Surf vacation location suggestion for a beginner

[MatsNorway]

Hi folks

I am thinking of using some vaccation on surfing. But i live in Oslo, Norway so not alot of warm water or waves. It might sound silly but its important that there is a decent temperature in the water there. (im below recommended on vitamin D)

The second criteria.. is that need to be able to rent a board or buy one dirt cheap. Well. I could buy one here and go anywhere but surely thats too big for plane luggage?

Then i would favor not traveling for 12hours+ on a plane. It kills me really big time as i am tall enough to have trouble sitting properly on a plane.

[jaffa1949]

Ahh, Matts, there are a few things I can help you with.

Just about anywhere south of you will be warmer in the northern hemisphere summer.
Look seriously at the south of France and Spain and Portugal not their premium surf season but definitely a chance as the surf schools there will be catering for the summer rush.
You could try the canaries and see how you go there.
As you are tall ( Viking basketballer) you might have to crank up the Euros and fly business. Defeats the cheap trip.

Finally Vitamin D is produced by the skin in response to sunlight, so at least half an hour each day in temperate summer summer will up your quota, not sure about anything to do with temperature of water.
Cod liver oil is a source of vitamin D.
Don't overdo the sun exposure, sunburn will have you looking like an encrusted Norwegian lobster.
Good news is you won't need epic surf just a good learner beach.
Portugal.
SURF TROMSO!!!!

[drowningbitbybit]

Hi Mats
I agree with Jaffa i think Portugal can be a good option for you and is not only because i'm portuguese!
But it's not that far the temperature of the wather it's also quite warm at least comparing to Normay more south more warm!
And lots of sun, in fact you should be aware and use some solar protection and dont expose to much!
Also it's quite easy to rent or by a board here and not that expensive, and also theres lots of surf schools all around.

All the best and i hope you enjoy your surfing days

[jaffa1949]

Hi Mats
No doubt that Portugal is the best place, great waves, warm water, sun and fun, there are numerous surf schools with great teachers and places with fantastic accommodation with lots of entertainment.
Maybe see you around
All the best

[MatsNorway]

Thanks. was good to see a response. You people got a spesific area you suggest? To check out at google maps so i can check out plane routes, hotels and so on.

[jaffa1949]

Mats, there is quite a bit of information already on the site in the surf spots part and the advertising around the site have a look. Just look down the this Forum , there are a lot of people also linking in the posts underneath.
It really is quite hard to advise you from Australia, most of the information I get is by googling myself, so you too can do that!
Narrow it down a bit and then ask here, the surf schools are plainly evident and maybe their advertising will help you choose

[inigosurio]

Aloha !!!

Really nice advice from others but to be honest ... check San Sebastian ( north Spain) , near Hossegor, Mundaka .. and too many other cool sopts for all surfing levels

Contact me if you like and i will give more details, like cheap place to stay, rent or buying etc

hope you well

Inigo

[inigosurio]

plus.. i for got to say .. your flight will be no more than 2 hours long to Biarritz or Bilbao

[MatsNorway]

Worth mentioning that i was in turkey (Not going back) and even tho it was 40degs in the shadow it was freezing water. whats up with that..

Googling Hossegor

First thing i saw when i put hossegor into google was surf picture. good sign i guess
http://www.lowpressure.co.uk/surftravel ... ?region=34


Bilbao/mundaka Spain
http://www.lowpressure.co.uk/surftravel ... ?region=20
The Mundaka river mouth sounds sick. Probably allways some waves there. And really hot water right?
https://www.google.no/maps/search/surf/ ... a=!3m1!1e3

Portugal Ferrel
At first i went wtf. Is the entire coastline of portugal a beach?
Then i located this place. I like this, plenty of surf stuff who i take as a good sign. And you can easily surf on both sides. Even if the waves becomes too big you could probably surf on the backside when they curv/spread out into the bay right?
https://www.google.no/maps/search/surf/ ... m2!1e3!4b1

I also checked out Canaries. Temps do not vary allmost and there is shops and surf camps there but somehow it did not look right.

That said. I googled Marmaris and it was claiming 27degrees water temp average for september. I believe i was there when it was september.
So i need to like.. figure out what that was. Because when we had sick good summers in the Oslofjord or.. Bunnefjorden if you want even further inn. we jumped out and came back up thinking it was super nice. 23-24degrees on the surface. Thats like.. ten years ago mind you. i am 28 btw. I skateboard and umm. own a snowboard. Is that a big benefit?

[MatsNorway]

Oh.. other people in Mundaka. Crowded places. xxxxx.. Many things to consider i see.

[jaffa1949]

I think if you are using the low pressure publications as a guide( and they are a good one) you better look at the surfer level guide! In fact if you use any guide check the surfer level recommendations.
At mundaka you would be an absolutely danger and hazard to everyone in the water.

You know skiing, consider a double black diamond run, now put an absolute beginner on that run on a crowded day. That will be you you are liable to be seriously hurt and or assaulted .
Look for beginner beaches with surf school, SURFING IS NOT SOMETHING YOU JUST ARRIVE AND DO

There is a mile of threads on beginning and how little other board sports help you.

Go gently with the aim to just learn, believe me you are a long way from handling sick waves!

There insomuch information in this forum....... Read Up

[MatsNorway]

Ferrel is the only one then on those ive found so far. So yeah. After my morning coffee i thought so too. No Mundaka at least. Hossegor can be dangerous too. That said i do not need big waves. I do not know how long it takes me to get up on the board but until then i need tiny waves and they should be anywhere. I need good temp in the water and some stable but small waves.

[MatsNorway]

https://surfing-waves.com/surfing-etiquette.htm
This was gold.

[MatsNorway]

I am very likely to go alone btw. its 99% certain.

[jaffa1949]

Good on you for reading around, some company nearby is a good idea too, the more the wave action the more water is moving and the greater the risk! One major reason I answer posts is to try to ensure people understand what they are dealing with in the surf!
Just so they get home!

[TowelCircus]

I would go for french south west avoiding over crowded hossegor (wich is no good for beginner or summer trip) and basque country. San sebastian is also a very fun place to visit. Water is a bit chilly in portugal.
But you should tell us when and how long you plan to go ? Cultural intrest, nightlife or 100% surf trip ? Your budget ?

[MatsNorway]

I think i will go a week. Just to try it out. Priority is hot water and beginner friendly surfing area. cultural interest is not really there. Not when i go alone at least. Nightlife is.. a cool option.. Budget is high if i want but i lack general feel for whats to be expected as vacation costs. My own shower is something i want i guess. Im not that low in costs.

[TowelCircus]

Go for a full week of surf lessons in a surf camp in SW France, Northern Landes would be my choice for a beginner.
Water is never warmer than 22° C in Europe and remember weather and waves vary a lot, that's always kind of a bet.

[inigosurio]

Hello again

San Sebastian is the place to go for too many reasons, its very ner of too many other good surfing places plus the city is really nice and his gastronomy is a really well know recognise around the world .

mundaka is just 45m from there... the same Hossegor... but , Zarautz is just 10 minutes and La Zurriola ( San Seb surfing beach... is a good place to be)

Any doubt please contact me

best

Inigo

[egetunca]

Hello,

Mat did you have a chance to visit any of the surfing locations?
I live in Turkey / İstanbul, I want to learn how to surf and I have about a week. From what I read from here, peniche seems to be the best place for me. I was wondering if June or July is better?