Long Surf Trip

[derbyshire surfer]

Hi All,

How's it going?

I'm planning a surf trip...quite a long one, hopefully in the region of 3 months. I'm married and work full time but I need this! Not surfed for around 6 weeks and fancy a longer trip!

I have to really save up say 3 months mortgage payments before i go, obviously fuel and food money.

I normally surf on the East Coast and was considering going up to Thurso area maybe just camping up there and work my up to surf Thurso East...always wanted to have a go at that, not really going to do it in a weekend though. So I figure start small work up. My other option is Portugal, I have had 3 or 4 surf trips there and love it, surfed at Tonel last time which geve me a beating but also some good rides. Obviously car hire for 3 months would be expensive so maybe get to Sagres and base myself there, or other option would be South West maybe Saunton for a while?

Has anyone any other ideas on places? or Prices? I guess I will be budgetting for between £500 - £1000 mark, live off sarnies if needs be!

Has anyone done a trip similar? This would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, so don't want to waste it, wife is being very understanding about it and encouraging me

Appreciate any advice or ideas

Trev

[PapaW]

IMO the all rounder would be Scotland:
- You can take your own vech.
- Consistent and wide selection of breaks. warm(ish) up to Nov/Dec
- Free camping in the sticks or cheap outside that.
- you can island hop
- if you get sick of it/emergency etc etc your still in the UK



The Southwest... sure its ok and it'll be warmer but its heaving and expensive.

Portugal. - Warm, powerful and consistent firly cheap but would take the most organising and be potential issue / cost a bomb should you need to get back in a hurry.

[PapaW]

Also - if you wen the Scotland route you could always break it up and ferry over to Larne, NI and you've got all of NI and ROI.




I've been abroad fair few times and tho not further then the EU the only benefit i've seen so fr is (slightly) more consistent waves nd its warmer. thats it. Personally I've gained so much more exploring the Isles that make up the UK and ROI.
Some may say its not particularly adventurous but I'd have to disagree! got plenty of stories to tell and many new friends long the way. Its easy to miss whats right in front of you.

[mrc]

originally from leeds but strangely have never surfed uk ...ive lived in ROI for a good few years and if your wanting a reasonable cheap surf trip (as long as you dont mind camping) there s some amazing waves over here just keep it quiet.

[derbyshire surfer]

Thank You PapaW and mrc...great advice and looks like I've narrowed it down!
I do plan on camping, keep costs low, I have a Punto to drag my gear around in so fuel should be low too.
I reckon it'll be gas stove most of the time...what be your typical diet when you travel for a long trip? Fruit, sandwiches? That kind of thing?
On a two or three day trip I guess no worries with the 'chippie' etc! On a longer one need to save the £'s

[PapaW]

make pasta and rice meals more interesting be sure to take some herbs and spices along and pesto

[phillwilson]

if your going to scotland why not stop at a few spots along the way? if you end up passing up thru north east and fancy a dip/home cooked meal near scarborogh give me a pm and i will sort you out. not been too much toride here lately but will be picking up soon so im told.

good luck dude, i know the feeling you are hankering after...tbh im never more then a bad day away from throwing in my carreer myself and going on a surf adventurel