Looking for a location for 3 month surfing

[Chris86]

Hi there

I am a beginner surfer but I am really passionate about this sport. I am doing it since about 5 year but unfortunately I never had time to surf for more then 2 weeks a year. But this is going to be changed. I am planning to stay for 3 or more month somewhere and live the "surf, eat, sleep" lifestyle

Now I really dont know where to go and I would like to ask you for some tips. The requirements I see are:

- There should be waves guaranteed as much as this can be guaranteed (traveling period: June/July/August/September), preferably different spots nearby
- The waves should be for beginners and advanced level
- Local surfing school would be a plus
- Living costs / food should be cheap as I will have no income in this time
- A lively town should be nearby in case I still wanna do something else then just surf, eat, sleep

Currently in my head is Bali but I am really open for other spots. Preferably in the Asian or South American areas.

Thanks a lot for your help in advance!

Cheers
Chris

[Big H]

That's high season in Bali....swells are up more often than not and while some beaches (Kuta, Padma, Seminyak, Canggu) will have inside areas for beginners, it will be hit and miss as there will be solid periods of good surf that will preclude raw beginners.....but if you have some level of competency there are plenty of breaks and one will surely be suitable....you won't be the only one living the dream....roads, beaches and Circle K's are jammed with likeminded sojourners which also translates to a happening "scene" away from the waves. Water is cold that time of year, relatively speaking, so bring a shorty for dawn patrols and book early.

[RinkyDink]

I really dont know where to go and I would like to ask you for some tips.

If it were me, I'd add a few things.

- Point break(s) with sandy bottom(s)
- Good internet access
- Medical facilities I would feel comfortable getting care in and could afford if it turned out that I needed it
- Lack of a language barrier or somewhere I could communicate effectively with people
- Interesting area to do things outside of surfing

[jaffa1949]

Rinky, that lets in some stuff Indonesia has plenty of point break as does a lot of other place BUT points always have a rocky outcrop holding sand in place
Third world surf countries have lots of people who can speak English as they make their money from selling services ,money talks.
Medical services tropical diseases etc, medical facilities, You would be foolish to go to anywhere, first, second or third world without full travel insurance.
Without it in some countries it means no treatment, or slightly better, full cash up front. Bankruptcy by credit card.

Chris Indonesia has a 30 day visa system or a special longer stay visa, check the requirements of the country you select!
A lot of Aussies fly out and back to Singapore or KL to meet extended requirements.
So budget that in for top up flights or bigger visa.
It is the main season for the whole of Indonesia so the increase in prices and the crowd in the water is huge.
If you stay in the mainstream of Bali (Kuta) you will need transport to some breaks, another cost! There will be fierce competition for accommodation First paid best dressed.
A question I would ask is where are you coming from? A long flight will increase your cost for insurance and airfares , so what sort of budget do you have!
bear in mind Indonesia is cheap but but you cannot approach it in a miserly fashion, your relative wealth will be obvious, so cheap and nasty in your money dealing will ensure that is what you will get, and you will be not considered like family.

Right attitude in Indonesia means so many more opportunities open up!

[RinkyDink]

Rinky, that lets in some stuff Indonesia has plenty of point break as does a lot of other place BUT points always have a rocky outcrop holding sand in place
Third world surf countries have lots of people who can speak English as they make their money from selling services ,money talks.
Medical services tropical diseases etc, medical facilities, You would be foolish to go to anywhere, first, second or third world without full travel insurance.
Without it in some countries it means no treatment, or slightly better, full cash up front. Bankruptcy by credit card.

I would love to travel to Indonesia. I listed things that I consider my best case scenarios. I recognize that it's not always possible to find an uncrowded, sandy-bottomed point break with a delicious fish taco stand 100 yards away, but hey, if you're going to drop out and surf for three months you might as well dream big.

[Big H]

Jaffa wasn't kidding about competition in the water.....so crowded that time of year and lineups full of snakes, back paddlers and locals that use their local knowledge to a sneaky and distinct advantage (I resemble that last one)....

There are alternatives (Lombok for instance, Sumba and Sumatra, but tradeoffs being less activities out of the water and those last two locations that time of year are GOING OFF; you would have to have a higher level of basic competency than what you alluded to having to enjoy those spots daily that time of year - sucks to sit out but when swells of 3.5-4m roll through as they tend to do a few times a season during those months there is no place in the water for the inexperienced, myself included)...


