Another where's a good place to learn post (Jan - Mar)

[CharlyDontSurf]

Hi,
I'm planning on not working from Jan - Mar, 2015 and live in frigid Toronto, Canada....and Charlie don't surf but he wishes he could!

I’ve read a quite a few excellent threads on where to learn to surf between Jan – Mar and it sounds like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Bali and maybe the Philippines and Sri Lanka are good places for it.

I haven’t travelled much to South East Asia, so the appeal of finding something out there is quite high….but I’d like the focus of this trip to be on learning to surf and maybe doing some diving if I feel like mixing it up….so, if Central/South America is the place to be, please let me know.

Since I won’t be working, I’d like to keep it on the cheaper side….I was wondering if I join a camp for the first short bit and then go out on my own for the remainder of the trip?
I’d also like to be someplace warm with warm water – I saw threads saying that Morocco is a good destination at that time but it also doesn’t sound like it’s very warm then (or really for beginners).

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
Charlie

[dtc]

Central America seems the best choice for you, lots of beginner breaks and pretty good diving - and, yes, a camp for a week or two, then out on your own, is probably preferable to spending all your time in one place. Then consider ducking back into a camp after 6 weeks or so on your own, even if only for 2-3 days, to get your 'quirks' straightened out.

[CharlyDontSurf]

thanks - have you surfed Central America? do you have any recommendations on where to start?

any thoughts on where to surf in South East Asia during Jan - Mar? I may visit friends in London over Christmas so, the thought is to kinda carry on from there....

[dtc]

I havent surfed in Central America but there seems to be surf from S Brazil right up to Mexico. Lots of people rave about Costa Rica and Dom Rep, but Belize, Ecuador, El Salvador etc etc all have something. The benefit of the first two (and probably Belize) is that they are set up as tourist destinations, with lots of camps, places to hire, easy travel etc. There are a few threads on this forum about good places.

SE Asia generally doesnt have many waves overall, but here and there are spots you can surf at the right time of year. I'm not sure why there arent the waves, I suspect its to do with the shallowness of the ocean floor in a lot of places (so no real swell develops, just wind waves) and there are a lot of islands, or reefs, also sheltering the shoreline. So you can surf the reefs, if you are good enough, but not from the shore.

I notice that Malaysia holds its surfing comp in Jan, so there is an option. Taiwan, as mentioned. Indonesia, but you may need to travel or cough up for a camp rather than just hang around Bali. Thailand is definitely off. Vietnam is a definite possibility at that time of year - inconsistent but the waves are there (China beach etc). Sri Lanka and India as well. Phillipines, but check closely as lots of places are still devastated from the cyclone (Yolanda). Basically the east part of Asia (China downwards); not the west facing coastline other than when you get over to India.

Although if you havent travelled much I wouldnt go to India - its quite a shock. But if you have been to the poorer parts of Asia or Africa, you should be fine.

[CharlyDontSurf]

thanks, that's really great context for scenario/"what if" planning & budgeting.
I have travelled quite a bit so, I'm good there.....although don't have a huge desire to go to India (again).

another question for you; since I'll be travelling for 2.5ish months, should I just buy my own board to take with?
I read the articles on this site about what kind of board to buy, etc....I'm guessing that's a decent enough amount of time to get my own and learn to ride it rather than having to keep finding rentals....good point about Costa Rica though, sounds like I may be able to outfit myself well down there.

[dtc]

I am totally for staying on one board for a long period, getting to know it (and recognising that the problems are yours and not the boards - too many people think changing boards will cure things)

But travelling with a board is a pain. its fine point to point, but getting to and from those points is difficult. So, for example, once you are on the bus or the plane or whatever, no issue. But hoping off at the bus station and having to walk for 2km to the guesthouse can be hard work. The board may not fit into a taxi or whatever.

I think it depends on where you are going. Around places like Costa Rica I'm sure a board can be done, although you will face the issue of the board you should be on (a longer board) isnt the board you want to be transporting (a shorter board). Still (at a guess) its a country used to people travelling with boards. But Malaysia isnt and neither is Vietnam. Hauling a board around vietnam would be difficult.

However...on the other hand, I suspect in Costa Rica and similar, you can hire boards pretty easily in most places, whereas other countries it may not be as easy.

As you havent really surfed, ideally you would want to go to a surf camp, get a feeling about what you want or need, then get that board. Whether there are boards where you are going that are easily obtained (second hand is usually great for the first board) I dont know. But - surf camp, buy second hand board, travel around, deal with the hassle of having a board. Sounds perfect

[SwellSurfCamp]

Hi Charlie

From Toronto, the Dominican republic is a pretty easy flight.

Our prime surf season is between October and April. Water is always warm, no wetsuit needed, ever.
Send me a message if you need more info about the Caribbean islands, or check our website



Http://www.swellsurfcamp.com

Enjoy your trip where you end up going to