3 Months of bliss

[OffTheBoard]

Hey guys, I'm looking to go off surfing for three months from mid May to mid August. I'm looking to head to warmer climates from sunny old England and would like some recommendations.

I am ideally looking for any type of wave between 4 and 10 feet (give or take a few) but maybe something not as heavy as pipeline or Teahupoo. I would like to go somewhere like Costa Rica where I can travel down the entire coast, picking up on any waves that I can.
I would consider myself an intermediate surfer but most of my experience has been spent riding mals and longboards. I'd like to take a shorty with me too and have a bit of a play so any suggestions would be great!

Thanks,
OTB

[jaffa1949]

Intermediate on a long there is nothing wrong, you are not a lesser surfer because of that
But what do you mean by intermediate in your skills, 10ft is a serious wave no matter how you measure it, are you experienced in that sort of surf?
There ain't no lifeguards or rescue services! jungle and third world treks are great but the risks are enhanced too.
If you can do a good multi manouvre ride on a wave all will be well, and there are lesser waves the too, long point breaks ideal for honing skills after 3 months you should have jumped up a lot.
Check out the forum surf maps for Costa Rica may help .
Another guide to check is the Stormrider Guide of the World has a really nice section on the central Americas.
Briefly Northern Costa Rica rich in point surfs access through Tamarindo local airport dry country year round consistent rare in lefts or super size.
Southern Costa Rica , malaria and tropical diseases as it is more jungle, intense rainy season and less consistent than the north. And there is a middle section too!

When you do go come back and write on the forum of your first hand experience will help many others!!!!

[RinkyDink]

Puerto Rico could really use the tourism. Check it out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/30/trave ... .html?_r=0

[OffTheBoard]

@Jaffa1949 >>> Haha, I know. It's a bit of an oxymoron but I stand by it. Although after the weekend of surfing, I just had I think you can put me back to a beginner in any category.

So I usually swap between a 9'3" longboard and a 6'10" mal. I've ridden between 8' and 10' on the shorter of the two boards and am relatively comfortable in surf that size. I've been working on top turns and the like but it's quite slow. Ideally I'd like to go somewhere where I can build up my expertise on the shortboard but swap back to something a little bigger when I just want to chill out.

Thank you for the advice on Costa Rica, it's still up there on my list of places to go but the thought of the wet season puts me off a bit. The other place I've looked at is Indonesia but the world is my oyster.

Like I said, I'd just like to go somewhere where I can travel up and down the coast just hitting the surf. Ideally, cheap is good but I'm open to any suggestions.

[dtc]

well its not exactly cheap but you could go to Australia. It is winter but wont be too cold esp if you head north in July/August. But even further south (around Sydney) it will be around 20C air temp and 16 or 17C water temp. Lots and lots of beaches.