Intermediate Surf Maneuvers 101

At Safari Surf School, we host surf travelers of every level, from total beginners to experienced chargers. No matter what level of surfer you are, we can help you improve, whether you’re a total novice who wants to catch your first wave or an advanced surfer looking to perfect your cutback. If you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer, a surf trip to Costa Rica is what you need to take your surfing to the next level. Read below for some of our favorite intermediate maneuvers in Intermediate Surf Maneuvers 101.

Intermediate Surf Maneuvers

Floaters

What is a Floater? A floater is an intermediate surf maneuver where the surfer rides over the top of a breaking wave. It’s a stylish move that requires timing, balance, and control.

How to Perform a Floater:

Approach the Section: As you ride down the line, look for a section of the wave about to break.
Bottom Turn: Perform a solid bottom turn to generate speed and angle your board towards the top of the wave.
Ride Over the Lip: As you reach the lip, lift your board’s nose slightly and let the momentum carry you over the breaking wave.
Stay Centered: Keep your weight centered over your board and your knees slightly bent to maintain balance.
Re-enter the Wave: As you come down from the floater, guide your board back down into the wave and continue riding.

Tips for Success:

Timing is crucial; aim to reach the lip just as it begins to break.
Keep your eyes on the wave ahead to anticipate the next section.

Cutback

What is a Cutback? A cutback is an intermediate surf maneuver that allows a surfer to turn back toward the pocket of the wave.

How to Perform a Cutback:

Generate Speed: Start by generating speed down the line with powerful pumps and bottom turns.
Initiate the Turn: As you reach the open face of the wave, shift your weight onto your back foot and initiate the turn. Begin the turn by rotating your leading hand in the path of the turn, followed by your head / Gaze. In surfing, your head is essentially the steering wheel; your body will follow where you turn and look. Once your head turns, rotate your shoulders and then hips.
Carve Back: Lean into the turn, using your shoulders and hips to guide the board through a smooth, arcing motion.
Hit the Foam: Aim to hit the whitewater or the pocket of the wave, which helps to maintain momentum and sets you up for the next section.
Re-engage the Rail: Shift your weight forward slightly and re-engage the rail to continue down the line.

Tips for Success:

Initiate your turn with your leading hand.
Use your arms to help guide and balance your turn.
Focus on smooth, controlled movements rather than forcing the turn.

Snaps

What is a Snap? A snap, or re-entry, is a quick, explosive turn off the top of the wave. It’s a dynamic intermediate surf maneuver that allows surfers to carry speed down the line.

How to Perform a Snap:

Gain Speed: Generate speed down the line to set up for the snap.
Coil Your Body: As you enter your bottom turn, pre-coil your body in anticipation of the approaching lip.
Approach the Lip: Perform a bottom turn to angle your board towards the lip of the wave. As you come out of your bottom turn, immediately spot the section of the lip you aim to hit.
Explosive Turn: As you rise up the wave, initiate your turn so you complete the turn when you reach the top of the wave. Quickly shift your weight onto your back foot and pivot the board sharply back towards the wave.
Kick the Tail: At the peak of your turn, use your back foot to kick the tail of the board out and generate spray.
Recover and Continue: Re-center your weight and guide your board back down the wave to continue your ride.

Tips for Success:

Timing and speed are critical; aim to perform the snap at the steepest part of the wave.
Keep your movements quick and precise to execute a clean snap.

Mastering advanced surf maneuvers like floaters, cutbacks, snaps, and more will improve your comfort and confidence in the water. Practice makes perfect, so spend time refining each maneuver, and don’t be afraid to push your limits. Nothing is better for your surfing than taking a surf trip and surfing every day. Head to our website to book your next surf trip.

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Safari Surf School Presents: The History of Surfing in Costa Rica

If you’ve visited our Costa Rica surf school recently, it may be impossible to imagine a time when surfing wasn’t part of Costa Rica’s culture. Surfing and the Pura Vida lifestyle go hand in hand. Every flight to Costa Rica is full of surfers and lugging board bags through the airport, but that was not always the case. Surfing, while an ancient sport, was only popularized in the US in the forties and fifties and reached the shores of Costa Rica in the sixties. Today, surfing is ingrained in daily life here in Nosara, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Continue reading below for The History of Surfing in Costa Rica.

