3 months and 3k - where and what should i do to surf?

[Duncs]

Hey guys.

Ok here is my situation:

Starting May 2004, i finish my job. I will have 3k of hard earned cash to spend on a trip. [technically i have 5k, but mum wants 2k saved for uni!!!! lol ]

Basically i want to surf as much as possible in the 3 months, and also to travel a bit. I also want to do this in a more interesting place than i am in now - i.e not England. I want some sun, and preferably some babes too [well can you blame me ey?! ;) ] .

I have looked into things like "flyingfish" - fylingfish.com which offer 12 week surf courses in australia where you learn to be an instructor. The advantage of these is you have acommadation and a programme set up for you, and people to organise you. Though this could also be a bad thing. Unfortunately this course doesn't co-incide with when i want to go [i have to be back for september 04 to get ready for uni.]

I also have a mate who is moving to California and should have a house there i can stay in for a while. Though i am not sure how close to the beach it will be...

I have done a weeks surfing in Croyde, though i am basically a beginner. I quite fancy surfing in Costa Rica for a bit, and i have friends travelling through south america, who i might hook up with for a bit of surfing. But generally i will be on my own in sorting out the trip.

I am really not sure what to do. I mean, i am 18, so hiring in a car/van in most places is probably not an option (i do have a british driving licence). I also dont have a board, so would have to hire/buy one wherever i end up surfing, this may be difficult to move around with if i dont have a car...

So. Basically i need a permanent place i can stay for a while, learn to surf properly (maybe a surf school/course), or maybe a mates house, or just a beach side hostel...hopefully with lots of people around to hang with!!!
Then maybe i can bus it or train it/ or fly to a new place and surf some more there...

I am stuck!!! What do you all reckon? Im thinking maybe not Australia/NZ - it'll be winter there...so maybe central america/california?!

Any body else out there who wants to go on a surf trip May-Aug!?

Advice welcomed!!!!

Thanks,

Duncs

[def]

come to australia! boards are cheap here and the surfs good all year round!

[Gustavo]

duncs,
DO NOT COME TO THE STATES!! I REPEAT, DONT COME TO THE STATES!!
it would be too expensive for you go to cali. i live in miami, fl but i'm venezuelan and have traveled to costa and mexico.
if i were you, i would either go to australia or south america. costa rica woul be my first choice. food is excellent and very cheap. people are very cool and you dont need a car.
always negotiate!
good luck,
Gustavo

[Duncs]

Hey Gustavo,

Thanks for the reply. I have just booked my ticket. I fly to Quito [Ecuador] in early May, and then im flying out of Sao Paulo in early August. So i have 3 months to travel down the pacific coast of South America, and also cross across to Brazil.

Do you think i can get some good surfing in?! I have been looking at places like Montanita in ecuador where i can just chill, hire some boards, and maybe get a few lessons as well to start. There are lots of surf camps in Brazil/Peru as well which look inviting for a 5-7 day stay.

I am slightly worried about what i have let myself in for though, as i dont know whether im going to be doing this alone!!! :( I mean, i saw this awful tv program about all the tropical diseases/worms/infestations travellers can get. It's pretty nasty....

Anyway, i'm going now!

[Gustavo]

Duncs,
i have never woried about diseases. just make sure that whatever you eat, its cooked well.
get out of quito as soon as possible. there is nothing to do there and im sure that since you are not spanish you will stand out. go straight to Guayaquil. it is a beautiful town and great surfing. plus, every woman that i have met from guayaquil is beautiful.
if you are going to Peru, take a wetsuit. a full wetsuit. the water is freezing.
i dont know where you are coming from but just take one board and you could buy boards down there. they will be pretty cheap.
if you have anymore questions, let me know. i have friends in brazil and throughout so. america.
good luck,
Gustavo





Hey Gustavo,

Thanks for the reply. I have just booked my ticket. I fly to Quito [Ecuador] in early May, and then im flying out of Sao Paulo in early August. So i have 3 months to travel down the pacific coast of South America, and also cross across to Brazil.

Do you think i can get some good surfing in?! I have been looking at places like Montanita in ecuador where i can just chill, hire some boards, and maybe get a few lessons as well to start. There are lots of surf camps in Brazil/Peru as well which look inviting for a 5-7 day stay.

I am slightly worried about what i have let myself in for though, as i dont know whether im going to be doing this alone!!! :( I mean, i saw this awful tv program about all the tropical diseases/worms/infestations travellers can get. It's pretty nasty....

Anyway, i'm going now![/quote]

[Duncs]

Hey Gustavo,

Thanks for the excellent advice, if i think of any more questions i'll post em up. I don't think i am gonna take a board, just hire/buy while i am out there, as i am hoping to do a lot of sightseeing as well, i.e the INCA trails etc etc, and i think a board might get in the way!

I am actually looking for a surfing buddy for the trip,...you don't fancy it all do ya? Lol

Have a nice day!

[Guest]

wish i could go dude. i have friends in ecuador, peru and brazil so it would actually be extremely cheap if i went. but i have to work and im going to barbados and venezuela.
if you have any other questions, let me know.
take pics
g.g.