Dream Surf Trip

[Guest]

Hello All,

Currently working in London and am starting to plan my dream surf trip next year before I do the settling down thing. I've only done a week of surfing but this has been a dream all my life. I would like to go somewhere for anywhere from 6 months to a year. I am willing to work part time somewhere but would prefer not to. I have saved a bit but dont know if its enough for this long.

Can anyone give me ideas on where to go that is sunny, cheap fun and has waves for a begginer like me(and maybe some bigger ones for when I get to be decent!) Somwhere exotic and far off would be best! Any pointers on the type of prices for accommadation, food, travel, etc would be great, I will probably go on my own as well, so somewhere where I could meet people quite easily would be cool. I speak french and conversational spanish, so that is no barrier. I plan to save up till at least beggining of next year, so my departure would probably be between Febuary and May.

Thanks for any help,

J

[Guest]

I'd like to know an answer to the same question.

[Guest]

Have you thought about Kuta in Bali. This is a huge strech of beach break which is ideal for beginners. I went last September and waves were very consistent, surfed just about everyday for 3 weeks. Its also extremely cheap to live, we moved round a bit but were staying in a hotel called the Bali Dweipa (10 minute walk from beach) for about £3 a night. Thats about $5 US dollars. Food is even cheaper if you don't eat at fancy places. The nice life is also very good in the evening with loads of backpackers and surfers having fun and drinks. Its a very exotic place with lots to see and do if the surf is not up. Balinese people are also the friendliess people you can get so its very safe.

[TokyotheKid]

i dont know how to spell this place, but it sounds exacly like this...

i-too-talk-ee

its a real place, i just dont know how to spell it, and since i just graduated from highschool dont gimme crap

[jasko]

Hey all,
Lookin into takin a trip somewhere for a really good surfing experience for beginners and have heard a lot of talk about Bali...I'm wondering if anyone else has any good input about the surf, $$, etc. Much appreciation!
-Jasko
(replying back to sjrythm_n_blues@yahoo.com would be much appreciated)

[Leah]

Never surfed Bali before, but I have surfed all of Central America and a lot of South America.
I suggest checking out central america. Its close, cheap, and the waves are good. My favorite country is El Salvador. The waves are amazing June through October, and just good the rest of the year. The locals are pretty friendly, its way safer than people say it is, and theres so many points that go unsurfed because everyone crowds up La Libertad instead of spreading out. I usually go though ParadiseAdventures.biz. They have a tiny hotel at a private beach in front of K59, which is this just perfect right point that goes off when theres a swell, and is still really fun when there isnt. They have the best prices, and they are a small company so they really take care of you, give you lots of attention and just make sure your super-stoked with your trip, unlike wavehunters who really just want your money and dont give a xxxxx about how your vacation goes. Nicaragua is pretty fun too. I'm not a big fan of Costa Rica, but if you've never been its definately worth checking out.

[borneng]

Bali can be cheap but here are things you need to consider;

1. Air fare is not cheap (Low season £400-600 and High season £700-900 with Singapore air) and it's a very long flight; approx 16 hours London-Singapore-Denpasar Bali. If you stop over in Jakarta it'll take you further 3-4 hours. This is an estimate based on the flight running smoothly.
2. Be careful when packing your surfboard and make sure you put padlock on your boardbag to make sure no one can slip anything into it.

3. If you insist on staying for 6 months in Indonesia you would need a work visa as the maximum business/tourist visa available is only for 3 months. If you can only obtain tourist visa then you can extend your stay for 6 months only by leaving the country and then apply another 3 months visa (you can fly to Singapore for a day just to do this) then go back to Indonesia to stay for further 3 months. This type of visa extension can be costly and you need to do further research on obtaining the visa in Singapore.

4. Living cost is very low in Indonesia if you compare it to Europe. However, you do need to consider study their culture and tradition. Balinese are pretty religious and they practice Hinduism. They have plenty of temple and mini temples on the road side (resting place for the Gods) and make sure you are aware of this. Indonesian are friendly in nature but if you offend their tradition they can be pretty hostile. For example, If you go to a place considered holy by the Balinese and they ask you to wear sarong to enter as a respect their God then by all means do it. You are in their soil so respect their way.

[Hooked Cabarete]

Hi there,

We live in the Dominican Republic in Cabarete near the beach Encuentro. A great surfspot with fantastic waves, especially in Autumn and the Winter. In November we also have the championship of the whole South-Middel America here and in June/July the national championship. Comming to the DR (airport Puerto Plata) can be very cheap. For example from Holland at the moment you can find a two-way flight for about 400 euro's. There are a few surfschools here where you maybe can work, and there are a lot of bars etc. in Cabarete where you maybe can work. If you know where to go, you can live cheap here. We also have apartments close to Encuentro. We normally rent them out for people on a holiday, but also sometimes for long terms. We give better prices for long term ofcourse.

[flex639]

i dont know how the waves are for beginners but i've always wanted to go out to panama or rio in brazil

[Chaz]

Anywhere (almost) from Mid to South France on the Atlantic coast is very cool for surfing. Avoid near Royan as surf is less often ! Also, Hossegor / Capreton can be very heavy surf.

Just had three weeks with almost constant sunshine and only one day without surf, just N of Vieux Bocau. The weather can be slightly less predictable a lot further N, or S nearer Spain but is usually excellent in the Summer certainly from June to September most of the time.

It's also very relaxed and relaxing if you avoid the busiest spots, with plenty to do and so many friendly people. As many girls as fellas surfing these days. If you want bigger waves, September to November are best.

The sea temperature is a plus it's usually warmish to mild, and of course NO SHARKS!!!!

The beaches are lovely soft sand for miles (hundreds of ....) and there are some beautiful hang outs and scenery. Very many beautiful ladies, especially at weekends!!

