Extreme Sports

Surfing is and extremely fun and healthy activity that just about anybody can enjoy. However, if you’re a beginner, the learning to surf can present a challenge. This is especially true if you don’t learn at the right spots. Fortunately, San Diego County has plenty of beaches suited for beginners, as well as rental shops, surf lessons-camps, and even warm water in late summer-early fall. San Diego also has a lot of other recreational activities.

When learning to surf it’s extremely important to choose the right location. The learning curve can be steep enough, so gentle waves are mandatory for the learning process. They are also just plain safer, you want to leave the harder breaking waves to the more advanced surfers. This is important because even after your lessons since you want to spend a lot of time in the water practicing. Some beginner surf spots that come to mind are La Jolla Shores, Tourmaline, and San Onofre. It is highly recommended that you take a lesson from a professional instructor. Not only will the instructor show you proper technique, but will also show you proper etiquette and will have the right surfboard (and wetsuit if needed) for you to learn on. Professional instructors also know what beach to go to, as well as the right time to go.

Better than just lessons are the all surf camps on the coast of San Diego County. These usually range from one full day to a full week of instruction. Surf camps are best for a learning Blitz before your start to head out on your own. They will definitely shorten the learning curve for you.

Some Popular Surf Camps  Read more...

There are eleven break points along the best surf spots in Santa Cruz County and is known as “Surf City.” Steamer Lane is host to the O’Neill Cold Water Classic on annual basis during the fall months. In May the Longboard Invitational takes place adjacent to Lighthouse Point. The Capitola Women’s Longboard Surf Fest in held in October. Women of all ages participate and surfing skill participate.

Waddell Beach is very popular with boogie board, kiteboarding, and kayaking enthusiasts. Kiteboarding is a hybrid of wakeboarding and windsurfing. People are able to get forty feet of air from the waves.

Cowell’s Beach positioned along Westcliff Drive, is said to have calmer waves. This is a popular surf spot for people just learning the sport. There are stairs from Westcliff Drive that lead out to the surf area. Capitola Beach is another popular surf area for beginners. Many people use longboards with the waves when conditions are permissible. Parking is ample and readily available. When parking in metered parking areas always have ample amounts of change and keep the meter updated. It is not uncommon to get ticketed right away when the meter expires since it is monitored closely.

The Hook is located along what is known locally as Pleasure Point. It is positioned at the end of the stairway located at 41st Avenue. Longboards are most popular for this surf area. Shortboards are only able to be used on days when the waves are higher. This surf is said to be best for skilled surfers. 30th and East Cliff is popular with Pleasure Point surfers. However, due to the degree of difficulty very few people are permitted to surf in the area.  Read more...