Which Level Are You? Finding the Right Surf Ski Session, L1 to L4

Reece Baker
May 11
8 min read

Updated: Jun 8

Every paddler sits somewhere on a spectrum. At one end is the L1, brand new to the sport and still working on simply sitting on the ski without going for a swim. At the other is the L4, completely at home in a screaming Fremantle Doctor, linking runners all the way home and remounting in anything the ocean throws at them. Most of us live somewhere in the middle, and that's exactly the point.

Our mission is simple: meet you wherever you are, and progress you along the journey from L1 to L4. Knowing your level is the first step. Get it right and you'll train in the right conditions, with the right crew, on the right ski, improving faster and staying safer the whole way.

It also helps you choose the right session. L1 and L2 paddlers belong in L1 and L2 sessions. That means the right water, the right pace, and the coaching to build solid foundations. We'll move you up when you're ready, not before. Jumping into an advanced ocean or downwind session too early is unsafe and actually slows you down.

Use the guide below to honestly place yourself. Each level is described by what you can do on the water: the conditions you can handle, how you remount, your speed, and how you cope when things go wrong, plus the boats you'll likely be on and what to work toward next.

One quick heads up before you start. This guide is about your paddler level, which is your ability. It is not the same as your effort level, which is how hard you are working on a given piece. Paddle Collective uses an L1 to L7 effort scale in training too, and it is a completely different thing. There is a short explainer at the bottom of this page so the two never get mixed up.

L1 Beginner: Learn the Basics

"I'm brand new and can barely sit on the ski."

You're at the very start of the journey. The surf ski feels tippy, balance is the whole game, and every session is about getting comfortable on the water. This is where everyone begins, and from your first session you're part of the crew.

Conditions: Flat, protected water only, such as the Swan River, a marina, or a glassy morning before the sea breeze fills in. Not yet ready for open ocean, wind, or swell.
Speed: Building toward roughly 6 to 8 km/h on flat water. The goal is staying upright and moving smoothly, not chasing pace.
Balance and remounting: Learning to balance on a stable ski. Remounts are practised in calm, shallow water, often with assistance or from the beach.
Emergency skills: Stays close to shore and relies on the "Beach Buddy" system. Not yet self-sufficient if things go wrong.
Downwind and upwind: Not yet. Bumps and breeze come once balance and the forward stroke are solid.

Likely boats: Fenn Blue-Fin · Epic V5, V7 or V8 · Carbonology Cruise X. These are the most stable, confidence-building skis in each range.

Your session: L1 Learn to Paddle. Flat, protected water with close coaching.

Your next step: Lock in a reliable forward stroke and paddle a steady 20 to 30 minutes without thinking about tipping. Once that clicks, you're ready for L2.

Best for: complete beginners, nervous first-timers, or anyone returning to the ski after a long break who wants to rebuild the basics safely.

L2 Intermediate: Find Your Flow

"I can handle a bit of chop and a light sea breeze."

You're comfortable on the ski and starting to venture beyond flat water. A building morning breeze and some wind chop off Leighton or Cottesloe no longer scares you off, and you're learning to read the water rather than just survive it.

Conditions: Comfortable in light chop and breeze of around 8 to 12 knots, like a building sea breeze or small wind chop close to shore.
Speed: Around 8 to 10 km/h for an hour on flat water.
Remounting: Can remount from both sides without assistance in moderate conditions (small waves, light wind).
Emergency skills: Can paddle back to shore in moderate conditions with a paddle, with limited ability without one.
Downwind: Can catch small runners and hold basic control, but still working on linking bumps and steering with the swell.
Upwind: Can grind upwind into around 6 knots with moderate efficiency (upwind is harder, so figure on about 6 knots less than your comfortable downwind range).

Likely boats: Fenn Yellowfin or XT S · Epic V8 or V9 · Carbonology Boost X. A step down in stability from a beginner ski as your balance improves, with more speed on offer.

Your session: L2 Flow. Still close to shore, building technique and venturing a little further out.

Your next step: Build power and efficiency through better rotation, and try your first intro-to-ocean sessions. When you're gliding and pulling the blade through with real power, L3 is calling.

Best for: paddlers who are confident on a stable ski and ready to develop technique, efficiency, and comfort in light wind and chop.

L3 Advanced: Build the Engine

"I can paddle in challenging conditions, with a few limits."

You're a strong, capable paddler. A full Fremantle Doctor doesn't put you off, it's a reason to get on the water. You've got the fitness for longer ocean runs, the technique to link a downwind, and the skills to look after yourself and others when it gets rough.

Conditions: Can paddle in challenging conditions, including rougher ocean and winds of around 12 to 21 knots, such as a solid afternoon Doctor.
Speed: Around 10 to 12 km/h for an hour on flat water.
Remounting: Reliable remounts from both sides in rough conditions (moderate waves, winds to around 21 knots).
Emergency skills: Can reach shore in challenging conditions with a paddle, and make progress without a paddle in moderate water.
Assistance: Can help paddlers in distress in rough conditions, towing or stabilising in waves.
Downwind: Proficient. Links runners, holds a steady flow, and navigates well on a good downwind run.
Upwind: Paddles upwind efficiently into around 15 knots (about 6 knots below the downwind range) while holding reasonable speed and control.

