Always wanted to learn to surf? The sport is demanding and takes a while to master, but there’s no greater thrill than standing up on a board for the very first time and riding a wave into shore. For the best success, choose one of the following surf breaks, all of which are great for novices.
Top Ten U.S. Beaches for Learning to Surf:
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
Waikiki Beach may be the best place in the world to learn how to surf. During the winter months the waves are easy to catch, and instructors at Waikiki Beach Boys have a reputation for getting beginners up and riding waves in minutes, regardless of age or physical prowess. Lessons begin on the beach, where students learn how to safely paddle out and how to pop up onto their feet when they catch a wave. Then it’s time to paddle out, turn around, and wait for the instructor to give the board a gentle push as the first wave approaches.
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
In Miami Beach, you’ll never have to worry about the surf being too big, making for great learning conditions and uncrowded waves. The water is always warm and you’re never far from some of the country’s best entertainment hot spots.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Kelly Slater, the surfer with the most world titles, grew up and learned to surf in Cocoa Beach. The year-round gentle waves at this beach are small, slow and mushy, making them ideal for learning.
Jobos Beach, Isabela, Puerto Rico
Although most waves in Puerto Rico are too big for newbies, the exception is Jobos Beach on the northwestern corner of the island. This crescent shaped bay has an outside break for experienced surfers and an inside “reform” break that quickly drops to powerful whitewater -perfect for learning.
Cowell's Beach, Santa Cruz, California
Cowell’s Beach, Santa Cruz, California
At Cowell’s the crowd is mostly beginners on foam boards, so there’s no need to be intimidated. The wave breaks on the outside and rolls slowly into the beach. And Santa Cruz is a perfect stepping-off point for exploring northern California’s beaches and Redwoods forests.
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach, California
Billed as the Surf Capitol of the USA, Huntington Beach has numerous breaks for surfers of all capabilities. The double-breaking waves on the south side of the pier are best left for the experts, but beginners will find the waves on the north side of the pier perfect for learning.
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach is where the University of California, Irvine hosts their beginner surf classes. Between the Newport Pier and the first jetty there are numerous great beginner breaks.
Cardiff By The Sea, Encinitas, California
San Diego, California
There are several San Diego area surf breaks that are appropriate for beginners. Notable among them are the sand-bottom beaches in the northern part of the County, in communities such as Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Leucadia.
Zuma Beach, Malibu, California
The northern area of Zuma Beach in Malibu boasts a soft sandy bottom with consistent wave activity and this beach is consistently identified by lifeguards as one of L.A’s best places for kids to learn to surf!
Hanaalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
There is always a perfect beginner break somewhere on the north shore of Kauai, but most days you need look no further than gorgeous Hanalei Bay, where you can learn to surf on consistent, gentle waves in one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth.
In addition to choosing a beach with a wave that’s appropriate for beginners, the following tips will go a long way toward ensuring your success:
- Start with a long foam board (at least 8′ long but preferably 9′ or longer), rather than a regular fiberglass board. These are usually available for rent at any local surf shop.
- Avoid beaches with large, aggressive waves and experienced surfers.
- Rather than perfectly formed waves, look for a long whitewater break – this type of wave will provide plenty of energy to push your board without the need for you to initially understand how to drop in to a wave.
- Choose a beach with small to medium size (waist-high or smaller), slow-moving waves and a gently sloping sandy bottom that allows you to walk out to the break rather than paddle out.
So, go catch a few, but be forewarned – once you’ve ridden a wave you’ll probably be hooked for life!
Photo credit: Waikiki Beach
Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels
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22 Responses
how sad, I have lived next to several of these beaches and never learned to surf until a trip to Maui a couple years ago! I would still love to go on a girl’s only surf vacation, I think that would be great
Gudruns last blog post..Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Another great learn to surf spot in California is what is called “Campus Point” at the campus of UCSB in Santa Barbara. There are often easy rolling waves there and in the summer they have a bunch of surf camps for kids and grownups.