The Beginning

Surfing in Costa Rica has a relatively recent history compared to other surf destinations like Hawaii and California. The sport began to gain popularity in Costa Rica during the 1960s and 1970s when adventurous surfers from the United States started exploring Central America in search of uncharted waves. At a time when the country’s coast lacked any real infrastructure, a surf trip to Costa Rica was a true adventure.

The 1960s: Discovery and Exploration

American surfers were fed up with the growing crowds at their home breaks in California and Hawaii and began to search for new, untouched waves in Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s warm waters and consistent swell were a welcome sight. These travelers eventually left surfboards in the country, which allowed a local surf community to flourish.

The 1970s: The Surfing Community Takes Root

During the 1970s, more surfers from around the world continued to explore Costa Rica’s coastlines. They discovered now-famous surf towns like Jaco, Tamarindo, and Pavones. While local participation was still limited, these areas gained popularity among international surfers for their consistent swell, remoteness, and stunning natural beauty.

The 1980s: Surfing in Costa Rica Continues to Grow

By the 1980s, Costa Rica had developed basic surfing infrastructure. Small coastal towns began to host traveling surfers regularly. Hotels and even surf shops began to open, and surf tourism contributed to the local economy for the first time. Costa Rica’s consistent waves and relatively uncrowded beaches started to attract international surfers. Articles and features in surf magazines brought further attention to the region.

The 1990s: Surfing Boom

In 1991, the now-celebrated surf film Endless Summer II showcased many of Guanacaste’s near-perfect waves, including Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point. The movie cemented Costa Rica as one of the world’s premier surf destinations. Shortly after, the country experienced a boom in surf tourism, and surf schools and camps began to emerge.

2000s to Present: A Surfing Mecca

Costa Rica has become a model for sustainable surf tourism, and Nosara is leading the charge. Efforts to protect the environment and preserve the natural beauty of surf spots have been crucial. Today, Costa Rica is recognized globally as one of the top surfing destinations. Its consistent waves, warm waters, and welcoming culture attract surfers of all levels year-round. The surf culture in Costa Rica is now a blend of local and international influences, with a strong emphasis on community and environmental stewardship.

Nosara has developed as one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for surfers of all levels. Whether you’re an experienced charger or a first-time surfer looking for a new passion, a trip to Safari Surf School offers the perfect opportunity to hone your skills, enjoy consistent waves, and immerse yourself in the Pura Vida lifestyle.

The Safari Surf Guide to Intermediate Surf

If you’re a surf fan, you probably follow a few professional surfers on social media, or perhaps you keep up with the various surf vlogs on YouTube. A common theme across surf media and social channels is surf travel. Surf travel’s portrayal in the media is often romanticized, branded with catchy titles like “The Search,” where pro surfers travel to the far corners of the earth to find isolated, perfect surf. The waves we once saw in magazine spreads that now dominate our social media feeds are perfect by strict definition in that they look as if they break without a drop of water out of place. If you or I tried to surf most of the waves we see in surf media, we’d, at minimum, end up with a broken board. In reality, surf travel is for everyone, not just the pros. Plenty of waves around the world are ideally suited for progression, and we have three surf schools founded on that principle. If you’re an intermediate surfer curious about surf travel, continue reading below for The Safari Surf Guide to Intermediate Travel.

Intermediate Surf Travel Planning

When planning intermediate surf travel, it’s essential to consider the destination, your ideal wave type, and the time of year you’re traveling. Ideally, you’re looking for destinations with user-friendly waves, like the sand-bottom beach breaks of Costa Rica and Panama. If you’re pushing the boundaries of intermediate surfing and are ready to try out more advanced waves, we recommend looking for destinations with multiple wave types, like Ayampe, Ecuador, which has a reliable, intermediate-friendly beach break but also reefs and points nearby.

