Archive for the ‘Surfing’ Category
Cabo San Lucas: The Ultimate Surfing Destination That You Should Visit
area? Do you want a change of atmosphere and even get more challenging waves? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may want to try going to Mexico particularly in Cabo San Lucas. Known to be one of the best surfing destinations in the world, Cabo San Lucas has been attracting countless surfers from all over the world for many years.
Aside from the fact that this place offers a year round warm weather, and the best and consistent surfing conditions, you will see that this place will be able to offer what surfers really want, such as fantastic nightlife, great resorts, and exciting adventures that you will never find anywhere else in the world.
Cabo San Lucas offers consistent surfing conditions all year round. This means that you don’t have to worry about planning when to travel as this place will be able to offer optimum surfing conditions throughout the year. During the end of the summer months, you will see that the “chubasco” beings. With it, stormy weather will follow which means bigger and more challenging waves.
Although rumor has it that the best surfing spots are kept secret by the locals, you will see that there are quite a lot of spots that will be able to impress any surfers and even impress any seasoned pro. So, where are these surfing spots?
The first is called Zippers. Located about 29 kilometers on Mexican 1, this particular area is designated as an experts only spot. It is also considered as one of the best spots. With waves breaking right over a rocky reef, you have to remember that this surfing spot is a bit dangerous for newbie surfers and beginners. Here, you will notice that crowds will gather around the beach to watch the surfing action, which you can be sure will be filled with excitement. Even if you are just a beginner, you will have a lot of fun watching other experienced surfers ride large waves in this spot.
Roca Loca is another great surfing spot in Cabo San Lucas. However, it is only for advanced or expert surfers as the waves here swells between 3 to 6 feet and usually breaks to the right. The great thing about this spot is that the rock and sand bottom are not that hard on surfers who are wiped out.
Another great spot for advanced surfers is the Acapulquito. With fairly consistent wave quality, you will see that this place is perfect to hone your surfing skills if you are only a beginner. The only downside is that during the weekends, it will be pretty much crowded by surfers, which means that you will need to wait for your turn to surf.
Cerritos also provides great surfing conditions for beginners and advanced surfers. With a sandy ocean floor, you can be sure that you will not get seriously injured in case you are wiped out. The only downside is that you need to travel about an hour to reach this destination but you will see that it will be well worth the wait.
Cabo San Lucas itself also has good options for beginners. In fact, if you don’t know how to surf, the beaches here are perfect places to learn how to surf.
So, the next time you are planning to go on a surfing vacation, you might want to consider going to Mexico in Cabo San Lucas. With variety of surfing conditions to choose from, you can be sure that you will be able to find one that will be perfect for your surfing skills.
Surfing Vacation Tips: How to Score Waves on Your Surfing Trip
Whenever you go on a surfing vacation, you obviously want to experience the best surfing that the world can offer you. So, how can you narrow down all the potential surf spots? Well, you first need to remember that a fantastic surfing vacation will be different for every surfer. The thing that makes a vacation great will depend on what the surfer is looking for. For example, it may be low cost, the wave choice, and it can be the travel partner.
Basically, there are three general groups that usually go on a surfing vacation. By knowing which group you belong to, you will be able to find out what makes a satisfying surfing vacation for you.
For hardcore surfers, you will usually be traveling solo. You are also experienced well enough to ride harder and much more challenging waves. So, the experiences that you will usually look for are bigger, faster, and much more challenging waves. Or, you will be looking for some serious waves. This will also involve traveling to various remote locations to find the perfect wave. These places are not easy to get to and will require some trekking.
For serious or hardcore surfers, you will want to go to Teahupoo, the Banzai Pipeline and also in Cyclops, Australia. You are also the type of person who isn’t really that much particular when it comes to the cost of travel. What you want is to experience big waves that will be able to satisfy your cravings.
