Surf Travel Vacation

[SquirtleDr]

Hey all, I'm looking for a sweet spot to spend an extended period of time doing some surfing. I'm based out of the west-coast in Canada, I had originally intended for SE Asia. I was intending to start my SE Asia trip in Thailand and do some kickboxing as well as surf, not sure if that's possible in any location around le globe. Part of this trip was for me to find a place that could be a home away from home, there's surf in these parts but its segregated to Vancouver Island's Tofino and I'm feeling like a change.

I would like to live somewhere I could wake up and go surf, somewhere with warm weather preferably. The prospecting of that may or may not be in the scope of my adventure I have planned for myself as of now, so hopefully someone could give me some great suggestions cause I have been racking the webs trying to figure a nice spot out. I don't want to be spending to much, and would love to be able to do a work exchange of some sort. I am not a very skilled surfer, but am very athletic and quick to learn new skills.

All suggestions are greatly appreciated and thank you in advance for any considerations.

[jaffa1949]

Sadly what you plan as a less expensive option was last available over 2o years ago if not more.
Thailand does have surf sporadically so a village with surf and Muay Thai is possible but the area is very close to the Thai tourist spots so not so cheap!

Indonesia you can hook into Air BnB stays in some areas but the getting there is interesting, unless you stay at the tourist traps.
Surf is much more consistent than Thailand, but more crowded, you may have to make a choice between kick boxing and surfing.
There are local martial arts groups in Indo too, so see!

SE Asia will give you a complete mind reversal of surf and experience compared to Torfino, be open to it!

[SquirtleDr]

What do you mean by mind reversal? Have you been anywhere in the americas? Would you recommend any place in particular there? For me, cost of getting to whatever spot I choose is not a major hindrance factor, its about staying there for a prolonged period of time. Thank you for responding, your advice is very much appreciated.

[jaffa1949]

I answered about SE Asia in response to your question, basically mind reversal or change is just about the culture shock to the amazing different attitudes of living there!.

I travel to Indonesia and the pacific islands (the obscure ones) regularly. The visa requirements are always the issue, I’m assuming you are Canadian ??, so I’d be checking your eligibility for prolonged stays at ????????? You choose.

In many countries it is good to realise that no matter how frugal and within your means you are, you are much wealthier than most of the locals.

The other thing I do bring to your attention is if you are fairly new in your skills at surfing, realizing there are no lifeguards or rescue service in third world countries including the Central American countries. You need to be self sufficient in your water skills.

I can’t recommend with any real knowledge any spots in Central America but I would do my search in this manner, pick country, review surf schools and surf resorts, check out home stays and air BnB, read up on surf conditions and seasons.
A prolonged stay might cross several seasons.
Have a look at surfing atlases we have one here on Surfing Waves.
Next just hang in here other Forumites may post advice!

[jaffa1949]

Just another question !
Have you surfed anywhere else?

[SquirtleDr]

Stellar advice dude, thank you. I never really cued myself into the notion that most third world won't have any rescue services/life guards. That's a very valuable piece of information to ponder. And no, I have not. It seems my options are running low. I really enjoy surfing a lot, but I suppose with not enough experience both with the ocean and the activity itself, I'm limited to more safer/secure waters. Where would you recommend a beginner to start a surf vacation? I'm a lefty if that matters.

[jaffa1949]

Look around the surf school, in any area you might fancy, They often have their schools in reasonably milder areas. Drowning students is not a good look or karma for a school.
There will a number of home stays around.
Question are you a Medico? There is a medical Surfers’ Association that hold seminars based on a surfing lifestyle and medical support, courses.
Well worth logging into that, if you are, tax breaks , surf breaks and colleagues.

The whole third and second world surf trips blast you with a super contrast to a Canadian or Australian lifestyle.

Ok tropical, and left handers for goofy foot = right foot forward, natural footed left foot forward, right handed waves.
I’m challenging you a bit, I have no wish to send you to death slabs or have you dealing with reef tattoos, just trying to find a clear fit!

