All You Need to Know When Surfing Down Under

Quick answer: Surfing Down Under is thrilling but not always safe, so check with locals, tides and forecasts before you paddle out. Bring a quality surfboard, boardshorts and wax or traction pads, and head for classic spots like Tea Tree Bay, Currumbin, Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Bells Beach and Boomerang Beach.

When you think of Australia, the first things that come to mind are probably kangaroos or surfing. Surfing is the Aussie way of life, and if you are a real enthusiast who wants to ride some of the best spots in the world, get your plane ticket to the Land Down Under. If you are new to surfing in Australia, you need to know a few things: the equipment to bring, the possible dangers and, most importantly, the best beaches.

Is Surfing Down Under Always Safe?

We cannot guarantee it is always the safest option, but is it exciting and awesome? Definitely. A few simple precautions go a long way:

• Talk to the locals before heading out, and ask whether the water is good for surfing that day.
• Watch the tides and weather forecasts.
• Be careful at quiet, empty beaches, where swell magnets and rocks breaking the surface can be quite dangerous.

What about sharks?

Sharks do live in Australian waters, so it is not impossible to run into one. However, attacks are rare. To be on the safe side, surf at a beach with plenty of other people around.

What Surfing Equipment to Choose

Surfing in Australia is no small thing, so make sure you bring high-quality equipment.

• Surfboard: your number one piece of gear, so invest in a good one, such as one of the great Solarez surfboards. It is not for nothing that Beyoncé sang Surfboard in “Drunk in Love”. If Beyoncé thinks it is important, it certainly is.
• Boardshorts: another essential, so invest in a good pair of boardshorts.
• Traction pads or surf wax: the ocean can get chaotic, and these keep you from slipping off your board.
• GoPro Surfboard Mount: for photos and videos while you surf. Pics or it didn’t happen!

Best Places for Surfing Down Under

Australia has hundreds of amazing surf spots, and you can always ask a local to recommend something hidden but still great. These are the most popular spots that are definitely worth a visit.

1. Tea Tree Bay, Noosa, Queensland

Just 500m from the National Park car park lies this amazing beach, a heaven for surfers. Check the wind before you come: the best conditions arrive with a NE-E swell and a south wind.

2. Currumbin, Gold Coast

One of the most beautiful places in Australia, and not only for surfers, sits a little north of popular Snapper Rocks. The beach is mesmerizing, but the waves can get so big that it is sometimes recommended for advanced surfers only.

3. Northern Beaches, Sydney

If you want to spend time in Sydney too, the Northern Beaches could be your surf spot. This stretch is 20 km long, so you will see plenty of people surfing and enjoying themselves. There are also surf schools for beginners nearby if you need some extra help.

4. Bells Beach, Victoria

Bells Beach is considered the spiritual home of surfing in Australia, so it is definitely worth the trip. It is magical, extremely beautiful and home to the Curl Pro Surf & Music festival.

5. Boomerang Beach, Forster

Another pearl of the Land Down Under, this beach is extremely popular with surfers. It works on many tides, but the sandbanks move a lot, so it can sometimes be pretty dull. Make sure you hit the right day. You may also see dolphins here, as they love to hang out in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are shark attacks common when surfing in Australia?

No. Sharks are present, but attacks are rare. Surfing at busier beaches is a sensible precaution.

Where can beginners surf in Australia?

Sydney’s Northern Beaches are a good choice, with surf schools for beginners nearby.

Which Australian beach is best for advanced surfers?

Currumbin on the Gold Coast can get such big waves that it is sometimes recommended for advanced surfers only.

What gear do I need for surfing Down Under?

A good surfboard, boardshorts, traction pads or surf wax, and optionally a GoPro surfboard mount.

Conclusion

Ta-da! Now you know practically everything you need to know about surfing Down Under. You can always ask an Aussie, or someone who has already done it, for more recommendations. Have a great time on the waves!