughout the year and in school holidays. Kids camps range from daily lessons and activities to weekend or weekly camps.

Surf Camps
Surf camps and retreats are for adults and provide accommodation at interesting surf locations. Includes surf lessons, food packages, yoga and other activities.

They are a great way to get away from the stresses of every day life and live the life of a surfer.

Wake up in beautiful countryside locations, the surf pounding on white pristine beaches and catching a wave or too, then relaxing with your new surf friends.

Surf Tours
Take a surf tour and travel in search of the perfect wave. You don't need to worry about anything except what the waves will be like.

Includes your travel, accommodation, food, surf lessons, surf guiding.

Choose one day surf tours, weekend tours to 10 days or more.

Camp under the stars or stay in backpacker surfer houses and even luxury accommodation.