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Australian Surf Tours

Why choose Australian Surf Tours?

There’s something different about starting your life-long surfing adventure with Australian Surf Tours than starting it by yourself or with anyone else. Australian Surf Tours is more than just a surf camp or surf school. We represent a culture, a lifestyle, connections between people and nature, people and the ocean and people with each other.

We are energized by the ocean and the lifestyle that surfing brings and we look to pass on that knowledge and energy through surfing programs that educate and empower our ‘students’ into the life the that they dream about.

Reviews

Bouke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A must for everyone who wants to learn how to surf!

When i first arrived in Australia back in 2016, Australian Surf Tours was my first stop on my travels throughout the country. And propably the best so far.

When I first came around I didn't know anything about surfing. The coaches taught me from step one, and within 1 week I was busy practicing turning on waves. The coaches are very patient and helpfull, and without them I wouldn't be able to surf the way I am today.

Another huge plus is the accomodation. You spend your time out of the water in a surfhouse literally 5 minutes from the beach, and during the nights you can hang out with all your surfbuddies in the lounge and possibly have a feed together in the huge kitchen.

All in all, I stayed for about 2 months, and I wouldnt have missed it for the world!

Lena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Changing life is life changing

When I booked the 8 Week Development Surf Course, I never expected such a excellent Team and work behind this. Now I have the freedom to travel around everywhere, watch a beach, observe the waves and go into the water on my own. Even in a pretty crowded lineup like in Byron Bay-The Pass, I now the rules, now what I need to do to catch a wave and develop my surf skills by going on. After 8 weeks getting such a confidence and the right tools from the coaches of AST, is unpayable. I never surfed in my life before - booking this course was life changing for me!

What would you improve about this program?
continue this great work ;)
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The highlight of my time in Australia!

Earlier this year I did a 4 week surf development course with AST and it was an amazing experience and definitely a highlight of my travels in Australia so far. As I had already tried surfing a few times before but never quite gotten the hang of it, I was excited to find AST who offer such long programs which made it possible for me to really improve and progress in my surfing. I feel more confident in the water than I did before and I have gained a lot of understanding when it comes to reading waves and different surf conditions. Something that I find is unique to AST's surf development course compared to other surf camps that I have done in the past, is the incredible focus on detail to enhance individual progress. Other than surfing the program includes reading surf forecasts, video correction, breath training and a visit to a surfboard factory. The coaches and the rest of the staff are amazing at spreading good vibes and there is no secret that they love to share the surfing lifestyle with everyone who comes to the camp. The little surf town Thirroul, where the surf motel is located, is an absolute gem! Beautiful nature and beaches in the surrounding area and all necessary facilities such as supermarkets, pharmacy, train station, restaurants etc can be found just down the street. I would highly recommend AST to anyone who hope to have an epic surf adventure while they are in Australia!

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Jordan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My AST experience !

I had spent a 5 months in Australia and wanted to learn to surf properly !!. I decided to go and see a friend who was currently doing the AST Surf Camp in Thirroul and I came down to visit and the place was amazing so I decided to book the 4 week surf development course. Instantly I felt at home in the motel with everyone being so friendly. Furthermore, Thirroul is a perfect place to run a surf camp as you really feel like your living the real surfers lifestyle. My surfing improved so much as when I started I couldn’t even stand up and then 4 weeks later being able to catch my own waves and even brought my own board !! I would recommend AST to anyone who is looking to learn to surf properly and I can promise you won’t regret it !!!

Solange
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best time of my life!!

When I booked my trip to Australia, I decided to book the 4 weeks development course at Australian Surf Tours. I arrived and I immediately felt comfortable in the beautiful small town called Thirroul. The motel where you’ll stay is perfect, it has nice rooms (with comfortable beds, very important haha) and a big common room where you can chill, play pingpong or watch netflix. The motel is superclose to the beach, so you can easily go there to see the sunrise in the morning or for a walk on the beach in the evening.
About the surfing, I loved it already the first day. The coaches are full of energy and can’t wait to teach you how to surf and most importantly how to live as a surfer. After my 4 weeks I decided to extend for 4 more weeks and I do not regret at all.

Next to the surfing, you also go on adventures during the week. Visit some waterfalls, jumping of cliffs and visit Wollongong to party!

In the end I learned how to catch my own waves, start turning and most of all how to enjoy life to the fullest with the most amazing and relaxed people around you.
I can’t wait to go back!

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jose Moutinho

Job Title
Director
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What is your favorite travel memory?

This is a hard question as there are so many amazing memories created whilst traveling. The travel memory that pops up in my head at first thought would be when I was in Peru. The landscape and the people felt like I was constantly on a adventure.

The part of this trip that specifically comes to mind is when I arrived to the small surf/fishing village called Chicama. I had been traveling for days by bus in the desert guided by written directions which I had taken from my friends over the phone.

I had been traveling from Salta in the north of Argentina and had not seen the ocean or surfed for over 3 weeks and I knew there were some really really good waves in the area, so I was super excited. After missioning for days through the desert I started to wonder if I was actually heading in the right direction as my Spanish wasn't amazing. Sure enough it turned out that I had been on a bus which had detoured massively from where I actually needed to be.

I finally arrived in the small town. It was quiet with barely anyone around, so I struggled to find where my mates where staying and decided to head to the beach and see what the set up was. As I got closer and closer I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The longest wave I had ever seen in my life, it was ridiculous! I walked further and further to the point I was in awe of what I was seeing.

As I got closer and closer towards the look out to the point, I heard someone shouting out. At first I ignored it and then decided to turn around. To my surprise it was my friends up on a balcony shouting and waving. I had finally found them after all that time of trying to figure out where I was going - I had made it! I hadn't seen them in over a year so it was pretty good to catch up and be able to surf the longest waves I have ever surfed, in what felt like the middle of the desert.

Over the next couple of months we ended up going up and down the coast finding wave after wave and having the same adventures but magnified each time. The locals and travelers I met along the way on that trip, matched with the amazing waves and landscape made it one of my top travel memories.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have changed in many ways as I have learned so many new skills and pushed my comfort zones to be able achieve personal and business goals. I have met so many amazing people a long the way which have made me learn more about myself and the world we live in.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best stories are always when our students really learn to surf with us, then take those skills around the world with them meeting new people. The best part is seeing them somewhere in the world out in the surf and they are ripping!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose the 12 week surf development program. I would love to be able to spend that much time breaking down and focusing on my surf technique whilst being able to spend all day adventuring in the beauties in which the Illawarra landscape has to offer.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique as it provides people the opportunity to learn and experience the real surf lifestyle. We focus on the understanding of the ocean and surf education so that surfers are able surf by themselves when they leave.

We break down and develop surf techniques not only in the ocean but through surf training tools such as video correction, balance boards and surf skateboarding lessons. The most unique part is that we take time to explore the coast with our students, swimming in rock pools and water falls, whilst meeting the Australian wildlife.

I am proud of my team every day as every day as they constantly push to be the best, and they make every day so so so much fun. They are all passionate in what they do, passionate about surfing, traveling and getting the chance to meet new people with new stories every day.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Caring about each and everyone of your clients. Understand what they want and be able to deliver that to them with the highest quality and surpass their expectations with that WOW factor by going the extra mile.

Professional Associations

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