How we rate
The Surf Level (1-7) is the heart of this site. Here's exactly what it means and how we use it.
The Surf Level (1-7)
Each level is defined by observable skills — wave size you routinely surf, boards you're comfortable on, maneuvers you can land, break types you're confident in. And each level is anchored against a real, named wave so the rating is portable across the surfing world.
First Timer
New to surfing or only tried once. Needs full instruction.
Anchor: Soft top in whitewater under a watchful coach. Day one of your trip.
Whitewater Beginner
Can pop up and ride broken waves toward shore on a soft-top.
Anchor: Waikiki on a small day. Banana Beach inside.
Green-Wave Beginner
Starting to catch unbroken waves and ride sideways down the face.
Anchor: Cowell's, Santa Cruz on a 2 ft day. Foz do Lizandro waist-high.
Intermediate
Catches green waves independently and rides both directions with basic control.
Anchor: Ericeira beach breaks on a clean 3 ft day. Weligama outside.
Advanced Intermediate
Reads waves, generates speed, and links basic turns.
Anchor: Uluwatu on a clean 3-4 ft day. Nosara on a head-high day.
Advanced
Turns off the bottom with drive, links it into a turn on the face, and makes the critical section.
Anchor: Pipeline on a 4 ft day. Bingin on a 5 ft day. Anchor Point overhead.
Expert
Comfortable in powerful, consequential surf and highly independent.
Anchor: Pipeline at 8 ft+. Padang on a real swell. Teahupoo. Mavericks.
The Surf Fit Score (0–100)
The 0–100 score is the precise version of your level, and it is what decides which level you end up on. Matching itself works on the level, not the score: given your Level 1–7 and a spot or camp's level range, we say whether the match is great, a stretch, or out of reach. (This page used to say matching was score-based. It never was — the score produces the level, and the level does the matching.)
Take the 2-minute quiz to find both your level and your score.
Spot grading
Every spot is tagged with three levels:
- Minimum safe. Below this, the wave is dangerous for that surfer.
- Best progression. The level for whom this wave most directly progresses ability.
- Maximum challenge. Above this, the wave stops challenging the surfer.
Each spot also carries a 0–100 difficulty score that combines wave size, paddle, hazards, takeoff steepness, and localism.
Camp grading
Camps inherit their level range from the spots they teach at, then we adjust based on coaching ratios, instructor certifications, and what the camp explicitly markets toward.
How the matching works
We score the match between your level and a spot/camp's range:
- Great fit. Your score is in the spot's best-progression band.
- Push yourself. Your score is in range, but at the edge — choose lighter days.
- Not yet. Your score is below the minimum safe band. Pick somewhere else first.
- Below your level. The spot won't challenge you.