When to Plan Your Trip

Another thing to consider when planning intermediate surf travel is the time of year you travel. Swell season in Central America falls during the rainy season, which lasts from May to September. While swell season sounds appealing, sometimes we find that big swells are too much for new and intermediate surfers. For surfers still mastering the basics of generating speed, catching waves, and turning, we suggest traveling during the dry season, which lasts from October to April. During the dry season, Central America’s Pacific Coast receives predominately offshore winds, which groom incoming medium-sized swell into the ultimate canvas for surf progression.

Surf Lessons, Surf Coaching, or Surf Guiding

While it may be tempting to paddle out on your own as an intermediate surfer, we recommend continuing your learning with a professional instructor, guide, or coach. Surf lessons, either in a group or private, are ideal for surfers who are starting from scratch or need to refamiliarize themselves with the fundamentals. Surf coaching is best suited for surfers working on specific aspects of progression, like generating speed or turning. Surf guiding is best for surfers who want to maximize their wave count in a new location but feel comfortable surfing on their own.

Intermediate Surf Destinations

There are intermediate-friendly waves all over the world. Our three Safari Surf Schools are ideally located for surfers looking to progress their skills. In Costa Rica, surfers can tackle Playa Guiones, a powerful beach break that handles serious size and offers user-friendly, slow-peeling waves. In Play Venao, our Panama surf school is located on a crescent-shaped beach where the middle of the cove is exposed to large swells, and the sides offer smaller, beginner-friendly waves. In Ayampe, Ecuador, our new surf school is on one of the continent’s most consistent beach breaks. Beyond the beach break, guests can explore the miles of untouched coastline and isolated waves with our guides.

If you’re ready to plan your next surf trip, head to the Safari Surf Website to book your next dream surf trip. With surf schools in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador, the Safari Surf team has everything you need for your next great surf trip.

The Safari Surf Guide to The Best Surfboards for Beginners

If you’re new to surfing and shopping for your first surfboard, you may not know where to start. Walking into a surf shop or browsing online for boards can become overwhelming quickly. With popular online board reviews and surf websites celebrating the latest and greatest shapes the pros are riding, it can be difficult to discern what board models suit an everyday, average Joe surfer. Our team of surf instructors at our Costa Rica surf school put together the ultimate list of surfboards for beginners. Whether you’re shopping for a board to learn to surf, your first shortboard, or something in between, we’re here to help. Continue reading below for The Safari Surf Guide to The Best Surfboards for Beginners.

The Best Learning Surfboard for Beginners: Catch Surf 9-Foot Log

New surfers often make the mistake of riding boards that are too short for their skill level. Many of our instructors would argue that surfers should stay on longboards until they can perform a proper cutback. Longboards give new surfers ample float and paddle speed, which allows them to catch waves easily and early. Additionally, longboards are the ultimate surfboard for beginners, offering a large, stable surface to pop up on and ride. Traditional surfboards are made of hard fiberglass and can be dangerous in the water for new surfers and those around new surfers, so we recommend first-time riders opt for foam top surfboards, like the Catch Surf Log.

The Best Surfboard for Progression

If you’ve mastered the fundamentals of popping up, trimming, and turning on a longboard, it may be time to experiment with new shapes. While we don’t suggest ditching surfboards for beginners and hoping on a shortboard, we would recommend finding a forgiving mid-length shape that allows for more maneuverability than a longboard without sacrificing float, stability, and paddle power. Mid-length surfboards have become increasingly popular, with many high-performance options on the market. Mid lengths range in length from 6’6” to 8,” but we recommend new surfers favor the far end of the length range and ride something like a 7’6” CI Mid.

