I’m looking for adventure holidays with a theme this year. A surfing theme to be precise. Two things started me off on this crazy idea of learning to surf. One was the classic Beach Boys’ track ‘Surfin’ USA’. Who doesn’t feel like surfin’ the instant they hear that song? The second was one of my all-time favourite films, Point Break.
The swooning girls of the time – and today – all wanted to be ‘Baby’ and relive that classic Dirty Dancing scene. Not me. I’d rather be part of Swayze’s gang that lived for the surf and generally strutted around like the extremely cool dudes they were. Wouldn’t you? There’s a rumour of a Point Break remake based on ‘international extreme sports’. I have one word for that. Travesty.
In my quest for surfing perfection, I searched out some of the best spots to catch a wave in the US. Places where you can wax down your surfboard and hang 10 in the day, and hang out with like-minded free spirits over a few cocktails in the evening. Here are 5 of the best:
Image via Wikipedia
Oahu, Hawaii
One of the best beaches for surfing is the north shore of Oahu in Hawaii. Hawaii! Didn’t they film ‘Lost’ in Hawaii? Surfing, Point Break, Lost, what more could you want? Hawaii 5-0? In actual fact, both Lost and Hawaii 5-0 were filmed on Oahu beach, together with the Jurassic Park movies and quite a few more. The beach stretches for more than seven miles and the waves can reach heights of 30 feet or more. A surfer’s paradise.
Oahu, Hawaii
Black’s Beach, San Diego
The southern part of this beach is a haven for experienced surfers, with the emphasis on experienced. Thanks to the effect of Scripps Canyon – an underwater canyon in the nearby La Jolla Underwater Park – this beach enjoys some of the most powerful surf breaks in the whole of Southern California. A warning for the shy ones among you, part of Black’s beach is a renowned nudist beach, although it’s not the southern part where the surfers hang out – if you’ll excuse the unintended pun. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Image via Wikipedia
Malibu Lagoon State Beach, California
Just the word ‘malibu’ evokes images of a certain well known coconut flavoured drink and images of paradise but we’re here to talk surf! Where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean you’ll find the famous Malibu Lagoon. If you’re with a companion who prefers to take life a little easier they can fish from the west side of Malibu Creek Bridge or you can send them off to get the drinks. It’s probably the most surfed spot in the whole of Los Angeles County and taking a look at that view it’s no real surprise, is it.
Image via Wikipedia
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Loosely continuing the ‘drinks’ theme, you can also head out for Cocoa Beach in Florida. Part of the Space Coast, so called due to the proximity of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach is great for experienced surfers and grommets (young surfers) alike. A useful fact for your next pub quiz – the 8 time World Champion surfer Kelly Slater comes from Cocoa Beach.
Image via Wikipedia
Bournemouth Beach, England
Well they offer surfing lessons and I had to start somewhere, besides, it’s a very nice place in the sunshine. Unfortunately, after a few attempts where I ended up face down swallowing copious amounts of salt water, I decided that maybe surfing wasn’t quite the thing for me. Nursing a severely wounded pride, I headed for the ‘tuppenny’ games in the amusement arcade, hoping against hope that there were no witnesses to my beached whale impressions. They were worryingly realistic.
Image via Wikipedia
I’m now looking at alternative activity holidays that perhaps don’t require quite so much in terms of balance and co-ordination. Perhaps I could go for the Dirty Dancing role of ‘Baby’ after all. Who said ‘two left feet?’
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