Sports Lessons
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$67
per adult
Torquay Surfing Academy
Torquay Surfing Academy
5
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About
Torquay Surfing Academy. We offer surfing lessons for all ages and abilities! Lessons held around Torquay and the Surf Coast daily. Surfboard hire also available, as well as body boards, wetsuits, kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards and bikes. Contact us today!
Tours and Tickets by Torquay Surfing Academy
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Surfing Lessons
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
AU$185
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
311 reviews
Excellent
274
Very good
24
Average
6
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Megan M
1 contribution
Sept 2021 • Friends
My 7 year old son did a little groms surf lesson and loved it. He was nervous before the lesson but was given so much confidence and had such a great time he is going to do another one later in the week. The instructor was welcoming, great with kids and I would highly recommend Torquay Surf Academy.
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate C
1 contribution
Jan 2021 • Family
Our family of 5 (2 adults and kids aged 10, 8 and 7) thoroughly enjoyed our private lesson. It was the first time surfing for all of us and we found the staff to be super friendly and helpful. The kids enjoyed it so much they returned for multiple ‘Grom Squad’ lessons throughout the week! Highly recommend.
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cigelle w
3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
An amazing time filled with so much information and guidance! Thanks Kev!!
Had the most awesome morning even without the sunshine. Could not have asked for a more easy going, kind and helpful teacher who gave me so much confidence . I am looking forward to coming back later in the week and weeks ahead!
Had the most awesome morning even without the sunshine. Could not have asked for a more easy going, kind and helpful teacher who gave me so much confidence . I am looking forward to coming back later in the week and weeks ahead!
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen B
Ballarat, Australia5 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Today I had a small group lesson booked for my boyfriend and I. When we arrived there we checked in and everything seemed as it should. People started turning up and signing in for the lesson and we thought it was strange how many people were turning up, but thought that they must have multiple lessons on at once. It turns out that 15 people were booked for the lesson that was supposed to only have a maximum of 8 people (and you pay more for a smaller group lesson). In addition to this the lesson was late by about 40 minutes and the compensation for this was a free 2 hour board and wetsuit hire. We were fortunate that the lesson was on Torquay beach so we didn't have to walk far to our lesson.
Our instructor was Kevin and I thought he was great and knew his stuff, but there was no way people could learn anything off him as the group was too big. I had surfed before so it wasn't such an issue for me, but it was my boyfriend's first time and he wanted help. He didn't receive much help at all which was disappointing.
This was a present for my boyfriend's birthday and overall it was disappointing. It has put him off surfing as he has had a poor first experience. The instructor was good but the management and organisation let him down.
Our instructor was Kevin and I thought he was great and knew his stuff, but there was no way people could learn anything off him as the group was too big. I had surfed before so it wasn't such an issue for me, but it was my boyfriend's first time and he wanted help. He didn't receive much help at all which was disappointing.
This was a present for my boyfriend's birthday and overall it was disappointing. It has put him off surfing as he has had a poor first experience. The instructor was good but the management and organisation let him down.
Written 2 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren R
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
Jan 2014
I was not happy at all with my experience at Tsa
-Overpriced
-Overbooked class despite booking 3 or 4 days in advance
-Bad customer service
-Ran 1 hour late
-No method of transporting customers when they are to go to a beach 10 minute drive away
-Didn't get full 2 hour session (instructor didn't even wear a watch!)
-Instructor was RUDE!
I went down with my friend, she booked ahead (at least 3 or 4 days ahead of time) for a lesson in the morning and surf hire in the afternoon for $85. I was just going to hire a board for the day.
Upon arrival, 10 minutes before the scheduled class, TSA advised my friend that they had overbooked the class and since she was the last to arrive, she had to miss out, despite having already paid ahead of time.
My friend was given a 5 minute lesson in the shop to compensate and all day surf board hire. We went down to the Torquay beach where we picked up our surf boards and surfed for the morning. After lunch we went back to the TSA shop to meet the instructor, as we were booked to surf alongside the group lesson in order to be given some tips. We again arrived 10 minutes before our lesson only to have to wait 40 minutes for the TSA to get their stuff together and realise that there was a group lesson waiting. The TSA had decided on a beach to go surfing at that was a short drive from Torquay, my friend and I had no problem with this, until we found out that the TSA had no organised way to get there. My friend who is not a confident diver (on her P's) had to drive additional passengers to the beach.