The Best Beginner Shortboard

If you’ve mastered the pop-up, turning, and generating speed, you may be ready for your first shortboard. While it may be tempting to grab the latest pro model, it’s important to know that not all shortboards are created equal. In the last 10 years, shortboards have become increasingly user-friendly, with shapers opting for more volume to increase paddle power and allow surfers to get into waves early. However, a high-volume shortboard and a high-performance shortboard are drastically different shapes, and newer surfers should stick to high-volume shortboards. When you’re shopping for your first shortboard, look for surfboards with ample volume distributed throughout the shape and a low rocker. We like the Firewire Seaside for its high volume, especially under the chest area. Volume distributed under the chest and towards the front of the board will allow you to paddle and catch waves with ease. The low rocker adds to the board’s ability to catch waves. The Seaside, specifically, is a fast yet forgiving shape that’s fun for all skill levels.

Whether you’re a new surfer or an intermediate surfer looking to explore new waves, our surf schools in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador have a wave ideally suited to your skill level. Head to the Safari Surf Website to plan your next surf trip and stay tuned to our blog for more surf tips, travel content, and all things surfing.

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The Safari Surf Guide to Mastering the Surf Pop-Up

When you’re learning to surf, the pop-up is the first thing you’ll learn, whether you’re taking lessons at our Costa Rica surf school or elsewhere. A good surf instructor, like those on our team in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador, will walk you through the step-by-step mechanics of a proper surf pop-up on the beach before you paddle out. While it may seem like something you can learn on the fly or develop as you progress, mastering proper pop-up techniques is vital to your ability to improve your surfing. Your pop-up dictates how your ride will go. An improper pop-up typically leads to missed waves or, at minimum, an inefficient ride. To find out how we teach our students to pop up, continue reading below for the Safari Surf Guide to Mastering the Surf Pop-Up.

Position Yourself to Catch the Wave

Before you pop up and begin your ride, you have to catch the wave. It’s no secret that surfing is 99% paddling and paddling effectively and positioning yourself correctly will ensure you have the best opportunity to catch and ride the wave. As we have mentioned in previous surf tip blogs, catching a wave at its peak is critical to ensuring a successful ride. The peak of the wave is the highest point of the incoming swell, where the wave first begins breaking. While it’s tempting to try to catch a wave on the less steep area of the shoulder, it’s far more difficult. Catching a wave at its peak will ensure you have the best opportunity to get into the wave early and take the easiest drop possible.

Paddle Hard

Once you position yourself at the peak of the wave, paddle hard to match the wave’s speed. A lot of surfers struggle to paddle hard. Dig deep with each stroke, and once you feel the wave lift you, paddle a few more strokes to ensure you’re fully in the wave.

Start Your Surf Pop-Up by Raising Your Chest

The first step to a well-executed surf pop-up is to raise your chest like you’re performing the upward dog yoga pose. Place your hands under your chest like you’re going to do a push-up, and then raise your chest off the board. When you raise your chest, your weight will shift toward the back of your board, stalling you high on the wave’s face, allowing you ample time to get to your feet and drop into the wave.

Look Down Line

With your chest raised like you’re in the upward dog yoga pose, turn and look down the face of the wave in whichever direction you aim to ride. If you’re taking off on a right, look to the right before initiating the rest of your pop-up. If you’re taking off on a left, look to the left before getting to your feet. In surfing, the direction of your gaze will dictate where your board goes. If you turn your head and look down the line, your shoulders and hips will follow.

Bring your Back Foot to the Tail of Your Board

With your chest raised off the board, bring your back foot to the tail of the board, bending your knee over the board’s rail.

Push through Your Back Foot & Bring Your Front Foot Forward

Once your back foot is placed on the tail of your surfboard, push through your foot and raise your whole body to a pushup position with your back foot on the tail and your hands firmly on the deck of the board. Next, bring your front foot forward, plant it under your chest, and rise into a crouched, athletic position. Before rising fully to your stance, look down at your feet and make sure your stance is slightly wider than shoulder width.

Stay tuned to the Safari Surf blog for more surf tips. If you’re a new surfer or an intermediate who wants to brush up on your technique, visit our Costa Rica surf schools and learn from the best instructors in the business.

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What are the Papagayo Winds and Why Should You Book a Costa Rica Surf Trip This Winter?

