ideal surf destinations, wintertime

[newgalaxy27]

Hello Surf people

would you please give me an advice on where to look for surfing this time of year? im planning to do mid january till end of month. im looking for a mild waves as i'm a beginner, never stepped a foot on a surf. also, money is not an issue, in fact i would pay extra for non-crowded waves

any help would be appreciated.
thank you!

[kitesurfer]

Hi there.

Back in 2009 you came on the forum asked a very vague question about kitesurfing and now 6 years later you've come back and asked another equally vague question about surfing.

Here is your post from 2009
"Hi Guys,

i have never surfed or kite surfed, and for that matter have never done any water sports. i've been snowboarding for 4 years and average at it.
My question is - should one learn surfing before going into kite surfing? i definately want to learn how to surf but have an immediate opportunity to go kite surfing soon.
What would you guys suggest?"

So did you go kitesurfing?

KS

[newgalaxy27]

no i did not.. will i be banned for this? to be honest it's been a dream of mine to surf a wave, but i have been postponing this forever due to various reasons and my personality i might add. indecisive... this time around i'm set on doing it for sure. !!

[Jester]

Whereabouts in the world do you hail from? Might help a bit! If you catch the bug of surfing you'll soon wave that indecisiveness goodbye. Good waves

[newgalaxy27]

Hi Jester! thanks for encouragement i live in Moscow now.

so, i have done some research and came up with few places to look at.
barbados
Fuerteventura island
Papua New Guinea
Hawaii North Shore
Tahiti
Costa Rica
Vanimo/Nusa Islands
Indonesia
Philipines

am i correct in assuming all these places are fine for surfing in january? maybe i have missed something?

[Jester]

What is your expectation from surfing if I may ask? What do you want from it and why are you doing it? It's undeniably a thrill and cool if you can do it but as most will tell you it takes years and much dedication to look cool actually doing it! I guess that's where the kudos comes from, no one can just pick it up in a week and say 'I'm a surfer' so anyone that can actually surf gets respect.

I can't yet but I'm absolutely thrilled learning and there is no other feeling like riding a wave! Is that what you're chasing? It's fun, challenging, exhausting, addictive, frustrating and rewarding.. What motivates you to go to the other side of the world when you haven't started yet? Just an enquiry. The place is almost irrelevant at this stage but then maybe some of the good surfers on here will disagree with me.

Do you have much/any experience in the ocean? Sorry for all the Q,s but it will help those that can help you.

[drowningbitbybit]

so, i have done some research and came up with few places to look at.

You've got places that go from barely any surf to grindingly huge surf. Places that are tourist and surfer hotspots to places that are a real challenge to get to... you might want to narrow down that list somewhat

Just go to the nearest spot you can (SW France?) and try it out. Don't make it into a huge mission just yet.

[drowningbitbybit]

no one can just pick it up in a week and say 'I'm a surfer'

Ooh, I don't know... the number of people that come onto the forum for the first time and claim to be ripping after a week...

[Jester]

Ooh, I don't know... the number of people that come onto the forum for the first time and claim to be ripping after a week...

If only I had half their skill!

[BaNZ]

Ooh, I don't know... the number of people that come onto the forum for the first time and claim to be ripping after a week...

In my case, it is ripping my hair out. I didn't realise how bad I was until I asked my other half to film me. I look like an absolute tool.

[oldmansurfer]

In my opinion what matters is how you feel and not how you look.

[Jester]

Surfing for some is the pursuit of cool,
For me I'd rather be the happy fool,
If in our progress there becomes a chance
To film our flailing arms, duck-dive and stance
Pray we be somewhere warm like Banz
And begger off to the south of France

[newgalaxy27]

Jester, i agree with some of the other posters here, i actually could not care less for how i look doing it. as to why i am pursuing this now, - i have this strong feeling inside of me, a sort of an attachment that i'm not bound by yet. it is something that my body and spirit is clinging for (sorry for big words:) ). and i LOVE WATER - i swim a lot in the pool and i can say im the happiest when i do it.

[newgalaxy27]

Drowningbitbybit,

i've actually narrowed my search to morocco and Fuerteventura island for now. other posts seem to suggest they are both fine this time of year for beginners especially.

[jaffa1949]

Good choice, now the real learning will begin.
Keep us posted, lots of Russians attempting surfing in Bali, long flight to discover how much there is to surfing, good luck

[newgalaxy27]

Jaffa, i'm nor russian but i get your drift anyways

[waikikikichan]

"I'm planning to do mid january till end of month.- so you want to basically learn and surf for 2 weeks ? not going to happen ( read #3 below )

"I'm looking for a mild waves as i'm a beginner" - but you listed the ultimate mecca for surfers The Northshore of Oahu, Hawaii

"(I've) never stepped a foot on a surf" - On a 1 hour lesson, most people start begging to go back to the beach at 45 minutes. Your neck will get really sore, your throat will be dry from the salt water, Your eyes will be burning. The next morning your arms won't have enough energy to turn off the alarm clock. When you finally get up after over sleeping 4 hours, in the shower you'll find two massive bruises under your ribs ( for girls they'll be on your hip bones ). Plus if you didn't listen to your instructor well, you have a bruised chin from slipping on the popup or a bump on the head from not covering it with your hands after wiping out. Did I mention the sunburn ?

I am not making this up or trying to scare you off. This is truly what happens to first timers. So don't get your hopes up to surf everyday. Maybe one day on, two days off.

P.s. I rather teach a non-snowboarder than a a snowboarder to surf. To much you have to have them "Re-learn".

"money is not an issue, in fact i would pay extra for non-crowded waves" - let me know if you plan to go to surf in Waikiki,Hawaii, I can get you what you want.

[Jester]

Hahah you're really selling it waikikichan!! Hey its a lot more fun than that sounds, my very first session I came out of the water so exhausted but happy. It'll be great fun and if money is no object you could end up relocating to be near your dream destination!

Try it, you're gonna love it! Report back how you get on. Looking forward to hearing. It'll probably be harder than you think but you'll be grinning like a loon... Or you'll give up after a few days

[waikikikichan]

Jester - where did I say it was not any fun ? It'll be the greatest thrill of his life riding waves. But most first timers don't realize the toll it takes on the body. So I cautioned him to plan out his surf trip to not be daily surfs.
I had student tell what a great time they had on their lesson and that they'll come back the next day. Couples days later I see them on the street. They say they couldn't get out of bed physically or even raise there hands above their chest. But yes they were smiling.

[Jester]

You're a hard task master I'd say waikikichan! Sorry I guess I'm not used to warm water so never encountered the bruising issues on account of bring cushioned a bit more by my wetsuit! Did have sore arms though! Wanted to surf all three days in a row first time I went but I must admit it was only for a few hours each day with plenty of down time.

Would love to one day surf somewhere warm and feel what it's like without the gimp suit!!