For family surfers, you will be bringing your family on a surfing vacation. For this trip, you will balance the desires of the rest of the family and your surfing desires. You will also need to go on a place where everyone will have a lot of fun surfing. Unless your spouse and your kids are expert surfers, you can take them to the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii but this is very unlikely. The best possible place that you can take them would be in Waikiki, Mexico, San Diego, and even on Costa Rica. These places will be able to cater to the needs of the entire family. It will be able to provide waves that is perfect for beginners as well as waves that are more challenging for serious surfers.
Beginner surfers are the easiest surfers to go on a surfing vacation. If you are a beginner, then you will find that there are plenty of locations that will be perfect for you. In fact, you don’t even have to travel out of the country just to find the perfect wave for your skill level. You can go to Hawaii, and even in California. If you wish to travel out of the country, then you can try going to Australia, which also provide a lot of places for beginners to surf on. Mexico is another great option.
After you find out which group you belong to, the next thing that you need to do is to consider other important things and put them on a list, such as your travel partners, the destination you plan on going to, the weather, the crowd, the surfing conditions, and also the pros and cons of each area you list down as a potential location for spending your surfing vacation.
Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will be able to experience the most satisfying surfing that you will ever have.
Top Surfing Destinations: Do You Have What It Takes To Surf The Banzai Pipeline?
So you think that you are really good at surfing and that you have what it takes to be one of the legends in surfing? You might want to think again. If you haven’t tried surfing the Banzai Pipeline yet, then you haven’t really experienced what surfing is really all about.
The Banzai Pipeline is located at the North Shore of Oahu. This particular surfing spot offers the world’s most spectacular tubular wave that expert surfer’s dream of surfing. Just imagine yourself inside the tube of the wave. It would be like being somewhere different. You can’t really describe what it is really like until you try it for yourself.
This tube is what surfers’ dream of riding. It is what they compete for in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. In fact, most surfers wait for days and even weeks in the Banzai Pipeline just to get the perfect wave.
If you want to test your surfing skills and see if you have what it takes to be one of the greats, then you may want to experience the Banzai Pipeline. Located at Ehukai Beach Park which is located on Ke Nui Road that is just off Kamehameha Highway, you will see that it is very easy to find. In fact, this surfing spot is very popular in the area that you can ask the locals for directions.
Because of its fame, you will see that the 1.2 acre beach park gets a lot of visitors especially during the winter months where the waves really get huge. From surfers like you, to journalists, to photographers, to your average Joe who wants to see the action, you will see that this place will definitely be packed.
You might want to remember that this surfing spot is only for experts. If you are just a beginner to advanced surfer, then you will have to wait until spring and summer in order for you to ride smaller and much gentler waves.
However, you might want to remember that even in summer, the waves near the shore and the rip currents are something that you should be careful of.
Here, you will find complete services and amenities. It has lifeguards, showers, parking, picnic areas, restrooms and even phones.
The Banzai Pipeline is indeed the scariest wave to surf on. If you aren’t an experienced surfer and you are only good at smaller waves, then you might want to look for another place to surf. The Banzai Pipeline isn’t for the fainthearted. It is very dangerous and is only reserved for expert surfers. In fact, even seasoned pros gets wiped out extremely hard, which can be nerve-wracking for beginners.
However, if you think that you already have what it takes to surf the Banzai Pipeline, then you may want to go visit the Ehukai Beach Park during the winter months. With big waves, fantastic crowd, awesome scenery, and exciting surfing, you can be sure that you will be able to have a lot of fun surfing the world’s most popular wave.
So, stop waxing your surfboard and stop making excuses why you haven’t tried surfing the Banzai Pipeline. If you really believe that you are good enough for the Banzai Pipeline, then start packing your bags and your board and head out to Hawaii and surf the Banzai Pipeline.
Simple Rules of Surfing That You Should Definitely Follow
Surfing is a very cool sport to do. However, you need to keep in mind that whenever you go out and surf, you need to be aware that there are a few unwritten rules in surfing that you should know about. By following these rules, you can be sure that you will be able to have a fantastic time riding the waves and give your fellow surfers a great time as well.
