Where should a beginner go for 2-3 months?

[Smurfee]

Wasn't sure if this should go in Surf Travel or Surf Lessons, so sorry if I've got it wrong, but here we go:

I’ve been surfing a couple of times and am completely addicted already, but still a beginner and don’t get many chances. As it happens, I’m sort of on a gap year now and I think if I work for most of it I can then afford to spend maybe Feb-Apr surfing. I’m 25, female and British (so the cheaper the flights from the UK the better). I don’t have any experience of travelling alone.

Most surf camps only seem to run for a couple of weeks, whereas I want to spend a few months surfing! I’ve found some 2-3 month organised trips - so far I’m considering one in Australia and one in Morocco. Can’t find anywhere in the UK that’d do it.

The alternative I suppose is to rock up somewhere, try to find accommodation, a part-time job and a surf school that can give me some lessons. This’d be cheaper, but I don’t know if I’d learn as much and I’d probably be on my own most of the time (scary). I’ve considered trying to find a surf camp somewhere that could give me some admin/cleaning job in exchange for lessons/accommodation, but I don’t know how realistic that is.

Any advice here? Are the organised packages worth the extra money (i.e. would I learn more)? Or is it the case that once you’ve got the basics mastered it’s really just a case of getting on with it yourself?

Thanks!

[drowningbitbybit]

Hello Smurfee,

A surf school might be a good idea, but you wont need more than a week or so. Once you've got the basics dialled in, its all about time in the water and repetition. If you've got a few months, then do a surf school for beginners, surf as much as you can for a couple of months, then go back an do an intermediate course.

You could try for a job with a surf school, but they've got loads of people thinking exactly the same so they can pay pitiful/no wages and treat you like a slave, so I'd be careful with that one.

As for where, Australia would be good but summer isnt the best season over here for surfing (although its still pretty nice surfing small waves in boardies ) and you might be better off coming a little later in the year when there's some swell.

[jaffa1949]

I'm in agreement with Drowning , a short stint with a surf school, then the get your own experience and then go back for an intermediate course.
Australia is better than Europe for friendly climate but the east coast often lacks swells, there are some courses in Bali but I don't know their quality and as a first timer away in Bali you are a great candidate to be scammed.
The Canary Islands or Azores may be warm enough but have bigger surf during those months but are a short less expensive flight away.
Have a look at the organised trips for whether they cater to beginners, question them thoroughly, there is nothing worse than being saddled with people well above or below your standard and then running to the wishes of the majority.

So if the tour caters for your level go for it and have some break away time for you own discoveries....... I reckon you'd be safer In Australia, single white female might be an issue in Morocco, I would hope not, so I would say consider your options carefully!

Keep us up to date on your adventures

[perusurf]

i'd suggest you go somewhere where it's summer, usually there's a lot more going on, Peru has good waves in summer, the north is on fire, maybe not for beginners..but mancora is nice little tropical town, crowded but a cool place to hang out, here south of Lima in Punta Hermosa, we always got waves, most for intermediate to advanced surfers but we got one for beginners and when things get small, a beginner can try some of those other waves, not sure about the flight being cheap but around here for sure it is, PM me if you want more info, good luck!!

[perusurf]

I’ve considered trying to find a surf camp somewhere that could give me some admin/cleaning job in exchange for lessons/accommodation, but I don’t know how realistic that is.

was thinking, feb, march is our high season, i can give you lodging and food in exchange of help around the house, april maybe, depends how things are going, let me know if interested.....or anyone, i'm going to look for someone anyway....

[surfdreamer]

hey,

I am looking to do the same, take couple months to learn to surf. I have heard sri lanka is a great place to learn - is this true? ideally, i would like somewhere where its fairly laid back, has a gym (wierd request, i know), and can stay for a couple of months by myself. looking to stay at guesthouses. any suggestions?