How Long Does It Take to Learn to Surf - Tommy Tsunami Surf School (2024)

Provided you get the proper training, you can be riding a wave in as little as your first 60 minutes of learning how to surf.

If you’re looking for the best surf school on the West Coast, you might want to know about Tommy Tsunami Surf School.

Tommy Tsunami Surf School, founded in 2018, welcomes students of all ages and skills. It promises a high-quality, safe, and entertaining learning experience. This school was created out of love for surfing and the desire to share it with the rest of the world.

If you’re someone who wants to learn surfing, book your spot for the summer of 2022 and get a surf lesson at the Tommy Tsunami Surf School!

The incredible team will show you how to catch a wave and many more wicked tricks that you’ll love.

This article will tell you pretty much everything you need to know about learning how to surf. We will explain how long it takes and how difficult it can get. We will also share some helpful tips to speed up the process.

So grab a board because it’s your surfing dream come true!

How hard is it to learn how to surf?

Surfing is one of the most challenging sports. It requires a great deal of effort, perseverance, passion, and patience. On a scale of 1 to 10, learning to surf has a difficulty level ranging between 4 and 7.

It all comes down to your dedication and ability to check off a few critical boxes.

Learning to catch waves, increase speed, carve turns, and ride a wave can be difficult.

On the other hand, it is also worth the effort!

When beginner surfers observe experienced surfers, it might appear like getting from the beach to carving a perfect wave is challenging work.

However, some people may manage to ride their first wave within 60 minutes of practice if the conditions are ideal. What pays off when it comes to surfing is your hard work.

The sense of freedom and sheer delight that overtakes you when you push yourself to encounter the natural elements in the water is an experience unlike any other.

Sure, surfing can be demanding, but anyone who puts in the effort can achieve it.

How fast can you learn how to surf?

Learning to surf does not have a set time. Some people find themselves riding the first wave within 60 minutes of practicing.

It just depends on you and how quickly you grasp things. It is hard to tell how long it will take for each person to ride their first wave.

With the right circ*mstances and a professional surf coach, most people will be able to ride their first wave within the first few hours of the lesson – which is pretty incredible.

There are a lot of things to consider, however. Let’s take a look at those.

Factors that can speed up or slow down your learning process

A few factors can speed up or slow down your learning process. These include the sort of surfboard you use, your age, physical fitness, good balance, and whether you are self-taught or taking lessons.

Let’s talk about them.

1. It’s much easier to surf if you’re physically fit

Being in reasonably good physical shape will make your surfing lessons go smoothly!

Paddling and jumping up on the board can get tiring for the arms and shoulders. Arm and shoulder endurance is one of the most important aspects of surfing.

Plus, going around with a huge board can drain your energy rapidly. Therefore, physically fit people have much better odds of learning faster than those not as fit.

Being able to undertake 40 to 60 minutes of exercise will allow you to spend ample time in the water before needing time to take a break. This will inadvertently speed up the learning curve.

The faster you can paddle, the more easily you will catch a wave.

2. Having a good balance helps (A LOT)

When it comes to learning to surf, having a solid balance is essential! You can’t surf if you can’t stand on the board without tipping over.

The more flexible you are, the simpler it will be to move around the board. You will also be less likely to hurt yourself.

Remember that larger boards are easier to balance.

3. A good coach can speed up the process

A surf trainer will take all of the concerns away from you and allow you to focus just on standing on the board.

Having someone adjust your positioning, tell you when to start paddling, which wave to take, and cheer you on can save you hours of missteps.

Another advantage of having someone in the water with you as you learn to surf is that they can give you a push.

While paddling onto a wave, speed is essential.

Having a surf instructor gives you a boost and can help you generate enough speed to get that wave driving you down the beach effortlessly.

If you don’t have a friend or a coach in the water to teach you, it’ll be harder for you to learn fast.

At the Tommy Tsunami Surf School, you can find an incredible trainer and a team that can help teach you how to surf!

4. You must choose the right surfboard

The bigger the board, the simpler it will be to stand on.

A floating item with a more extensive surface area is less likely to tip over and provides a broader support area.

Another important thing while selecting a board is to know what your board is made out of.

Remember that your height and weight will make a big difference in the surfboard you choose.

You don’t want to sink if you select a board that is too small or too thin.

To learn more about picking out the best surfboard for you, check this out.

5. Having the right conditions to surf

Appropriate conditions for your surfing level can really help you out. Calmer, unbroken waves are easier to ride and maneuver.

You can also develop a tidy pop-up technique that will work on steeper unbroken waves and put you in a well-balanced stance. This will allow easy speed generation and turning.

Conversely, trying to surf on rough seas can be very challenging and dangerous. As a beginner, you should always wait for the gentler waves before you start paddling towards them.

It’s tough to have a good surf session if you don’t know when a wave is coming and where the waves will peak. Thus, always keep keenly observing the turbulent patterns of the waves and the ocean at large.

6. Being consistent is vital

One of the most critical factors is consistency. If you lack consistency and motivation, you will be slow at grasping the basics of surfing. This can slow down your learning process.

Make sure you’re practising and are motivated to up your surfing game. Knowing good surfing techniques will also help make you a pro surfer in no time.

7. Younger people learn faster

Surfing doesn’t have an age limit. However, since young people are more physically active, flexible, and often have good balance, they may find it easier to surf.