By following these simple rules, you can be sure that you will not only be safe from the inherent dangers of surfing but also keep other surfers safe. It can also prevent you from damaging your surfing gears and potentially save your life. So, always follow these rules and try to memorize these rules by heart.
The first rule is that you should never drink and surf. Or, do drugs and surf for that matter. You can get drunk after surfing but you need to remember that drinking while surfing is really not that much different when you drink and drive. You will have poor judgment, which can result in accidents and even death.
The second rule is that you should always be aware of everything. Surfing is fun if you do it safely and responsibly. Always be aware of the other surfers in the water, the current water conditions, and also be aware of any signs of dangers in the water.
The third rule would be staying in your comfort zone. Sure you want to try the big waves and surf like the pros do but you need to remember that you should never push yourself too far. Always stay in the waves that you are comfortable surfing. If you mastered it and you are more confident to try bigger waves, then you should do so gradually.
The fourth rule is that you need to be strong and fit to surf. Always remember that you need to be a strong swimmer. If you lose your board, then you need to swim all the way to the shore and you should expect fighting rip tides which are potentially dangerous to surfers.
The fifth rule is that you should know when to bail. You already know that you have to hold on to your board at all times but there will also come a situation where you will need to know when to bail out of your board. This will prevent injuries in your part when you wipe out and it will also prevent injuries on other surfers that may be on your way.
The sixth rule is that you should always surf in patrolled beaches. It is a fact that finding a secret surfing place can be a lot of fun. But, you have to consider the fact that surfing has its potential dangers. By surfing in patrolled beaches, you can be sure that someone will be there to help you out in case you get in to trouble in the water.
The seventh rule is to never ever drop in. This means that you shouldn’t take someone else’s wave. Always remember that the person nearest to the breaking part of the wave has priority for surfing the wave. Dropping in is considered to be rude as well as very dangerous.
The eight rule is you should never surf alone. Although it would be great to have the entire beach to yourself, you have to remember that surfing alone is very dangerous. Think of your surf buddies as your backup and also as your savior. They will be able to assist you if you do get in to trouble and you also need to do the same for them.
These are the things that you have to remember about surfing. By memorizing these rules by heart and by following them religiously, you can be sure that you and your fellow surfers will be able to have a lot of fun on your day at the beach riding the waves.
Top Surfing Destinations: The Best Places to Test Your Surfing Skills
As a surfer, you are always on the lookout for new destinations to surf in. Besides, surfing the same area and the same wave over and over again can bore you out of your mind. It can even bore you to the point where surfing will no longer be interesting for you. So, where are the places that you should go to in order to test your skills in surfing?
Well, for starters, you’d be surprised to know that there are quite a lot of surfing destinations all over the world which will surely interest you. The world is a fantastic place which is really full of surprises. In fact, there are even surfers who travel to remote islands and even in the middle of the ocean just to find the perfect place to surf. However, here are a few top surfing destinations that you may want to try.
1. Gold Coast City, Australia You may want to remember that Australia is known all over the world for its excellent surfing conditions. And, because Gold Coast City offers sunny skies and four main breaks, this place have been considered by surfing aficionados, such as yourself, as a surfer’s paradise. Another great thing about this place is that there are plenty of activities aside from surfing. After hitting the waves, you can go shopping or even go to wild parties during the night.
2. Kandahar, Mexico Whether you are a beginner or you consider yourself as an equal of Kelly Slater or Andy Irons, you will see that you will be able to find the perfect place for you to do your surfing here in Kandahar, Mexico. With a very large variety of surf breaks, you can be sure that you will find a wave that will challenge your skills. Also, you will be able to have a lot of fun in the process. The great thing about this place is that the beach is not very crowded. With its great weather the whole year round, you will be able to experience the best surfing you will ever have. But, if you are looking for the big waves, then you may want to visit Kandahar during May or June.
3. Banzai Pipeline, Oahu If you consider yourself as an equal of Andy Irons or Kelly Slater, then the Banzai Pipeline is for you. With some of the best and the most dangerous waves in the world, you can be sure that you will have a lot of fun surfing the big waves of Hawaii in this surfing spot. However, you might want to remember that this place is definitely a no-no for beginners. In fact, even pros shy away from the Banzai Pipeline as the waves can get very intense.
