Ever wonder why sleepy-eyed Perth surfers wave up early to surf with the sunrise?
Obviously seeing the sun come up is an amazing experience, but there are plenty of other reasons to set your surf alarm in the morning.
Catch the sunrise with the Go Surf van at Scarborough Beach, Perth 🌅🌊 Early surfing vibes—nothing beats the best start to the day! 🏄♂️✨
We're big fans of the early morning surf, colloquially known as the "dawn patrol" or simply "the early", for a number of reasons.
Discover why we recommend waking up early to surf in Perth during the summer months!
Beat the onshore sea breeze
Summer in Perth can be a windy affair, but the wind doesn't blow all-day-long.
On the west coast of Australia during the warmer months, the onshore wind usually kicks up later in the day. This onshore wind is called the Fremantle Doctor, the Freo Doctor or simply The Doctor – it's essentially West Oz vernacular for the afternoon sea breeze that occurs during summer months.
Once this wind picks up, the waves become messy and difficult to surf. But we don't want messy waves. In fact, an offshore wind or no wind at all suits us fine!
For this reason, we wake up early to surf before the onshore breeze starts. So don't hit that snooze button for your next private, kids or adult group lesson.
Learn to surf with minimal distractions
Learning to surf first thing in the morning is an excellent time to do so.
The beaches are usually quieter, with fewer people around compared to later in the day. This gives you a chance to focus on your surfing without any distractions or feeling self-conscious.
For people working in office jobs, learning to surf in the morning can also be a refreshing break from the daily grind. It's a great way to get some exercise and fresh air before heading into the office.
Likewise if you're on vacation or an expat just finding their feet in the city, starting your day with a surf session can set a positive and energising tone for the rest of your day.
Easily find parking
Bird’s-eye view of the Go Surf van at Brighton Beach Reserve 🏖️🚐 The car park’s filling up fast—arrive early to snag your spot and hit the waves! 🏄♀️🌞
Let's be honest. Perth's city beaches can get busy in summer.
By waking up early, you beat the rush and secure a good parking spot close to your chosen surf break. No need to circle around and waste time looking for a spot when you could be catching waves!
You'll be able to pull up at any of our favourite surf beaches, such as Brighton, Cottesloe or Scarborough, and have your pick of prime parking spots. This also means less hassle carrying your surfboard and gear to the beach.
Of course, if you're booking a surf lesson with us, we'll bring everything you need to the beach.
Explore this page for more questions about what you need for your surf lesson.
More waves for you
Waking up first thing in the morning to surf isn't easy.
When you're snug as a bug in a rug, it can take some serious motivation to get up and catch those early waves. So why bother?
Well, because that's exactly what keeps everyone else out of the water. They're still dozing while we have free reign over the uncrowded waves.
This means more waves for you and your group to catch without having to compete with other surfers. It's like having your own private beach break!
Morning perfection at Brighton Beach 🌊✨ Just 5 surfers on a lonely peak with endless waves waiting to be ridden. Who’s ready to paddle out?
As a beginner or early intermediate surfer, being able to paddle around, reach the lineup and catch waves without worrying about others around you can be a huge confidence booster.
Of course, the crowds will start arriving, but once they come you'll already have gotten your fair share of surfing in for the day.
Start your day the right way
That brings us to our next point: there's nearly no better way to start your day than with an early morning surf.
PURE stoke with PURF 🏄♂️✨ Watch as the camera pans from our surfboard on the golden sand to the sparkling blue waves, ready to ride. Early mornings don’t get better than this!
The sun rising over the Indian Ocean, the sound of waves crashing on the sand and the feeling of surfing Perth’s best beginner beaches before most people have even had their first cup of coffee. It's a magical experience.
It literally sets the tone for the rest of the day.
And because surfing incorporates small elements of meditation, yoga, breathwork and physical exercise all in one activity, you'll start your day feeling refreshed, energised and ready to conquer whatever comes your way.
Enjoy an early morning feed and coffee
One of the best things about waking up early to surf in Perth during the summer is that there are plenty of great cafes and restaurants open to grab a bite to eat after your session.
Aussies love a big breakfast and a strong cup of coffee, and you'll find plenty of options to choose from in coastal areas like Fremantle, Scarborough and Cottesloe.
It's also another opportunity to mingle and chat with your surf friends.
You can swap stories, talk about the waves and plan your next surf session together. Or you can simply kick back and enjoy the post-surf bliss with some good food and company.
Final thoughts
Tell us... would you prefer to sleep in on a glorious Perth morning or opt for a sunrise surf session?
We hope we've convinced you to try the latter! It may take some extra effort and discipline, but trust us when we say that the rewards are well worth it.
From beating the onshore winds and finding easy parking to having more waves all to yourself and starting your day off right, there are plenty of reasons why we wake up early to surf in Perth during summer.
Book your next private or group surf lesson with us and see for yourself why we love "the early".
Hope to see you soon!
