Surfing Waves

Hi, couldn´t find it using the search funtcion, so decided to open new topic.

I´m looking for a surf camp with longboard lessons in December. Classic single fin would be nice...
Any ideas or recommendation?

Location is not super important, just looking for good waves.
Level should be intermediate.

Thanks, Philipp

Some basic information about you would help!
Where are you based? Then we can make recommendations!
December is different seasons and has different swell patterns in each hemisphere and ocean facing coast.

Some surf camps will closed as it will be low season others in full frothing swing!

You rate yourself intermediate, OK what are your current abilities , the single fin classic longboard style has some good fits considering all of the above.
AND welcome, we can help!

Thanks!

Based in Germany, but since North Spain or France with it´s beautiful longboard spots are to cold for me in December, I have to fly somewhere anyway... maybe South of Sri lanka or West coast of Mexico - looking for 1-3 foot waves.

Well, rate my skills in a level is a little challange for me.
So my skills with my 9.4 x23x3 longboard so far:
paddling into line up - yes
take off incl angling during gliding - yes
choose and go left or right - yes
cross stepping - in progress
bottom turn - definitely not

Ok Mister Phillips, south West. Sri Lanka is the favourable coast in Dec around Welligama and Mirissa there are lots of spots some with surf school and surf resorts and camps so Sr lanka is definite option, Great fish curries and fresh tropical fruit warm water and lots of home stay options.
Surfing multiple beaches will need a driver often some are linked to where you stay.It is a country to be respectful and mindful of local custom.

Mexico has 9000 + kilometers of coast but not all is accessible easily, thenorth pacific coast has the edge of North American winter on it in December it is less heavy than the peak swell season
Mainland Mexico is more tropical the further south you go and there are numerous softer surf areas , board hire is not a great option on much of the coast so it could be BYO from Germany, could be an expensive cost factor.
There are a number of German based surf camps and travel companies that organise the whole deal as a package-

Pure surf camps and Waveculture. Surf Culture include Sri Lanka in the camps list, no one appears to link to Mexico.
Some of the camps include some Caribbean islands, and Morocco, a bit warmer.
One recommendation I have for new surf travellers is the guesswork between getting from the airport to the surf is taken out of the equation.
Share your thoughts alittle more about how we are making your choice easier.

Now about your level , you are just beyond the basic beginner, being able to turn both ways and having bottom turn and cut back is the beginning of the intermediate. level.

OH a bit awareness you need to be capable of Selbst Rettung and Erste HIlfe as most of the beaches have no lifeguards , qualifications for surf instructor include both of these in good surf camps so check the surf camp description well and the customers’ reviews.

Next step

MisterPhilipps wrote:So my skills with my 9.4 x23x3 longboard so far:
paddling into line up - yes
take off incl angling during gliding - yes
choose and go left or right - yes
cross stepping - in progress
bottom turn - definitely not

1) From the paddle, which you are pointing to the shore, to going Left or Right, which is going across the face of the wave, how are you doing that without first Bottom Turning ? Yes, I see that you "angle in".

2) If you are not Bottom Turning, then you probably do not have the technique to sink / stall the tail. If you don't stall the tail, then you won't get the "lock". Without the "lock", cross stepping won't matter.

Yes, taking a step or two back and forth will help you to adjust trim. But if your ultimate goal is to noseride, then you need to learn to Bottom Turn FIRST.

Olo Surf in Imsouane in Morocco is nice, I have been there three years ago. A very cool fishing village with beautiful waves that give you very long rides. Be prepared for Jellyfish though (people wear kitchen gloves sometimes) and bring charcoal tablets because food poisoining is highly likely.

Oldie wrote:Olo Surf in Imsouane in Morocco is nice, I have been there three years ago. A very cool fishing village with beautiful waves that give you very long rides. Be prepared for Jellyfish though (people wear kitchen gloves sometimes) and bring charcoal tablets because food poisoining is highly likely.

Thank you. I’ll have a look!

Welligama, [beach break] Sri Lanka as per what Jaffa said.
Warm weather for sure
Warm water for sure [no wetsuit needed...don't even think about packing it, you won't need it]
No jellyfish, or sharks
Bay View Hotel [I've stayed there loads] is right on Welligama beach. They can probably do you a great deal. Speak/email Mr Bertie, [tell him Mr Nick from England told you about them!]
They can also sort you out a hotel transfer from Columbo airport to Welligama of about $100 each way.

There are a ton of surf schools/instructors to take your pick from on the beach. You can get a Tuk Tuk to take you and board very cheaply to any other breaks like Lazy Lefts, Plantations.
Quite a few Germans go there.

Great food, Lion beer..it's all goooood.

Sheesh...I've virtually talked myself into going now

Bali is renowned for its consistent surf and warm weather in December. Canggu and Seminyak are popular areas with various surf camps that offer longboard lessons. You might find classic single-fin options at certain schools or rental shops.

It would good to realise that december is the wet season in Bali, the Kuta side and that coast is less reliable Cangu Kuta, Seminyak all along is often blown out!
The east coast of Bali lifts up its right handlers Nusa Dua Sanur turtles less crowded than prime season but the east coast can epic, oddly enough you can even surf a break called Sri Lanka there!
Some issues with stream run off pollution after heavy rains! treat immediately cuts and grazes.

surfabcon wrote:Bali is renowned for its consistent surf and warm weather in December. Canggu and Seminyak are popular areas with various surf camps that offer longboard lessons. You might find classic single-fin options at certain schools or rental shops.

December is the worst month to surf in Bali. Swell is small and inconsistent, its the only month of the year I hardly bother to go out.

And like Jaffa said, west coast which is canggu, seminyak, kuta, airports, and spots from balangan to ulu are all onshore and blown out.

East coast is more challenging, wiinds are offshore but reefs are further out and more water movement. Nusa dua is a 7-800m paddle out and you’re a long way from home if something goes wrong. There is one famously overrun break during the wet season in nusa dua that is favored by surfcamps and the mass of beginner-intermediates…..follow the vans and you can’t miss it.

No point anyway because december is flat flat flat.

A little further afield perhaps but that time of year, Southern Hemisphere Summer - Australia, New Zealand? Australia has a whole lot of coast and quite a few surf camp options, and often the nature of the camp is that if the instructors are good enough, then any board rider can come along. I suppose not that I know that much about but Mexico, Costa Rica, other Central and South American locations, have heard good things about Peru and Chile but more left handers I think... Further flight to Australia probably expensive, and cost of living and camping here expensive too... in terms of Northern Hemisphere Summer, Japan and Taiwan might be options. There is a surfing video about Kamchatka (Russia) but that is hectic and cold, plus I have seen people surfing in BC, Canada...

Second all the stuff Jaffa and Geezer said about Bali W coast in Dec. You might luck out the first week of Dec with mellow knee high, but all blown out and trash filled junk after that. Infected cuts and grazes, ear infections can keep you out of the water and really put a damper on the trip as well. If you end up in Sri Lanka per what others have recommended, very curious to hear how it goes. The conditions and curry sound really awesome. Safe travels!

Check out Mojosurf in Australia, Surf Simply in Costa Rica, or Surf With Amigas in Nicaragua. These camps offer coaching for intermediate surfers and have a range of longboards available. The waves in these areas are generally good for longboarding and offer a variety of breaks to suit different levels and preferences.