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SURF LEVELS

At Chuty’s Surf School, we believe the ocean is for everyone—whether you're stepping onto a surfboard for the first time or already carving up waves! Our friendly and experienced instructors are here to help you progress and have fun, no matter your skill level. From beginners to advanced surfers, we’ll make sure you're catching waves and improving with every session.

Not sure where you fit in? No worries! We’ve broken down the different surf levels below, so you can easily see where you are in your surf journey. Whether you're just starting out or chasing bigger waves, we’re ready to help you ride!

BEGINNER

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NEW TO SURFING

LEARNING TO PADDLE, POP-UP AND BALANCE​

WHITE WASH

INTERMEDIATE

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COMFORTABLE IN THE WATER

CATCHING UNBROKEN GREEN WAVES

KNOW HOW TO READ WAVES

ADVANCED

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CONFIDENT SURFING LARGER WAVES 

OCEAN AWARENESS 

SURFING DIVERSE BREAKS

BEGINNER

A beginner surfer is just starting out and has limited experience in the water. They are working on mastering the basics, such as:

  • Paddling: Learning how to paddle efficiently and control their surfboard.

  • Catching Whitewater Waves: Staying in the shallow area, catching small, broken waves (whitewater).

  • Standing Up: Learning how to pop up on the board and maintain balance while riding straight toward the shore.

  • Basic Surf Etiquette: Understanding how to share waves safely with others and respecting the ocean.​

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When you're new to surfing you'll start surfing in the whitewater. Beginners usually surf in a soft-top or foam board, which provides more stability.

INTERMEDIATE

An intermediate surfer has built more confidence in the water and is comfortable with the basics. They focus on improving their skills, which include:

  • Catching Green Waves: Paddling out past the whitewater to catch unbroken waves.

  • Turning: Learning to make bottom turns, cutbacks, and trimming along the face of the wave.

  • Reading Waves: Understanding how waves form and picking the right ones to ride.

  • Turtle roll: Being able to turtle roll in oncoming waves while paddling out.

  • Navigating Lineup: Understanding surf etiquette better and managing positioning in crowded lineups.

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Typical wave size for intermediates is 1 - 2 meters (3-6 feet). Intermediate surfers may use a shortboard, longboard, or a hybrid board.

ADVANCED

Advanced surfers are highly skilled and confident in a variety of wave conditions. They have mastered the fundamental techniques and are pushing their performance, such as:

  • Surfing Larger Waves: Comfortable in bigger surf, often over 2 meters (6+ feet).

  • Advanced Maneuvers: Performing cutbacks, off-the-lip turns, snaps, floaters, aerials, and other advanced tricks.

  • Barrel Riding: Comfortable getting into the tube and riding barrels.

  • Wave Selection and Timing: Perfect understanding of ocean conditions and making precise decisions in the lineup.

  • Surfing Different Conditions: Capable of surfing on reefs, points, and beach breaks with varying conditions, including powerful waves and challenging currents.

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Advanced surfers ride high-performance shortboards tailored to their style and the conditions.

This guide will help people self-assess their skill level, so they can surf in appropriate conditions safely and confidently.

LET'S CATCH SOME WAVES

You like to know more about how to become a surfer and the prices? CLICK!

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