Local Charger having some fun at Leighton beach, North Fremantle
Are you an expat who recently moved to Perth? Are you looking for an adventurous way to stay active and meet new people? Are you keen to experience that famous Australian beach lifestyle?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, learning to surf in Perth is for you!
With beaches that are perfect for novices and a beautiful climate plus a growing community of beginner expat surfers, Perth is the ideal place to catch your first wave. Here are our top 10 tips for expats learning to surf in Perth, Western Australia.
1. Reserve a learn-to-surf lesson
If you're serious about learning to surf in Perth and you've either never surfed before OR you've only surfed a handful of times, reserving a lesson is essential.
By undertaking a lesson with an experienced instructor, you'll learn the basics of surfing in a safe and controlled environment. You'll also be privy to secret tips and tricks that make learning to surf way easier.
What's more, learning to surf with an instructor makes the whole process way more fun. The reason being that instead of wondering whether you are ready to surf a particular wave or if you have the right equipment, you can instead focus on enjoying yourself!
2. Bring your friends along for a session
Worried about surfing for the very first time as a fresh-faced expat? Bring a friend along for the ride!
Surfing with your mates. Go on…get out there!
Whether you just met them at your new job or you've known them for decades, moral support from a mate is always welcome. Plus, by bringing an expat friend along for the session, you'll have someone to laugh with in the (very likely) event that you both wipe out!
Oh… and don’t forget that you can also learn with your kids too. Learn more about kids surfing lessons here.
3. Try booking during the week to avoid crowds
Perth is an excellent destination for surfers. With an array of white sand beaches and beginner-friendly waves, it's no surprise that it can get crowded.
If you're a shift worker though or you only work weekends, you can escape the crowds and book a surf lesson mid-week! This will ensure you catch heaps of amazing waves and get to enjoy some peace and quiet in the water.
In saying that, weekends are totally fine too. Sure, there might be more people in the water. But if you book a lesson with Go Surf, you can rest assured that we’ll find an empty little wave that’s perfect for your skill level.
4. Don't worry about wiping out (it happens to everyone)
Wiping out and surfing go hand in hand. Even the professionals fall! That being said, lots of people ask us whether wiping out is common.
The truth? As a learner, you’ll most likely fall off your board (more than) a couple of times during your first surf session. But that's all part of the learning process.
Just keep in mind that every fall is an opportunity to try again and get better. Plus, you're not falling on hard ice or concrete... it's only water!
5. Book private lessons to accelerate your progress
Group lessons are super fun because you get to mingle with a lot of new people.
However, if you’re looking to accelerate your surfing skills and get really good in a short amount of time, private lessons are the way to go. In a private lesson, you're given the undivided attention of the surf instructor. This means they can focus on improving your weaknesses and fostering your strengths.
For this reason, private lessons are becoming more and more popular for expats in Perth who want to learn how to surf quickly and confidently. If you’re not sure whether a private or group lesson is for you, just reach out!
6. Don't listen to anyone who says "Perth has no waves"
Some forums and even Aussie surfers from out of state will say that Perth has no waves. This isn't true! Perth has some of the best beginner waves in the West Oz... you might even say in Australia.
This is due to a number of reasons. For one, Rottnest Island blocks a lot of those big powerful swells from breaking on our beaches, which means the waves are often small and manageable for beginners.
Another reason is that we have lots of places to surf! There are beachbreaks with sand bottoms and little reef and rock waves, so variety isn’t a problem.
Throw in the fact that there are some epic surf instructors in the area (wink, wink) and it's very clear that Perth has great waves… especially for fledgling expat surfers.
Who said there are no waves in Perth? Owner and head surf coach Tom “Bomber” Johnston tucking into a cabin at his local break.
7. Immerse yourself in the local surf culture
Perth has an incredibly rich surf culture and it's one that we're all proud of.
We can lay claim to famous Australian surfers such as Ian Cairns and Claire "Bevo" Bevilacqua - both of whom have gone on to do great things on an international level. We also have an interesting surf history and core surf stores like Star Surf which have been operating since the 1980s.
This all lends itself to a vibrant and proud surf community in Perth. Most importantly though, it's one that's welcoming of anyone who wants to learn to surf in our wonderful city.
Locals hanging in the carpark pre surf down near Cottesloe beach
8. Be prepared to get out of your comfort zone
Yes, we admit that surfing can fill even the bravest beginner with a sense of nervous anticipation. If you've never surfed before or you're not familiar with waves, that's to be expected.
But getting out of your comfort zone is half the fun and everyone who has ever learned to surf with us says that it was one of the best decisions they ever made. So don't be scared, expat surfers.
\Get out there, embrace the challenge and remember that surfing can teach you some profound life lessons!
9. Bring adequate protection for sunny days
Word of warning to all of our Northern Hemisphere expats - Perth can be absolutely scoring during the warmer months.
The daytime temps during summer can reach well into the mid-30s (Celsius). This means that you need to bring adequate protection with you. Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and rash guards are essential if you have any hope of staying healthy and getting the most out of your time on the waves.
At Go Surf Perth, we'll brief you on what to bring before your lesson. We also supply everything necessary to ensure you can enjoy a surf session (minus the sunburn).
10. Remember that it's all about having fun
Last but not least, remember that learning to surf as an expat in Perth is all about getting some exercise, meeting new people and ultimately having fun.
That's what surfing is at its core and we try to make it as enjoyable as possible. As surfers, we still stoke out on catching waves and showing other people about surfing. And we’re always very grateful when you choose us to show you the ropes!
So if you're curious as to what surfing is really like or you just want to get outdoors and indulge your adventurous side, Go Surf Perth has you covered.
Get in touch for more information about expat surfing in Perth or book a group or private lesson today. As always, we recommend reserving more than one session if you really want to advance your surfing skills.