While many serious surfers choose to travel to Costa Rica during the swell season, there’s a strong argument to be made for taking a Costa Rica surf trip in the offseason. Thanks to Costa Rica’s tropical latitude, we’re blessed with warm weather and board-short-friendly water temperatures all year. Despite our tropical location, we still have seasons, just not the same seasons you’re accustomed to in the United States. Instead of summer, winter, spring, and fall, we have a rainy season and a dry season. Just like the visible change in greenery during our two distinct seasons, the surf during each season differs vastly thanks to the Papagayo winds. Continue reading below for What are the Papagayo Winds and Why Should You Book a Costa Rica Surf Trip This Winter?

What is Costa Rica’s Surf Season?

just another Safari Surf School day at the beach

Costa Rica has a distinct swell season that falls in line with the rainy season, which lasts from May to September. During this window, large winter storms form off the coast of Antarctica and travel north to the Americas. These large south swells travel for thousands of miles before hitting Central America. During that time, they organize into long interval swells, so when they collide with the various points, sand bars, and reefs in Central America, they produce world-class waves. Large swells are typical for most of the rainy season. If you’re on a Costa Rica surf trip during swell season, you’ll find the best surf in the mornings and late afternoons when the winds are light. During the dry season, smaller south swells produce user-friendly waves and the occasional large north swell can bring fun surf. If you’re visiting during the dry season, you’ll likely be able to surf all day since the winds blow predominately offshore.

When do the Papagayo Winds and When do They Blow?

costa rica surf map — Blank physical map of Costa Rica.Equirectangular projection

The Papagayo Wind or Papagayo Jet is a weather phenomenon that affects Costa Rica and the surrounding areas during the dry season. This localized weather phenomenon occurs in the Gulf of Papagayo, located in Northwest Costa Rica in northern Guanacaste, but affects areas north and south along the coast. The strong offshore winds that blow in this region during the dry season are a result of a high-pressure system that forms in the Caribbean and forces air through the mountains in Central America, where it picks up speed in valleys and canyons before hitting the Pacific Coast. The Papagayo Winds are most prominent from December to April, lining up almost exactly with the dry season. The Papagayo winds blow straight offshore and groom waves, creating epic and often hollow conditions. These offshore winds typically last all day, allowing surfers the freedom to surf all day without worrying about the winds changing.

Why Take a Cota Rica Surf Trip During the Off-Season

Rainy or dry season, Costa Rica is a tropical paradise with year-round swell. If you do find yourself traveling in the dry season, you’ll enjoy days of cloudless blue skies with all-day offshore winds and fun-sized waves. The dry season is often preferred by beginner and intermediate surfers who favor small to medium-sized waves.

If you’re a new or intermediate surfer who wants to make the most out of the fun, clean surf in the dry season, head to our website and book your next Costa Rica surf trip.

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The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Intermediate Waves on the Planet

Not all waves are created equal. While there’s no denying that there are good and bad waves, it’s not always binary. What may look like a fun wave to one surfer could be impossible to surf to another. Every surfer is different, and depending on their skill level, not all surfers are looking for the same thing. While the waves that make magazine spreads and dominate your Instagram feed may look visually stunning, they’re usually highly difficult to surf. Sure, there is a caliber of surfer looking specifically for steep, hollow waves that hold serious size, but most surfers in the water just want an open face to do turns. If you’re an intermediate surfer, don’t spend your surf trips chasing waves that are too difficult or dangerous for you to ride. Instead, look for waves that will help you progress. Continue reading below for The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Intermediate Waves on the Planet.

Intermediate Waves in the US

Upper Trestles- San Clemente, California

Lower Trestles is the pinnacle of high-performance surfing in the US. The wave offers an open wall to carve, launch airs, and hack. It’s not unusual to spot pros in the lineup, going toe-to-toe with the best young up-and-coming surfers. Uppers, just north of the famed Lowers, offers a similarly long-walled wave without the competitive lineup. Compared to Lowers, Uppers is a mellow, slow-breaking right. You’ll find a wide variety of skill levels in the lineup on all different types of boards.

