Keen to learn how to surf but not sure where to start? Do not fear! Below is a simple guide to surfing lessons on Australia’s east coast, along with average prices for lessons.

(Note: For this guide, I have focused on four of the east coast’s main hubs for surfing - the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, the Central Coast/Newcastle, and Sydney. Each price is an average of the six top search results for each area.)

Whether on holiday or not, it is easy to find a surfing lesson that is suited to you. Gone are the days where you need to know someone who surfs in order to learn; now the options are both numerous and varied. This guide looks at the average price per lesson for both beginner group lessons and beginner private lessons in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Sydney areas.

Once you have decided that you want to get a surfing lesson, the next thing to do is a little research. Here is a list of things to check beforehand.

(Note: while each of the surf schools looked at in this guide were thorough in their delivery of information, it never hurts to do a little extra research.)

1. Check whether you need to book in advance. While most of the surf schools used in this guide have a same-day option for booking lessons, some require you to book in advance. The last thing you want is a fully-booked surf school the day you want to learn! Some of the surf schools also provide a discount for advanced bookings.
2. Check whether or not you can bring your own surfboard. Each of the surf schools used in this guide provides you with a surfboard for your lesson, meaning there is no need to bring your own. However, if you want to bring your own surfboard then it is best to contact the chosen surf school and check whether it is okay. Most surf schools will not allow students to use their own surfboard in group lessons (they provide soft boards which are safer than regular surfboards); however, they may be flexible when it comes to private lessons. This rule also applies for legropes.
3. Check what you need to wear. Each of the surf schools used in this guide asks that you bring all the usual things you would bring to the beach: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and water. Along with a surfboard, though, each of the surf schools provides a rash vest for the lesson. The rash vest (usually a bright colour) both helps to identify you as a beginner—for the benefit of other surfers and swimmers in the water—and to make you more visible to your instructor (think of the rash vest as a high-vis shirt). Some of the schools also provide a wetsuit (particularly the southern areas of the east coast). If the surf school you plan to use does not provide a wetsuit, then it is best to check in advance what the water temp will be on the day of your lesson. If the lesson is during the colder months then it might pay to bring along a wetsuit, as most lessons used in this guide ran between 1.5 and 2hrs.

Below is the average price for single beginner group lessons and single beginner private lessons in the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Central Coast/Newcastle, and Sydney areas. These lessons were for beginners and, as mentioned above, most ran between 1.5 and 2hrs. (Note: these are not the only options that each surf school offers. Most have options to cover all levels of ability, so again, do your research in order to find the option best suited to your needs.)

Sunshine Coast: $59 Group, $120 Private

Gold Coast: $51 Group, $114 Private

Central Coast/Newcastle: $40 Group, $81 Private

Sydney: $73 Group, $95 Private