How to Get Better at Surfing
Published June 5, 2026SurfSpotGuide Editorial
Most surfers plateau at the same level for years — not because improvement is impossible, but because they are practicing wrong. You do not get better by surfing more of the same thing. You get better by surfing intentionally. Here are 10 strategies that actually work.
// Free Surf Guide
Before your first wave, read this.
Get the free Beginner's Surf Guide — wave basics, a gear checklist, what to expect at your first lesson, and the etiquette every beginner needs. Straight to your inbox.
No spam · Instant delivery · Unsubscribe anytime
10 Strategies to Progress Faster
Surf More Frequently
The single biggest predictor of surfing improvement is how often you paddle out. Surfing twice a week builds muscle memory and ocean reading skills that cannot be replicated by any other method. If you can only surf once a week, try to add a second session — even a short one — to reinforce what you learned.
Film Your Surfing
This is the single most underused improvement tool. What you feel on the wave is completely different from what you are actually doing. Watching yourself reveals: late pop-ups, back foot weighting, arm position, bottom turn angle, and dozens of other things you cannot detect by feel alone. Ask a friend to film from the beach, or set up a tripod.
Get Coaching (At Any Level)
Most surfers stop taking lessons after the beginner stage and then wonder why they plateau. Even one lesson with a qualified coach every few months can break through ingrained habits. A good coach watches 10 waves and tells you the root cause of problems you've been struggling with for years. The return on investment is extremely high.
Improve Your Wave Selection
The best surfers do not catch every wave — they catch the right waves. Learning to read sets, identify the best section of the break, and position yourself correctly means more quality rides per session. Spend your first 10 minutes in the lineup watching before you paddle for anything.
Train Off the Water
Paddle strength, core stability, hip flexibility, and balance directly transfer to surfing. You do not need to train like an athlete — 3x per week of targeted exercises (pull-ups, planks, burpees, balance board) produces noticeable in-water gains within 4–6 weeks.
See our surf workout plan →Surf with Better Surfers
When you surf with people who are significantly better than you, you catch less waves — but you absorb technique, positioning, and etiquette by osmosis. Watching advanced surfers in person teaches things no video can. Respectfully sit near experienced surfers and observe.
Ride the Right Board
The biggest equipment mistake intermediate surfers make is moving to a shorter, thinner board before they are ready. A shorter board catches fewer waves, which means less practice. More volume gives you more paddle power, more waves caught, and more reps — all of which accelerate improvement. Progress first, downsize second.
Focus on One Skill Per Session
Instead of "surfing" in general, dedicate each session to one specific element: bottom turns, trimming on the face, pop-up timing, or paddling technique. Deliberately practicing a single skill, then evaluating it at the end, produces faster gains than unfocused surfing.
Learn to Read the Ocean
The more you understand wave formation, swell direction, tide effects, and wind patterns, the better you position yourself and the more quality waves you catch. Spend 15 minutes studying the beach before each session. Read your local surf forecast and try to predict what conditions will be like.
Learn to read surf reports →Surf in Variety — Including Bad Conditions
Surfers who only paddle out in perfect conditions develop a narrow skill set. Surfing in small, choppy, or inconsistent waves forces you to develop paddle timing, wave reading, and improvisation. Some of the best surfers in the world credit their early years surfing mediocre waves for their adaptability.
Diagnose Your Plateau
Stuck on a specific problem? Here are the most common intermediate plateaus, their underlying causes, and how to fix them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get better at surfing faster?
Surf more frequently, film yourself to identify technique flaws, and work with a coach. Off-water training (core, paddle strength, balance) transfers directly to the water.
How often should I surf to improve?
Twice a week minimum. Three to four times per week is the sweet spot for consistent progression. Once a week is enough to maintain but slow to improve.
Why am I not getting better at surfing?
Most common reasons: not surfing frequently enough, poor conditions, reinforcing bad habits without feedback, or a board that does not match your level.
Should I take more surf lessons as an intermediate?
Absolutely. Even one coached session every few months can break through years of stalled progress by diagnosing habits you cannot see yourself.
What board should I ride to improve?
One that matches your current level. Most intermediate surfers improve faster on a mid-length (7–8 ft) than rushing to a shortboard — more paddle power means more waves caught, which means more practice.
Break Through Your Plateau with a Coach
A qualified instructor will identify the root cause of what is holding you back — in just one session. Find surf schools that offer intermediate and advanced coaching.
Find Surf SchoolsMore Surf Guides
// Free Surf Guide
Before your first wave, read this.
Get the free Beginner's Surf Guide — wave basics, a gear checklist, what to expect at your first lesson, and the etiquette every beginner needs. Straight to your inbox.
No spam · Instant delivery · Unsubscribe anytime