Understand where it breaks
Identify the peak, shoulder and breaking direction. Learn positioning in the line-up, priority and safe spacing.
SURFPLUS / G3
Unbroken-wave take-off and line entry
Read the wave.
Choose your line.
THE CAPABILITY TO BUILD
Choose suitable unbroken waves, turn, paddle and take off independently, then begin entering an open line.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Surfers ready to build beyond independent whitewater catches. Your starting point, paddling ability and wave judgement determine how much foundation work comes first.
01 / THE SKILLS
Build it one part at a time.
Move from decision to action
Practise seated turns and purposeful paddling to meet a suitable take-off window. Look back to keep track of the wave.
Start following the open face
Connect the take-off with gaze and direction. Learn when a wave or priority is unsuitable and abandon the attempt safely.
02 / LESSONS & LEARNING UNITS
See the work behind each stage.
Open a lesson to explore each skill and its purpose. Lesson codes describe the curriculum, not a number of days or a fixed booking package. Your starting ability and the conditions shape the plan.
G3-1Wave structureLesson content
- Wave structure
- Identify the peak, shoulder and breaking direction to understand the available take-off area.
- Surf etiquette
- Understand priority, leave safe space and respect others sharing the surf.
- Locating the peak
- Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
- Seated turns
- Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
- Positioning in the line-up
- Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
G3-2Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken wavesLesson content
- Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
- Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
- Developing your paddling
- Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
- Directing your gaze
- Use your gaze to guide your body and riding direction as you begin to enter a line.
- Initial wave-face entry
- Begin entering the open face after taking off, connecting direction with the ride.
- Aborting a take-off
- Recognise an unsuitable wave or priority situation and safely abandon the attempt.
G3-3Locating the peakLesson content
- Locating the peak
- Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
- Seated turns
- Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
- Positioning in the line-up
- Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
- Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
- Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
- Developing your paddling
- Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
- Directing your gaze
- Use your gaze to guide your body and riding direction as you begin to enter a line.
- Initial wave-face entry
- Begin entering the open face after taking off, connecting direction with the ride.
G3-practice1Locating the peakLesson content
- Locating the peak
- Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
- Seated turns
- Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
- Positioning in the line-up
- Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
- Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
- Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
- Developing your paddling
- Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
G3-practice2Locating the peakLesson content
- Locating the peak
- Identify the useful take-off area rather than simply following the crowd.
- Seated turns
- Move from observing while seated to turning the board towards a suitable take-off direction.
- Positioning in the line-up
- Judge your position in the waiting area in relation to the waves and other surfers’ lines.
- Take-offs on 0.5 m+ unbroken waves
- Practise this curriculum target in suitable conditions; the training label is separate from the minimum assessment wave condition.
- Developing your paddling
- Develop rhythm and effective effort to reach a suitable take-off window.
- Directing your gaze
- Use your gaze to guide your body and riding direction as you begin to enter a line.
- Initial wave-face entry
- Begin entering the open face after taking off, connecting direction with the ride.
- Aborting a take-off
- Recognise an unsuitable wave or priority situation and safely abandon the attempt.
The 0.5 m+ take-off label is a curriculum training target. The published assessment condition below is > 0.3 m. These describe different things; the on-site coach determines suitable conditions.
Board-specific techniques follow the board you use and your current ability. You do not need to complete every longboard and shortboard technique together.
02 / A TRAINING RHYTHM
Prepare. Practise. Review.
This sequence illustrates how the skills can connect. It is not a fixed timetable or a promise to pass within a set number of days. Session count, duration, location and teaching language must be confirmed with the Kuta team.
- 01
Review whitewater foundations, wave structure and positioning.
- 02
Connect seated turns and paddling to suitable unbroken-wave take-offs.
- 03
Review complete attempts, line entry and decisions to abort.
04 / ASSESSMENT REFERENCE
G3 assessment: what each band means.
Published SURFPLUS criteria, presented as a learning reference. A coach assesses independent performance in valid conditions using video evidence. This page does not assess you or create a learner record. Confirm local assessment arrangements before booking.
Assessment wave condition
Wave height > 0.3 m
Transition 1: Consistent unbroken-wave take-offTransition 2: Initial wave-face entry
Minimum pass | Consistent unbroken-wave take-off
- Choose an unbroken wave suited to your ability
- Move from sitting to lying prone on the board
- Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling
- Complete a stable unbroken-wave take-off and ride for more than 5 seconds
- No evident safety risk throughout the attempt
Active change of direction
- Independently take off on an unbroken wave and actively change direction, showing awareness of line entry
- Choose a wave and complete a seated turn
- Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling
- Ride for more than 7 seconds with no evident safety risk throughout
Initial wave-face entry
- Independently choose suitable unbroken waves and a take-off position
- Connect a seated turn, effective paddling and a stable unbroken-wave take-off
- Actively enter the open line after take-off, beginning to ride the face
- Turn your head to watch the wave while paddling for it
- Ride for more than 7 seconds with no evident safety risk throughout
Passing an assessment, recording a level, and applying for or receiving a certificate are separate states. Wave height describes assessment conditions; the coach still decides whether the situation is safe and valid.
If a skill is not yet consistent, discuss the specific gap, targeted practice and review with the team. Confirm any further-session or equipment fees separately.
04 / BEFORE YOU BOOK
A clear plan starts
with a conversation.
Equipment and preparation
Ask the team to confirm a suitable board and leash, clothing for the conditions and sun protection. Confirm what is supplied, any rental cost, sizing and what you should bring.
Tell us about your starting point
Share your previous experience, confidence in the water, preferred dates, group size and teaching language. A recent surfing clip can help the team understand your starting point if you choose to share one.
Price, dates and inclusions
Current Kuta prices are confirmed by enquiry. Ask about currency, sessions and duration, equipment, recording, accommodation, transport, insurance, cancellation terms and any follow-up training charges. No booking or payment is taken on this page.
Suitable conditions come first
The on-site team decides whether conditions and the training area are suitable for your ability. Do not use a website level label as permission to enter unfamiliar conditions.
05 / QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Know what you are
signing up for.
Is standing on an unbroken wave the whole goal?
A useful G3 progression also includes wave choice, turning, paddling, safety and the start of line entry. A single successful stand-up does not demonstrate every skill.
Can I skip a level?
Discuss equivalent experience with the team. A label from a previous course is useful context, but the next plan should follow your current observed ability.
Are certification and repeat lessons included?
Do not assume they are included. Confirm any assessment, certificate, validity period, repeat-session fee and participating location before booking. Completing a course and being certified are separate matters.
KEEP EXPLORING