Surfing

A trip to the beach should be fun and care free. But leaving common sense at home can be deadly. Millions of visitors trip to SoWal every year to enjoy our beautiful beaches, and we take beach safety seriously.

One of the first things to know about Walton County beaches is the excellent beach flag system we have. There is a flag pole in sight from nearly every foot of beach in SoWal.

Text "flag" to 31279 for regular surf condition alerts.

Did you know eleven-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater started surfing and honing his skills through the Eastern Surfing Association? The ESA is the largest amateur surfing association in the country. And our own local chapter of the North Gulf Florida region is the fastest growing district and second largest in the Southeast. Just a year and a half ago this chapter had sixteen members. That number is now closing in on 160!

You see them everywhere - at the beach, in the bay and on the coastal dune lakes. Stand Up Paddleboards have boomed in popularity in just a few short years, becoming a popular way for people to have fun and explore the water in a unique way. SoWal has certainly seen Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUPing) grow and flourish right here on our own coast, but it's not surprising.

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to host the 2nd annual Kid’s Surf Classic. It’s a surfing contest just for kids! For many it will be a first-time surfing experience and for some its a chance to show off their skills.

For parents and children alike, it will surely be a great time on the beach. Need a surfboard? We will have a variety of longboards, shortboards, and fishes available for use. Need help catching waves? Have a parent assist you in the lineup, or we’ll provide a surfing expert to help get you into some waves.

The Billabong Grom Comp is a local surfing event that offers young surfers a chance to compete competitively. Billabong at Grand Boulevard and Ride On Surf School are teaming up again to host the 4th Annual Billabong Grom Comp on Saturday, May 18 at the Pompano Joe’s Beach Park in Miramar Beach from 9am-till. The Billabong Grom Comp is a surfing competition for young surfers 12 and under and will include five divisions--Tiny Groms 6 and under, Super Groms 7 to 8, Mini Groms 9 to 10, Groms 11 to 12 and Open Groms, a paddle - in division for all ages 12 & under.

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to announce the first ever running of the- Kid’s Surf Classic.  It's a surfing contest just for kids.  For many it will be a first-time surfing experience,  and for some, a chance to show off their skills.  For parents and children alike it will surely be a great time on the beach.