You'll be surprised how many really good surfers hang out there!!

[monty]

I've been thinking about the following itinerary for a long-term surf trip:

- Costa Rica (2 months improving my surfing and my in-the-water fitness)
- Australia (maybe do a surf instructor/lifeguard training course)
- New Zealand

Maybe come back via SE Asia.

Just got to persuade the missus that it's a good idea....

[surf-cicak]

Hey all,
Lookin into takin a trip somewhere for a really good surfing experience for beginners and have heard a lot of talk about Bali...I'm wondering if anyone else has any good input about the surf, $$, etc. Much appreciation!
-Jasko
(replying back to sjrythm_n_blues@yahoo.com would be much appreciated)

Hiya, see borneng's comments re the price to get over there (can be quite alot from either UK or US). But once you get there it's really cheap.

I am half Indonesian, and my first surf lesson was in Kuta, Bali - where they have perfect sized waves to learn on. If you're a beginner, don't bother with bringing a board - there are tons of surf shops from which you can rent a decent board for about Rp. 25,000 - 75,000 per day (US $2.50 - $7.50). My fave is The Board Shop, on Poppies Lane 2, ask for Mamat or Jack.

Kuta is also near enough to alot of the other spots that the really good surfers frequent ( so it's easy enough to hire transportation to get to them, park yourself on the beach and surf spectate!). Check out Bingin, Canggu, Dreamland, and Padang-Padang.

As for cost of accommodation & food, there is so much variety, it really depends on your budget. Though, generally, in Indo, you can stay in a pretty nice 3-star for like $30 a night. You can go to really great restaurants and not spend that much too - do try Indonesian food, it's soooo good!

As for the local customs and culture - again, I refer to borneng's comments - whenever you're a guest in a foreign country, try to respect their way of life. And if you're so inclined, learn a little about the people and culture, thereby enriching your own life! That's the beauty of travel.

If anyone has any questions about traveling in Indonesia, feel free to contact me. I only ever surfed in Bali, but I lived in Java for a long time.

[borneng]

I am half Indonesian,..... I only ever surfed in Bali, but I lived in Java for a long time.

Halo surf-cicak, selamat datang di surfing-waves forum.

So where about are you from in Java? How long did you life there ? How long have you been surfing ? My apology for so many questions, you're just about the first Indonesian surfer I've come accross.

Clever user name btw

[surf-cicak]

Halo surf-cicak, selamat datang di surfing-waves forum.

Hiya! Hey hope it's okay I respond here - I think I just got chided on another topic board for posting a "repetitive post"

Ha ha - didn't think anyone would get my user name!

As for being an Indonesian surfer - well, technically I'm only half Indonesian (and half American). And technically, I willingly admit I'm really just a beginner (b/c far be it for me to come off as a "poser") (I think someone else got chided for that on yet another topic board!)

Spent about 14 years on and off in Indo, going to international schools. All that time, and I didn't discover surfing until 2 years ago!!

Totally hooked now though! Just wish had more opportunities to go. Anyone know if the waves in Delaware / Maryland are ok in the winter for beginners?

[gulfsurfer]

You need to move to indo, having that good of waves that often would help you learn alot

[surf-cicak]

ha ha - ya I wish!

will just have to settle for a visit now and then I guess!

[borneng]

Halo surf-cicak, selamat datang di surfing-waves forum.

Hiya! Hey hope it's okay I respond here - I think I just got chided on another topic board for posting a "repetitive post" ...

...As for being an Indonesian surfer - well, technically I'm only half Indonesian...

...Totally hooked now though! Just wish had more opportunities to go. Anyone know if the waves in Delaware / Maryland are ok in the winter for beginners?

Yeah the funny thing about these type of people is that their objective is not for you to find the answer. But one thing I've learned is that, if it makes them feel better about themself to act like that, I let them be. I don't see any harm in letting them feel good about themself.

I enjoy sharing and I love surfing very much. I want people to enjoy it as much as I do. So my crime is; I tend to share the little knowledge I have so far about surfing.

Despite being half Indonesian, you're still the only person I know who can relate to, know a great deal about Indonesia and surf! I was born and raised in Indonesia but have now been living in Europe for the past 18 years.

I am hooked too and a total beginner as well. I only started learning to surf about 5 months ago when husband and I had to move to Ireland for his Job last year. I had couple of days private lesson when I was on holiday in FL last summer, and then went to Lanzarote for a week to learn from a guy who had been teaching for over 22 years. Other than that I have been going to the beach on average twice a week and 4 hours each (so I had about 40 hours of surfing so far).

I'm planning to take 2 weeks surf trip to Bali early next year with my friend (been there so many times but never to surf before). The avatar I have is a picture of Uluwatu (taken by my sister for me when she went there on holiday few months ago). I'd be grateful if you could give me some more Bali surf travel tips.

If you want to know more of surf spots around your area, this site migth come in handy. I think there's about 20 around your area.
http://www.wannasurf.com/

[tautologies]

How about Hawaii? It isn't that cheap here, but the waves are good, and it really isn;t as crowded as some say. If you can go during daytime in the week, you can end up having a break all by your self.

Alex

[Driftingalong]

Totally hooked now though! Just wish had more opportunities to go. Anyone know if the waves in Delaware / Maryland are ok in the winter for beginners?

There can be good waves for beginners at any time of the year, but it does generally get heavier during the winter time. It's mostly just one long stretch of beach breaks. The better waves are found around the jetties, piers and inlets, since they help the sand to form better contours to an otherwise bland ocean bottom.

[Bule]

Halo si ?

I didn't know that Cicak can surf,i love watching cicak di ding ding.
Saya punya surf camp di Sumatera kalo cicak mau main selancar disini boleh.
See you in the green room cicak.