The leisure industry has taken a heavy hit, particularly surf schools. Not many people wanted to be outside choking on smoke over summer, and travel restrictions have meant less tourists.

COVID-19 restrictions then limited operations over the Easter period.

Two local surf schools - Gerroa Surf School, which also trades as Surf Camp Australia - and Coastal Paddle Surf, which operates out of Narrawallee, have opened up about the changes they've had to make to survive the the challenges.

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The main clientele for Gerroa Surf School over the past 20 years was international travellers, who won't be spending on the coast in the forseeable future.

"We have 13 staff on JobKeeper until September, but we want to keep them in work when that dries up," said owner Guy Osbourne.

"What we do is suitable for locals as well - we've always offered local surf lessons and now we're looking at holiday programs for kids and after school programs."

Adrian Wright, who owns Coastal Paddle Surf, said he was looking at ways to change his target market too.

"Small business needs to think outside the square at the moment," he said.

"Private coaching and discounts give people an incentive to come along."

He hopes increased domestic travel will make up for lost business.

"People can't take off overseas at the moment, and with the push to 'bring an empty esky' to the South Coast we may see a busy period," he said.

"And people have a bit of extra time now. Life gets so busy, it's a good opportunity to rediscover nature and the ocean."

Mr Osbourne agreed.

"We have an amazing beach here in Gerroa for learning," he said.

"Hopefully next year we look back at this time as a bump in the road."