Surfing Australia

[Sar]

Hi All,

Wanted to wait before posting this (too excited sorry) but Im heading to Oz in 6 weeks for a 3.5 week trip starting in Melbourne for 7 days then Sydney for 7 days before heading up to Cairns and Port Douglas for the final bit.

Definately going to improve my skills before I go but just looking for some advice on good beginner spots (still in the whitewater but practicing my pop ups in the lounge every day) for each of the places Im going to. Ive heard that I shouldnt surf when I get up to Queensland due the salties and Jellyfish and the guys at work are starting to freak me out about sharks everywhere else in Oz - should I be worried about this?

Can you give me any names of good surf schools? Im not near the beach in Sydney (Surrey Hills) but still want to head up towards Manly at least a few times.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Sara

[passion_of_the_crest]

alright, since im here, i'll tell you what i did. i'm in the same boat as you were, so here's some spots i made it to...in melbourne and sydney

sydney:
--bondi: where i stayed for 4 months for uni, this place has quite the rep, though im not sure it deserves it. there are a lot of people, but if you stay in the whitewater, you'll be alright. if you are a dawn patroller, then head out at sunrise and you'll have the entire beach to yourself and about 5 others. best waves for me was 2.5 footers, but remember, Bondi waves--at least when iwas there--were really messy for the most part.

--manly: if i remember, when the winds are puttin bondi to crap, look to manly for the opposite effect. nice long beach with a few good breaks.

--bronte: another option instead of bondi, about a 15-20 minute walk from bondi. seems to have cleaner waves than bondi, and longer rides as a result.

melbourne (pronounce that MEL-bin, lest you really want to sound american/where ever you are from):
--apollo bay: one of two places i surfed down there on the Great Ocean Road, mostly because of what you'll read below, but this place seems very relaxed and not very crowded. Granted, I was there in June, when only the relatively insane would go. A few nice breaks, but watch out for a few rocks jetting out of the water to your right and left (barely an issue at all). Just drive down the GOR and look out your window.

--bell's beach: first things first, never get pressured into the water by your buddies. secondly, even on a quite day, these waves are extremely deceptive. A 3.5 footer here is about 5 times stronger than a wave the same height in bondi. so that's all i have to say about that. don't surf there if you are a beginner. definitely watch, though...there's a reason every surfer in the world has heard of bell's.

so thats it, and no one get pissed off at me for telling a traveler about these places...anyone with an intro to surf culture or a lonely planet guide could probably tell you about these places...hope this helps, and enjoy the place, and thanks for letting me reminisce.

[Brian]

alright, since im here, i'll tell you what i did. i'm in the same boat as you were, so here's some spots i made it to...in melbourne and sydney

sydney:
--bondi: where i stayed for 4 months for uni, this place has quite the rep, though im not sure it deserves it. there are a lot of people, but if you stay in the whitewater, you'll be alright. if you are a dawn patroller, then head out at sunrise and you'll have the entire beach to yourself and about 5 others. best waves for me was 2.5 footers, but remember, Bondi waves--at least when iwas there--were really messy for the most part.

--manly: if i remember, when the winds are puttin bondi to crap, look to manly for the opposite effect. nice long beach with a few good breaks.

--bronte: another option instead of bondi, about a 15-20 minute walk from bondi. seems to have cleaner waves than bondi, and longer rides as a result.

I live in Sydney, and frequently surf Manly, and sometimes Bondi.

First of all, Bondi is a great beginners spot. There are surfschools up and down the beach. I would recommend "Lets Go Surfing". I have had a lesson with them and they are great...link can be found here;
http://www.letsgosurfing.com.au/

Manly is also a great beginner spot, as in Bondi there are several surf schools on the beach. The waves here are nice, and even in the biggest swell, there is always a protected area beginners can surf. Check out Manly Surf School. I haver had a lesson from them aswell, and I would definately reccommend them.
http://www.manlysurfschool.com/

In general, if you are a beginner I would probably stick to these two beaches in Sydney, however there are many beaches easily accessible both south of Bondi, and north of Manly. I would reccommend trying Freshwater beach (thebeach north of Manly) as it is also quite a nice beginners beach.

[TheShark]

If you are a beginner I'd agree, don't go surfing at Bell's unless it's really small. There are lots of fun breaks along the coast, so try Torquay back beach (in front of the Surf Lifesaving Club), Jan Juc, Anglesea or Lorne.

These are all great for beginners and you won't get in the way of the hardcore pros at Bells or Winki.

Go Ride A Wave is a really good surf school and operate out of Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne. Check out: http://www.gorideawave.com.au/information/locations.asp
Even tells you how to get there.