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The Daily Horizon

How long does it take to be a good surfer?

Author

Andrew Mccoy

Updated on January 14, 2026

If you can spare the time to surf three to four times weekly, you should find you've developed good skills in about two years. What that means is that you'll probably become a good judge of surf and tides, will be able to catch all the waves you aim for, and won't have any problems paddling a long way out.

How hard is it to become a good surfer?

On a scale of 1 to 10, it is fair to say that learning to surf is a challenge with a degree of difficulty between 2 and 7. Everyone has their own pace. Some people will get the hang of it in a couple of hours; others will need several weekends to get their adrenaline running for the first time.

What it takes to be a good surfer?

If you want to be a good surfer, act as the great surfers do by being honest with yourself and others. Protect the ocean as you depend on it. Always play by the rules and etiquette of the sport, whether free surfing or competing; know your goals and limitations, but never let them destroy your passion for riding waves.

How long does it take to become an intermediate surfer?

Skills Development

From Level 5 Intermediate Surfer, it takes approximately 250-500 hours to acquire Level 6 Intermediate surfer skills. To progress from Beginner (Level 3 Surfer) and become a Level 6 Intermediate Surfer, it takes approximately 750-1500 hours in total.

Is it hard to be a surfer?

Before you start surfing, you must know this: surfing is one of the most difficult and complex sports in the world. Think about it. Not one wave is the same, so your playground is constantly changing. Elements such as wind, tides and swells are affecting the waves you surf differently every single day.

How Long Does It ACTUALLY Take To Learn How To Surf?

Will surfing get you ripped?

As well as building muscle strength in your upper body and legs, the cross-training effect of surfing is a brilliant workout for your core, making it a full body workout. A lot of surf research suggests we use our trapezius, rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, obliques, triceps, biceps and deltoids.

What's the hardest part of surfing?

And the hardest part of surfing, by far, is paddling out, not surfing in. Carrying the board, getting back into the water, paddling through the waves, waiting for the next set…it's exhausting, and surfers spend far more time doing this than they do on the other part.

Why is surfing so addicting?

SURFING ADDICTION IS ALL ABOUT BRAIN CHEMISTRY

This results in you experiencing a flood of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Once you feel the intense joy and pleasure, your body and brain want you to keep going back for more. If you feel irritable after a few days away from your board, this is likely the reason.

Do surfers live longer?

Those who were regular sunbathers tended to live longer than those who were not. They had lower incidences of heart disease and non-heart disease/ non-cancer related deaths. Proportionally, this increased the rate of deaths by cancer, yet overall sunbathers had a longer life expectancy.

Can you learn surfing in a day?

Learning to surf requires between two hours and one month of practice. If you're struggling for more than two months to ride a wave, then there's something wrong with you. The first thing you'll need to master is lying and balancing on a surfboard - that could take you between half-an-hour and two or three hours.

Do you have to be skinny to surf?

The first thing we need to acknowledge is that everyone can become an accomplished surfer - the tall and fat man, the short and skinny woman, the weak and unfit boy, and the athletic girl. The same rule applies to age. Anyone - young and old - is ready to take on surfing.

How can I get surf fit faster?

7 Essential Surfer Exercises That Help Increase Endurance

  1. Chin-ups. Getting up on a surfboard and keeping your balance has more to do with your upper body than you might think. ...
  2. Front squats. ...
  3. Running exercises. ...
  4. Pushups. ...
  5. Mobility drills. ...
  6. Dumbbell drills. ...
  7. Planking.

Can I teach myself to surf?

It's completely possible to learn surfing on your own provided you are a persistent person, you have decent arm and leg strength and balance skills, you are willing to learn the surfing etiquette, and you have able to learn in a safe, beginner-friendly beach spot with small waves and low currents.

Is surfing the toughest sport?

Stab Magazine | Surfing is the most difficult sport in the world.

Is surfing easy to pick up?

Surfing requires lots of Patience

Realistically, it can take weeks, months, or even years, to be able to consistently catch good waves. Since the surfing environment is always changing, it takes time on the water and tons of first-hand experience to learn and read waves.

Can a non swimmer surf?

You don't have to be a pro-swimmer but having a certain level of swimming ability is important when surfing. If you can't swim, chances are you also won't be able to paddle. Surfing involves a lot of paddling and without knowing how to paddle a surfboard, it will be difficult to catch a wave.

What are the negative effects of surfing?

The impact surf tourism activity has on the environment will depend on how the destination manages its resources. Deficient management of surf resources may cause crowding, trash, water pollution, erosion, reef damage, environmental deterioration, and pollution from tourists and product transportation.

What age can you surf until?

Just like any non-impact sport, there is no age limit for surfing. Boys and girls start surfing as early as 3 years old and famous old surfers like Woody Brown and John H. “Doc” Ball were still paddling into waves well into their late 80s.

How do I get a surfer lifestyle?

First of all, true surfers lifestyle is based on good nutrition, physical exercises and breaking bad habits (no cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, of course). If you prefer to eat junk food with a beer for lunch every day, smoke and like parties, that means surfing is far away from your priorities list.

Is surfing good for your skin?

Surfing can be rather damaging to the skin. The frequent contact with the sea, sand, salt, and the wetsuit demands specific measures to keep your skin happy and healthy. Surfing is amazing for the body and the mind, but not so much for the skin.

Why are surfers so cool?

Surfing is a mood enhancer full of positive feelings and a general reduction of negative emotions. In surfing, it's just you, your board, and the ocean. The individual struggle with the elements allows for much self-accomplishment; it is very therapeutic.

Is surfing good for your health?

Health benefits of surfing

Surfing provides many health benefits including: cardiovascular fitness – from paddling. shoulder and back strength – these muscles will strengthen from the paddling. leg and core strength – once you're standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up.

Are 5 foot waves big?

5 = FAIR: Very average surf with most (70%) waves rideable. 6 = FAIR to GOOD: Fair surf with some (30%) GOOD waves. 7 = GOOD: Generally fair surf with many (50%) GOOD waves. 8 = VERY GOOD: Generally good surf with most (70%) GOOD waves.

How do surfers deal with big waves?

5 Tips For When You Take on Bigger Waves feat. Mark Visser

  1. Want to surf heavier waves or no what to do in a wipeout to avoid injury? ...
  2. Know the Set Up. ...
  3. Before Paddling Out, Drop Your Heart Rate With Some Breathing Exercises. ...
  4. Remember, Don't Kick. ...
  5. Bail Facing The Wrong Way. ...
  6. Learn the Skills to Be Efficient.

What's harder surfing or skateboarding?

Surfing is generally considered harder than skateboarding because of the challenge of taking off on a wave. It involves hard skills like positioning yourself at the peak, paddling effectively into the wave, and popping up instantly before the drop while shifting your weight for steering.