Surf lessons, Torquay: Learn to surf on the Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road surf school Go Ride A Wave offers beginner surf lessons in Torquay, Victoria. By the end of the two hour lesson, you should be standing on the board.
Torquay, at the start of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, happily brands itself as the surf capital of Australia. Surfwear brands Ripcurl and Quicksilver were founded here, and several of Australia’s most famous surf beaches are found nearby. These include Bells Beach, although that one is best left to experienced surfers.
If you want to learn to surf in Australia, however, Torquay is a pretty good place to do it. There are other beaches with calmer, gentler waves, where novices can get some practice in. There are also surf schools that will take you through the basics and help correct your technique.
7 fantastic Great Ocean Road experiences
1. Crowd-beating reverse direction tour. 2. Surfing lessons in Anglesea. 3. Split Point Lighthouse climb. 4. Shockwave Zip-Coaster. 5. Guided wildlife walk. 6. Budj Bim National Park tour. 7. Great Ocean Road by motorbike.
Great Ocean Road surf school
One of these Great Ocean Road surf schools is Go Ride A Wave, which offers Torquay surf lessons to beginners.
These Torquay surf lessons last around two hours, and begin on the sand. That’s where the safety briefing and basic instruction takes place.
Once you’ve been taken through the basics of how to stand on the board, it’s time to get into the water, and attempt to catch a few waves. This takes place in waist deep water to make sure everyone’s comfortable.
Pick the right Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne
- For wildlife and nature focus: One day tour with koalas and guided forest walk.
- To beat the crowds: Reverse direction Great Ocean Road day tour.
- For adventure: Two day camping and surfing trip.
- For backpackers: One day highlights tour aimed at younger travellers.
- For exclusivity and flexibility: Private tour where you can pick the sights you want to see.
- For an extended trip: Three day Melbourne to Adelaide tour.
Surf lessons, Torquay: Learning to stand
After a bit of a play in the water, it’s back out again as the instructors demonstrate how to stand up on a surf board. The final part of the lesson takes place in the water again, and the aim is to successfully stand on the surf board while catching a wave. Generally, most beginners can manage to at least briefly stand up by the end of the two hour lesson.
Your Torquay checklist
- Skydive from 15,000ft – see the Great Ocean Road from above and get the thrill of your life.
- Learn to surf – get standing on your board by the end of a beginner’s surfing lesson.
- Book your Torquay accommodation.
Torquay surf lessons cost
These beginner surf lessons in Torquay cost $75 per person, and can be booked through Viator.
Go Ride A Wave also offers surf lessons at Anglesea Beach and Lorne Beach further down the Great Ocean Road.
Other things to do in Torquay include hitting the beach at Jan Juc and learning about surfing history at the Australian National Surfing Museum.
Torquay accommodation options include the family-friendly Ingenia Torquay holiday park and four star Wyndham Torquay.
More Victoria travel
Take a Geelong helicopter ride along the Surf Coast.
Have a few beers at the American Hotel in Echuca.
Check out the mural trail in Yarram, South Gippsland.
Stop at the Tallarook wineries on a Melbourne to Wagga Wagga road trip.