Upon arrival at the beach, we had to wait another 20 minutes for the rest of the group to arrive because they got lost (a problem that would have been avoided had the TSA had a mini bus to transport people to the surf sites.
At 3pm (1 hour after the lesson whas scheduled to start) we were finally able to get into the water, however the waves were too small to surf. After an hour the instructor finally realised this and took us to a part of the beach where the waves were bigger.
At one point the instructor told me that I was too far back on the board and I told him that it was because I felt like if I moved forward I would nose dive. The instructor rudely responded with "well I've been surfing for 40 years and teaching for 25 years but if you want to do it that way well then you can just prove me wrong!"
After this the instructor asked the time (why didn't he have a watch to keep track of lesson times?) which was 4.30, half and hour prior to when our lesson was supposed to end. He said that we could all surf one more wave before leaving. I complained that we weren't due to leave until 5pm but he was adamant that we started at 2.30 not 3 (he could clearly tell the exact time with his lack of a watch...). In the end he rudely said, "well when you pay you don't get 2 hours in the water" and "if you want to surf longer that's okay but you have to get the boards back to the shop". Backed into a corner my friend and I gave up.
When we arrived back at the shop, we found that half of it was closed off so that we couldn't get into the shop to get our stuff which was left in one of their lockers. We found a lady who let us in (where we had to dodge around various items left in the way, whilst there were no lights on) to get changed. Having taken my ID earlier in order to ensure I paid they couldn't find my ID because the people that worked in that part of the shop had all left and the instructor was nowhere to be found. Eventually my ID was found and I was given a $20 discount because they stuffed around my friend (who never got her lesson).
So in the end my friend paid $85 and I paid $20 due to the incompetency of the Torquay surf academy, despite us both surfing together the whole day.
Torquay surf academy if you read this please organise yourselves better, and somebody give the instructor I had on the 30th of Jan 2014 for the lesson that was supposed to start at 2pm, a talking to about his customer service skills.
I would never recommend this place to anybody my experience there was awful.
-Overpriced
-Overbooked class despite booking 3 or 4 days in advance
-Bad customer service
-Ran 1 hour late
-No method of transporting customers when they are to go to a beach 10 minute drive away
-Didn't get full 2 hour session (instructor didn't even wear a watch!)
-Instructor was RUDE!
I went down with my friend, she booked ahead (at least 3 or 4 days ahead of time) for a lesson in the morning and surf hire in the afternoon for $85. I was just going to hire a board for the day.
Upon arrival, 10 minutes before the scheduled class, TSA advised my friend that they had overbooked the class and since she was the last to arrive, she had to miss out, despite having already paid ahead of time.
My friend was given a 5 minute lesson in the shop to compensate and all day surf board hire. We went down to the Torquay beach where we picked up our surf boards and surfed for the morning. After lunch we went back to the TSA shop to meet the instructor, as we were booked to surf alongside the group lesson in order to be given some tips. We again arrived 10 minutes before our lesson only to have to wait 40 minutes for the TSA to get their stuff together and realise that there was a group lesson waiting. The TSA had decided on a beach to go surfing at that was a short drive from Torquay, my friend and I had no problem with this, until we found out that the TSA had no organised way to get there. My friend who is not a confident diver (on her P's) had to drive additional passengers to the beach.
Upon arrival at the beach, we had to wait another 20 minutes for the rest of the group to arrive because they got lost (a problem that would have been avoided had the TSA had a mini bus to transport people to the surf sites.
At 3pm (1 hour after the lesson whas scheduled to start) we were finally able to get into the water, however the waves were too small to surf. After an hour the instructor finally realised this and took us to a part of the beach where the waves were bigger.
At one point the instructor told me that I was too far back on the board and I told him that it was because I felt like if I moved forward I would nose dive. The instructor rudely responded with "well I've been surfing for 40 years and teaching for 25 years but if you want to do it that way well then you can just prove me wrong!"
After this the instructor asked the time (why didn't he have a watch to keep track of lesson times?) which was 4.30, half and hour prior to when our lesson was supposed to end. He said that we could all surf one more wave before leaving. I complained that we weren't due to leave until 5pm but he was adamant that we started at 2.30 not 3 (he could clearly tell the exact time with his lack of a watch...). In the end he rudely said, "well when you pay you don't get 2 hours in the water" and "if you want to surf longer that's okay but you have to get the boards back to the shop". Backed into a corner my friend and I gave up.
