Surf Schools Around Brisbane

For kids, there is nothing better than taking up a new sport or trying an exciting new activity. If your kids love the water, are confident swimmers and are eager to do something different and totally exhilarating, then surfing can be an awesome option for them to try! It gets them out in nature, teaches them about water safety and life saving, and is a great way to get active and fit and have fun!

Learning to Surf

There are many surf schools around South-East Queensland that offer beginner surf lessons for kids, from small and large group lessons to private lessons. Most lessons focus strongly on beach and water safety skills, as well as getting kids paddling, standing up, and catching their first waves!

Whether it is developing surf skills, ocean awareness or beach safety, there are great options below, to help you find the perfect way for your Brisbane Kid to get surfing!

NRMA Insurance SurfGroms

NRMA Insurance SurfGroms is a kids’ surf school program aimed at kids aged 5 to 12, with separate age categories for MiniGroms aged 5 to 8, and SuperGroms ages 9 to 12, and separate skill levels within each category.

The program is designed to teach kids how to surf at the same time as learning about the ocean environment, water awareness, beach safety and how to save lives, and developing a healthy lifestyle out in a natural environment, all while having fun.

Each lesson is carefully planned so that the learning environment is positive and supportive, as well as safe.

You can read more about SurfGroms at surfgroms.com. You can also use the map here to find your nearest location (they can be found all over Australia).

Those closest to Brisbane are at Bribie Island, Caloundra, North Stradbroke Island, and several more down the Gold Coast. 

SLQ Nippers and Junior Activities

Surf Life Saving Queensland offers the Junior Activities program for junior lifesavers, known as Nippers.

To join Nippers, kids need to be aged between 5 and 14. As part of the program, kids learn about surf awareness and safety, and have lessons in wading, running, swimming, board paddling and lifesaving.

For kids keen on surfing, Nippers can even choose to train to take part in club, regional and state surf lifesaving competitions. Each surf life saving club in Queensland has its own Junior Activities program, so head down to your closest club to find out what they have on offer. A list of SLQ branches and clubs can be found here.

You can read more about the Junior Activites program here.

Little Lifesavers

Little Lifesavers is a great way for kids to try out surf life saving right here in Brisbane at South Bank Parklands. The programs are usually between 2 – 5 days long and feature rescue and lifesaving skills, board paddling, beach sprints, wading, dolphin diving and more.

There are games and educational and fun activities targeted and building kids’ water confidence and safety. The program is for kids aged 5 to 11 and is run by skilled sure lifesavers.

Little Lifesavers also takes place at Orion Lagoon in Springfield, Suttons Beach at Redcliffe, Raby Bay Foreshore in Cleveland, Woorim Beach on Bribie Island, and on both coasts (Sunshine and Gold). 

You can learn more about Little Lifesavers at lifesaving.com.au.

Wave Pools

If your child would like a taste of learning to surf before hitting the ocean, then why not try the FlowRider at Wet ‘n’ Wild on the Gold Coast?

Whether you’re just starting out or are a surfing pro, you can test your skills on the continuous, man-made waves at FlowRider. This ride is suitable for guests 110cm or taller (bodyboards) or 122cm+ for a stand up board. 

Admission to Wet ‘n’ Wild is required to participate on this ride, as is an additional fee for each FlowRider session. 

Visit Wet ‘n’ Wild for further details. 

Surf Schools Near Brisbane

There are also many surf schools to choose from on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, as well as nearby Bribie Island and North Stradbroke Island. The main surf schools to choose from are:

Islands

Bribie Island Surf School, Woorim, Bribie Island

North Stradbroke Island Surf School, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island

Gold Coast

Broadbeach Surf School, Broadbeach

Cheyne Horan School of Surf, Surfers Paradise and Burleigh

Get Wet Surf School, Main Beach

Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School, Burleigh Heads & Kirra Beach

Go Ride a Wave, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise & Coolangatta

Surfing Services Australia, Currumbin Alley

Surf in Paradise, The Spit, Main Beach

Sunshine Coast

Caloundra Surf School, Caloundra

Coolum Surfing School, Coolum Beach

Go Ride a Wave, Noosa

Kawana Surf School, Kawana

Maroochy Surf School, Maroochydore

North Caloundra Surf School, North Caloundra

Robbie Sherwell’s XL Surfing Academy, Alexandra Heads & Mooloolaba

For more information about surfing in Australia, you can visit Surfing Australia’s website surfingaustralia.com.

For more water fun with your Brisbane Kids, check out Kayaking in Brisbane with Kids, Fun on the Brisbane River, and Lakes and Dams You Can Swim in Around Brisbane.