What’s my surf level?"—the classic question that comes up right before a surf trip or over a cold beer with your new surf buddies at the bar. You know how it goes: one minute you’re sipping casually, the next you’re humbly (or not-so-humbly) trying to explain how you’re totally ready to drop in on that 10-footer. Are you a beginner still battling whitewash, or have you convinced yourself you’re “intermediate” because you’ve mastered standing up once? Whatever your level, remember—the real test is not how you ride, but how good your surf stories sound after! 😎🍻
What is my surf level ? What’s Your Surf Level? Let’s Break It Down (And Help You Progress Faster)!
In every sport, there are levels—surfing is no exception. But one of the biggest challenges we notice in our courses, especially with beginners, is figuring out exactly what level you’re at. And hey, we’ve all been there—sometimes we’re a bit overconfident, thinking we’re ready to shred when we’re still figuring out the basics. 😉
Why does this matter? Well, not knowing your true level can slow down your progress. Think about it: you choose the wrong board, surf waves beyond your skill, and the result? Frustration. Learning the wrong way, or too fast, can keep you from moving forward. So, let’s take a closer look at the different surf levels, what you should focus on, and how to recognize when you’re ready to level up.
Ready to find out where you stand? Let’s break it down, level by level.
The Complete Beginner, Level 0
You’ve never touched a surfboard or you’ve only had a few lessons – you’re at Level 0, my friend! No worries, we all start here. At this level, it's about getting comfortable with the basics and understanding the ocean.
Requirements: Be in decent shape (you’ll need some stamina) and be a good swimmer. The ocean can be unpredictable, so being confident in the water is a must.
What you’re doing: If you’re standing up on “white water” (the part of the wave that’s already broken), you’re right on track. At this stage, it’s all about mastering the “take off” (popping up from lying down to standing on the board) and keeping your balance as the wave pushes you forward. You’ll start learning the “cobra” technique—using your body to pass over small whitewater waves.
Goal at this level: Get comfortable with the basics. Once you’re consistently standing up and starting to steer your board, you’ll be ready to step up to Level 1.
Beginner Stepping Up, Level 1
At Level 1, you’ve moved past the total newbie stage. If you can consistently stand up on white water and steer left or right, you’re already leveling up. This is where things get exciting—you’re beginning to control the board, not just react to the wave.
Requirements: You’ve mastered the take-off and can steer left and right on white water. You know the theory behind the cobra technique and use it effectively.
What you’re doing: This is the stage where you start testing yourself on the first “green waves” (unbroken waves). Green waves are trickier—they have more power and require more timing. At Level 1, you’re learning how to paddle out to the “line up” (the spot where surfers wait for the next set of waves). You’ll also start practicing the “turtle dive” (a technique to get your board under the wave as it breaks over you).
Challenge at this level: Timing. Understanding the right moment to paddle, pop up, and ride the wave takes time and practice. You’ll also need to learn how to read waves and conditions better. Oh, and one more thing: it’s time to start thinking about why you’re choosing a particular board. The right equipment will make all the difference as you progress.
Intermediate – Now We’re Getting Serious, Level 2
You’ve made it to Level 2—awesome! At this stage, you’re paddling out to the line-up and catching green waves with more consistency. You’re likely using a soft-top board, but you’re thinking about making the switch to a hard board.
Requirements: You can ride both frontside (facing the wave) and backside (with your back to the wave) on a soft board, but you might still struggle with generating speed. You can also perform a turtle dive effectively in small to medium waves.
What you’re doing: Now you’re all about refining your skills. It’s not just about catching the wave anymore—it’s about staying on it. You’ll start learning how to generate speed, handle weight distribution on the board, and execute basic maneuvers like the bottom turn (carving the board down the wave’s face) and the cutback (turning back towards the breaking wave to stay in the power zone).
What makes this level tough? At Level 2, you’ll probably start trying out hard boards, and let’s face it—they feel waydifferent from soft boards. Everything is harder at first. But with more practice, you’ll notice that your skills transfer, and eventually, you’ll be able to shred on either board.
Intermediate Advanced – Getting Technical, Level 3
Welcome to one of the toughest transitions: the switch from soft-top to hard-top boards. This is where a lot of surfers hit a wall, but it’s all about perseverance. The hard board will be less forgiving than the soft-top, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll open up a world of possibilities.
Requirements: You can ride the wave face on both frontside and backside with a hard board, and you’re getting the hang of generating speed. You also know how to perform basic turns and duck dive in small to medium conditions.
What you’re doing: Now that you’re more comfortable on a hard board, it’s time to sharpen your maneuvers. At this stage, you’ll be refining your bottom turns, cutbacks, and other essential moves. You’ll also start working on building speed and flow between maneuvers—because at this point, it’s not just about riding the wave, it’s about surfing the wave.
Focus on: Consistency. Your timing, weight shifts, and flow between maneuvers are key. You’re starting to work on more advanced moves, but it’s all about doing them with speed and control.
Advanced – Speed, Power, Flow, Level 4
Now we’re talking! You’ve got the basics and intermediate maneuvers down, but it’s time to add some flair. Advanced surfers focus on three main things: speed, power, and flow. This is where surfing becomes more about creativity and expression.
Requirements: You’ve nailed all the basic moves—bottom turns, cutbacks, floaters, re-entries—and now you’re working on more radical maneuvers like aerials and rotations. You should be generating speed naturally and transitioning smoothly between moves.
What you’re doing: You’re now surfing with purpose, using each section of the wave to your advantage. It’s all about innovation at this stage—learning how to push the boundaries of what you can do on a wave. You’re also starting to work on more advanced techniques like boosting aerials or perfecting a powerful cutback.
Key focus: Style and precision. At this level, it’s not just about the moves—it’s about how you link them together and make them look effortless. Think speed, think flow, and think about keeping your momentum from one maneuver to the next.
Pro – The “Aliens”, Level 5
Level 5 is reserved for the true masters of surfing—the pros. These guys and gals seem to defy gravity, flying across the waves with incredible speed, power, and control. They make it look easy, but their skill level is on another planet (hence, “aliens”).
What they’re doing: Pros have mastered all the advanced maneuvers and are constantly innovating. They ride the most challenging waves with perfect timing, power, and style. If you’re a Level 5, you’re probably competing or have dreams of going pro.
So, Where Do You Fit In?
Surfing is all about progression, and knowing your level helps you stay on track. Whether you’re just starting out or pushing into advanced territory, every surfer’s goal is the same: have more fun in the water. And remember, the best surfer is the one who’s having the most fun, no matter their level. 🌊
Ready to level up? Check out our courses and see where your next wave takes you. See you out there !
In Laola Surfcamps we ask before your arrival what's your surf level and we split the levels in 3 categories, Beginner, Intermediate and advanced surfers.
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