When we arrived back at the shop, we found that half of it was closed off so that we couldn't get into the shop to get our stuff which was left in one of their lockers. We found a lady who let us in (where we had to dodge around various items left in the way, whilst there were no lights on) to get changed. Having taken my ID earlier in order to ensure I paid they couldn't find my ID because the people that worked in that part of the shop had all left and the instructor was nowhere to be found. Eventually my ID was found and I was given a $20 discount because they stuffed around my friend (who never got her lesson).
So in the end my friend paid $85 and I paid $20 due to the incompetency of the Torquay surf academy, despite us both surfing together the whole day.
Torquay surf academy if you read this please organise yourselves better, and somebody give the instructor I had on the 30th of Jan 2014 for the lesson that was supposed to start at 2pm, a talking to about his customer service skills.
I would never recommend this place to anybody my experience there was awful.
Written 30 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond M
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Oct 2013 • Solo
Kev is an enthusiastic and experienced surfing teacher. He demonstrated and explained all that I had to do both in and out of the water to improve. I thank him for his patience. I'd recommend Gally and Kev to anyone seeking professional surfing instruction. I'll be returning soon.
Ray Martin (Marty)
Ray Martin (Marty)
Written 7 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lugrabr
Melbourne, Australia41 contributions
Jan 2021
My daughter absolutely loved her surf class in Torquay!
Coaches are very helpful and nice.
Highly recommend!
Coaches are very helpful and nice.
Highly recommend!
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hassan
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Great instructors,solid hours in Aussie waters 💯. Made new friends along the way, equipment was well maintained too.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Hassan,
Great to see you had an enjoyable experience surfing in Australia, and made some friends along the way.
Best wishes,
Jake
Written 1 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DelSloane
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
TSA is a great little operation. My hubby and I went on a cold and rainy day and showed up without a reservation. TSA outfitted us in rash guards, booties and wetsuits that kept us warm and comfortable. The place where we surfed was a very short drive from the store. One person in our class walked from the store to the surf spot. We paid $60 for a 2 hr lesson and that price included all the gear and board rentals.
The instructor, Kev, was cracking jokes within minutes of meeting us and had a very detailed but fun way of explaining each part of the lesson. I've taken surfing lessons in California and Bali and this was by far the best lesson I have ever had and was a great value. The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and gave me a number of tips that made a huge difference in my balance and paddling. My husband had never had a lesson before and he and I both found Kev's explanations clear and easy to follow.
We got very lucky and had only 2 other people in the class so each person got lots of attention. It made a difference that everyone in the class had surfed before or figured out how to do it pretty quickly. This meant our instructor was able to focus on teaching everyone rather than just helping one or two people. They have an outdoor shower head at the shop where you can rinse off with hot water. Don't forget to bring a towel. I would definitely recommend TSA.
The instructor, Kev, was cracking jokes within minutes of meeting us and had a very detailed but fun way of explaining each part of the lesson. I've taken surfing lessons in California and Bali and this was by far the best lesson I have ever had and was a great value. The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and gave me a number of tips that made a huge difference in my balance and paddling. My husband had never had a lesson before and he and I both found Kev's explanations clear and easy to follow.
We got very lucky and had only 2 other people in the class so each person got lots of attention. It made a difference that everyone in the class had surfed before or figured out how to do it pretty quickly. This meant our instructor was able to focus on teaching everyone rather than just helping one or two people. They have an outdoor shower head at the shop where you can rinse off with hot water. Don't forget to bring a towel. I would definitely recommend TSA.
Written 14 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raquelle88
Melbourne1 contribution
May 2014
Whatever you come into this shop for, whether it be for a lesson, to rent equipment or have a coffee, Gally always goes above and beyond to make sure you leave the shop with a smile! I regularly come back to this shop for lessons and to hire boards, and have never been disappointed with the service or equipment! Definitely check this place out!!!
Written 30 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it still advisable to surf during the month of June?
Written 2 August 2019
Yep all good we have 4/3 warm suits boots and even a hood if you want. The waves are better during the coldest months of the year. So it is worth a trip down the coast.
Regards Gally
Written 3 August 2019
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