Likely boats: Fenn Swordfish or Spearfish · Epic V9 or V10 Sport · Carbonology Zest X. Advanced, lower-stability skis that reward good technique with real speed and downwind ability.

Your session: L3 Cardio and Ocean. Downwind sessions, longer coastal runs, and race preparation.

Your next step: Take on a surf ski race like The Doctor or the Wreck Run, sharpen your downwind flow, and lean into the group training and social side of the club.

Best for: fit, technically sound paddlers who want to race, take on longer ocean courses, and paddle confidently when the sea breeze is up.

L4 Elite: Lead the Pack

"I can paddle and remount in any conditions, and bring others with me."

The sharp end. You're at home in extreme seas and big wind, you surf runners by feel, and you can self-rescue or help others when conditions turn serious. But L4 isn't only about speed, it's about giving back. The best paddlers lift the whole crew.

Conditions: Confident in rough and extreme seas, including winds of 21 knots and well beyond, on the biggest Doctor days.
Speed: 12+ km/h for an hour on flat water.
Remounting: Can remount from both sides in any conditions, including large waves and strong wind.
Emergency skills: Can reach shore with a broken paddle or no paddle at all, even in extreme conditions.
Assistance: Can rescue, tow, and stabilise other paddlers in heavy seas.
Downwind: Exceptional flow. Seamlessly links runners and controls navigation by surfing, even in complex or extreme conditions.
Upwind: Can paddle upwind in 15 knots and beyond (around 6 knots below the downwind range) with strong control and endurance.

Likely boats: Fenn Wahoo or Cuda · Epic V12 or V14 · Carbonology Flash X or Pulse. Elite, race-spec skis with minimal stability and maximum speed, fully dialled to your paddling.

Your session: L4 Turbo. High-performance training, downwind racing, and leading group sessions.

Leading the pack: Represent Paddle Collective at race events, mentor newer paddlers as a "paddle buddy," and help pass on the culture that makes the Collective what it is. The strongest crews are built by their best paddlers giving back.

Best for: elite and racing paddlers chasing downwind speed and podium finishes, and experienced members ready to lead, mentor, and represent the club.

Found yourself somewhere in between?

That's completely normal, and almost everyone does. You might remount like an L3 but only be comfortable in L2 conditions, or have L4 fitness while still building your downwind flow. The levels are a guide, not a box, and our job is to keep moving you up the ladder.

If you're not sure where you sit, have a chat with one of our coaches. We'll talk through your experience and the conditions you've paddled, help you place yourself honestly, and get you into the right session, building safely from L1 toward L4 without ever feeling out of your depth or held back.

Ready to find your level? Get in touch through the Paddle Collective App, and we'll get you on the right water with the right crew.

Paddler levels are not effort levels

It is worth clearing this up, because the same word gets used two ways.

Your paddler level (L1 to L4) is your ability: the conditions you can handle, how you remount, and which session suits you. That is everything above.

Your effort level (L1 to L7) is how hard you are working on a given piece, from easy recovery paddling right up to flat-out sprints. It comes from our yearly training program, and you will hear coaches call it out during sessions. It has nothing to do with your paddler level. A brand new L1 paddler and an elite L4 paddler both train across the full range of effort levels, just at their own speeds.

Here is the effort scale we use:

Zone	What it is	% HR max	How it feels	Stroke rate
L1	Basically rest. Recovery paddling.	60 to 75	Too easy to do strong technique. Recovery only.	Under 60
L2	60 to 70% of race pace. Easy paddling.	75 to 84	Easy to hold good technique. Easy to talk, no puffing.	60 to 70
L3	75 to 85% of race pace. Solid but sustainable.	82 to 89	Strong work. Starting to breathe hard, red face.	70 to 80
L4	90 to 95% of race pace. Should be hard.	88 to 93	Hard work. Long pieces feel like a max effort.	75 to 95
L5	100% of race pace. Race intensity and stroke rate.	92 to 100	Max effort. Aware of high heart rate. Uncomfortable.	90 to 115
L6	105% of race pace. The intensity you would race over.	100	Max effort. Aware of high heart rate. Very uncomfortable.	100 to 125
L7	Short bursts at max intensity, stopping before distress.	N/A	Hard, but too short to get uncomfortable.	120 to 160

The big thing to understand is that those race pace percentages depend on how long the effort is. They are a percentage of your race pace over that length of effort, not one fixed speed. You can paddle much faster over 30 seconds than you can hold for 2 minutes, so your race pace is quicker the shorter the piece. That means the length of the effort changes how hard a level feels. A L4 effort over 30 seconds is faster and more intense than a L4 effort over 2 minutes, even though both are called L4. So when you set your intensity, always factor in how long the effort is, not just the number on the board.

So when a coach says "keep this one at L2," they mean the effort, not the session. Easy paddling, good technique, plenty of breath to chat.

The Paddle Collective is built on community. Wherever you are on the spectrum, there's a crew ready to share the water and help you take the next step.

New to the sport? Start with our complete beginner's guide: Learn to Surf Ski in Perth: A Beginner's Guide.