Traditionally, in surfing circles, there has been controversy over determining our surfing level and when we can consider our surfing to be developing to a new level. Also, when looking for a course or coach, we need to objectively determine where we are. Keep in mind that what I feel I’m doing on a wave, even the size of the wave itself, and what an outside observer perceives and what that wave actually measures, is very subjective.
Therefore, to ensure everyone is on the same page, sports evaluation levels have been created. These include undergraduate levels at the beginner level, six general levels for what we can consider beginner and intermediate, and finally, four specific levels that cover advanced and pro surfing. Here you can see the information published by the Spanish Surfing Federation.
Since there are more than 10 levels, here’s a summary of surfing levels from 1 to 5. I was inspired by the best article I could find, which is in English and is from the Surfsimply surf school, one of the most prestigious and, without a doubt, the most expensive in the world. I’ve added to this my experience as head of Biosurfcamp, which this year celebrates its 15th anniversary, based on how we divide the people who come and have already tried surfing or have been practicing it regularly for years.
Level 1 or beginner:
This is the first stage we’ve all gone through. It’s the beginning, the familiarization with the waves. You begin by surfing in the whitecaps, that is, the already broken waves. You stand up and begin to acquire a correct and dynamic position on the board. The majority of surfers who enjoy this sport, especially in the summer, are at this level, usually as part of courses organized by surf schools.
Level 2 or initiation:
At this second level, you begin to look for waves before they break, predict where the set is coming from, distinguish double waves from different waves in the set, and choose the waves with the most potential. Also at this stage, you begin to angle your takeoff, that is, paddling to the side rather than toward the shore to catch the wave. You also begin to build speed and not lose it in the lower part of the wave. At this level, you find people who have either repeated courses and haven’t tried it for the first time in the summer, or who have taken it seriously and have a certain ease of progressing quickly.
Level 3 Intermediate:
At this level, you’re already able to ride waves of your height with confidence and without assistance. You’re able to acquire speed, or rather, you’re able to accelerate by projecting your body up and forward into the wave. This is the prelude to maneuvering. At this level, there are more experienced riders who have been practicing this sport for a few months to a few years.
Level 3.5 Intermediate Plus:
I’ve split this one into two because if you watch the video about the board volume that’s best for you based on your level and weight, you’ll see that there’s a distinction within Level 3.
This is a level that takes time and requires a bit of encouragement, just as multi-color belts were created in karate. That would be like the green-blue belt. When you start carving with horizontal changes of direction like the CUT BACK, where you go from facing the end of the wave to looking back at the breaker to regain your position near the critical section of the wave, which is where the wave releases the most usable energy and from which you don’t want to stray too far. You also start looking for the top of the wave in breaking sections with maneuvers like the Floater or Off the Lip, playing with the lip of the wave or the foam. At this level are people who have dedicated themselves to surfing for between a few years and a decade.
Level 4 advanced
You execute maneuvers decisively in the critical part of the wave, with speed, power, and fluidity, linking several together and finishing the wave without falling. This includes the full range of maneuvers, from those already mentioned to re-entry, snap, layback, and the most authentic surfing maneuver that takes you to another dimension: the barrel. This level includes people who have been surfing for a few years to a few decades and who already have a more refined technique and established consistency.
Level 5 or Pro
In addition to all of the above, you perform high-level maneuvers such as aerials, 360-degree aerials, reverse aerials, reverse aerials, 540-degree backside airs, and other crazy maneuvers. This doesn’t mean you’re a pro and make a living from surfing, but it does mean you’re at the highest level of surfing and can get great use out of even seemingly flat, powerless waves. On my beach, Los Locos, in Cantabria, several people, especially the younger ones like Seann Guning and Jacobo Trigo, do them in pairs and with the greatest naturalness in the world, like someone scratching their nose. I invite you to come and see the greatest surfing spectacle led by youngsters who have a very promising future.
You perform decisive maneuvers in the critical part of the wave, with speed, power, and fluidity, linking several together and finishing the wave without falling.
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