Surfing in Florida?

[Silver Surfer]

Hey!

Were taking the kids to Disneyland in December but as we are there for 2 WHOLE WEEKS I'm determined to get some surfing done!

Problem is, I've never been to Florida and havent a clue, being used to surfing all over North Cornwall (England).

Can anyone recomend any Longboard friendly beaches that are not too far from Disneyland to keep me sane?

Any tips really appreciated, (beaches, water temp etc etc) by locals or by UK folk who have been. Thanks Guys, I cant miss such an oppourtunity!!! Thanks!

[tomcat360]

Well Disneyworld is in the middle of the state. So you could go to the gulf or the ocean. The gulf usually only breaks with good storms I do believe.

You will be burning up in comparison because of the water temp, I think it only dips down to like 65, check though.

But what I do know is it's all like the east coast. Hit or miss. Usually miss, haha. If you go to surfline and look at the travel guide it will have all the breaks and stuff about them.

[WooD]

Don't waste your time with the gulf side.

I think your best bet wood be to head somewhere between Cocoa Beach, and Vero Beach. Lots of good breaks.

Our water temps were an almost unbearable 68 degrees fahrenheit today, so you can plan on being most cold. I am about a hundred miles north of those spots thou, so their water is probably around 70 to 75 degrees.

[Silver Surfer]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll check it out, looking forward to it!

[billie_morini]

Dear Silver Surfer,
I have good news for you about surfing during your Florida trip.

Background: I live and surf in northern California. My mother and sister live in Orlando, FL, and I go there about one time per year; usually between January and March.

Answer to your question Part I: The most convenient place for you to surf on the Atlantic is Cocoa Beach. Don't waste your time with the Gulf coast. Cocoa is due east of Disneyworld and is an easy 1 hour drive from Orlando. The surf isn't bad, especially for longboard, and the water is not cold by Britain and northern California standards. I've been known to drive to Cocoa Beach every morning when visiting Mom in Orlando. Gotta get in the surf, you know! Here is the best part: Go to Ron Jon's Surf Shop (http://www.ronjons.com/) or Cocoa Beach Surf Shop (http://www.cocoabeachsurf.com/), rent a board, and walk four minutes to the better Cocoa Beach surfing spot located next to the pier. The shops are across the street from one another, VERY cool and loaded with good stuff. (You may not believe how large these shops are.) Fortunately for you, you'll have Pounds or Euro buying power. Ron Jon's is a "must see" anyway, even if you don't go surfing and I promise your enire family will flip out when they go there.

Answer to your question Part II: Disneyworld has a new attraction that offers surf on real waves. I've not seen it in person, but here is a video showing some guys doing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5RPQyG1iV0. See? You may not even have to leave the


Oh, I'll be there in the week of 13 January. What about you? It'd be cool to meet up.

Billie

[Silver Surfer]

Hi Billie Morini,

Thats awesome! Many thanks for the tips, much apreciated, especially the local knowledge and tips! I'm only there in 26/11/07 to 10/12/07 and not in January unfortunately!

Thanks again,

[billie_morini]

Silver surfer,
I'm sorry we will miss eachother in FLorida by only a few weeks.

Here are a couple of more reasons to take your family over to Cocoa Beach. It's a white sandy beach and very mellow. You can rent boogie boards for the kids from the surf shops. Have a pleaurable meal on the pier. Order a grouper sandwich. This is a regional favorite. Watch the surfers from the restaurant window.

Want to sample some local cuisine in Orlando? Here are two good suggestions.

1. Rick & Lee's oyster bar
5621 Old Winter Garden Rd., Orlando, FL
407-293-3587
This place is a real experience. It is a traditional hole in the wall. You'll find the oyster far larger and much cheaper than in most European restaurants. They also have a variety of shrimp, fish sandwiches, crab cakes, and some crawfish. It is not far from Disneyworld and on the north side of Orlando.

2. almost any smoked BBQ restaurant. It's easy to get ribs and lots of them in Orlando. Be sure to use the hot sauce.

If everyone in the family is tired of the artificialness in Disneyland, then take them to Gatorland (http://www.gatorland.com/). This is the old style gator park that I like so much. It is on the south side of Orlando. You’d travel east to get there from Disney. They’re pretty close to one another. Be sure to get the kids some gator meat to eat!


The final endorsement: I've taken many foreign friends and colleagues to all these places I've told you about. This includes 1 Indian, 3 or 4 Germans, 2 or 3 Swedes, 1 Pole, 2 Venezuelans, 1 Argentinian, 1 French Canadian, a couple of other folks, as well as, some Californians. Every one of them has had a good time -- especially at Cocoa Beach.

[Silver Surfer]

Wow! Talk about local knowledge! Thanks again Billie_Morini, really appreciate the advice. Awesome, Thanks!

[Xsv345]

what ever you do, make sure u DONT drink the water in orlando, its horrible unless its bottled of course

[billie_morini]

Silver,
how'd the holiday go? Did your family travel well? Did you get to Cocoa and Ron Jon's? I'll be going in a month. Got my airline tickets yesterday. Will have to friends from Germany meet me. Will get them into the water one way or the other.
Billie

[Silver Surfer]

Hi Billie,

Unfortunately, kids got really ill (Chicken pox!!) so there was NO WAY we could go!

Hope to go later in 2008, however quite happy enough with the Cornish surf for the time being!

[billie_morini]

Silver,
I am so sorry the trip was spoiled by illness. Poor kids. They probably realized they were not going to see Mickey after much anticipation.

This kind of thing happened a lot while I was growing up. I was the one that often came up with emergency surgeries or big illnesses. My older sister hated me for it.

Well, don't go between June and August. The climate in that area at that time of year could nearly kill you all. It'll certainly make you miserable. I no longer go to Orlando at these times because the high humidity and temperatures made me sick when I did.