Going somewhere new to surf requires more preparation than most people think. Swelling, spotting, going around on landing – all this should be sorted before you go. Even something as simple as having data on your phone is more important than you might expect. Many daily things need internet. For example, finding transportation, searching for a beach you’ve never been to, and checking the forecast when you arrive. eSIM Plus It offers a local data plan without switching SIM cards, which means one less thing to deal with when you land in a new place.
Prognosis
Many disappointing surf trips happen because someone booked flights around their schedule rather than around the swell. The ocean doesn’t care.
Waves begin as storms at sea. This energy travels through the water and eventually dissipates on the reef or beach. Therefore, you need to analyze the forecast. And when you do, consider three things: height, period, and direction. The height is clear. The period (seconds between waves) is something that many people overlook. For example, two meters in 8 seconds is weak and irregular. Two meters in 16 seconds is strong and feels a lot bigger in the water than that number suggests. So always look at periods and not just height.
Wind is just as important. A land wind comes from the sea and upsets everything. Before any trip, check the wind direction to see where it usually blows and where there is shelter from the wind. There are beaches facing all four directions. One can be confusing and the other is good.
Sites like Windguru, Magicseaweed and Surfline are free. So spend a few weeks comparing what they show with what’s actually happening. It works the same way.
Where to go
The north coast of Hawaii and Tahiti are great to see. They are also places where experienced surfers get seriously injured every season. So, if you want to start your surfing hobby, this is not the best place. It is good for professionals who know how to deal with big waves.
The west coast of Portugal is consistent and changing. Nazare gets all the attention, but the rest of the coastline offers beach breaks and reefs for surfers of all levels. Morocco is a short flight from most of Europe, has a long layover and is cheaper than many comparable destinations. The Canary Islands swell all year round. And with several islands to choose from, there’s almost always a place to work.
Bali is also a good place. It has warm water, waves of every level and good infrastructure for surfing trips. Canggu is a confidence booster for surfers. Uluwatu and Padang Padang are reef resorts for people who know what they’re doing. The southern coast of Sri Lanka is warmer and less crowded than Bali. The waves there are more suitable for intermediate surfers.
The Basque Country has strong surf from October to March. The surf culture there goes back decades and people take it seriously. Surfers who come with patience and respect will get a good workout. Usually, the ones you can’t find out quickly.
Rules in water
Each point has its own hierarchy. The deepest seated surfer—closest to where the wave begins to break—goes first. Riding on someone or running around someone who is about to leave will cause problems. In some content this causes real problems.
Paddle through the channel, not through the breaking waves. Cutting through content and getting in everyone’s way is one of the fastest ways to ruin your session.
Travelers who wait their turn and do not rush to the top on the first day are quickly accepted. Some spots are strongly localized. The locals have been surfing there for years and don’t particularly want outsiders ruining things. Being quiet and patient is not only polite, but practical.
Plates and equipment
Flying with boards is expensive and boring. Bags get thrown around, fenders break, rails get bent. Renting a board is a smart option when going on short trips or new destinations. In most surf towns the quality of rentals has improved considerably and a decent shop will take many forms depending on the conditions.
Bringing your own boards for longer trips to places you know is worth the trouble. Surf the familiar. Choose the right size and the right shape for your weight. Two weeks of daily training will make a noticeable difference.
Wetsuits depend on the water temperature. In winter, canaries need at least 3/2. Northern France or Ireland need a 4/3 with a sealed seam in the fall. Bali – boardshorts. Check the water temperature for your destination before packing. It’s only 5 minutes of research.
Don’t overdo it
Trying to surf every season regardless of the conditions is how people end up injured or burned out by day four. Bad wind days happen. Flat days happen. Surf when you’re tired and the waves are erratic, trips end early.
Sitting on the beach and watching for a while before you walk somewhere new – where the channel is, how the crowd moves, where the hill moves with the waves – will tell you things that the water can’t. Many experienced surfers do this without thinking.
Wave charts are free. Most stains only work at a certain wavelength. Checking before driving saves canceled trips. It only takes 2 minutes.
Eating and sleeping are more important on a surf trip than at home. You work your body hard every day. Proper nutrition and adequate rest will help prolong training and prevent injuries. A bad night’s sleep before a good swell day is wasted.
Even the non-surf days are worth making good use of. Walk along the beach, see the places from different angles and talk to people who walk there regularly. Local knowledge is hard to find online. Anyone who’s been on hiatus for a decade knows things that no forecast or map can tell you.