What can you do at your level in riding a wave?

[SquirtleDr]

I ride with my right foot forward, I am not a medico, I have a background in personal training and sports science. Yes I was looking forward to immersing myself in another countries culture, the idea was to go for a backpacking/surf trip, and I've wanted to go to SE Asia for quite sometime. So you suggest surfing around the surf school areas of a location I would choose eh? I've been to Tofino a handful of times, I can get up on the board and ride a wave out to the coast line. This is why I want to have a fare chunk of time dedicated to just working on surfing, the cost of going to tofino and having a place to stay is quite steep. With the cost of lodging and food, the equivalent of two trips to tofino would almost be the same as going somewhere else and practicing surfing there. That and to be able to experience a new culture would be incredible. I am open to going anywhere, being able to wake up and surf is a dream. I sincerely appreciate your time in to replying to me, thank you for all the advice you've given me.

[jaffa1949]

The kindest area I can think of sending you is Sri Lanka, warm, curries, good learn to surf areas two distinct surf seasons.
Your level of competency is that a a several times I rode the white water to the beach.
You need a safe area, you need to progress in understanding beach dynamics , rips rock , crowd etiquette, and develop the ability to ride across the face of the wave in either direction achieved through basic turns. Light warm waves will help length of stay, visa status!
You will able to hire boards that suit learners at most tropic surf school areas.
Also Kuta Lombok, less crowded than Kuta Bali.
Places on the Central American coast too. Take a few lessons or get a guided couple of days with others of your level!
Those experiences will not be wasted!

[SquirtleDr]

What are your thoughts on panama as a location?

[jaffa1949]

What are your thoughts on panama as a location?

It warrants a serious look. Other than that I don’t know much, we don’t have any items on our map forum , google surf Panama and see what you think.
If you find something interesting to you post the link and I’ll have a browse and hopefully advise you.

[Lermontov]

I'll second Sri Lanka for sure. Spent three weeks heading up the south-west coast this autumn and it was perfect. Breaks of all levels to improve on and it's pretty relaxed scene. Water is super warm too. Our fav was definitely hiriketiya bay but I'd also say Weligama if you're after long beach breaks (but it's crowded) and SK Town was awesome to have bigger peaks to yourself and noone else around.

[jaffa1949]

God, I wish I could change my office job to freelance and live somewhere by the sea. Most of all, in my life, I miss the freedom when I can do anything every new day. I understand that I am happy with my family, but in my heart, I miss the time when I could wake up in the morning and decide to go to another city and do it. The only vacation for me is a vacation with my family, so my wife chose a holiday by the sea this year. I hope that I have not been waiting for this vacation for two years in vain since last summer we could not fly because of the pandemic. In general, I wish you to find your place in life and never rush with your family if you are not ready to part with freedom

[AndreHB]

Hello dear community,

in the next one or two weeks I'm planing a trip to the west coast of France. Since I'm travelling alone by car I thought maybe someone wants to join/meet for a day or more. So don't hesitate to write if you are arround there. Maybe good to know: I'm a beginner

And second question is, does anybody have tips or recmmendations for surf schools that are still open there? I would like to have a course for several hours or a day.

Best regards from Germany
André

[jaffa1949]

Andre, there is a lot of west coast of France, Biarritz, Anglet area has a lot of Shops and schools, so there is a good starting spot, whether the schools are seasonal I don’t know. There are a number of surf camps/ schools around the coast near Moliets and this may be a little more challenging as there is a great longshore current which will be stronger with bigger seas!
Bon chance!

[AndreHB]

Thank you for the remmomendation! I will find out which schools are still Open. Today I arrived in Lacanau and I think from here I will check out the spots further south to Biarritz. So if anybody has more tips I would be glad

[jaffa1949]

I make the trip to the Atlantic from Austria when I can! Spain and Portugal offer good learning areas too!