Do you feel like you’re going round in circles after your first take-offs and wonder if you’re really at intermediate level? This guide breaks down your skills to validate your status and guides you to the perfect spots so you can enjoy your sessions. Get ready to finally understand how to read the ocean and unlock your progress with the right waves.
- So, are you really an intermediate surfer?
- The famous intermediate plateau (and how to pulverise it)
- Where to put your board bag to really improve
So, are you really an intermediate surfer?
Surfing in Sri Lanka
📅 Ideal times to improve Where to surf in January · Where to surf in May ·
Where to surf in September · See all guides month by month
📚 our other guides
Travelling with your board · Why choose a surf camp?
The skills that do not deceive
The transition to the next level is not an exact science, but the evidence does not lie. We no longer talk simply about standing still in the moss waiting for it grows.
You know now how to cross the bar without te doing stirring at each duck. You know how to row effectively to join the line-up all by yourself, without the coach holding the board for you.
Your take-off on the green waves green becomes second nature. The glide is controlled, even if you don’t yet place your radical rollers. This is what separates you definitively from a beginner.
- You take the green waves in an self-sufficient manner.
- Your take-off is smooth and you don’t fall anymore.
- You start to follow the direction of the wave (right or left).
- You know how to position yourself at the peak, even if it’s not always perfect.
The trigger: you start reading the ocean
That’s when everything changes in your head. You’re no longer content to paddle at everything that moves. You spot the currents, you anticipate the series and you start reading the ocean. “Personally, I find this one of the most difficult parts to grasp.” You can’t learn this from books, but through practice.
This understanding of the marine environment changes your session. You no longer endure the elements, you play with them to catch the best bombs and prolong the pleasure.
The famous intermediate plateau (and how to pulverise it)
Now that you know your level, let’s talk about that frustrating moment when progress comes to a sudden halt. Do you feel like you’re stagnating?
The errors classic that nail you to the spot on the spot
Are you going through sessions without seeing any progress? That frustration is brutal. It’s the infamous intermediate surfer’s plateau that lurks for all of us.
The classic mistake? Wanting a board that is too small, too quickly. Volume remains your best friend for catching waves. Without it, you’ll be rowing in the void.
We focus on complex manoeuvres while neglecting the basics. A clean bottom turn is better than a botched roller. The choice of board is therefore crucial for moving forward.
- Choose a board with too little volume.
- Focus on aerial manoeuvres before mastering basic turns.
- Not observing other surfers enough in the water.
- Staying in the same spot for comfort and not adapting to other conditions.
The real keys to moving to the next level higher
Focus on quality, not quantity. It is better to surf three waves well than to make ten mediocre attempts. Concentrate on your speed and trajectory.
Ne reste pas collé au même spot. Varier les conditions t’oblige à t’adapter. Cherche spécifiquement des vagues “déversantes”, idéales pour s’entraîner aux manœuvres.
Have yourself filmed. It is the best way to identify your posture errors, correct your gaze or calm your arms.
Where to put your board bag to really improve
The tour of the world of perfect waves for you
Choosing the right spot is what separates a difficult session from rapid progress. You need consistency, not concrete walls, and a relaxed vibe at the peak. Some destinations are real laboratories for perfecting your style.
In winter, head south. Morocco offers endless point breaks that forgive mistakes. A trip to Surfing in Taghazout remains the ultimate pilgrimage. It is one of the ideal affordable destinations for riding the waves all day long.
No need to travel halfway around the world. In spring, our beach breaks are perfect for practising your manoeuvres. Knowing when to go surfing in France guarantees you world-class conditions right on your doorstep.
| Destination | Best Time to Visit | Type of Waves | The “Plus” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco (Taghazout) | October to March | Long point breaks from right (Anchor Point, Panoramas) | Surfing atmosphere & culture exotic |
| Costa Rica (Pacific Coast) | December to April | Beach breaks and reef breaks varied | Lush nature and “Pura Vida” |
| Sri Lanka (South Coast) | November to April | Reef breaks accessible and varied (Midigama) | Water warm all year round, budget controlled |
| Portugal (Ericeira) | All year round (milder in summer) | Beach breaks and reefs for all levels and tastes a11> tastes | World Surfing Reserve, close to France |
In short, it doesn’t matter which flight ticket you choose to buy. The only secret is to accumulate the hours in the water to refine your reading.
Now that you have all the cards in your hand, all you have to do is take action. Whether you head to Morocco or stay in the UK, the most important thing is to spend time in the water. Don’t forget that progress comes with enjoyment. So grab your board and go hunt for your next perfect session!
FAQ
It’s quite simple: if the foam has become a distant memory and you now paddle out to the line-up (offshore) in an autonomous manner, you are almost there. The real marker is your ability to successfully take off on green waves (not breaking) and follow the direction of the wave to the right. (unbroken) and to follow the direction of the wave, to the right or to the left, in a controlled manner .
You are also beginning to “read” the ocean. You no longer rush head down towards everything that moves, but you observe the a14> series and you anticipate the placement at the peak. In short, you are more selective and your sliding becomes more fluid.
The classic mistake is to want to switch to a “flat” shortboard too quickly. To improve, the volume remains your best friend. An board that evolves with you, a hybrid or an egg (between 6’6 and 7’6 depending on your size) will allow you to keep a a28> good paddle and to catch as many waves as possible.
If your board is too small, you will lose speed and miss lots of waves, which will slow down your progress considerably. Keep the length and the width to work on your manoeuvres of the basics such as the bottom turn before of seeking radicality.
It is a frustrating but normal stage. Often, stagnation comes from a poor reading of vague or a poor placement, not necessarily of your pure technique. You stay perhaps too much in your comfort zone on a25> the same spot.
To break the deadlock, try to vary the types of waves (beach break, point break) and above all, get yourself filmed if possible. Seeing yourself surf is often a beneficial shock that allows you to correct your mistakes. allows you to correct instantly any faults in posture that you did not feel in the water.
You need long waves and not too hollow to have the time to perform your manoeuvres. Morocco, and more specifically the Taghazout area, is a winter paradise with its long straight waves that roll on endlessly.
If you are looking for warm water and a tropical atmosphere, Costa Rica or Sri Lanka are perfect. These destinations offer an incredible consistency of waves, which allows you to accumulate hours of practice in a short amount of time, the absolute key to reaching a milestone.