...whatever you choose get in condition so you CAN surf every day...as sweet as it sounds unless you build up to it you are going to be a sore and tired dog by the end of week one.

[Big H]

I have heard good things about Costa Rica and Nicaragua in terms of sandy bottoms, not terribly crowded conditions, value for money, consistent surf and accessibility for beginner to intermediate levels.....that's pretty much the extent of my unverified info, but at least a place to start to look into....


.....greater chance of a taco stand there than here anyway!

[RinkyDink]

I have heard good things about Costa Rica and Nicaragua in terms of sandy bottoms, not terribly crowded conditions, value for money, consistent surf and accessibility for beginner to intermediate levels.....that's pretty much the extent of my unverified info, but at least a place to start to look into....


.....greater chance of a taco stand there than here anyway!

I've heard good things too. I had a roommate a long time ago who kept traveling down to Central America every chance he could get. One week he came back, gave notice, packed up his boards and stuff, and moved down there for good. He said it was for the fish tacos.

[Chris86]

hey guys thanks for all your answers.First to answer one question, I am Swiss and I didnt think about my budget yet but I am able to spend as much as I need. Still I obviously prefer a country where you get most out of your money so I might be even able to stay a bit longer. Secondly yes I will do prepare myself and get in shape. I do already lots of sport but soon I will start more surf related workouts since I already felt like a dead dog when I was 10 days in Fuerteventura surfing all day long this fall.

But back to the topic, so you guys would say Bali is a great spot with good waves good surf scene and also where you can do some other activities.. only problem I see is the crowded lineups. Thats an issue. Another thing the transport. I would prefer to really have an apartment right at the spot. But this place where you can leave your flat and either walk to the empty surf spot or go into the city and have a good time probably doesnt exist right? But I will definitely check out Costa Rica and Nicaragua thanks for the tips! Thanks again to all of you and if you have more ideas I really appreciate every comment thanks

cheers!

[Big H]

I will bet that your utopia exists somewhere....but it isn't in Bali.....

Sumbawa....quiet, empty...............and empty.

Nias....the tuna lady looks like fun......



Trade-offs.

[Big H]

Nica....

[RinkyDink]

so you guys would say Bali is a great spot with good waves good surf scene and also where you can do some other activities.. only problem I see is the crowded lineups. Thats an issue. Another thing the transport. I would prefer to really have an apartment right at the spot. But this place where you can leave your flat and either walk to the empty surf spot or go into the city and have a good time probably doesnt exist right? But I will definitely check out Costa Rica and Nicaragua thanks for the tips! Thanks again to all of you and if you have more ideas I really appreciate every comment thanks

cheers!

I honestly don't have any info for you. However, I have thought about ways to find good spots to vacation at and make your own for a time. Here's what I would do if I were you. I'd research a break that looked like it might work for you (point break, right/lefts, no reef, friendly locals, nice surrounding community, nightly fondue parties on the beach, etc.). Crowds are inevitable, but you can find breaks that are pretty thinned out during the week. Summer is not the best time for finding uncrowded waves since the kiddies are out of school. Anyway, then find a break that also has a regular surf cam. Watch that cam everyday and get a feel for the place. I really learn a lot about the breaks in my area by watching the cams on a regular basis. You might not go to a spot with a cam, but by watching a cam regularly you might get an idea what the beaches in the area are like.

http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/tam ... rica_5782/

[Chris86]

Trade-Offs.. I got it.

I might just start in Bali, get a refresher by a school for a few days, buy a board, talk to locals and then see where the journey takes me. But Bali for 3 month seems really not to be what I'm looking for.
And yes RinkyDink if I would find such a break that would be awesome and I think i should focus on that.

[RinkyDink]

Trade-Offs.. I got it.

I might just start in Bali, get a refresher by a school for a few days, buy a board, talk to locals and then see where the journey takes me. But Bali for 3 month seems really not to be what I'm looking for.
And yes RinkyDink if I would find such a break that would be awesome and I think i should focus on that.

Here's an idea. I imagine the most efficient way to increase your surfing skills is to surf a good wave machine regularly for a month. Go rent a dive apartment in Rotterdam or live in a hostel or do an apartment share and spend your money on training your skills at a wave pool.

http://www.waveloch.com/surf-pool/

Once you have the surfing skills, head off to a beach you want to hang out at.

