Can You Still Surf Alone in Australia? 5 Tips For Scoring Uncrowded Waves

How often have you arrived at your favourite surf spot only to realise that everyone else had the same idea? Explorer Ben has some tips to help you avoid the crowds and keep your stoke alive. 

As a surfer, there’s no better feeling than rolling up to your local break to see the waves pumping with no crowd. As you start suiting up and waxing your board you can’t help but feel equal parts excitement, anticipation, and euphoria all rolled into one.

It’s such a hard feeling to describe, so much so that one major surf brand has spent decades running a marketing campaign with the slogan ‘only a surfer knows the feeling’.

The view doesn’t get much better than this

You see, us ‘surfers’ are selfish people. Despite society historically stereotyping us as fun-loving hippy types, which may have been true in the 60s and 70s, we don’t fit that mould now. The modern day surfer is now battle-hardened due to surfing with increased crowds that have our local breaks resembling mosh pits at music festivals.

And we’re certainly not known for our ability to share

As a surfer of over 30 years, I confess that I’m an addict. I’m addicted to surfing uncrowded waves, and I’ve partaken in some insane behaviour in my pursuit of uncrowded surf. I’ve braved the freezing cold waters of a Victorian winter, I’ve stayed out in the ocean after sunset surfing under the light projected from the headlights of my car, and I’ve even resorted to expensive overseas surf missions.

MANY surfers flouting the rules for the chance to catch a wave (not recommended!)

Due to my vigorous, expensive, and at times reckless research, I’ve concluded that there are still uncrowded waves to be surfed here in our own backyard. You’ll just need to make some sacrifices and compromises to enjoy them.

5 Tips For Scoring Uncrowded Waves

1. Channel Your Inner Early Bird

The early morning surf is a right of passage that’s been a part of surf culture since we first started riding waves. If you’re truly in pursuit of uncrowded surf, then setting the alarm and arriving at your local break before dawn is a great way to paddle into a few waves before everyone else.

Is there any better view than an uncrowded beach in the morning?

Of course, this does require some dedication. Depending on where you live, the winter months can be particularly challenging as the cold temperatures aren’t just restricted to the land.

At times the early morning surf requires more than just dedication. It requires sacrifice and self-restraint. We’ve all been out on a Friday night, trying to leave a work function or social event only to be met with the call ‘Just have one more’ or ‘You can’t leave in the middle of a shout’. As an early morning surfer in pursuit of uncrowded perfection, this is your time to hang the cue in the rack and head on home.

So yes, greeting the early morning surf can be tough, however, when executed properly, it can see you reaping the rewards of a session of solo perfection whilst the rest of the usual crowd sleeps off an unwanted hangover.

The early bird gets the waves

2. Paddle Away From the Best Waves and the Crowd

For all surfers this is not just counterintuitive, it could almost be considered as downright ludicrous. There is, however, some method to my perceived madness. You see, as mentioned above, we surfers are self-centred creatures and not only do we lust after uncrowded waves, but we also desire the best ones.

Now I’m no Einstein, however I’ve worked out that if you choose to surf the best peak on the beach, then you are commiting to surf with more than a handful of other surfers who are equally as obsessed with paddling into their own piece of liquid gold.

Pretty standard line of us eager to get out there

If you can disregard your urge to paddle out with the crowd and paddle further down the beach instead, you may be able to find a spot that might not be perfect, but still offers up surfable waves.

While you might not score the wave of the day, you’ll leave your session feeling satisfied and hungry for more. A quick disclaimer about this approach: please remember that if you do happen to score a good wave, it’s likely that the crowd that has been watching you from down the beach will eventually start migrating to your location.

Make the most of it before the whole crew drops in

3. Refine Your Forecasting Skills

In this day and age we’re lucky enough to have a bunch of surf forecasting tools and sites at our disposal. Using these to forecast what the surf will be like a few days in advance can allow you to pack up the surf wagon and set up camp in a remote part of the coastline.

Read more: How To Read The Weather Like a Pro

Sometimes the mission to find new waves is just as fun as the waves themselves

Whilst this does take some prior planning and organising, this can be a great option if you have a few friends that share your thirst for uncrowded surf. A well-timed overnight surf trip can be one of those experiences that you can brag about for years.

That little bit of effort can see you rewarded with a slice of perfection

4. Pick a Time When Everyone is Preoccupied

Now I’m not suggesting skipping work, school, or family commitments – that would be irresponsible and reckless (not that I’m one to judge!). What I’m talking about is hitting the waves when most other surfers are preoccupied with things like major sporting events or late afternoon social gatherings.

You’re far less likely to be presented with this situation when the Grand Final is in progress

Some of my least crowded surfs have been late on a Saturday afternoon or that first Tuesday afternoon in November when there’s a race or game that stops the nation.

These sessions aren’t always perfect; however, they’re usually uncrowded and can be a great way to surf the spots that are normally packed.

Or try surfing after the sun goes down: Surfing By The Light Of The Full Moon Is Sublime

Oooft empty and rollin’ perfectly

Now that I’m looking at surfing through a different lens, it’s become a lot easier for me to be happy and content with a less than perfect surf, rather than no surf at all.

After all, for most of us, a bad surf is still better than a good day at work!

Crowds or no crowds, it’s still a good time on the board

Want more opportunities to hit the beach?

Bondi Beach Surfing Guide

Quobba Coast: A Guide to WA’s Best Surfing Destination for Non-Surfers

Chasing Waves: What I Learnt From 31 Days of Surfing (Regardless of the Conditions)

Surfing Slang 101