[goofys]

Myself and my Fiancé (then to be wife) are heading to S.A. for October on honeymoon. We plan to spend 1-2 weeks surfing. At the moment we are planning to go to Durban, hire a car, and work the coast.

We are both intermediate surfers
(Ride 7'9-8' board, can catch a wave, stand up, trim the board)

We are looking for: -

Warm water (board shorts & rash vest)
Small waves (2'-3')
Easy paddle out (no duck dives)
Long rides (to work on carving out turns)
Relaxed atmosphere (not the full on tourist thing)

Are we going to the right place?

Any suggestions of places/beaches to visit?

Any other advice?

Thanks,

[seaslave1]

Thinking of going to Biarritz, France next year. Anyone know if its worth the effort. If not can you recommend anywhere else in France, suitable for surfing.

[zoodyman]

Hossegor, bidart, seignosse, all down the west coast, fecin amazing surf!!!!!!Ghetary gets big, north of spain mundaka, september, october, huge lefthander, cheers zoodyman

[Stormrider]

Originally posted by goofys
Myself and my Fiancé (then to be wife) are heading to S.A. for October on honeymoon. We plan to spend 1-2 weeks surfing. At the moment we are planning to go to Durban, hire a car, and work the coast.

We are both intermediate surfers
(Ride 7'9-8' board, can catch a wave, stand up, trim the board)

We are looking for: -

Warm water (board shorts & rash vest)
Small waves (2'-3')
Easy paddle out (no duck dives)
Long rides (to work on carving out turns)
Relaxed atmosphere (not the full on tourist thing)

Are we going to the right place?

Any suggestions of places/beaches to visit?

Any other advice?

Thanks,

All the things that you are looking for,except the easy paddle out,can be found just outside Durban.But there is no easy paddle out inside Durban either.And the water in Durban is very polluted,and it is not a relaxed place.But the places i visited just outside Durban was very relaxed.Also remember that if you surf outside Durban there are no shark nets.But the good thing about SA,your money goes a long way.I dont know if that was any help?.My only bit of other advice is,you will be on honeymoon.Why the hell are you thinking of surfing'lol'.

[goofys]

Originally posted by Stormrider

All the things that you are looking for,except the easy paddle out,can be found just outside Durban.But there is no easy paddle out inside Durban either.And the water in Durban is very polluted,and it is not a relaxed place.But the places i visited just outside Durban was very relaxed.Also remember that if you surf outside Durban there are no shark nets.But the good thing about SA,your money goes a long way.I dont know if that was any help?.My only bit of other advice is,you will be on honeymoon.Why the hell are you thinking of surfing'lol'.

Sharks... what's the score with them (getting eaten, statistically unlikley as it is, would ruin my holiday), is it ok to look in 'Stormrider', find somewhere that looks ok, make sure there are a bunch of other surfers in the water & catch a wave, or is it best to get a guide/go on a surf tour first to get to know the area?

Surfing on honeymoon... we're going away for a month, I'm sure we'll find the time to fit in 'other things' apart of surfing!

[goofys]

Are there any good surf guide books for S.A.
(a 'Surf UK' for South Africa)

or is 'Stormrider', a set of wheels and local bar talk pretty much as good as it gets?

[Stormrider]

Well the reason why i mentioned sharks was,the one time.Myself and some other surfers who was staying at the hostel went of south of Durban to surf early morning.We saw a great spot,and from the distance we saw some other surfers allready in the water.As we drove down to the spot,we saw them franticly paddling in.I thought it was a bit odd,untill i saw a large fish come out of the water and in again.Then we all saw a shark trying to get the large fish.So we did not go in at that spot'lol'.And the surfers who were in the water,followed us in their mini bus to a different spot.There are a few other things to watch out in the water,like jellyfish.I think you should read up,and go on a organised thing.Next time i am down Newquay,i will have to pop in and say hello.If i can find the Address of the hostel were i stayed,i will post it here for you.As they have seperate accomadation for couples.
All The Best

[goofys]

Originally posted by Stormrider
I think you should read up, and go on a organised thing. Next time i am down Newquay, i will have to pop in and say hello. If i can find the Address of the hostel were i stayed, i will post it here for you. As they have seperate accomadation for couples.
All The Best

Got the 'Lonley Planet' and 'Stormrider World' guides (great for when we were in Portugal, but then people wern't trying to rob us and animals trying to eat us!), might look at Amazon to see if they have anything that is bang up to date, and goes into more detail.

The tip for accommodation will help, once we've been there a couple of days we should get a feel for what's what. It would be great to pick your brain about the place too.

cheers,

[Stormrider]

Tekweni.
Backpakcers Hostel.
169 Ninth Avenue.
Morningside.
Durban.
South Africa.

This is the address of the hostel that i stayed in.Sorry but i cant find a phone number.
Tekweni is the Zulu name for Durban.