Surf level test
Where do you surf best?
What is your current challenge?
Can you perform maneuvers?
What is your current challenge?
Can you perform backside and frontside maneuvers using the board's rails (not the base), with proper stance, generating even more speed in the top turn to the point of spraying water? (Note: a small "cutback" or functional cutbacks are not considered maneuvers in this test, only cutbacks done using the rails!)
What is your current challenge?
Beginner 1
You are just starting in the world of surfing, and if you’re at Escola Riviera, know that you're in the right place!
Our best advice right now is to take a few lessons before buying a board, because in the beginning, you’ll switch boards like a child changes clothes. Also, know that learning to surf depends on your frequency in the water, and making mistakes is part of the process! When you're ready to schedule your lesson, we’re available here.
Beginner 2
You’ve started surfing and probably know what it feels like to glide on the waves.
You’re still in a phase where you’ll use many different boards, so it’s still not advisable to buy one. Your next step is to remember to look at the wave (behind you) while paddling and learn to steer the board, making turns to the right and left. Also, practice accelerating and braking to stay on the wave as long as possible!
Never forget to protect yourself when falling!
It’s still recommended to take lessons to improve your skills, start surfing the wave face, and gain independence in the water! To schedule a lesson, click here.
Beginner 3
You’ve likely had some training and can change the direction of the board, accelerate, and brake.
You still need to acquire a few more skills before moving to the next level:
– Surfing the wave face and learning to control your board
– Building muscle endurance for more independence in the water and starting to catch waves before they break
– Learning more about ocean safety, as you’ll have more independence from here on
– Improving wave reading, choosing good waves, and positioning yourself at the peak for easier wave entry
Always warm up before entering the water to avoid injuries! It’s still recommended to take lessons to improve your skills and reach the intermediate level! To schedule a lesson, click here.
Intermediate 1
Congratulations! You’re now surfing on the wave face and have reached the intermediate level!
Our main advice is to focus on positioning to catch waves. Don’t sit too far back where the waves are too fat, and don’t stay too close to the inside to avoid nose-diving. If you can’t catch waves, it’s because you’re not in the right spot... always aim to position yourself at the wave's peak and expand your field of view to find it!
Your next step is to start using the board's edges instead of the base. Think of the centrifugal force generated by this movement and observe how advanced surfers shift their center of gravity off the stringer. Practice this movement on the sand and try applying it to perform a bottom turn at the wave's base, aiming to reach the top part of the wave again.
It’s also essential to learn surf etiquette, avoid cutting off other surfers, and speak up if someone enters your wave!
Additionally, you need to build more muscle endurance, as the next levels will require more paddling.
It’s still recommended to take lessons to improve your skills, learn to use both board edges instead of the base, generate speed, and execute your first maneuvers. To schedule a lesson, click here.
Intermediate 2
Congratulations! You’re using the board’s edges!
Your next step is learning to perform a top turn using the board’s edge. The goal is to redirect the board from the top of the wave to the bottom (if you only do the bottom turn, you'll end up over the top or surfing straight again, using the base instead of the edges). The movement is similar to a bottom turn—if you’re on a frontside wave, the top turn looks like a backside bottom turn. On a backside wave, the top turn resembles a frontside bottom turn.
In addition to learning the top turn, you’ll also learn how to generate speed for your next surf level. Train edge switching and finish the movement with more pressure on the back foot’s heel or toe, increasing pressure on the tail edge and fins, generating speed. Remember, the best place to generate speed is in the upper half of the wave (called the high line). Speed and a well-executed bottom turn are the foundation for a successful maneuver.
It’s still recommended to take lessons to improve your skills, learn to use both edges, generate speed, and perform your first maneuvers. To schedule a lesson, click here.
You may also consider attending our Power Surf events to further improve your technique and tactics. Learn more about Power Surf here!
Also, check out our National and International Surf Trips!
Intermediate 3
Congratulations! You’re nearing the end of the intermediate level and may already be attempting some maneuvers!
You’re using the board’s edges and can perform bottom and top turns. Your next step is to make your movements more vertical. Always look in the direction you want to go and aim to tighten your turns. Remember to generate speed and strive for fluidity. The more speed and the better the bottom turn execution, the better the maneuver.
It’s essential to improve your wave reading to apply functional maneuvers at the right moments. Examples include returning to the foam when far from it (cutback), using the hit to generate speed and pass critical sections, scaling the foam (floater) to pass breaking sections, etc.
It’s ideal to attend our Power Surf events to further improve your technique and tactics. Learn more about Power Surf here!
It’s also beneficial to take lessons, especially when surf conditions are more challenging (e.g., fast or rip-current waves). To schedule a lesson, click here.
Also, check out our National and International Surf Trips!
Advanced 1
Congratulations! You’re an advanced surfer! Your next step is to master the maneuvers you’re already performing (functional maneuvers) while seeking greater wave fluency. Try to generate more speed and make your maneuvers more vertical. Now is the time to develop more radical and progressive maneuvers like tubes, tail-drifting hits, and aerials. Use functional maneuvers to execute the radical and progressive ones!
It’s also necessary to practice on different types of waves: fat waves, hollow waves, small waves, big waves, fast waves...
It’s ideal to attend our Power Surf events to further improve your technique. Learn more about Power Surf here!
Also, check out our National and International Surf Trips!
Advanced 2
Congratulations! You’ve mastered a wide range of functional, progressive, and radical maneuvers. You demonstrate fluency, speed, and maneuvers executed with precision, creating a spectacular integration of human and nature.
If this is what you’re aiming for, the next step is high performance. You’ll need to focus on technical, physical, and mental training.
It’s ideal to attend our Power Surf events to further improve your technique and tactics. Learn more about Power Surf here!
Also, check out our National and International Surf Trips!
Advanced 3
(High performance)
Congratulations! You’re at the highest level of surfing, and no one knows your improvement areas better than your coach or yourself!
Now is the time for video analysis sessions with our Surf Coaching events. Learn more about Power Surf here!
Also, check out our National and International Surf Trips!