[jaffa1949]

Sorry Rinki I don't think a wave pool holiday session would be a good idea!
Others might, it just seem to be spending money unnecessarily.
Now we know where Chris I coming from Sri Lanka might be good option in the surf season and close to the beach. Sand bottom points and all the ingredients are there.
Can be slightly crowded, but nowhere near the stampede that Bali has become.

[Big H]

Trade-Offs.. I got it.

I might just start in Bali, get a refresher by a school for a few days, buy a board, talk to locals and then see where the journey takes me. But Bali for 3 month seems really not to be what I'm looking for.
And yes RinkyDink if I would find such a break that would be awesome and I think i should focus on that.

Jaffa spends time in Lombok; I have not yet but his photos and stories about the place make it worth a consider esp. if you follow your plan as Bali for a jump off point.....lots of board and accessories here so that would be a good idea to get a board/bags here. Lots of surf camps and surf guides here as well to tune you up; they will invade a beach and block a peak for their charges so that is not a bad deal in the crowds of that period.

[RinkyDink]

Sorry Rinki I don't think a wave pool holiday session would be a good idea!

Probably not, but there might be some advantages. You can drive from Geneva to Rotterdam in around 9 hours. You can also save some serious money by avoiding air fare that first month and have the use of your car in Rotterdam. I hear you, though, it's hard to beat the actual ocean. The nice thing about wave machines, though, is it might cut down on the massive influx of surfing tourists all planning summer trips to Bali or San Diego or Costa Rica every year.

[Big H]

Sorry Rinki I don't think a wave pool holiday session would be a good idea!

Probably not, but there might be some advantages. You can drive from Geneva to Rotterdam in around 9 hours. You can also save some serious money by avoiding air fare that first month and have the use of your car in Rotterdam. I hear you, though, it's hard to beat the actual ocean. The nice thing about wave machines, though, is it might cut down on the massive influx of surfing tourists all planning summer trips to Bali or San Diego or Costa Rica every year.

Rink....ever hear the expression "it's about the journey, not the destination". I know it's offered in the right spirit, but our OP has enough means that money isn't a concern; the quality of the experience, the total experience is the issue. Fresh cut papaya mornings, sand in the living room carpet from the front yard, boozy sunsets with drinks that have umbrellas in them.....surfing gives purpose and some structure (as well as a reasonable explanation in polite company) to the grand scheme which is to take a tropical drop out for a few months and savour life.....

I did something similar when I was younger....went to Mexico under the pretense of learning the language and teaching English, both of which i did do in a high intensity language centre there, mornings as a student and afternoons as a teacher (18 years old....good times!!!!)....but as that accounted for 6-7h a day, I had quite a bit of time to do what it was that I wanted to do which was experience the people & culture and take a step back and a deep breath of life before continuing on at University....a wave pool while being practical is a little bit too practical.

[Tudeo]

Trade-Offs.. I got it.

I might just start in Bali, get a refresher by a school for a few days, buy a board, talk to locals and then see where the journey takes me. But Bali for 3 month seems really not to be what I'm looking for.

Yeah Chris, Surfing is all about trade-offs..

Bali is great for what ur after, but... A very big but is the crowds, for a beginner it will be hard to handle. Also in that time of year the waves will often be too big for a beginning surfer, that makes the 'good' days and spots even more crowded..

About Lombok I just want to add there's some strange news about tourists getting attacked by road bandits with machetes. There where some recent articles (http://indosurflife.com/2015/12/in-one- ... in-lombok/), but I've heard more of these stories earlier.

[jaffa1949]

Some of the on road self ride or drive trips in Lombok have been risky.
Going to Desert point, Gunung Rinjani or out of the way scenic routes, have this risk!

A good way to avoid problems like this is use the surf camp's pick up service.

European tourist are the easiest targets as they think Bali and Lombok are all peaceful lovey, dovey in both there are areas where they are not.

First world perceived wealth means you are a target for bad guys, Sri Lanka has some, two Aussie were shot and burnt along with their traveling van in Sinaloa in Mexico.

Get to know the family with whom you stay, they will know the local safety gossip.

When there were terrorist attacks in Bali, many Aussies were warned not to go near down town Kuta on those nights, the grapevine and the good nature of family in Bali saved many more lives.

I say this because the ordered life of the Swiss and other "stable" European countries leaves little awareness for the radars of safety?