Ladies Favourite
A surf program built for women, by women.
Every weekend at Sumner Beach. All levels welcome.
Surf Sistas is not a surf lesson. It’s a program built specifically for women who want to learn to surf, improve their surfing, or simply get in the ocean regularly with a group of like-minded wāhine.
Every session runs at Sumner Beach with a dedicated Surf Sistas coach, a small group of six maximum per instructor, and a structure that builds real skills week on week.
No egos, no pressure, no judgement. Just good waves, good coaching and genuinely good company.
Each 90-minute session follows a simple structure. You show up, you surf, you improve.
Multi-week programs follow a progressive skill-building structure across your chosen program length. Each session builds on the last. By the end of four weeks most surfers are catching waves independently. By eight or twelve weeks the improvement is significant and the group has usually become something worth showing up for beyond just the surfing.
Saturdays: 12.00pm – 1.30pm
Sundays: 9.30am – 11.00am
Sessions run every weekend at Sumner Beach through Terms 1 and 4. Choose your preferred day at checkout. Exact start dates and availability shown at checkout. Spots fill quickly, especially for the 8 and 12 week programs.
4 Week Program – $269 The perfect starting point. Four Saturdays or Sundays at Sumner Beach, building from the foundations up. Great for beginners and for women who want to try surfing properly before committing to more.
8 Week Program – $499 The most popular option. Eight weeks is where real progression happens. You move beyond the basics, start reading waves and develop the kind of ocean confidence that sticks around.
12 Week Program – $729 For women who are serious about surfing. Twelve weeks of progressive coaching at Sumner Beach builds genuine skills, lasting habits and friendships that tend to outlast the program.
All programs include full gear, coaching, progress tracking and Surf Sistas group chat access. Price per session gets significantly better the longer you commit.
Swimwear to wear under your wetsuit, a towel, water bottle, and warm layers for after.
All surfboards and 4/3 wetsuits provided by us pr bring your board or wetsuit if you have one and we’ll check it suits the conditions on the day.
And bring good vibes. That part is mandatory.
Built for women, by women. The Surf Sistas program was designed with women in mind from the ground up. The coaching approach, the group dynamic, the pace of progression and the culture of the sessions all reflect that. Empathy, clarity and encouragement are at the centre of every session. No egos in this lineup.
All levels belong here. Whether it’s your first time in the ocean or you’ve had a few lessons and want to take it further, this program meets you exactly where you are. Beginners and progressing surfers come through every term and everyone gets coaching tailored to their level.
Community is the point. The group chat, the weekend sessions, the shared stoke of catching a good wave in front of people who actually cheer for you. Surf Sistas builds the kind of friendships that tend to turn into regular surf sessions long after the program ends.
Real progression, tracked. We don’t just turn up and hope for the best. We track each surfer’s development across the full program. Paddling, pop-up, wave selection, trimming, turning. You’ll know what you’re working on and you’ll see yourself improving.
Sumner Beach is the right place for it. Canterbury’s most loved surf beach, consistent waves, a relaxed local culture and the kind of setting that makes showing up every weekend genuinely something to look forward to.
We’ve been doing this for a long time. Here’s what makes the difference.
Yes, completely. We welcome total beginners and the program is designed to make the learning curve feel gradual and fun rather than overwhelming. Week one is about foundations and getting comfortable in the ocean. By week four most women have caught their first real waves and can’t believe they waited this long.
Life happens. We offer 1 make up session per program either in another Surf Sistas session or a 2 hour Surf Lesson. Let us know in advance you will miss a session and we will put a plan together for you
Not at all. Everything is provided every session. If you have your own gear bring it along and we’ll check it suits the conditions on the day. No pressure either way.
Sumner gets all four seasons and some of our best sessions happen in the rain. We run in almost all conditions. If the ocean is genuinely unsafe we’ll let you know as early as possible and either reschedule or run a land-based surf theory and movement session instead. We’ve been reading Sumner long enough to know the difference between rough-looking and actually dangerous.
Yes. Surfing is more adaptable than most people expect and we work at your pace. A basic level of swimming confidence helps but you don’t need to be a strong swimmer to get started.
Absolutely. Book together or seperately, we will make sure you are together and sharing the stoke!. Surfing with a friend from day one makes the whole experience even better and we’ll deliver the magic!
e recommend joining from the start of a program so you get the full progressive experience. If you have specific circumstances get in touch and we’ll see what we can work out.
Sessions are led by our dedicated Surf Sistas coaches or by our Canterbury Head Coach and Team Manager. Either way you’re in expert hands with someone who understands what this program is about and knows how to get the best out of every surfer in the group.
A private group chat for all current program participants. Surf forecasts, session reminders, tips between sessions and the kind of connection that makes the program feel like more than just coaching. It’s where the community actually lives.
More than a lesson. More than a program
Everything from your first wave to serious progression. Surf lessons, dedicated programs and rentals right here in Canterbury.
A surf program built for women, by women. Every weekend at Sumner Beach. All levels welcome.
Fast-track your surfing with a dedicated instructor and a lesson built entirely around you
The perfect introduction to surfing. Get on waves at Sumner Beach with expert coaching from day one
Two coached surf sessions a day, new friends, and school holidays well spent at the beach
Three days of progressive surfing at Sumner Beach. The best way to spend your summer
Six weeks of weekly after-school sessions. Build real skills, real confidence, real surfing
Epic surfing experience in Northland. Accommodation, coaching, great times. Airport pickups!
Five days of non-stop progressive surfing for high school students in the holidays. Airport pickups available
Full camp experience. Transport, accommodation, meals, twice-daily surfing and adventures. Airport options!
Your team in the water together. Half or full day programs at most Canterbury beaches
Weekly progressive surf education designed for Canterbury schools. All abilities, all year levels
Fully tailored day programs at beaches around Canterbury. Surfing, beach ed, surf rescue
Premium soft and hard boards and full 4/3 wetsuits. Everything you need, nothing you don’t
A surf program built for women, by women. Every weekend at Sumner Beach. All levels welcome.
Epic surfing experience in Northland. Accommodation, coaching, great times. Airport pickups!
Your team in the water together. Half or full day programs at most Canterbury beaches
Five days of non-stop progressive surfing for high school students in the holidays. Airport pickups available
Full camp experience. Transport, accommodation, meals, twice-daily surfing and adventures. Airport options!
Premium soft and hard boards and full 4/3 wetsuits. Everything you need, nothing you don’t
Weekly progressive surf education designed for Canterbury schools. All abilities, all year levels
Fully tailored day programs at beaches around Canterbury. Surfing, beach ed, surf rescue
The perfect introduction to surfing. Get on waves at Sumner Beach with expert coaching from day one
Two coached surf sessions a day, new friends, and school holidays well spent at the beach
Three days of progressive surfing at Sumner Beach. The best way to spend your summer
Six weeks of weekly after-school sessions. Build real skills, real confidence, real surfing
