Learn to Surf at Lorne on the Great Ocean Road

Instruction starts on the beach, then you spend most of the lesson in the water catching waves.

Learn to surf at Lorne on the Great Ocean Road in a two-hour lesson with a fully qualified instructor in sheltered, waist-deep water. You'll collect a soft beginner board, wetsuit and legrope at the trailer near the beach, receive safety instruction and basic technique on the sand, then spend roughly 30 minutes in the water catching your first waves with the instructor's help. After returning to shore for additional stand-up coaching, you'll spend the rest of the session in the water practicing with assistance. Children from age 8 are welcome. All fitness levels can participate.

The experience

Two hours at Lorne means you're in the water long enough to feel the board respond and catch several waves, but short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon on the Great Ocean Road. The sheltered bay here stays calm compared to the open coast, so the conditions stay beginner-friendly even when swells pick up elsewhere. You meet at the trailer in the car park next to the swimming pool at least 10 minutes before your lesson start time, where you'll collect your soft board, legrope and warm wetsuit.

The lesson splits into three parts: a safety talk and basic technique on the beach, about 30 minutes in the water with the instructor helping you catch your first few waves, then back to shore for coaching on how to stand up. After that, you're in the water for the rest of the session, practicing the pop-up and riding waves with the instructor watching and guiding you. Your instructor is a fully qualified professional and a surf life saver, so the focus stays on safety and fundamentals rather than speed.

Sunscreen is provided, and there's storage in the trailer for your personal belongings so you only carry what you need to the beach. Bring your own bathers and towel. The lesson does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to drive or arrange transport to the car park on Grove Road.

What’s included

• Soft beginner surfboard.
• legrope and warm wetsuit.
• sunscreen.
• fully qualified professional instructor.
• safety instruction and beach coaching.
• storage for personal belongings in the trailer.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 13:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Go Ride A Wave

Is this one for you?Book this lesson if you're learning to surf for the first time and want calm, shallow water where you can focus on catching waves and standing up without fighting strong conditions or deep water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What's the water like at Lorne for a beginner surfer?

Lorne's sheltered bay stays calm and shallow, with waist-deep water where you'll spend most of your lesson. The conditions are ideal for beginners because the waves are small and the beach breaks gently, so you can focus on technique without fighting strong currents or deep water.

Do I need to bring my own wetsuit and board?

No. A soft beginner board, warm wetsuit and legrope are all included in the lesson. Sunscreen is also provided, so you only need to bring your own bathers, towel and any personal items you want to leave in the trailer storage.

How much time do I actually spend in the water?

You'll spend roughly 30 minutes in the water during the first session catching your first waves with the instructor's help, then return to shore for additional coaching on standing up. After that, you spend the rest of the two-hour lesson in the water practicing and riding waves with the instructor's assistance.

What should I do about getting to the beach?

Meet at the trailer in the car park at the beach end of Grove Road next to the swimming pool. The lesson does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to Lorne.