The Beach Culture in Australia is not a legend, it is an integral part of the daily Australian lifestyle!!

Australia is surrounded by a coastline of 37.000 kms with the most spectacular waves and beaches in the world. Around 75% of Australians live within an hour away from any coastline and they consider the beach as their internal courtyard and surfing as their national sport. Wherever you are, you will find this quality of life where, at any time of the day, younger ones as many as less younger ones go to the beach, either to swim, or to surf, or to run or to meet with friends and have a drink in the countless pubs and cafes around. Yet be aware that surf beaches terminate in the North of Perth on the Indian Ocean side and in the South of Queensland, North of Noosa, on the Pacific Ocean side.

Whatever dates you have selected for your trip, you will be able to enjoy the Australian coastline, either to surf, or swim or admire the beauty of the numerous Australian beaches. The climate rarely reaches extreme cold temperatures, except in July and August and in Victoria and Tasmania. Although Australians surf all year round!!

What is really curious is that surfing originally comes from Hawai and was only introduced in Australia in 1915. It immediately gained favour among the public in 1954 when the Queen Elisabeth II assisted to a competition on the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney. It has been since the most popular sport in Australia, resulting in a great number of world champions such as Nat Young, Tom Carroll, Michael Peterson, Mark Occhilupo, Pam Burridge, Layne Beachley, and many more!!

The best spots are in the Southern part of Australia, as much on the Pacific Ocean side than on the Indian Ocean side.

Did you know that the world surf capital city is Torquay, a small town located at 100 kms West of Melbourne where you can find the famous Bells Beach and its impressive swells all year round? Torquay is the headquarter of the biggest surf brands, Quicksilver and Rip Curl, the centre of the major international competitions such as the Ripcurl PRO Australia and has its own museum specialised in the history of surfing, “Surf World Museum” . Yet be aware that this coast is rather frequented by the “hardcores” because of the roughness of the swells.

The symbolic, not to say the cult beach in Australia is Bondi Beach in Sydney. It has re-invented the Beach Culture and created the concept of the volunteers « Life Savers», easily recognized by their typical red and yellow swimming hat. Bondi Beach can easily be reached by train (15 minutes from the city centre); you only have to follow the guys with a board out of « Bondi Junction » terminus to know which bus to catch to the beach!

Sydney reaches close to 5 millions inhabitants, is the main business centre in Australia, enjoys a New-York-style skyline but never fell into the trap of most mega cities and perpetuates its relaxed lifestyle that will never die as long as the surf beaches will remain. It is not rare to sight people in suits and tongs or in boarder shorts and barefooted! Go to Circular Quay at rush hours to check the arrival of the Manly ferry and you will understand!! Other daily symbols to be seen everywhere: the suntanned blond-curled youth in surf wear fashion and Holden “utes” (small vans used by surfers to carry their boards).

To sum it all up, the city of the surf beaches and "Sun, sand and surf” is Sydney: it counts over 30 surf beaches easily reached by public transport. It will take you weeks to test them all because they all are so beautiful! Don’t miss the Northern Beaches that include Manly, Dee Why, Narrabeen and Avalon, they are a real winner!!

The East Coast is probably the most well known surf coast in Australia. It includes Byron Bay in New South Wales (another cult surf destination that offers perfect waves, endless sand beaches, a warm sea all year round and a bohemian ambiance) and the Gold Coast in Queensland (that attracts international surfers, especially Kirra Beach famous for its breaks creating great barrels).

Other important surf spots in Australia are Margaret River and the Perth coast in Western Australia, the famous Cactus Beach in South Australia, Eaglehawk Neck in Tasmania that offers the wildest coastline and spooky swells.

If you apply for one of our surf programmes, you will receive the following advantages:

- A welcome kit with all the tips to get settled in the city you have selected: how to get a mobile phone, how to apply for the Tax File Number, how to open a bank account…

- A mini glossary with the surfing terms used in Australia;

- A mini guide GET STARTED: how to find a JOB?

- A weblog: « My blog in Australia », for you to tell your Australian experience and allow your family and friends to share it with you.