4. Half Moon Bay, California This particular surfing destination is famous for its waves that can range from 25 to 50 feet. Half Moon Bay is considered to be the Mecca of surfing. Although the waves are not the biggest in the world, you will see that the waves here are the biggest in the state.
These are some of the best surfing destinations that you should try visiting. If you are sick and tired of the same old waves in your place, then it may be time for you to pack your bags and experience more challenging waves. You’d be surprised as to how many places there are that will be able to satisfy your surfing needs.
Top Surfing Destination: Experience the Waves of El Salvador
When people hear the word surfing, a lot of people associate it with Hawaii. However, you have to remember that Hawaii isn’t the only place where you will be able to go surfing. There is quite a lot of surfing destinations that you will be able to find in the Americas and some of them are even better than what Hawaii has to offer.
If you really want to experience surfing like you never experienced it before, then you may want to consider going to the small country of El Salvador. Today, it is slowly but surely gaining reputation as one of the best surfing spots in the world. In fact, because of the near perfect surfing waves it offers, surfing professionals visit this country just to surf.
And, the best thing about El Salvador is that it is easily accessible. From New York, it will only take you 5 hours to reach El Salvador by plane. Also, there are daily scheduled flights to El Salvador from the United States in all major airports in the country. This means that you will not have any difficulties when it comes to traveling to El Salvador.
El Salvador is even considered by a lot of surfers as the perfect place to surf. Some even considers it as a surfer’s paradise. And, when you visit El Salvador, you will see that there are quite a lot of things that makes the beaches of El Salvador preferred by a lot of surfers from all over the world.
The first reason why surfers love this place is because of the un-crowded beaches. Unlike other popular resorts where the beaches are crowded by tourists and surfers, El Salvador’s beaches are not. Also, this country is blessed with perfect surfing weather as well as friendly and very helpful locals. And, perhaps the best thing about the beaches of El Salvador is the long barrels of waves that you can ride all day and all year long.
If you plan on going to El Salvador to surf, keep in mind that there are surfing seasons that you should be aware of. If you are more into large waves that produce barrels, then you may want to go between March and October. If you go during the months of January and February, the waves will be smaller but many surfers still consider it as a great surfing experience.
Basically, you will see that El Salvador is divided into two regions. The first is La Libertad and the second is referred to as “The Wild East”.
In La Libertad, you will see some of the most spectacular beaches which are only located at about 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from the airport. The beaches here are dubbed as the surf capital of El Salvador and surfers even compared it to Rincon. Here, you will experience a relaxed and laid back atmosphere with plenty of restaurants to choose from. You will also find hotels and surf shops along the beaches.
El Sunzal and Punta Roca are two of the most popular surfing spots in the La Libertad region. With powerful waves, this is the place to go to if you are an experienced surfer.
In The Wild East region, you will find Punta Mango, which provides perfect waves for experienced surfers. Las Flores is another place in this region that you will want to try out. Las Flores is perfect for all surfers with all skill levels.
As you can see, surfing in El Salvador is indeed a must. If you love surfing and you want to experience something new, then El Salvador is the place that you should go to.
Facts About Surfing – What A Beginner Should Know Before Challenging The Waves
Many consider surfing as a dangerous sport due to the fact that you are left naked to the mercy of towering waves who would do everything in its power to wipe you out. Despite the risks, both novice and experienced surfers find it exhilarating to put their skills to the test while avoiding the dangers. If you want to avoid turning this into a life-threatening experience then the best way to start is to understand the facts about surfing, especially beginners who are planning to skim the waves with their new boards.
Surfing as a Sport
First of all, beginners should understand that surfing is a sport; meaning, anyone can do it if they really want to. Others treat it as a way of life — making it their lifelong hobby to search out big waves and try out their skills. Treating surfing as a sport makes it possible for you to learn the skills from scratch — what are the gears you need, skills you need to improve, and safety measures you need to prepare so you won’t have to worry about getting into trouble later on. Here are some steps to help you start out right.
