Surf and work.

[Joe0mi]

I'm looking to do an eight week or so working surf trip. Wheres the best place in Europe (or furthur maybe) where its easy to get work and has good waves (im from England so any where other than that)

Thanks,

Joe

[billie_morini]

Joe,
what kind of work?
Billie

[Joe0mi]

Any sort of casual work really,

Bar work, waiter, fruit picking etc anything I can pick up and drop easily once I'm done,

Thanks,

Joe

[billie_morini]

Joe,
Willing to do anything. That sounds like a good way to do it. Sometimes you might find you'll trade some work for some meals or a place to sleep. It isn't always about money when you get into these situations. Sometimes you can find odd jobs through temp agencies, if the town is large enought. Other times you find them in little advertising newspapers. I'd check around marinas, boat docks, train yards, freight yards, machinery operations, and restaurants, too. Sometimes you'll catch them short handed or with a job that no one wants to do.

Sometimes people have professional skills that allow them to work short term here and there. I knew a German back in 1984 that had a civil engineering background and experience in bridge design. He'd get project work for a couple months at a time around the US. I once took a short term science teaching job that I learned about over pancakes in a local restaurant in a very small town. I was on another motorcycle tour and was about 900 miles from "home." I liked the town and by afternoon had the job sewn up.

It seems there is always a way. For most people, they just can't imagine how to get started and they worry about how much money they need. Not having any money to begin with can make it easier because then you approach it from the perspective of simply doing it.

I wish you a wonderful adventure.

[Joe0mi]

Thanks, that was a great help. I think with trying to plan I might be approaching it wrong as so I'm now going to basically turn up, ask around and see what turns up-I suppose more interesting things happen when you dont plan them.

I have decided to extend my trip a little and to fly to Moroco and work upwards as the weather and the sea temperature gets warmer- and I will take your advice about exchanging work for accomodation/food. Maybe speak to farmers and see if I can pitch a tent on their land for a little work perhaps- I suppose the worst they can do is say no.

I'll try and visit all the small coastel villages rather than the big resorts to get a more relaxed trip.

I'm guessing youve done a few trips, Where have you travelled before?

I'll try and visit all the small coastel villages rather than the big resorts to get a more realxed feel. Got visions of fishing for my dinner and camping in woodlands but I'm sure the reality will be more of getting chased by farmers with pitch forks.

any way time to quit work and get rid of the rented room.

Cheers,

Joe

[billie_morini]

RE: "I'm now going to basically turn up, ask around and see what turns up..."
This is the right attitude! This is the way to have maximum fun and adventure. You never know who you will meet and how they will fit into it all. My wife and I marvel at all the wonderful people we've met this way and all the exciting things we would not have seen otherwise.

RE: "...the worst they can do is say no."
This is absolutely true. I prepare many contracts and work with clients to execute engineering work. I learned a long time ago that 1) you can ask, and 2) they can only say, "no."

Me and travel: Quite a bit when I was younger. Most of my travel like we're talking about took place in North America. I have seen an extensive amount of the US (Hawaii included), some of Canada, and some of Mexico. When doing this, I'd stay in places for weeks to months. It's the way that I get the feel for the place and people. I rarely venture to a location known as a resort or vacation spot. My wife is like-minded. Before we met, she was running around Europe the way I was running around North America. I've lived in Germany and worked there and Italy, England, and Austria. But, this occured when I was all grown up and locked into working professionally - so it doesn't count.

[indahvoo]

Hey Joe,

If you're up for traveling a lot further, try Australia. They speak English, drive on the same side of the road as you, and work should be easy for an English for you, as working permit will be easy to get for you. You can even go there as your winter getaway, since Summer is in Europe's winter time.

Good luck!!
Indah

[aaron d]

hey Joe, austrailia isnt a bad idea, just thought i'd mention to ya i know a guy who went over in around late november, which is their summer and he didnt find it all that easy to get work, timing can matter, as for Europe, I'm looking at a short trip in summer of starting from bordeaux and making my way round to bilbao in spain, actually im gonna start a new thread now about it to ask for advice, california is another option, was there last summer, great place, i spose if u wanna go for 8 weeks, you could work your way along the coast, not really sure what its like north of L.A though, Canary islands if you know a little Spanish.... this planet is pretty big