Conclusion

If you want to learn to surf, don’t be discouraged by the amount of effort needed to become a good surfer.

A few things to keep in mind are:

  • It is relatively simple to learn the basics.
  • Don’t be discouraged.
  • Your surfing will improve gradually.
  • A good coach can take away most of the pain.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your surfboard, and let’s head out to conquer the waves!

Get ready and find yourself the best coach to teach you everything you need to know about surfing!

How Long Does It Take to Learn to Surf - Tommy Tsunami Surf School (2024)

FAQs

How long will it take me to learn how do you surf? ›

Learning to surf requires between two hours and one month of practice. If you're struggling for more than two months to ride a wave, then there's something wrong with you. The first thing you'll need to master is lying and balancing on a surfboard - that could take you between half an hour and two or three hours.

How many years does it take to get good at surfing? ›

If you can spare the time to surf three to four times weekly, you should find you've developed good skills in about two years. What that means is that you'll probably become a good judge of surf and tides, will be able to catch all the waves you aim for, and won't have any problems paddling a long way out.

Can I learn to surf in 2 weeks? ›

Ultimately, it will take most people a few weeks to a few years to learn to surf. Learning correct etiquette, theory, and technique will make this process faster.

Can you learn to surf in 3 months? ›

You can expect to ride waves at a beginner level within the first day to 1-2 months (worst case) of surfing. It'll take a year or two to breach into the intermediate territory, and the journey never ends after that!

Can you learn to surf in 5 days? ›

Based on our opinion, an individual in the Never Surfed Before category can expect to learn the basics (paddling for a wave, popping up and going straight) in just 1-2 surf lessons. It's possible you'll then reach the Advanced Beginner level we spoke about earlier after at least one week of surf lessons.

Can surfing be self taught? ›

Teaching yourself how to surf is certainly possible, especially if you're naturally athletic and have experience in surfing-related sports like sailing and water skiing, bringing some transferable skills to the table.

Is surfing hard on the body? ›

It's definitely true that surfing involves a heck of a lot of effort and can feel like an intense full-body workout… and that's because it kind of is. Surfing will put your body to what feels like the ultimate test. And because of this, there are many ways in which your body can benefit physically from the sport.

Can you become a good surfer later in life? ›

Surfing is not just a sport, it's a lifestyle. And like any other passion or interest, it can be picked up at any stage in life. Sure, starting younger might give you an advantage in terms of physical conditioning and coordination, but that doesn't mean you can't catch up and excel later on.

Is surfing as hard as it looks? ›

One thing is sure: the younger you are, the easier it is to learn to surf. There are several Cinderella stories of people who began surfing in less than 60 minutes, but also of those who were never able to surf a single wave. Don't despair, though. It's easier than it looks.

Can I surf if I can't swim? ›

You don't have to be a pro-swimmer but having a certain level of swimming ability is important when surfing. If you can't swim, chances are you also won't be able to paddle. Surfing involves a lot of paddling and without knowing how to paddle a surfboard, it will be difficult to catch a wave.

Do you have to be strong to surf? ›

Nearly every move you make while out on the water requires a combination of strength and cardio. But don't worry: you don't need to be ultra fit to get started. In fact, you don't have to be in perfect shape to surf or even start surfing. All it requires is energy and motivation.

Can a 70 year old learn to surf? ›

If you're an older adult who loves the ocean, staying active, and has an appetite for adventure, it's high time (or tide) you dropped into the seductive world of surfing. Surfing for older adults has always been a thing. In many cultures, it's customary for seniors to surf, and even be some of the best surfers out.

How to progress fast in surfing? ›

As you're attempting to pass through the novice phase of surfing, two things that will ensure you progress well are firstly going surfing in the right kind of conditions for your level, and secondly, ensuring that you develop a tidy pop-up technique – one that will work on the steeper unbroken waves and put you in a ...

How quickly can you learn to surf? ›

Given the timeline above, many people can learn to surf in a day. It is impossible to predict precisely how long it might take for you to ride a wave, but with the right equipment, guidance and attitude, between five and twenty hours should see you on a wave.

Can a 40 year old learn to surf? ›

The answer to this question is YES. You can learn to surf at any age. Just as there is no age limit as to when you should stop surfing, there is no age limit for learning to surf. As long as you have a can-do attitude and a basic fitness level, surfing is a great sport to keep you active, healthy and fit.

How hard is it to learn how to surf? ›

Surfing is one of the most challenging sports. It requires a great deal of effort, perseverance, passion, and patience. On a scale of 1 to 10, learning to surf has a difficulty level ranging between 4 and 7. It all comes down to your dedication and ability to check off a few critical boxes.

Is it too late for me to learn how do you surf? ›

It's never too late

We've had guests do their very first surf lessons with us at the age of four, and others who decide to do it in their late 60s. I've met people in their 70s and even 80s who I know could do it, if it were something they wanted to try and had the opportunity to do.

Is 35 too old to learn how to surf? ›

If learning to surf at 30, 40, 50, 60, or well into the age of retirement is your goal, you've come to the right place. Just like there is no age limit for surfing, there is no age limit for learning how to surf. It's never too late to start!

Is 60 too old to learn how to surf? ›

It's perfectly possible to learn to surf well into your 50s or 60s, but as mentioned you'll find it a whole lot easier if you take care of yourself and have a little bit of a fitness base.

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