Christchurch, South Island

Learn to Surf 3

Taking a surf lesson with Learn to Surf, for adults and kids alike, is exhilarating, exciting and very rewarding

Learn to Surf 2

Learn to surf with Learn to Surf and you're in the hands of New Zealand's most experienced surf instructors!

Learn to Surf 1

we can get you out on some gentle, peeling waves and practising your surf technique in a professional environment.

Learn to Surf 5

We are based in the Christchurch seaside suburb of Sumner at Scarborough Beach.

Learn to Surf 4

Look out for our mobile surf office - the funky painted surf van on the corner of Stoke Street and Esplanade, Sumner is quite visible!

Ages 8+

Learn to Surf

Taking a surf lesson, for adults and kids alike, is exhilarating, exciting and very rewarding - not to mention the enormous water-confidence and competence boost it will give you!  Learn to surf with Learn to Surf and you're in the hands of New Zealand's most experienced surf instructors!  From complete beginner (minimum age 8 years) to advanced, for birthday parties or school groups, families or just the kids, we can get you out on some gentle, peeling waves and practising your surf technique in a professional environment where you will quickly discover just how much fun this activity is!

Learn to Surf Location
We are based in the Christchurch seaside suburb of Sumner at Scarborough Beach.  Look out for our mobile surf office - the funky painted surf van on the corner of Stoke Street and Esplanade, Sumner is quite visible!

Learn to Surf Lessons

We offer lessons for all levels and fitness, from age 8 years to adult.  Kids aged 8-14 years can join our SURF KIDS programme to master the basics of surfing with a group of children of similar age and ability. Classes run Sundays at 10am and school holidays.  
Cost: $35 one lesson, $165 for five lessons or $320 for ten lessons.
Read more on SURF KIDS here >> 

For ages 13-18 years we run our Secondary School after school lesson series.
Read more on surfing for teenagers here >> 

Private lessons are also available for any age and our one-on-one sessions are $140 for two hours.
Read more on private surf, body board or long board coaching here >> 

Family groups are welcome – adults and kids can surf together in our Learn to Surf groups, weekends and holidays at 1pm. 

Schools

We have a variety of school programmes. Surf Safe and Adrenalin Max for Years 5 -9. Learn to Surf and Series of Lessons for Yrs 9-13 plus specialist programmes for PE and Outdoor Ed classes.
Read more on our School Programmes here >> 

Birthday Parties

Why not go Surfing for your next birthday!  We'll give the kids a two hour surfing lesson and after your surf you can get fish and chips or head to one of Sumner's great restaurants for well-earned food and cake.  All equipment provided and our skilled, experienced instructors will ensure the birthday kids have a safe and super fun time at the beach!   We can do grown-up parties too.

Cost: $35 per person (minimum 6 students).    Enquiries: 0800 80 SURF

Kids Parties >>

Hire

You don't have to take a lesson – visit us for board hire.  We have over 50 boards from beginner to high performance.  Wetsuits also available.  Note: board and wetsuit hire is included in the price of all our lessons.
 Read more on hire here >>  

FAQ Read more here >>

North Island

South Island

Map of New Zealand
  • Central Otago
  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Coromandel
  • Gisborne
  • Fiordland
  • Hawkes Bay
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Manawatu
  • Nelson & Golden Bay
  • Northland
  • North Canterbury
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • South Canterbury
  • Taranaki
  • Southland
  • Taupo
  • Wanaka
  • Waikato
  • Wellington
  • West Coast
  • Whangarei
  • Bay of Islands
  • Tauranga
  • Gisborne
  • Hamilton
  • Napier
  • Kapiti
  • Palmerston North
  • Whanganui
  • New Plymouth
  • Arrowtown
  • Te Anau
  • Akaroa
  • Ashburton
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Methven
  • Mt Cook
  • Oamaru
  • Tekapo
  • Timaru
  • Abel Tasman
  • Motueka
  • Nelson Lakes
  • Blenheim
  • Picton
  • Catlins
  • Gore
  • Stewart Island
  • Central Plateau
  • Invercargill
  • Cromwell
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Westport
  • Glenorchy

Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.