1. Surfing Tutorial
The secret to be proficient in this water sport is to learn the basics from an expert. Downloading texts from the Internet is not going to turn you pro in just a few short months. The best way is to start from scratch and an expert teaching you the ropes. You can either join the local surfing club or enroll in one of their classes; or you can hire an expert to teach you according to your schedule.
2. Equipment
A good surfer needs good equipment. Meaning, you have to get the right gears to fit your style. Surfing is a flexible sport; you don’t have to go with the traditional long boards if you’re still a novice. You can try out with a basic surfboard, paddle boards, or body boards to sharpen your balance and improve your body coordination before you tackle the big swells. Also, you can also opt for lightweight surfboards that can help improve maneuverability when you’re surfing the waves — perfect for beginners to give them full control over their boards.
3. Learning the Dangers
The best way to avoid getting into trouble with surfing is to learn the danger before you try it out on the waves. The most common danger with water-based sports is drowning but you can easily avoid this when you have the right gears. Another danger in surfing is collision. It is important that you surf in a location without any physical hurdles, like sandbars, rocks, reefs, and even other surfers. Other dangers include riptides, hidden reefs, and shallow waters. Always survey the conditions before attempting to surf, especially if you don’t have anyone with you to keep you out of trouble.
How To Plan For The Perfect Surfing Vacation
…Important Details To Consider
Going on a surfing vacation? If you are then you need to carefully plan it out to avoid problems when you get to your destination. To get the best out of your surfing experience, you have to time your trip according to the surfing conditions of the place where you’re going. Also, you might want to consider other recreational facilities other than surfing if you want to get the most out of your trip for the most enjoyable and memorable vacation of your life. Here are some details you need to look into during planning.
1. Destination and Surfing Conditions
Since your main goal is to surf during your vacation then it would be more beneficial on your end to plan for a destination that offers perfect surfing conditions during your visit. For example, if you’re expecting huge swells then you need to check with someone in that area to find out what time of the year would be most suited for a surfing vacation in the area. Also, it is best if you check your schedule first and plan for a visit in a location that offers opportune surfing conditions during your vacation time.
2. Equipment to Bring
In most cases, surfing vacation tend to be road trips that requires you to travel an overland route to your destination. If you have plenty of room to spare in your SUV then you can pack all the necessary surfing gears — from surfboards to apparels so you won’t have to buy additional gears when you reach your destination.
For starters, the main equipment you need to bring is your surf board and a board repair or cleaning kit. Wet suits is not necessary if you’re going to surf in a warm tropical climate, however it is a necessary gear if the water is too cold for you to handle. Floatation device or a life jacket is also a plus, but you can easily rent some out on the beach where you plan to spend your surfing vacation.
3. Accommodations
It is very important that you consider the place where you will be staying when you go on your surfing vacation. In most cases, a hotel besides the beach where you plan to do your surfing is the best choice for you. Also, some vacationers tend to camp out on the beach for a few days which is part of a surfer’s lifestyle — especially when you’re with a group.
There are just some of the details you need to consider during the planning of your surfing vacation. There might be other items on your list that needs planning, like camping equipment if you’re going in a remote location without no hotels or a house to keep the weather off you during your stay. It all depends on where you plan to spend your surfing holiday. Just make sure you bring extra funds just in case for last minute purchases.
Experience the Thrill of Surfing in the Maldives
Maldives is a paradise for people who love the beach. Normally, Maldives is a place that scuba divers want to visit because of the great dive sites it houses. However, the Maldives are now also very popular as a surfing destination where thousands of surfers from different parts of the world visit every year.
Thanks to the O’Neill Deep Blue Contest held in the mid 90s here in Maldives, surfing became very popular here. With lots of fantastic breaks, you can be sure that you will be able to have a lot of fun surfing here. However, the only problem is that few of these breaks are within the tourism zone. You will need to hire a guide and go to the other part of Maldives in order to search for the other beaches that host fantastic breaks that you can surf on.
