There’s nothing quite like the thrill of standing up on your first wave. Or racing along on the perfect wall of water. Whether you’re a surfing novice or a waxhead, Sydney has reams of coastline ideal for learning or upskilling. Choose from family-friendly group sessions, intensive surf camps or one-on-one developmental lessons. Find your next frothy adventure at a top surf school on one of Sydney’s epic breaks — and before you know it, you’ll be paddling out, popping up and catching wave after wave.
1 Lets Go Surfing, Bondi & Maroubra
The surf at Bondi is excellent for catching your first wave, especially the gentle, consistent rollers at the northern end. Bondi’s Lets Go Surfing is an award-winning surf school renowned for well-organised lessons, expert instructors and top-notch safety protocols. There’s a session to suit just about everybody, from private lessons to group sessions, Groms surf camps and ladies-only Women on Waves. For a chilled vibe and dynamic wave sets, head to Lets Go Surfing at Maroubra Beach.
Where: 128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi
letsgosurfing.com.au
2 Dee Why Salty Surf School
On Dee Why Beach, wide stretches of golden sand meet mellow, reliable waves — making it a popular spot for learning to surf. Dan and his team of instructors at Salty Surf School are patient and full of energy. Their coaching style is encouraging and informative, and many students stand up by the end of their first lesson. The team finds the best beginner waves, tailors the experience to your skill level — easy or challenging — and keeps the vibe fun and full of laughter.
Where: The Strand, Dee Why
deewhysaltysurfschool.com.au
3 Manly Surf School, Northern Beaches
One of Australia’s longest-running surf schools, Manly Surf School has operated since 1995 across Manly, Long Reef, Collaroy, and Palm Beach. Led by Matt Grainger — High Performance Coach for Surfing NSW for a decade — the team boasts current and former pro surfers teaching everyone from elite competitors to absolute beginners. They offer individual lessons and programs for both kids and adults, with groups often split by experience so first-timers can ride the foamies together.
Where: 93-95 North Steyne, Manly
manlysurfschool.com
4 Waves Surf School, Eastern Suburbs
Keen for more sun, sand and surf? Waves has been serving up salty weekends, camps and adventures for decades. Choose from fun-filled day trips, legendary weekenders, and kids surf camps that take you beyond Bondi to Seal Rocks and crowd-free beaches near Sydney. Waves offers private group sessions, kids’ parties, surf yoga weekends, and expert surf guiding lessons. Ideal for tourists, the team picks up clients from Bronte, Bondi, Northern Beaches, Ramsgate and Sydney Central Station.
Where: 41 Gould Street, Bondi Beach
wavessurfschool.com.au
5 URBNSURF, Olympic Park
Australia’s blessed with countless beaches, so it’s no surprise there’s only one surf park brand, URBNSURF — making waves day and night at Sydney Olumpic Park. Wavegarden Cove technology creates a controlled surfing environment with different wave sizes and power, to suit newbies up to highly advanced. Sessions last an hour, providing 10-12 waves per person, with the entry-level Cruiser or Roller sessions generating white-water waves for repeated, reliable rides. Start your surfing journey with a coach, or elevate your surfing skills with an advanced session.
Where: 15 Hill Rd, Sydney Olympic Park
urbnsurf.com
6 Cronulla Surfing Academy, Cronulla
There are scores of happy grommets who’ve learned at Cronulla Surfing Academy (CSA) — getting the hang of ocean awareness, mobility skills and where to paddle out. But it’s not just first-time surfer kids who love the teaching styles here, with plenty of adults also upping their wave count with beginner, intermediate and advanced coaching. No board, no worries, it’s included. And once you’re surfing like a pro, check out CSA’s surf retreats, exploring breaks in Fiji, Sri Lanka and Indonesia — all-inclusive with accommodation, surfing, yoga, and nutritious food.
Where: 2 Marine Esplanade, Cronulla
cronullasurfingacademy.com
7 Shorty’s Surf School, Northern Beaches
Catch your first wave or your best yet at Shorty’s on the stunning Northern Beaches with surf coach Ollie Short. The word on the sand is that Ollie is a bit of a legend — extremely patient, with the uncanny ability to make even the most nervous beginner feel comfortable. Ollie is like learning from a trusted mate, and he operates professional lessons for first-time surfers up to advanced. At one of Sydney’s most picturesque surf spots, Ollie gives students a taste for surfing and desire to keep improving.
Where: Warriewood Beach
shortyssurfschool
8 Chix Surf School, Northern Beaches
This female-only surf school aims to inspire women of all ages to achieve their surf dreams. Founder Gee Cormack is passionate about building confidence through overcoming fear, learning new skills, and connecting with the ocean. Her team of high-performance coaches blend in-water sessions, body movement classes, and land-based training to help women and girls surf with grace and control. Chix offers beginner classes, father-daughter programs, mothers’ group sessions, classic longboarding, and surf clinics in exotic destinations.
Where: 50 Kooloora Ave, Freshwater
chixsurfschool.com.au
9 Beau Mitchell: The Boardriding Academy, Northern Beaches
Ready to level up? Beau is a skilled surfer, skateboarder and snowboarder and has surfed professionally for more than 15 years. His boardriding programs guide developing surfers toward a deeper understanding of board dynamics, wave positioning, and functional body mechanics. He’s worked with some of the world’s best and offers private lessons for a maximum of two surfers, with a focus on surf technique analysis plus surf competition introduction. For youngsters 5-12 years of age still developing balance and agility, try the six-week Surf Groms program.
Where: North Curl Curl and Warriewood Beaches
hbeaumitchell.com.au/the-boardriding-academy
10 Be Water, Freshwater Beach
Situated on Sydney’s awe-inspiring Northern Beaches, holistic lifestyle brand, Be Water offers a selection of surf, yoga and cultural sessions. Led by a brother and sister team, Sofia and Julian, clients are invited to blend surfing and mindfulness, with a focus on movement, balance, and presence on the water. Instructor Julian is a surfing and martial arts expert, and enjoys shaping surfboards in his spare time. Be Water is excellent for those craving a tuned-in, one-on-one experience to learn how to feel completely at home in the ocean, and gently build on surfing techniques.
Where: Freshwater Beach
bewaterexp.com