Intermediate Waves in Latin America

Playa Guiones- Nosara, Costa Rica

We couldn’t make a list of the best waves on the planet without including our home break—Playa Guiones. Playa Guiones is a 4-mile-long beach with dozens of reliable sand bars that help disperse the crowd. The wave at Guiones breaks slowly and has a gently sloped face that makes it user-friendly at any size.

Playa Venao- Pedasi, Panama

Our other home break in Panama offers a similar ride to that in Guiones. Playa Venao is a crescent-shaped cove that faces completely south. While the beach does pick up a ton of swell, the sides of the cove always produce smaller, weaker waves that are ideal for learning. The middle of the cove has a fun right and left peak that beaks quickly and is favored by advanced surfers.

Chicama- Peru

Northern Peru is home to some of the best waves on the planet. There are world-class barrels, long reeling points, peaky beach breaks, and much more. Chicama is home to the longest left in the Western Hemisphere. It takes a massive northwest swell to begin breaking, so most people travel there from other waves nearby rather than take a trip to Chicama. The wave peels for multiple kilometers and is so long that it’s physically impossible to paddle back against the current. Instead, surfers are ferried back to the peak by boat.

Intermediate Waves in Asia

Lazy Lefts & Right- Weligama, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a great destination for intermediate waves. While the Indian Ocean island nation receives ample swell, many of its most celebrated waves are longer points, not top-to-bottom hollow waves. Two great examples can be found in the southeast corner of the tear-drop-shaped island, right next to each other— Lazy Lefts and Lazy Rights. Lazy Lefts and Rights are complimentary points separated by a wide bay that breaks towards each other. The right is a slow-breaking, long ride, and the left is a bit faster and steeper. The combination is ideal for progression and allows surfers to build confidence on the right and work their way towards the left.

Old Man’s – Batu-Bolong- Canggu, Bali

Bali is one of the world’s most popular surf destinations for a reason—it’s full of world-class waves. While the iconic lefts off the Bukit Peninsula may be well suited for advanced surfers, there are still plenty of intermediate waves on the island. Old Man’s is a cruisy right-hander that bends around a lava reef and forms a picture-perfect wave for longboarders and new surfers.

Intermediate Waves in Europe

Baleal Island- Peniche, Portugal

Portugal is Europe’s wave mecca, and Peniche is home to one of the country’s many crown jewels, Super Tubos. Super Tubos is the European Pipeline. It’s a beach break that packs a serious punch and produces some of the best tubes in the Old World. Just down the road from this barrel haven is a mellow beach and reef break that peel perfectly and offer ample room for turns.

The best way to progress your surfing is to travel. Join us in Costa Rica, Panama, or Ecuador to surf our favorite intermediate waves. Head to our website to book your trip today!

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The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Beginner Waves on the Planet

If you’re a new surfer, looking to improve your fundamentals with professional coaching, or trying out surfing for the first time, taking a surf trip and immersing yourself in the surfing lifestyle may be the best thing you can do. Nothing beats traveling to a far-flung corner of the world where the water is warm the sun shines bright in the sky, and palm trees sway effortlessly in the breeze. You be under the impression that surf trips are for experienced surfers chasing massive swells at advanced breaks, but there are thousands of waves around the world ideally suited for progression. If you’re on the fence about pulling the trigger on a surf trip as your next vacation, continue reading below for The Safari Surf Guide to the Best Beginner Waves on the Planet.

Our Favorite Beginner Wave and Home Break: Playa Guiones- Nosara, Costa Rica

Our home break, Playa Guiones, is a wide-open sandy expanse that stretches for nearly 4.5 miles in front of a backdrop of dense mangrove forest and tropical jungle. Unlike many of the beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Guiones is bordered by state-protected land, meaning that there’s nothing built on the sand. Instead, the beach is lined by massive trees that are bisected by a trail system. The wave at Playa Guiones is ideally suited for new surfers. It has a gently sloping face and, even at size, breaks rather softly. Additionally, the four miles of sand bars allow surfers to spread out.

