Online Surf Coaching: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start

Online surf coaching has exploded in popularity over the last few years — and for good reason. It removes the biggest barrier to getting quality coaching: geography. You no longer need to live near a world-class coach to access world-class feedback. You can be surfing in Ireland, Japan, or landlocked Colorado and still get expert eyes on your technique.

But not all online surf coaching is the same. Here's everything you need to know before you invest.

What Is Online Surf Coaching?

Online surf coaching typically involves submitting video footage of your surfing to a coach, who then analyses it and provides personalised feedback. This feedback might come in the form of a written breakdown, an annotated video, or a recorded coaching session — depending on the coach and the service.

The best online surf coaching is highly personalised. It's not generic tips you could find on YouTube — it's a coach watching your specific footage, identifying your specific errors, and giving you a specific plan to fix them. That personalisation is what makes it genuinely effective.

How Does Online Surf Coaching Work?

The process varies by coach, but with my service it works like this:

1. You answer 10 quick questions about your surfing level, goals, and what you're struggling with. This takes about 3 minutes.
2. You pay securely via Stripe. Your spot is locked the moment payment clears.
3. You upload your surf footage — one video clip plus up to 5 photos of your surfing.
4. I watch your footage, analyse your technique, and record a personalised 5–10 minute coaching video breaking down exactly what I see and what to do about it.
5. You receive your coaching breakdown in your inbox within 3 business days.

The whole process is designed to be simple and fast. You don't need any special equipment — phone footage filmed from the beach works perfectly.

Is Online Surf Coaching Effective?

Yes — often more effective than in-person coaching for technique work. Here's why: in-person coaching happens in real time, which means the coach is watching you surf and giving feedback while you're still in the water. That's useful for safety and basic instruction, but it's not ideal for detailed technique analysis.

Online coaching allows a coach to pause, rewind, slow down, and annotate your footage. They can compare your technique frame by frame. They can spot things that are impossible to see in real time. And because the session is recorded, you can watch your coaching breakdown as many times as you need to.

I've had surfers tell me they've watched their coaching video 20 times — rewatching specific sections before each surf session. That's not possible with in-person coaching.

What Level of Surfer Is Online Coaching For?

All levels. I've coached complete beginners who couldn't get to their feet consistently, intermediate surfers trying to unlock their backhand, and advanced surfers preparing for competition. The feedback is different at each level, but the process is the same.

That said, online coaching is probably most valuable for intermediate surfers — people who can ride waves but feel stuck and aren't sure what to work on. This is the plateau stage, and it's exactly where specific, personalised feedback makes the biggest difference.

What Makes a Good Online Surf Coach?

Look for these things when choosing an online surf coach:

• Real coaching experience — not just surfing ability. Being a good surfer doesn't make someone a good coach. Look for someone who has coached a range of surfers at different levels.
• Specific, personalised feedback — not generic tips. If the coaching breakdown could apply to any surfer, it's not worth paying for.
• Clear communication — technical feedback needs to be explained in plain language. If you can't understand what you're being told to do, you can't implement it.
• A clear process — you should know exactly what you're getting, when you'll get it, and what happens if you're not satisfied.

How Much Does Online Surf Coaching Cost?

Prices vary widely. Generic video courses can cost anywhere from $50 to $500. Personalised one-on-one coaching typically ranges from $150 to $400 per session, depending on the coach's experience and what's included.

My online surf coaching starts at $197 AUD for a full personalised video analysis and coaching breakdown. I also offer a Premium option at $297 AUD which includes everything in Standard plus a 30-minute 1-on-1 video call. Both come with my guarantee: catch more waves in your next session, or I'll coach you again for free.