Visiting New York? Check out its top surfing spots

Jeff    surfingholidays     new york, surf destinations, surf spots, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing in New York, US, USA holidays

New York City never quite makes it to the top of the list of surfing destinations. With so much financial, cultural, and political bustle, the city is often overlooked as a surfing destination altogether.

Great waves near New York Image: Flickr/ Dr DAD

But geographically, Manhattan is the converging point of two notable Atlantic coastlines: Long Island and New Jersey. The beaches and shores that stretch east and south of the great metropolis can drum up some of the finest waves in the world – winter produces the most consistent surf, so don’t forget your hood and boots.

read more

Bobby Martinez and Dane Reynolds: Surfing Dropouts?

Jeff    surfingholidays     ASP tour, pro surfing, Surf, Surfers, Surfing, surfing holidays

Recent months have seen two of the ASP’s top competitors deliberately and indefinitely drop from the roster. This summer, Bobby Martinez unleashed a flurry of expletives for the association after his swan song session in New York – effectively cutting his tie with professional competition.

Association or not, it's a solo sport Image: Flickr/Daniel Flower

Then, in December, ever-popular Dane Reynolds tendered his resignation with an unusually revealing blog post on his website. The tour they are leaving behind represents the apex of the sport to many: the best of the best duking it out on the best waves in the world. Competition is fierce just to be considered for the world tour.

Money. Travel. Fame. Waves. What could make these two men willingly leave the “Dream Tour”?

read more

Top 10 Surf Spots in the Canary Islands

Jeff    surfingholidays     Canary Islands, Spain, Surf, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing spots

Enjoying warmer water and sunnier weather than the UK, the Canary Islands is a great surf holiday destination. The Canaries pick up swell from all directions and their craggy coastlines convert the ocean’s energy into a variety of waves capable of satiating every type of surfer.

Serious surf potential: Image Flickr/ El coleccionista de instantes

From heaving lefts to peaky beach breaks to long, peeling right points, these islands provide such a vast array of choices you could surf the entire winter without surfing in the Canary Islands and visiting the same spot wave twice. But, in the interest of fine tuning your holiday plans, the following is a list of the top 10 surf spots in the Canary Islands.

read more

5 of the best beginner surfing spots in Australia

Mark Pawlak    surfingholidays     australia, learn to surf, Surf Clothing, surf schools, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing in Australia

It is all too easy to become a beach bum in Australia. With so many glorious sandy stretches, there are ample opportunities to kick back with a cold brew and enjoy some quality sweet-doing-nothing me time. But watching so many surfers gliding effortlessly out at sea, curiosity might start to get the better of you.

Oz: the place to catch your first wave. Image: Flickr/daveconray

And why not? Surfing is Australia’s national sport and with so many surfing schools dotted around the country, it is one of the best places to learn. So, check out 5 of our favourite places to learn to surf in Australia whether you want to avoid the crowds, need a convenient location close to the city or want to hide your wobbly falls or bikini mishaps from the boys.

Find out how you could win a free surfing lesson for you and 3 friends in Australia below, then visit the HostelBookers blog to get involved!

read more

Learning to surf? Make the most of UK’s Autumn waves

Lucy Grewcock    surfingholidays     learning to surf, Surf, surf school, Surfing, surfing holidays in Britain, surfing in the UK, surfing in UK, water sports

Learnt to surf this summer and eager to do more? Good news: autumn is the best time in the UK for hitting the waves and it provides ideal conditions for progressing further.

Autumn waves bring space to practice Image:Flickr/ Peter Morgan

Autumn’s Atlantic swells bring in bigger, cleaner and more consistent waves and, after the long, hot (ahem) summer,  our British waters have warmed to a comfortable average  of around 14 degrees. Compared to summer’s 1 to 4-foot wave-lets, October can see anything from 4 to 12 feet; perfect for taking your surfing skills to the next level.

To make the most of autumn surfing in the UK, it’s worth taking a few things into consideration first…

Wetsuit

With cloudier skies and less direct sunlight heating up your neoprene, a 2mm summer wetsuit will likely reduce your time spent in the water. Get yourself kitted out with a decent 4/3mm wetsuit, or thicker if you feel the cold and want to carry on into winter. Look for sealed seams, a snug fit and go for a zipper-less option for added warmth.

read more

Is it ever worth risking your life for surf?

Jeff    surfingholidays     California, Surf, Surfing, surfing holidays, usa, watersports

There’s been no waves in Southern California recently. It’s mid-summer and this extended lull in ocean energy is an annual occurrence. It’s expected. Besides highly publicized southern swells that rarely swing into the region and crowd every peak, summer surfing in California is like paddling for chop in a reservoir.

So, when I ran into a buddy the other day and asked half-jokingly if he’d been out at all recently, I predicted the customary, ‘nah man, haven’t been in the water for a while’ response.  Instead, I was stupefied to hear he had scored just last weekend. ‘How?’ I questioned, ‘it’s been flat forever.’ ‘Well, I had a little adventure,’ he began…

How far will you go to get your wave? Image: Flickr /dlofink

Turns out he and another pal took a 12-foot Zodiac to an off-limits point on a naval base in search of waves. Almost in earshot of the break, they were intercepted by a military craft and turned away – a common occurrence when getting too close to a base. But the sight of the forbidden right-hander only served to fuel their determination.

read more

The North Highland Way: 10 Adventures in Scotland

Tina Irving    ash, trekkingholidays     coasteering, diving, Sailing, scotland, Surfing, trekking, Windsurfing

The north coast of Scotland is a great playground for extreme sports.  The background of the turbulent Pentland Firth and the magnificent coastline offers great facilities and opportunities for getting out and about.

Crossing to Orkney is an experience in itself when the seas are rough!  I have lived at Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of the UK mainland, for 11 years. And I am currently logging the walking route between John O Groats and Thurso with a GPS and a camera – it’s the first part of my trek across the north coast to Fort William!  Below are some other activities which can be enjoyed in this area

Dunnet Head from the air

Rib rides at John O Groats

For the real thrill seekers, take a trip in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) ride at John O Groats – explore some of the great sea caves on Stroma and along the coast.  The sea conditions can be very exciting with swells and high water most of the year!   The swirling currents of the Merry Men of Mey make the rib ride even more thrilling and even the  ferry to Orkney must take care in the  dangerous conditions.  You will be in good hands though, as all the boat handlers are experienced seamen with years of knowledge of local conditions.

Coasteering at Dunnet  Head

The area around Dunnet Head is perfect for coasteering, which has become very popular over the last few years.  Rocky outcrops and geos provide the perfect conditions for a combination of swimming, climbing and trekking along the coast to Dunnet Bay.  Wetsuits are recommended!

read more