Discover Your Surf Level
Whether you’re just starting to surf or already dreaming of tighter turns and faster waves, knowing your surf level is an important parts of improving your surf experience. When you know your surf-level you can choose the surf holiday or classes that fits your level. Most sufcamps and surf schools focus on the beginner stages. if your surf-level is already n level 2 ,3 or 4 then most schools cannot offer you a group class on your level. off course you can book a private class and tell them what your level is and what you want to learn.
At WibiSurf, we combine personal surf coaching, epic surf-trips, and surf photography in Spain—all delivered with friendly expertise and a passion for waves. The key to getting the most out of your Surf trip is knowing your current surf level, and understanding what skills to work on next. So whether you’re booking your first surf lessons, joining one of our personalized surf coaching programs, or just planning your next surf travel adventure.
Understanding your current level helps you make smarter decisions: from what equipment to use, to what type of waves to ride, and most importantly, which surf lessons, surf coaching, or surf trips are the best fit for you. Here’s a breakdown of the four main surf levels. Read through them, reflect on your current skills, and discover what to focus on next — so you can ride better, progress faster, and have a whole lot more fun along the way.
Surf Level 1: Whitewater Surfing — Your Surf Journey Begins
This is the very beginning of your surfing adventure. If you’re new to surfing or only have a couple of sessions behind you, you’re in Level 1. At this stage, you’ll be working with soft-top boards in shallow water, riding whitewater — the foamy waves that have already broken.
Your focus here is learning the fundamentals: how to paddle effectively, how to pop up from lying down to standing, and how to balance on the board while riding toward shore. These are the skills that form the foundation of everything that comes after.
You’ll also learn how to safely handle your board in the surf, how to read basic ocean conditions, and how to catch waves at the right moment. Don’t worry if it takes a while — every great surfer started right here.
The biggest challenge in this stage is timing and coordination — especially learning when to pop up and how to stay centered over the board. Confidence builds quickly with a few good rides, and this is where your connection with the ocean begins. At WibiSurf, we guide you step by step through this stage with patient, clear coaching in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Surf Level 2: Green Wave Surfing — The Real Surfing Begins
Once you’ve mastered whitewater riding and are feeling more stable on your board, it’s time to move into Level 2 — green wave surfing. This means you’re no longer just riding the foam straight to shore; you’re starting to catch waves before they break and ride across the face of the wave.
This is a huge leap forward. You’ll learn how to paddle out past the whitewater into the lineup, how to position yourself for a takeoff, and how to catch and angle into a wave so you can ride along it instead of just toward the beach.
You’ll start to get a feel for speed, flow, and direction. Trimming becomes an essential skill — learning how to shift your weight to adjust your speed and stay with the wave. This is also where wave selection becomes important. You’ll learn how to spot which waves are worth paddling for and which ones to let pass.
The learning curve at this stage can feel steep. There’s a lot happening — paddling timing, wave judgment, angle takeoffs, staying balanced while turning — but it’s incredibly rewarding. This is where surfing starts to feel like surfing.
Our small-group surf coaching at WibiSurf is designed to help surfers through this transition. With video feedback, individual tips, and in-water guidance, we help you build confidence and consistency in green waves — all in the warm sun and fun waves of southern Spain.
Surf Level 3: Horizontal Maneuvers — Control, Style & Speed
Level 3 is all about refining your technique and surfing with intention. You’re catching green waves regularly, riding down the line, and now you’re ready to start controlling how you move across the wave — not just riding it, but working with it.
At this level, you’ll focus on generating speed, performing basic turns, and carving along the wave face. You’ll learn how to surf in the pocket — the most powerful and dynamic part of the wave — and how to use that power to keep momentum and flow. Bottom turns, trimming, line choice, and board control all come into play.
The goal here is to move from passive riding to active surfing. It’s about reading the wave better, reacting faster, and becoming more fluid and efficient in your movement. You’ll start linking maneuvers and using your body to control your direction and pace.
This is often where intermediate surfers plateau. Without targeted feedback, it’s easy to repeat the same mistakes or miss subtle adjustments that could unlock a big breakthrough. That’s why our coaching retreats are designed to go deeper — with theory sessions, surfskate training, and detailed video analysis to help you surf with more confidence and style.
Surf Level 4: Vertical Maneuvers — High-Performance Surfing
If you’re consistently riding waves with speed and control, and already doing basic turns, you’re likely ready for Level 4 — the advanced stage of surfing. Here, it’s all about performance, power, and precision.
You’ll be working on maneuvers like cutbacks, re-entries, snaps, floaters, and more vertical turns that use the full face of the wave. You’ll learn how to read waves more strategically, how to project your board into the most critical sections, and how to link multiple turns together with flow.
Timing, commitment, and positioning become more critical at this level. You’ll be surfing steeper, faster waves and challenging yourself to move dynamically, with both creativity and control. Your style starts to show. And this is also where surfing gets the most addictive — there’s always more to improve, more to learn, and more waves to explore.
For advanced surfers, our WibiSurf coaching programs focus on small tweaks that make a big difference — refining technique, analyzing footage, and pushing performance. Whether you’re looking to get air, improve your rail game, or just make your turns more powerful and fluid, we offer tailored coaching to match your goals.
The beauty of surfing is that it’s a journey where you are never done learning…Whether you’re in Level 1 or Level 4, the goal is the same: to feel connected to the ocean and improve in a way that’s rewarding and fun.
- Beginner surf lessons with clear progression and a supportive vibe.
- Intermediate surf coaching weeks with in-depth feedback and drills.
- Advanced surf coaching with pro-level analysis and wave strategy.
- Fully guided surf trips to Spain’s best breaks — with everything arranged for you.
With small groups, ISA-licensed coaches, multi-lingual support (English, German, Dutch), and a base in the wave-rich region of El Palmar, Spain, we’re ready to help you catch better waves and become the surfer you want to be.
What is Your Surflevel?! comment below
