Gold Coast Surfing
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The Gold Coast has some of the best, most consistent waves in the nation; it's home to round one of the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour; there are 70km of beaches and four epic point breaks. It would be appropriate to call it a surfers' paradise; and they did.
In fact, getting a wave on the Gold Coast is as easy as heading east. When the wind is right and the swell is from the east (usually in the morning) the beach breaks light up and surfers are almost guaranteed a wave. Those sorts of conditions happen about once a week on average, with one to two foot swells the norm throughout the year across most of the beaches. However, the truly great swells only hit once every couple of months, and as the beach breaks only handle up to about four foot of swell, the points get more crowded than Kmart on Christmas Eve when it's pumping, and the locals are more protective of their turf than Magpies in Spring.
Gold Coast surfing guide — where to go to get the best waves
Gold Coast Beach Breaks
There are some great beach breaks all along the coast. Some of the best banks are at The Spit, Main Beach, Narrowneck, Palm Beach and Mermaid beach. At times these can carry some awesome waves especially when there are cyclones about. For the rest of the time they offer reasonable waves without the crowds that are usually at the point breaks. It's a Boogie Boarder's paradise but get in early before the wind gets up. Kite surfing is big at Narrowneck.
Gold Coast Point Breaks
Snapper Rocks Superbank
The now legendary 'Superbank' breaks just north of the NSW/Qld border, starting at Snapper Rocks, can hold out in massive swells, and is home to the longest rideable waves in the world. It's consistent, but possibly the most crowded wave in Australia and when it's pumping, the locals guard the water fiercely. On any truly good day there will be a number of world champions in the water, so unless you're a world class sufer, a local, or preferably both, you won't see the inside of a barrel. Check out Snapper Rocks.com or Snapper Rocks.com.au for more info
Burleigh Heads
The grand-daddy of Gold Coast point breaks, Burleigh is an absolutely classic right-hander which holds bigger swells than pretty much any other point between Fiji and Bells Beach. When it's small, it's still surfable, but when things get going, the wave is legendary.
Kirra
Before the Superbank was created Kirra was the favourite wave on the Gold Coast — sadly, the shape of Rainbow Bay in which it sits has changed so much that Kirra now plays second-fiddle to Snapper. It still holds its own, in fact, in cyclone swells it becomes part of the Superbank, but it's now considered the older, less popular brother of Snapper.
South Stradbroke Island (Straddie)
If you're not scared of sharks, or ships, South Stradbroke Island is one of the cleanest, most consistent breaks in Queensland. Getting there involves a paddle across the Gold Coast Seaway, but it's worth the effort, especially at sunrise.
Surfboard Hire
Gold Coast Surfboards
Gold Coast Surfboards hires out a huge variety of boards including shortboards, malibu longboards, mini mals and learner boards. All boards come with a leg rope and wax and wetsuits and soft roof racks are also available to hire for those who need them.
The main advantage to hiring from these guys, is they hire you a board for the entire length of your visit, meaning you always have your board on hand to take advantage of any early morning swell. No waiting for the shop to open in the morning so you can hire a board!
Learn to Surf
Surfing QLD Surfers Paradise
The Australian Surfer International Surfing School offers 2 hour learn to surf lessons along with longer learn to surf packages including 4 lessons. Based in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, the school has been around since 1998 and is the innovator of the learn to surf experience, with the proud title of first licensed Surfing Queensland surf school.
Experience the thrill of surfing and enjoyment of riding waves on the famous Surfers Paradise Beach. If you are on holidays or keen to enter the sport of surfing and enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle – then join a 2 hour learn to surf experience!
Australian School of Surfing
Lessons, clinics and safaris. Not your average surf school!
Run by Hawaii's Nancy Emerson - WCT Pro Surfer, Hall of Fame and Elite Coach Pioneer of teaching people how to surf. Nancy offers a fun, safe and easy introduction to surfing, always taking into account the person's level of experience and choosing conditions most suitable.
Lessons ranging from 1 hour to 8 hours are available, along with clinics ranging from 3 days to 7 days.
Brad Holmes Surf Coaching
Brad Holmes teaches his students how the sea works and how to work in with it. Established on the Gold Coast since 1992, Brad Holmes Surf Coaching offer personalised surfing lessons for all ages and levels of experience and the first surfing coach on the Gold Coast to offer the ancient Hawaiian art of Stand Up Paddle Surfing.
Whether you are a beginner or further advanced, Brad Holmes guarantees more fun and less frustration along with an enormous sense of achievement. Brad also teaches Tai Chi and is the first surfing coach qualified for the disabled, both physical and intellectual.
GC Surf Academy Broadbeach
Kurrawa Surf Club opposite the Oasis Centre in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast hosts the Gold Coast Surf Academy. All equipment is supplied along with personal lockers, freshwater showers and beach views if you choose to have a meal after your lesson at the Surf Club. Both general (group) and private surf lessons are offered.
Surf Lessons Cheyne Horan School of Surf
The School of Surf has two beginner classes every day from 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm held at our base at Surfers Paradise (in Queensland, Australia) and we operate every day all year. Included is: standing and surfing in the first lesson, 2 hour surf, easy to learn surfing techniques, ocean awareness and surf safety tips, progressive lessons each day, best quality appropriate equipment selected for your individual needs and the conditions, soft safe learner surfboards, wetsuits and lycra tops supplied, surfing in waist deep water, refreshments, lockers and each participant receives a certificate upon completion.