Best place to learn/improve surfing for 1 year

[surfkook]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on the following.

I'm 29, living in a landlocked country in the EU and want to take a year off work to focus solely on improving my surfing.
Right now I can only surf during my holidays, which as you can imagine is tough for improving.
I started surfing about 2 years ago, currently on a 57L NSP 7'10 weighing around 76-78kg at 178cm height (5'10). Right now I can do basic turns on head high waves, next goal is cutback practise and trying small floaters etc..

I want to use the time off to focus on improving, that being my number one priority, so I'm looking for a place/places around the world to spend the time.
Ideally somewhere warm/not too cold and not too expensive/relatively cheap with nice beginner/intermediate waves and a good infrastructure for learning and I'd be really glad about some suggestions so I can maximise my time. I can speak english and spanish.

Thanks

[surferbee]

Ok, first of all, I am sooooo jealous that you can take a year off of work to surf. Good for you!

As for recommendations, I think it will come down to whether or not you want to be someplace remote or nearer to a city. Off the top, I think the best options for warm water, consistent surf are probably going to be Hawaii, Guanacaste region in Costa Rica, Baja or Sayulita in Mexico, and Bali/Indo. Hawaii's not particularly cheap. Sayulita can be touristy and crowded from what I've heard (never been). A few other members here can advise you better about Bali or other spots in Indonesia.

Costa Rica, if it's done right can be pretty cheap and uncrowded. The locals are friendly. The infrastructure's decent since they don't have a military. And it's politically stable. The food is good but the options are limited, so you'd better like beans and rice with chicken or fish (and some other stuff too). If you're feeling adventurous, you can also travel north to Nicaragua where it's cheaper but the infrastructure is not as good, they have a military, and it can be politically unstable at times. Still, there's lots of consistent surf to be had throughout.

I hope that helps. I'd love to hear what you decide.

[waikikikichan]

I too agree that Hawaii is too expensive. BUT ................... If you surf in Waikiki for 3 months, you will learn more than a whole year somewhere else.

So maybe plan a year around different locations, May, June, July in Waikiki, then Costa Rica or Taiwan later months after, and so on.

[ConcreteVitamin]

I too agree that Hawaii is too expensive. BUT ................... If you surf in Waikiki for 3 months, you will learn more than a whole year somewhere else.

So maybe plan a year around different locations, May, June, July in Waikiki, then Costa Rica or Taiwan later months after, and so on.

What are some good beginner/intermediate towns in Taiwan? Kenting (south)?

[dtc]

I agree with wkk that different places at different times may suit. As a beginner you don’t need anywhere too exotic - anywhere with a beach more or less. Spain would be fine for example. Then maybe Costa Rica and a stop over in Hawaii

[surfkook]

That sounds awesome thanks for the tips guys!
I never considered Hawaii because of the costs but a few months should be fine... I like the Spain/Costa Rica and Hawaii combo...
Maybe Jan - April Spain/Canaries; then May-July Hawaii, and then August-December Costa Rica, will think about that...

Are there cheap(er) places to stay in Waikiki or is it all high cost?

Thanks

[waikikikichan]

You can look into Hostels in Waikiki.

And be wary of anything posted on Oahu Craigslist where you mail them cash and they’ll mail you the keys for a short term rental, it’s most likely a scam.

By the way, how do you intend to improve your surfing skills on these trips ? At surf schools or just on your own ?

[surfkook]

Ok thanks!

Good question, this is what I'm thinking...
I've been to a few surf schools around Europe with varying deegres of motivated/competent coaches...
I'm at a point in my learning where I can spot, paddle for and catch my own waves without any assistance from someone in the water...
So I was thinking about joining a local surf school/club whatever and get someone to critique my technique, or maybe do video analysis once a week or something from the outside.. and give me some stuff to work on for the following week (kind of like homework haha)

Do you think that would be a good approach? I'm open to suggestions of course

Another thing I wanted to ask was what are the reasons for Waikiki being so learner friendly? I guess it's mostly the consistency and the type of waves?!

One last thing, what would be some conservative and some progressive estimations of how much I could improve during the year given how I do right now (see first post)?

Thanks again guys

[oldmansurfer]

Waikiki is learner friendly because of the waves. The waves are easy to ride. Okay so maybe not every wave but overall they are just beautiful waves.

[waikikikichan]

Why Waikiki ? Here are a few reasons.
World champion Carissa Moore
Master shaper and surfer and surf coach Ben Aipa
World champion Bonga Perkins
World champion Dino Miranda
World champion Kelia Moniz
Soon to be on the WCT Seth Moniz

Gerry Lopez - Pipeline Master - "I started surfing in Waikiki and to this day, am still able to easily find the magic that made it such a special place in spite of all the changes and development that’s occurred since I was 10 years old."

Duke Kahanamoku - Waikiki Beach Boy and the "father of modern day surfing" for which if it wasn't for him spreading the "Sport of Kings" around the world, this forum would probably not exist.

[surfkook]

That sounds awesome can't wait to try the waves!