Lunchbox Obsesseds last blog post..Outdoor Preservation and Picnics Can Go Hand in Hand
Does anyone know where in Newport Rhode Island good beginner surfing is…I learned when I was out in San Diego, however, I am not that great yet and want to practice more near my home..Thanks!
Corinne: See Jake’s comment above. Perfect!
[...] What’s to love: Surfing! The Oahu shoreline is home to legendary surfing spots including the Banzai Pipeline. [...]
This is a great list, but what if you live on the east coast?
[...] what to do with that afternoon between amusement park visits? Head over to the surf competition at Cocoa Beach. If you’re planning an Orlando vacation and have specific questions, you can post those, [...]
[...] pretty much dead smack in the middle of the state, but there are still beaches relatively close by. Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach are about an hour drive from Orlando, and even the Gulf of Mexico is only about [...]
[...] Santa Cruz-related information: Top 10 Beaches for Learning to Surf Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History AKPC_IDS += [...]
[...] The winter surf season is coming up. Maybe it’s time to take a lesson, put on a wet suit and try something new! [...]
[...] While you’re at the beach, why not try your hand at surfing? The water isn’t frigid yet, and the waves should be good! [...]
The Best Waves for Beginning Surfers to Learn On
When it comes to learning how to surf, some waves are better than others. For the beginning surfer, spilling waves are the best.
Spilling waves occur when a gradually sloping ocean floor causes the wave to become steeper and steeper until the crest spills down the face of the wave in a rush of foaming whitewater. The wave continues in this manner until its energy is dissipated in a froth near the shore.
Spilling waves break for a longer time than other waves, providing ample energy at the start of the ride and a gentle decrease in power as the wave nears the shore. For beginners who are just learning to stand and balance on the board this is ideal.
When a wave breaks over a sandy bottom, it’s called a beach break. When a wave breaks over an obstruction, like a rocky bottom or a reef, it’s called a reef break. Reef breaks produce plunging waves which, while they are highly favored by experienced surfers, are difficult for beginners.
Plunging waves rise quickly and become steeper, almost vertical at the crest, before plunging suddenly into the trough, creating a barrel or tube as they break along their line. To catch a ride inside that tube is the ultimate surfing experience.
However, the suddenness and force of a reef break can be too much for a beginner. What’s more, the rocky bottom can result in a painful battering if the wave crashes down full force on a fallen surfer.
At the Uvita Surf School, in Bahia Uvita, Costa Rica, Tito teaches beginners at Colonia Beach in Ballena National Marine Park. Colonia has a beach break and produces plenty of vigorous spilling waves to learn on. The gradually sloping sandy bottom at Colonia is most forgiving to surfers who fall in the course of their lessons, dramatically reducing the chance of cuts and abrasions.
Waves are not all the same. Some are better than others. For beginners, spilling waves resulting from a beach break are the best waves to learn on.
[...] information: Best Beaches: Learn to Surf AKPC_IDS += [...]
[...] Huntington Beach? As blogger Barbara Weibel points out, Huntington Beach has been named the Surf Capitol of the USA, and for good reason – there are a variety of waves [...]
[...] This amenity definitely caters to the large number of pet owners nowadays who want to do absolutely everything with their dogs. Including me. The Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa in San Diego, California, also offers a “Surf & Turf” meal for your pooch. Cute. What I want to know is — do they offer surfing lessons for humans, too? [...]
[...] Santa Cruz-related information: Top 10 Beaches for Learning to Surf Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History AKPC_IDS += [...]
been 2 like half of those beaches
I always suggest for people to learn to surf on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier. The waves are easy and its easy to find people and good companies that will teach you how to surf.
Dont forget the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica!
Beach is very beautiful.
great post – Huntington Beach is a great place to learn to surf, there is a few miles of open beach and newbies can usually find a little area for themselves, except on the weekends.
Lot’s of great beaches! I prefer the beach in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii!