endless summer 3

[Moana]

I wanna start my trip around the world next year, and really just travel in search of beautiful surfsports. I'm still pretty much at the beginning of surfing but so much hooked, It's all I can think of. So for any tipps around the world, any places, any routes...what ever.......love to hear your stories.
Cheers

[jedi]

Whats up. Ive just arrived home from an 8 month surfig trip around the world, probably the reason im sitting at the computer now, already starting to plan the next trip! Our trip covered Hawaii, Peru, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, France, Indo and then home. As a beginner you'd probably be best off giving Hawaii a miss, though it depends on the time of the year that you'll be there. Avoid their winter (jan/feb) as thats when it gets big. The North shore is a beautiful spot to hang out though, with small waves in the summer time. Peru is such a sick spot, we ended up spending nearly four months there. Surf up north pumps, though most of the best waves aren't situated close to nice towns. Mancora would be good for ya, sandy beaches and a bit more atmosphere in the town itself. Further south are some insane waves, though a bit of Spanish is needed in the more out of the way spots. If you go to peru check out Machu Picchu!! Hmm, this is getting a bit long... Brazil's unreal! Florionopolis is a really cool spot. Clean water, good weather and waves to suit any level of surfer. Barra de Lagoa is an awesome little fishing village with heaps of cheap accomo, right near the beach. Definately check that spot out!! In Europe we had a van so were fairly mobile. Portugal was the pick of the countries for me, laid back, sick waves and cool people. Southern France is pretty sick though, too. Indo, so many spots, Bali is a good start! Who doesnt love Bali? Sorry bout the essay, ha ha.

jc

[Moana]

Classic!!!! Thanks heaps for this.... will keep it all in mind...
So 8 months all around? Wow, I can't wait to get going. Will have to save more money first though. Hawaii was never really top priority...maybe I just associate it with too many tourists???? although maybe if you get off the beaten track.....
Will definitely check out South America, have surfed in Ecuador before and the whole country is just beautiful.
Don't know if I'll do much of Europe though....it's funny , when you live in the "middle" of it (Switzerland) you tend to go away to far destinations, instead of checking out what's close by. Did you not go to Marooco? That's an awesome surf contry.
Yeh, Indo will be on top list too.
Ahh.....can't wait.
How was it money wise??? Did you get by easily? I guess surfing all day means you spend no money otherwise.
In peru, were there other people, (locals) surfing???

Anyway, thanks jedi....any other stories from your trip??..... I'd love to hear.

[jedi]

Ha ha, so many stories after 8 months cruising round the world with four of your best mates, not sure how many would be fitting for this website though?? On the money side of things, its surprising how far you can go on not too much money at all..And when you spend the majority of your day in the water, its pretty hard to spend cash! Found South America to be really cheap. For accomodation, three meals a day and a few beers at night we were paying around $25 oz a day, thats only about 14 Euro! Brazil was slightly more expensive but still really good. Indo is still the best value for money though, cheap as. Europe was kinda expensive though definately worth it, and im sure you'd know all about that anyway!

There are local surfers in Peru, and they are pretty competitive in the water, like most of Latin America! Once they warm up to you though they are really cool. There are heaps of (guess who's) there though, heaps, and they tend to surf in packs of about 20, quite the anti social act as far as im concerned, ha ha. Espicially when they start hassling in the water. Trick is to make sure they are not from Peru (ie: from B_______) then just start droppin in on them!!

Never got a chance to duck across to Morocco as i was there at the wrong time of year. Heading back next year though to catch Portugal in autumn, and then down to Morocco, hopefully stopping at South Africa on the way over and at Mexico on the way home!

[Moana]

nice one....to travel and surf the world with your best mates.........what more do you need ??

I remember South America though 5 years ago it was sooo cheap, we lived in a big apartment the 3 of us for only 3 dollars a night. These days though prices have definitely gone up a fair bit, but still heaps cheap compared to Switzerland

Definitely head over to Marocco October-March, and go to ........xxxxx forgot the name of the place......when I remember I'll let you know.....but it's away from touriplaces, and there's a really good point break there........

You from Oz right? spent 2003 there...beautiful......
but can get very croweded too no? ....maybe I was just at the wrong surfspots....?

Europe's a good place to travel yeh....but it does just blow your money so quickly...................rrrrrrrrr

did you 4 travel by bus around South America??? with your whole gear? Or had a van?????

I wanna head off NOW...........

[jedi]

G'day. We travelled through all of South America by bus, it was just too easy! They charge ya a little bit extra for your boards, but its still worth it. The buses are new and comfortable, and they travel overnight, so ya just crash out and wake up at your destination! Linea were a good company in Peru. I dont think i'd want to be driving on the roads over there anyway, the drivers are all complete pshyco's (im not joking). Yup oz is cool, and its not so crowded, just gotta look in the right spots!

[Laguna]

This is what surfing is all about. When Im older and get a bit of money and sould be a reasonably good intermediate surfer Im going to have to plan surf trips around the world every year. Its just so cool finding different spots in other countries. Right now im starting University and ive heard theres a surfing society so id hope to join and just organise trips to all the beaches in Wales and possibly a few in England