Playa Venao, Panama

Home to our second Safari Surf School, Playa Venao, on Panama’s Pacific coast, is the perfect beginner wave. Playa Venao is a south-facing, crescent-shaped cove that picks up an enormous amount of swell. The sides of the cove, however, are sheltered. So, even when overhead waves are breaking on the sand bars in the middle of the cove, the sand bars on either side of the cove provide gentle peeling beginner waves.

Waikiki, Hawaii

Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing, and Waikiki is steeped in surf lore and tradition that dates back centuries. As the birthplace of modern surfing and the home of the iconic Waikiki Beach Boys, surfing at Waikiki is like riding a wave through time. The wave at Waikiki is soft and peels for what feels like an eternity. While there’s definitely a crowd, there’s no denying that Waikiki is one of the best longboard and beginner waves on the planet.

San Onofre, California

San O was once the most coveted wave on the California coast. Back when all surfers rode single-fin logs, and getting toes off the nose was the pinnacle of high-performance surfing. Now, San O is to longboarders and new surfers what Trestles is to the high-performance crowd. Located in Camp Pendleton, just outside of San Clemente on the northern edge of San Diego County, San O provides surfers with plenty of room to spread out and practice the fundamentals. The main peak is best suited for intermediate and advanced surfers.

Lagos, Portugal

Lagos, located in the south-facing Algarve region of Portugal, is perhaps Europe’s best beginner wave. Tucked away in the southern reaches of the Western Iberian Peninsula, Lagos’s main stretch of coast is protected from Europe’s large northern swells. Instead of producing pumping surf in frigid water, like the rest of Portugal, Lagos is home to gentle peeling waves. The water is still a bit chilly, but the air temperatures in Lagos are much warmer than the rest of the European continent.

Beginner surfers rejoice. Safari Surf now has three locations across the globe where our expert coaches share their passion for surfing with students in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador. To book your surf trip and discover the best beginner waves on the planet. Click here.

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Meet Our Safari Surf Ecuador Team

If you’ve visited us before, either at our Costa Rica Surf School or in Playa Venao, Panama, you have an idea of what separates Safari Surf from other surf schools, resorts, and hotels. While our surf schools are located in beautiful, tropical locations with world-class waves, it’s our staff that makes the Safari Surf experience so special. Every year, guests return to our Costa Rica surf school, not because we’re nestled in the jungle of Nosara with direct access to Playa Guiones, but because our coaches and managers make a lasting impact on every guest they interact with in Costa Rica, Panama, and now in Ecuador. After searching far and wide for the right crew to man the helm in Ayampe, Ecuador, home of our newest surf school, we have found the perfect duo. I sat down with Safari Surf founder Tim and the Ecuador team to learn about the new Safari Surf location in the wave-rich Ayampe, Ecuador. Continue Reading for our interview with our new Safari Surf Ecuador team, Trisha and Caesar.

Trish and Caesar, tell me a bit about what led you to Ayampe.

Trisha: Caesar and I while studying in Hawaii in 2016. I’m from the States, and Caesar is originally from Ecuador. After getting to know each other, we realized they wanted the same things out of life—mainly to find a piece of land somewhere beautiful where they could pursue their passions and live sustainably.

Caesar: I’m originally from Ecuador. I moved to the States when I was 17. I would always go back to Ecuador on surf trips, and after living in Maui, we decided it was time to go back to my roots. Surfing is my passion. I’ve been surfing since my childhood, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Tim, tell me a bit about what drew you to Ecuador and Ayampe specifically.

Tim: One of my goals with Safari is to offer my clients a variety of places to learn to surf. I worked with Nico in Costa Rica before he moved to Ayampe. After a visit to see Nico and his wife Tam, my wife and I fell in love with Ecuador and Ayampe. I see Ecuador as an off-the-beaten-path option for clients, especially experienced surfers.

What’s the wave like in Ayampe? What can Safari Surf guests expect on an Ecuador surf trip?

