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Question for NS surfers

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TZP
Posts: 874 - Karma: 61
Hey, I know I'm pretty early, but things like that tend to be better off planned early. So I have a month long vacation from a bit before christmas to roughly mid-january and I'd like to go on a surf trip. I've never surfed before, but I'm pretty good with wakeboarding, wakeskating, wakesurfing,... So I was just wondering what are some good spots (the cheaper the better, states or south america) to start, aswell as places to stay and whatnot. thanks!
Aug 24 2008 9:43PM
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jimmer
Posts: 3586 - Karma: 80
i've hear a lot of good things about costa rica actually.
Aug 24 2008 9:51PM
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TZP
Posts: 874 - Karma: 61
Hawai wouldnt be possible. Too far: tickets too expensive. And for a first-timer  wouldnt the waves be overwhelming if they're as big as they get?
Aug 24 2008 9:52PM
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Style+eeze
Posts: 6901 - Karma: 551
i had a lot of fun on the west coast of baja
i would recommend it

not huge waves, but really cool
Aug 24 2008 9:53PM
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jimmer
Posts: 3586 - Karma: 80
the waves in costa rica are pretty mellow for a beginner, and i'm sure it would be cheaper to get there (and stay there) than hawaii. 
Aug 24 2008 9:54PM
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Steezasaurus-Rex
Posts: 12 - Karma: 13
outerbanks north carolina -cape hatteras its pretty sick
puerto rico is pretty good i hear

Aug 24 2008 9:55PM
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skiizy
Posts: 2137 - Karma: 16
umm bali in indonesia is fucking amazing, thats the second place ever i surfed cuz i was on vacation, and it was just unbelievable, there wasnt a single wave under 8 feet
Aug 24 2008 10:00PM
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ride-rider
Posts: 1761 - Karma: 20
Thats just north shore, there are other beaches that would be good to learn at.  Maui might be better, or kauai, kauai has some mellow surf, but the island would be tight to spend a month on.  I was there last month for 10 days.
Aug 24 2008 10:01PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
the obvious answer is Vancouver island, Canada. its cold, it rains 5 days out of the week, and the waves aren't that big, but it is a bit cheaper then other places
Aug 24 2008 11:47PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
just got back from Cape Hatteras, it was really tame compared to other times i have gone
solid 2-3 foot swells until the wind picked up
then it was like solid 5s with a couple overheads.
really nice, but will be freezing in winter.
check costa rica out
Playa Grande or Tamarindo
get your self a long board with a fat nose and hit footwaters until you catch the hang of it
but the surf does pick up(saw some seriously HUGE waves playa grande) so once you catch the drift you should be able to kick a pretty good thrill

Aug 25 2008 12:15AM
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TerminatorX
Posts: 3087 - Karma: 169
i would hit up some place in san diego county (north county preforably) if ii were you. they have a lot of sick spots there, like oceanside, del mar, carlsbad beaches, there is mission beach with the wave machine, and manny others.
Aug 25 2008 12:28AM
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KSdesign
Posts: 687 - Karma: 175
I went on a surf trip last February to COSTA RICA, the coral reef on the Pacific side of the country makes for some really sweet, consistent waves... I would go there, its not too expensive either
Aug 25 2008 12:31AM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
if you go to costa rica
only hit the pacific side
the Caribbean side isn't worth it
Aug 25 2008 12:33AM
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UNREAL
Posts: 3989 - Karma: 23
go to tofino!
such a rad town, spent 5 days there and its a chill little surf town
a bunch of chill surf shops, amazing food, cool locals, and a big surfing population
not to mention its a beautiful place
Aug 25 2008 12:57AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
and you can go wale watching, that's right real whales!

i love living here


Aug 25 2008 1:01AM
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cashdebt
Posts: 2383 - Karma: 349
go to some water park and surf it up on their little wave rider things there. 7 hours a day for a month, you'll be a pro
Aug 25 2008 1:44AM
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MadSteezin
Posts: 4572 - Karma: 936
Thats a terrible idea, skiing is going on then...
Aug 25 2008 1:51AM
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angus_k_
Posts: 438 - Karma: 24
you live in tofino? I aspire to be like you (geographically speaking that is)
Aug 25 2008 2:03AM
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MADmidwest
Posts: 1278 - Karma: 15
you can come surf with me in Michigan. Bring a thermal wetsuit and there's no guarantees that the lake won't be froze over, it'll be cheap tho.
Aug 25 2008 2:24AM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
i second this
Aug 25 2008 2:37AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
Courtenay, its on the other side of the island about 2 hours or so away
Aug 25 2008 2:58AM
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peyton
Posts: 1475 - Karma: 1,062
jersey shore.
Aug 25 2008 9:20AM
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ValPow
Posts: 1049 - Karma: 10
16 to 20 foot faces and only surfed twice, fuck me you make some shit up
Aug 25 2008 11:35AM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
webisode 4 of hunting yeti? looked pretty cheap and the waves looked good, but im not sure where it was... cabo? idk
Aug 25 2008 11:44AM
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dylhole
Posts: 2926 - Karma: 983
Google might be more help, but my two cents would suggest Central America.  Where you should go is pretty dependent on how much Spanish you know.  If you are fairly confident, try Nicaragua or El Salvador.  If you're the typical American, try Costa Rica, or even Panama, as those countries have been seeing American tourism for much longer than the previous two mentioned, and in general more locals can speak a fair bit of English.  I haven't been to Mexico, but I know there is a beach break close to Puerto Vallerta (north I believe, but can't remember the name) if you're looking to tie your surf trip into a bender as well. 

Aug 25 2008 12:28PM
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skiizy
Posts: 2137 - Karma: 16
didnt say i could surf it... but thats what it was, and it was awesome
Aug 27 2008 7:56AM
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