October; Hawaii... Oregon to California... or Nova Scotia?

[Soulmancer]

Enlighten me! ... Please.

[jaffa1949]

Have to go to Buddha beach on Wisak for that!

What is the actual question grasshopper?

[Soulmancer]

I'm am considering travelling to one of these destinations for a couple weeks from the 1st to 3rd week of October (2 weeks). I live in Western Canada. California would be a road trip, the others would be a flight. Originally this was going to be in September and the California trip, but I had to move the dates until October... which seems to open up more options on swell consistency.

[jaffa1949]

Road trip!

[waikikikichan]

Enlighten me! ... Please.

How about you Enlighten us with ......
1) your (honest) skill level. Don't want to recommend the Northshore waves if you can't handle them.
2) type of board you ride. There's obviously better breaks/places more geared for shortboaders versus longboarders ( and vice versa ).
3) type and size of waves at your home break.

With that information, we can give recommendations.

[Soulmancer]

Between Intermediate and Advanced?

I have surfed in Kauai and Maui early Dec, Nicoya Costa Rica in April, Baja Sur Mexico in November, and Sayulita/Punta Mita Mexico in April. Surfed northern Oregon, Washington and BC.

Mix of very inconsistent beach breaks, and fun point and reef breaks. My home breaks in the peak of winter I'd say it holds up to around 9 foot faces with narrow+fast take off. Anymore then that things turn into a white washing machine with powerful currents and close outs. Worst crowds I've faced at south coast of Vancouver Island, Honolua Bay and pretty much everywhere in Costa Rica.

I'd say the most humbled I've been with the longest hold downs and crushing bails was Playa Negra in Costa Rica with 10 foot faces. Or Port Renfrew due to demonic rip currents and heavy shore pound with driftwood logs.

I have a 6'6 x 2.75 x 20, a 6'8 x 2.75 x 21, 7'8 x 2.75 x 22. I'm 180 5'11.

Problem is now I'm landlocked so I don't get to surf as often as I used to. I do ski, hike, swim, mountain bike and go to the gym a lot but nothing can really prepare you for the first day back in the water.

[BaNZ]

Worst crowds I've faced at south coast of Vancouver Island, Honolua Bay and pretty much everywhere in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is my next year to surf list. That really sucks if the localism is bad.

[Soulmancer]

Well not bad as in hostile/aggro, just A LOT of people in the water at all of the known / consistent breaks. That was my experience in the Nicoya area. Though conditions while I was there weren't great as the onshore winds picked up by mid morning everyday and didn't let up until after dark, so all the surfers would be out early in the morning since the window of good conditions was brief. That likely contributed to the crowds.

[billie_morini]

soulmancer, see these forum pages. (You may have contributed to some of them.)

viewtopic.php?t=27570

viewtopic.php?t=26580

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21124