Understanding your surfing ability is essential for getting the most out of your surfing experience. Here is a guide to help you identify your level, whether you are just starting out or have years of experience.

Why we use five levels, not three

Surfing ability is normally described as one of three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The problem is that these categories are too broad to be useful. Someone who has surfed for a year or more might still be called a “beginner”, even though they are clearly no longer beginning. “Intermediate” is an especially wide category, stretching all the way from a surfer just above beginner level to someone who can surf quite well.

At Padang Padang Surf Camp we group surfers into five levels instead. This finer grading is what allows us to match you to the surf break that will suit your level best on any given day, taking the swell, tide and wind into account.

Level 1

You have never surfed before or have very little experience with surfing.

Level 2

You can pop up consistently.
You can ride a chest/shoulder-high unbroken wave and traverse across the white water.
You can paddle to the line-up on small days.
You are still learning how to position yourself and catch waves independently.

Level 3

You can catch overhead reef waves without assistance and ride in both directions.
You can duck dive head-high waves.
You can paddle 200 metres+ through breaking waves and current to reach the line-up.
You have moved on from funboards and are now riding boards closer in shape and size to shortboards.

Level 4

You are confident surfing double-overhead waves.
You can perform basic surfing manoeuvres such as bottom turns, top turns, and cutbacks.
You have strong paddling ability and can paddle through powerful waves and strong current to reach the line-up.

Level 5

You are comfortable surfing triple-overhead, fast and hollow reef breaks.

Choosing the Right Level

Knowing your skill level helps you select the best waves and boards for your progression. It also ensures you are surfing safely and maximising your time in the water. Wherever you are in your surfing journey, focus on building confidence and enjoying the ride. For more on technique, equipment and waves at every level, see our 20 essential questions about technique, equipment and waves.

As a rough guide, Levels 1 and 2 are best suited to our beginner surf lessons, Levels 3 and 4 to our intermediate surf lessons, and Levels 4 and 5 to our advanced surf guiding. If you fall between two levels, our instructors will quickly find the right fit once you are in the water.

If you are not sure what level you are, please reach out to us by sending an enquiry (resident or non-resident).