Learning to surf at URBNSURF
“Three, two, one — go!” Ben shouts as he gives me a firm shove, sending both me and my bright green softboard onto an oncoming wave.
My heart races as I shoot through the cold water. I’m told the temperature is about the same as the ocean, though I wouldn’t know. The nearest beach is a good 30-minute drive from here.
I’m learning to surf at URBNSURF Melbourne, Australia’s first surf park, located just a stone’s throw from Melbourne Airport.
To get from lying flat to standing, I need to follow a series of movements that Ben — my surf coach — demonstrated on land earlier.
So, with that in mind, I press my hands beneath my shoulders, lift my chest slightly and slide my right knee forward into an awkward, frog-like pose.
Turns out, learning to surf is a lot like trying to rewire muscle memory that doesn’t exist yet — every action feels clumsy and unfamiliar.
And, as is the case when learning a new skill, things don’t quite go as planned when I attempt to “pop-up” into a low squat.
All of a sudden my board slips out from under me and I plunge face-first into the water. When I resurface, I notice my leg rope has come undone and my surfboard is drifting helplessly at the far end of the wave pool.
Undeterred by my first attempt, I grab my board and paddle back out to rejoin the other beginners in today’s class.
Camera IconPenny and the other beginners in the class learn to surf on smaller waves, with more advanced surfers in the distance surfing larger waves Credit: Angie C Photography
There are four of us in today’s session, which starts with 30-minute introductory lesson on land, followed by an hour-long session in the water.
The pool itself is divided into two main sections, with seasoned surfers riding big barreling waves out the back, while us rookies try our best to stay upright on friendlier two-footers in the “bay area” near the front.
At the heart of it all, a wave generator hums along like a well-oiled machine, spitting out a set of 10 pristine waves every three minutes, which is great because it gives us endless opportunities to practice and improve during our time in the water.
And although my first and second attempts at catching a wave were complete flops, I manage to refine my approach by my third go and actually stand up.
You’re given the time and space to make every mistake in the book, without feeling like the ocean is conspiring against you
I have to admit, it’s exhilarating and addictive feeling the board move through the water, even if it is only for a split-second.
But that’s the beautiful thing about learning to surf here, you’re given the time and space to make every mistake in the book, without feeling like the ocean is conspiring against you.
What’s more, if you do fall off your board, you can simply paddle back out, get some helpful hints from your qualified surf coach and try again.
Camera IconPenny learns to surf at URBNSURF Melbourne Credit: Angie C Photography
Towards the end of our session, I find myself glancing over at the more experienced surfers on the bigger wave out the back, who are doing all kinds of impressive tricks in the water. While I know I’m not quite there yet, I am proud of myself for learning a new skill today and managing to stand up a total of three times — even if I did look like a wobbling baby giraffe while doing so.
For first-timers like me, there’s no better place to learn how to surf than somewhere like this. You get consistent waves without the fear of rips dragging you under or rogue waves blindsiding you when you’re least prepared. And best of all, there are no sharks lurking in the water beneath you.
Instead, every wave is engineered for predictability, which means you spend less time floundering and more time actually mastering the basics.
fact file
+ URBNSURF Melbourne was the first artificial surf park of its kind to open in Australia in January 2020. Since then, URBNSURF Sydney has launched at Sydney Olympic Park, and a third site is slated for Perth, expected to open in 2026.
+ Learn to Surf classes last 1 hour and 30 minutes. Classes accommodate up to eight people per coach, with a maximum of 16 participants if two coaches are present. The lessons are designed for beginners, providing a controlled environment for first-time surfers.
+ Board and wetsuit hire is available through the Surf Academy.
+ There are also spacious changerooms at URBNSURF Melbourne, equipped with hot showers for a post-surf refresh.
+ What’s more, after you’ve worked up an appetite, guests can head on over to Three Blue Ducks, which is located within the URBNSURF Melbourne complex. Overlooking the surf lagoon, it serves a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with both dine-in and grab-and-go options.
+ URBNSURF Melbourne is open daily from 6am to 10pm in summer, while winter hours are from 7am to 6pm. The park is closed on Easter Friday, ANZAC Day morning, Christmas Day and for occasional winter maintenance.
+ The surf park offers a variety of wave settings catering to all skill levels, from beginner-friendly rolling waves to more advanced breaks. Private surf lessons and group bookings are also available. Plus spectators can enjoy the action from designated viewing areas.
+ Ml
Multipacks (3x group surf lessons, 10x sessions, 20x sessions or 50x sessions)Memberships (Aqua and Gold Memberships)
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