Is North Sumatra Right for Intermediate Surfers?
North Sumatra has become one of our favorite regions in Indonesia for surf coaching retreats. Not because it is the easiest place to reach. Quite the opposite. It takes time, patience, long hours on the road, and a boat ride before we finally arrive. But that is also what makes it special.
For the right surfer, North Sumatra can be one of the most rewarding surf journeys in Indonesia.
We run our surf coaching retreats there because we know the region well. We know when to go, where to move, and how to score those perfect windows. Plus, we always witness incredible surf progression from our students.
The waves feel almost mechanical at times. Like a wave pool, but in the ocean. Long walls, repeated sections, clear take-off zones, and enough consistency to practice the same movement again and again. For intermediate to advanced surfers, this is where breakthroughs happen.
So, what surf level is this retreat for?
This retreat is not designed for beginners.
It is for intermediate to advanced surfers who already have solid ocean experience and want to take their surfing further, Intermediate + (LV3) based on our scale, that you can check here.
Most surfers who join have between 5 and 20 years of surfing experience. They can catch waves independently, spend several hours in the water, and feel comfortable in overhead surf. Yet, they feel somehow stuck in their progression, and that’s where we come to help!
They may struggle with speed generation, positioning, timing, body mechanics, commitment, turns, or confidence in heavier waves. We help fix all of this.
Why North Sumatra works so well for progression
North Sumatra offers those classic Indo set ups, mechanical perfect reef point breaks rolling over crystal water.The set ups are similar to the Mentawai islands but with lesser crowds, which is why we decide not to reveal the names of the exact locations we go to.
On the right day, the waves are powerful but readable. They can seem harder to tackle but with the right guidance you realize that it is actually easier than sand point beach break, and that it gives so many chances to repeat over and over again the techniques.
You can work on your take-off, your stance, your line, your speed, your compression, your rail game, and eventually your confidence in more hollow sections.
During our retreats, every surf session is filmed. After each session, we review the footage through video analysis and identify what needs to change.
We break down the pop-up, stance, compression, upper body position, and what our coach calls the “gorilla pose” that strong, low, grounded posture that allows surfers to generate speed, hold their line, and stay stable through more critical sections.
We also use surf skate and land training to repeat these movements again and again before bringing them back into the water.
The goal is not to overwhelm surfers with too much information. The goal is to unlock one clear improvement at a time. Once something clicks, we move to the next layer.
A journey that pushes your surfing, and your mindset
On our last trip to North Sumatra, we discovered new waves that we had never seen working like that before, even after years of surfing in the region.
One of them was a powerful right-hand barrel. It was not an easy session. It was probably at the edge of the comfort zone for most of the group, and for some surfers, beyond it.
But this is also where some of the biggest breakthroughs happened.
The most advanced surfers had the opportunity to test themselves in real barrel conditions. Others had to manage fear, commitment, positioning, and decision-making in waves that demanded respect.
Everyone came back safe. Everyone learned something. And after that session, everything else felt easier. Those are the moments that stay with you.
What surfers said after the retreat
“I took my first surf lesson in Hawaii ten years ago. In this one week, I progressed more than in all that time combined. I think it’s really hard for intermediate surfers to admit they need coaching, but I would recommend anyone to take that first step.” – Augusto
“I had occasional cover-ups before, but never like this. Proper barrels. Three of them in just one session.” – Dean
“I did many surf coaching trips, and this is the one where we went the furthest into details. –Guillaume
When is the best time to surf North Sumatra?
We usually like to run our North Sumatra surf coaching retreats around June, when the first strong southwest swells of the season start making their way through the Indian Ocean.
For these swells to reach North Sumatra properly, they need to travel a long way from deep storms in the Southern Hemisphere. When the direction, period, and local conditions align, the region can produce some incredible surf.
We also like the late season, after the busiest period for surf charter boats has passed. This can be a great window to score quality waves with fewer crowds but sometimes lesser swell too.
Is this retreat right for you?
This retreat could be a good fit if:
- You are an intermediate to advanced surfer.
- You can paddle out and catch waves independently.
- You are comfortable surfing overhead waves.
- You want to improve your technique.
- You are open to video analysis, feedback, and land training.
- You want to push your comfort zone in a safe and structured way.
- You are looking for a surf coaching retreat in Indonesia that combines progression, adventure, and serious wave quality.
- This is not a beginner surf camp. It is not a luxury holiday where surfing is just one activity among many.
- It is a surf journey for surfers who already have experience, but know they still have another level to unlock.
And for the right surfer, North Sumatra can be the place where that next level finally opens.
