You are a BEGINNER when:

– You have never surfed before

OR

– You have surfed before and can stand up for a few seconds

– You can ride white water waves

– You can turn your board in the white water

– You are starting to ride unbroken/green waves

You are an INTERMEDIATE surfer when:

– You can successfully paddle out beyond the breaking waves

– You can catch unbroken/green waves and ride them frontside or backside along the wave face

– You can use the basic surf turns – bottom and top turn

You are an ADVANCED surfer when:

– You can do all the above

PLUS

– You can paddle out alone to a surf spot you have never ridden

– You can use a full range of manoeuvres linked together on a single wave