Wondering how to go from beginner to intermediate in surfing? The progression in surfing is one of the most challenging — and rewarding — journeys you can take in the water. In this guide, we share 5 key tips to help you improve your surfing and level up with confidence and consistency.
🤔 What’s the Difference Between a Beginner and Intermediate Surfer?
Understanding where you stand is essential to progress in surfing.
Beginners:
- Surf in the white water (already broken waves)
- Focus on standing up (pop-up)
- Use large, stable boards
Intermediates:
- Paddle out to the lineup
- Catch unbroken green waves
- Start surfing down the line (left or right)
- Improve ocean awareness and wave control
5 Surf Tips to Improve and Progress to the Next Level
1. Choose the Right Surfboard for Your Level
One of the most common mistakes beginners make is switching to a smaller board too soon. You need a board with good volume and stability to improve your balance, paddling, and wave count. When you’re catching most waves with ease, then it’s time to move on to a shorter board.
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2. Don’t Rush – Progress in Surfing Takes Time
Patience is your best friend when learning to surf. It’s not about moving up as fast as possible — it’s about building a solid foundation. Practice regularly, reflect on each session, and focus on improving one thing at a time.
Pro Tip: Keep a surf journal to track your sessions, progress, and lessons learned.
3. Improve Your Paddle Strength and Pop-Up Technique
As you move from whitewater to green waves, you’ll realize you need stronger, more efficient paddling and a fast, clean pop-up to catch the wave properly.
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4. Learn to Read the Ocean Like an Intermediate Surfer
Reading the ocean is one of the most powerful skills in surfing. Take a few minutes before paddling out to observe: where are the waves breaking? Are there rips or channels? How are the sets arriving?
Understanding the tide, swell size, and wind direction will make all the difference in your performance.
Recommended forecast tools:
Surfline https://www.surfline.com/
Windguru https://www.windguru.cz/238
Windy https://www.windy.com/
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5. Know the Surf Rules and Lineup Etiquette
Respetar las normas del surf es tan importante como saber surfear. En el lineup hay un orden, y entenderlo evita conflictos y accidentes, así que estas son algunas reglas básicas:
- The surfer closest to the peak has priority.
- Don’t drop in on someone’s wave
- Never ditch your board, especially in crowded spots
⏳ How Long Does It Take to Go from Beginner to Intermediate in Surfing?
If you surf 2–3 times a week and maintain decent fitness, you can expect to reach a solid intermediate level in 12 to 18 months. Consistency and smart, focused practice are key.
⚡ How to Progress Faster in Surfing
- Take lessons with a coach who gives personalized feedback
- Record your sessions to review and improve technique
- Surf with more experienced surfers to learn from them
- Study surf videos and tutorials to understand maneuvers and positioning
🏁 Final Thoughts: Progress in Surfing Is a Journey, Not a Race
Moving from beginner to intermediate isn’t just about technique — it’s about mindset, consistency, and passion for the ocean. Stay dedicated, train smart, and keep learning. Your skills will grow, and the surf sessions will get more thrilling every time.
Keep surfing, stay humble, and see you in the lineup.