This is my top 5 list of places to surf around the world.
I’m based in San Diego, but I’ve surfed all over the place.
A quick top 5 from my experience around the world, from England to California and more. I’ll write a longer list when I get time.
5. Playa Grande, Costa Rica
I’m a huge sucker for wildlife, and this place was full of it. I saw a ton of turtles while surfing here, and it’s also a nest place for the Leather back turtle. I am interested in marine life and biology, so this is a major + for me.
It’s one of Costa Rica’s best surfing spots. Honestly, this should probably be number one but fuck it – it’s going at number 5 because I don’t like editing.
4. Huntington Beach, CA
I don’t actually like surfing in huntington beach; the boardwalk is long, touristy, overcrowded and the line for the bathrooms stretch 100 people long.
There’s spots for long and short boarders, but the waves break close to the beach, and tourists find a way to get in the the way.
However, it’s palm tree lined horizon and iconic California pier makes for a great memory. It lacks character, but makes up for it with it’s movie-esq gloss of surrealness. It’s like surfers Vegas, it’s going to be full of trash, you’re not going to make it your regular spot, or part of your gambking curcuit, but you have to go at least once in your life.
What happens in Huntington Beach, makes you include it on your list.
3. Biarritz, France
This is a soulful place, and I love surfing in France. Without doubt, a place to get pissed and go wine tasting on a local farm after a day at the beach.
French beaches are long, wide, broad and full of character. Great people, families and artisan boardwalks.
Waves in this area of France are powerful are super fun, without being dangerous.
Also, nothing in the ocean this side of the world is capable of killing you.
The water is fine in the summer without a wetsuit.
2. Newquay, England
You might be surprised to find this as number two on my list. It’s not just because of the surf though, English culture is just something I’m very proud of. Not as iconic as Californian American culture, but we also don’t take ourselves seriously like the yanks.
When you’re surfing here, you’ll meet nice, laidback people that don’t drive fancy SUV’s and actually have an opinion on the world.
English people are also the funniest people on earth. It’s just a fact.
1. Literally anywhere, Hawaii
Without doubt, the Hawaiian waters are my favorite. Warm, tropical, yet not full of rockfish.
The quiet towns of beachside Hawaii are home to friendly cultures, and surfers. Totally relaxed, great surf and even better food.
If you can deal with the poorly educated college girls from Sacramento State, ASU or some other third rate educational establishment sreaming from a local hotel, you’ll enjoy it.
A note on Australian surfing:
I don’t like surfing in Australia. It takes 24 hours to get there from anywhere other than New Zealand, the women drink as much as men, and it’s one mile away from the damn sun. And when you finally do get in the water, everything will eat you, including the waves themselves. Fuck that place.