To allow you to experience this beach culture lifestyle, we have organised a wide selection of programmes for surfers and for non surfers:

- Our starterpacks « SURF AUSTRALIA » for those coming on a working holiday visa, who want to improve their English language skills and experience the Australian beach culture for one year;

- A wide ranges of courses (English courses, vocational training, university courses...) for those who wish to further their studies in an international environment and consolidate their career while enjoying the beach culture. More info…

- Professional training specialised in surfing for those who want to make a career in the surf industry.
1st choice: Bachelor of Science (Surf Science and Technology), 3 years, Western Australia
2nd choice: Bachelor of Business (Sport Management and Marketing), 3 years, Gold Coast
3rdchoice: Master of Sport management, 1,5 year, Sydney
4th choice: Master of Sport Management, 1 year, Gold Coast

- A fun introduction to surfing the Australian way: our programmes SURF ADVENTURE, that you can book beside your course or as part as your trip around Australia. The organizers are young Australians who absolutely want you to appreciate their lifestyle and get to know how to surf and impress your “mates” (friends)!! You can choose from :

BOOK THROUGH US AND YOU WILL HAVE 5% OFF THE TOTAL PRICE!!

1st choice: A one day Surf Adventure on the Northern Beaches in Sydney that includes surf training, an introduction to the surf history in Australia as well as a guided tour of the Northern Beaches.
(includes transport, lunch, equipment, surf lessons by super friendly accredited Australian instructors). AU$79 NB: not operational from June to September each year.
2nd choice: A weekend Surf Adventure at Big Hill, a deserted surf beach, at 5 hours drive North of Sydney!
(includes transport, accommodation in a comfortable Beach House, meals, equipment, surf lessons by super friendly accredited Australian instructors and non-stop entertainment!). A unique Australian experience! AU$245
NB: not operational from June to September each year.
3rd choice: A 2-days Surf and Stay in Byron, THE destination on the NSW coast, an experience not to be missed !! France from Boomerang Australia Studies was initiated to surfing in Byron Bay as soon as she arrived in Australia and she will never forget it!! Imagine dolphins around and surfing with you!! Unforgettable!!
(includes 2 nights accommodation in a Backpacker hostel, transfer from your accommodation, 1 lunch and 2 breakfasts, equipment, surf lessons by super friendly accredited Australian instructors and a “surfie” t-shirt if you book at least 5 days in advance!). AU$195
4th choice: A Surf Trip along the NSW coast: THE solution to divide a very long and boring trip from Sydney to Byron Bay (minimum non-stop 10-hours drive by coach!), spread along 5 full days; you will be initiated or practicing surfing while thoroughly enjoying the surf culture!! Open to beginners as well as to advanced surfers.
(includes transport, accommodation, meals, equipment, surf lessons by super friendly accredited Australian instructors, a “surfie” t-shirt and non-stop entertainment!). AU$595

BOOK THROUGH US AND YOU WILL HAVE 5% OFF THE TOTAL PRICE!!

Book or ask for more details about one or more of our surf programmes.

- Beware the seasons!! Winter starts in June and ends in September so it would be better for you to come and surf from October till May! You still can surf in winter but you will need a wetsuit.

- We advise the beginners and non experts to start their initiation to Australian surf on the East Coast and around Perth, because the spots in Victoria, South Australia and Margaret River are suited for very advanced surfers, the swells being powerful and dangerous.

- Those who want to seriously surf in Sydney, avoid Bondi Beach and Manly Beach. We recommend you the Northern Beaches in the North or Brontee, Maroubra and Cronulla in the South. They are mainly frequented by the locals who are experimented surfers.

- Sharks in Australia: most beaches are equipped with anti-shark nets so there are low risks of having an uncomfortable encounter with sharks. However still beware on un-patrolled beaches and make sure to always have company with you.

- Boards in Australia are cheaper than in most countries, so unless you are very keen to use your own board, it is more convenient to buy a new or second hand one in Australia. It will also avoid you to pay for excess luggage! You can buy goog quality new short boards from AU$500 and long boards from AU$800. You can also find very good quality second hand boards for around AU$200. In Sydney, do your shopping in the Northern Beaches, this is where the shapers shops are.

- Australian beaches and related dangers: do not under-estimate the sun factor (that is extremely dangerous due to the ozone layer above Australia: you don’t suntan, you burn, especially at lunch time!!) and the "rips" factor (very dangerous and powerful currents that drag you offshore). It is important to identify the patrolled and unpatrolled beaches, understand the flag codes and swim between the red and yellow flags. Read more...

- the website: www.coastalwatch.com.au to check daily the swell conditions in Australia.

- the website: www.coastcare.com.au if you are interested in protecting the Australian beaches and coastline from a growing and more destructive pollution.

- Robinson’s blog, a surfing fan in Sydney :