OCEAN GROVE SURF FIELD GUIDE
Just Steps from the Break: Bodyboard Hire at Anglesea’s Main Beach
Go Ride A Wave’s Anglesea shop on Great Ocean Road supplies bodyboards, soft and hard surfboards, SUPs and wetsuits — with full facilities and hot showers to rinse off after a session.
Just Steps from the Break: Bodyboard Hire at Anglesea’s Main Beach.
Adventure brief
Just Steps from the Break: Bodyboard Hire at Anglesea’s Main Beach
A compact hire shop sits on the edge of Anglesea’s sand, a practical staging point for whatever the swell brings. Rent a bodyboard or a soft or hard surfboard, swap into a wetsuit and walk straight down to the main beach — the shop is the closest outlet to the sand and keeps a broad fleet of equipment on hand for drop-in hire.
On Victoria’s southern coastline where the Great Ocean Road carves the shore, Body Board Hire at Anglesea provides a no-fuss gateway to the Southern Ocean. Located at 143B Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea VIC 3230, the shop sits a short walk from Anglesea Beach and aims to get you on the waves with minimal fuss.
The offering is straightforward and practical: an inventory of soft and hard surfboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, and a full selection of wetsuits and booties. Hires run from short two-hour stints up to full-day rentals; bodyboards are an especially budget-friendly option with all-day rates that start at around $20. The store keeps popular sizes and thicker 4/3 winter wetsuits in stock, and you can rinse off in a hot shower after a session—small comforts that make wet, sandy days feel civilized.
What makes this operation a genuine part of the local outdoor scene is its position on the Great Ocean Road and the shop’s focus on accessible beach play. Anglesea Beach is a classic southern surf break: a sandy beach with beach-break waves shaped by Southern Ocean swells and seasonal wind patterns. That combination makes the spot forgiving for learners while still offering punch when the swell builds. The coastline’s coastal scrub and dune systems frame the beach and give quick access to shoreline strolls before or after sessions.
The hire terms are clear and businesslike: ID and a signed hire agreement are required, and under-18s must be accompanied by a guardian. There’s no need to pre-book — the Anglesea store maintains a large stock so most walk-ins are accommodated. Those simple rules keep the line moving and make rentals a reliable choice on busy summer weekends.
Beyond the gear, this is a place that anchors a day: grab a board, read the line-up, and commit to whatever the ocean offers. Novices get a safe, buoyant softboard or bodyboard that accelerates learning; paddlers and intermediate surfers can pick a harder shape for performance. Locals appreciate the practicality—fast service, clear hire terms, and on-site amenities—while visiting surfers value the shop’s proximity to the sand and its role as an uncomplicated launch point for exploring the Surf Coast.
Plan around tides and winds; morning glassy conditions are common, and afternoon sea breezes can pick up. If you’re touring the Surf Coast, the company’s Torquay and Ocean Grove outlets offer alternate pickup points, but Anglesea’s location remains the closest shop to the main beach, making it the quickest option for spontaneous surf sessions. Bring patience.
Route Schematic
Route schematic — from counter to break
Key stops between picking up kit and getting into the water.
Go Ride A Wave — Anglesea Store (143B Great Ocean Rd)
Collect hire equipment at the Anglesea store; staff keep a large stock of boards, bodyboards, SUPs and wetsuits ready for drop-in hire.
Anglesea Main Beach
The store is the closest retail outlet to the main beach, allowing a short walk from front door to launch point for bodyboards and surfboards.
Ocean Grove Surf Hire Trailer (January) / Torquay shop
During January the operator also runs an Ocean Grove Surf Hire Trailer; Torquay is another location where a broad range of hire equipment is available.
All hirers must follow the shop’s requirements: persons over 18 may hire alone; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Everyone must complete and sign a Hire Agreement, provide current valid photo identification and pay the hire fee in full before taking equipment.
What the day feels like
What the hire experience feels like
This is straightforward beachside hire: choose the right board or bodyboard, suit up in store, sign the hire paperwork and head a few paces to the sand. The set-up is designed for quick turnarounds — pick your kit, paddle out, rinse off in the shop and store your belongings while you surf.
THE GEAR
A full hire fleet for any short-session surf
The shop stocks a wide hire range: soft surf boards, hard surf boards, bodyboards, stand-up paddle boards, plus wetsuits and booties so you can tailor kit to conditions or ability.
THE ACCESS
Staged at 143B Great Ocean Rd, steps from the sand
The Anglesea store sits at 143B Great Ocean Rd and is the closest shop to the town’s main beach, making it a quick transition from counter to surf.
THE AMENITIES
Facilities that let you stay longer
Hirers can use the shop’s full storage and bathroom facilities and finish a session with a hot shower — a practical end to a salt-soaked morning or afternoon.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this hire setup is best for.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
In winter the shop offers full-length wetsuits and thicker 4/3 wetsuits and booties to match colder water.
Bring current, valid photo identification (driver’s license or passport); all hirers must complete and sign a Hire Agreement and pay the hire fee in full before taking equipment.
The Anglesea store is at 143B Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea — the closest shop to the main beach. There is a large on-site stock so no advance booking is required for hire.
Hire options include soft surf boards, hard surf boards, bodyboards, stand-up paddle boards, and wetsuits and booties.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Can I book surf hire online or over the phone?
No. Bookings are not required for surf hire — the shop maintains a large variety of equipment at the Torquay and Anglesea shops, and operates an Ocean Grove Surf Hire Trailer during January.
Where is the Anglesea hire shop located?
The Anglesea store is located at 143B Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea VIC 3230.
Who can hire equipment?
Surf hire is available to persons over the age of 18; persons under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them when taking hire equipment.
What identification do I need to hire equipment?
All persons hiring equipment must provide current and valid photo identification (drivers licence or passport) before taking hire equipment.
Are wetsuits available for colder months?
Yes — the shop offers full-length wetsuits and thicker 4/3 wetsuits and booties in winter.
Does the shop have facilities to use after surfing?
Yes — the store offers full storage and bathroom facilities and a hot shower for use after your hire session.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-12T21:00:38.005Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.