Also, these breaks are only surfable within the months of March and November. It is important to remember that you have to plan ahead when you are thinking about surfing in the Maldives. Because of the fact that this place is very popular among beach lovers and surfers alike, you will find it hard to book for a place to stay and even harder for you to get a plane to Maldives.
In fact, because people book way ahead of time, it can even be impossible for you to book a month before your trip. This is why it is important for you to also book your trip and your accommodation way ahead of the surfing season. You have to keep in mind that the Maldives is not a place where you can just turn up with your board and surf the waves. You really need to plan your trip.
Between May and November, the southwest monsoon will hit the Maldives. During this time, you will be able to usually experience fantastic surfing as it is on this time that you will be able to get the best breaks.
You also need to remember that June is the month where big storms hit the Maldives which means that surfing will be no good during this month. However, if you are an advanced surfer or you are more adventurous and is a person looking for that sense of danger, then this is the month that you want to surf in the Maldives. With huge swells, you will be able to ride through the storms and really have an adrenaline rush doing it.
The North Male Atoll in the Maldives hosts the best known breaks. However, you have to get here early as this place is very popular among surfers. And, it can get pretty crowded that you will need to wait quite a while for you to surf the water in this particular area.
Other great spots for surfing are The Chickens, Cola’s, Lohi’s, Jailbreaks, and Sultans. The South Male Atoll also has some breaks but is generally smaller. This place is perfect for beginners but you may want to remember that the breaks here are not as consistent as the breaks in North Male Atolls.
There are also outer Atolls that houses decent breaks but you will need to plan your trip out here and you will need to hire a reliable boatman to take you to these Atolls.
Maldives offers some of the best surfing in the world. So, if you are planning to go on a surfing vacation, you might want to try booking a trip for Maldives. Once you experience surfing here, you can be sure that you will want to come back for more.
Surfing Conditions You Need To Prepare For Before Hitting The Waves
An expert surfer will not plunge headlong into the sport without first finding out if the surfing conditions are favorable to their needs. Keep in mind that there is more to the sport than finding a wave and performing your feats. All surfers are required to survey the condition to make sure that it provides the best experience to fit their expertise, as well as to make sure that their lives are not put at risk.
Weather Conditions
Surfing is mostly done on a tropical, windy climate that promises amazing waves that you can play around in. However, there are certain weather conditions that offer more favorable surfing conditions, especially for experts looking for better challenges. Such is the case; it is best if you are equipped to handle the possible life-threatening scenarios brought about by these extreme weather scenarios.
For example, if the waves are huge and the surfspot you’re going to be surfing are turbulent at best then you need to make sure that you have the right equipment to keep your heads out of the water to avoid drowning. There is also a risk of being washed out to sea so make sure that you bring your GPS with you so you can make your way to shore in case it happens. It is also a good idea to bring your friends or family with you during these surfing trips so they can help you out if things take a turn for the worst.
Survey the Area
Keep in mind that surfing is riddled with unseen perils that can easily put your life at risk without your knowing about it. You need to survey the area where you will be surfing for hidden reefs or sand bars that can be a hurdle if you don’t watch out for it. If the waves are huge then make sure that the area is deep enough and free of corals and rocks. Also, you might want to check the temperature of the water to see if it is favorable to your body. If it is too cold for your bare body to handle then it’s best to wear a wetsuit to keep your body warm and active to avoid putting yourself at risk when you’re wiped off your board.
Double Check Your Gears
That’s right; no surfer should venture out to sea and challenge the waves without first taking care of their equipment. First, you need to see if you’re board is in perfect condition — waxed and properly maintained so you won’t have to worry about problems later on while you’re skimming through the waves. Also, it is a good idea to have a leash from your board tied to your ankles so you won’t have to worry about parting company with it when you’re faced with a huge swell.
These are just some of the surfing conditions you need to keep an eye out for before you attempt the waves. A responsible surfer should make sure that the conditions are favorable for them to avoid life-threatening experiences while indulging in the sport.