Caesar: Ayampe is exposed to year-round swell. It’s a small town near the popular surf mecca of Monatanita. Unlike Montanita, which is a popular backpacking and party destination, Ayampe is more laid back. The wave in Ayampe is a powerful beach break. North and South of Ayampe, there are dozens of waves. The surf travel potential on this coastline is insane. Ayampe prefers north swells but will still break during the south swell season.

What can travelers expect from Ecuador weather-wise?

Trisha: The high season is from December to mid-May. During the high season, expect sunny skies and tropical temperatures. The period of mid-May to mid-December is known as Garúa. During Garúa, Ecuador experiences perpetual gray skies and cooler temperatures.

What can Safari Surf Ecuador guests expect beyond the surf?

Trisha: Ecuador has a bit of everything. There’s obviously the mountains and the Galapagos. In Ayampe, we have whale watching, jungle tours, surf trips by car and boat, hiking, mountain biking, and more. Ayampe has grown a lot in the last five years. When we first got here, there were only a handful of restaurants, and most of them closed seasonally. Now, there are lots of places to eat and stay, but it still has that small-town feel.

Whether you’re a new surfer looking for a bit of adventure or an advanced surfer chasing swells in South America, our Ecuador surf school has everything you need for the trip of a lifetime. Book your Ecuador surf trip here.

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These Waves Put Costa Rica Surfing on the Map

Over the years, Costa Rica has become synonymous with surfing and surf travel. Like Hawaii and other famed surf destinations, the reputation of Costa Rica’s waves is far-reaching. If you tell friends or family you’re traveling to Costa Rica, they’ll likely ask if you plan to surf or take surf lessons. While surfers first arrived in Costa Rica searching for waves in the 1960s, the sport didn’t take off in the country until decades later. Movies like The Endless Summer II popularized Costa Rica’s iconic waves and introduced the world to a country with year-round swell, warm water, and too many world-class waves to count. If you’re wondering why so many surfers call Costa Rica paradise, continue reading below for These Waves Put Costa Rica Surfing on the Map.

Our Favorite Wave in Costa Rica Surfing: Playa Guiones

We couldn’t write an article about Costa Rica’s fabled waves without mentioning our home break, Playa Guiones. Located in Northern Costa Rica in the Guanacaste Province, Playa Guiones is a 4.3-mile stretch of sandy perfection. With reliable sandbars scattered up and down the beach, there’s room for surfers of all levels to spread out and make the most of a swell. Playa Guiones faces slightly southwest and works well with a south or southwest swell and an east wind. While Playa Guiones can hold serious size, it’s not a particularly heavy wave. The take-off is easy, and the wave’s face is sloped, making it ideal for progression.

Pavones

Pavones is one of the longest lefthand point breaks in the world. Located in the Puntarenas province of Southern Costa Rica, Pavones attracts surfers from all over the world. With a proper south swell, the wave at Pavones peels for what feels like an eternity, offering surfers rides up to three minutes long. The wave begins breaking at the river mouth and continues along for several sections. Each section has a distinct personality. Some sections are hollow and speedy, while others are fat and sloping.

Witch’s Rock

Witch’s Rock, named for the foreboding rock formation that sits just behind the surf lineup, is one of Costa Rica surfing’s most recognizable waves, in part due to Endless Summer II. The Wave is easiest accessed by boat since it breaks in a protected Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste. Witch’s Rock is a beach break with a reliable, picture-perfect left and right that breaks in front of the iconic Roca Bruja. There are other peaks along the beach (Playa Naranjo), but none are as perfect as the wave that breaks in front of the rock.

Ollie’s Point

You can’t have a conversation about Costa Rica surfing and leave out Ollie’s Point. Ollie’s Point is located by an abandoned CIA airfield and named for the Notorious US Lt. Col Oliver North, who spearheaded covert military and CIA operations in the Nicaraguan Contra. Like Witch’s Rock, Ollie’s Point is located in Santa Rosa National Park and is best accessed by boat. This rocky point break reels down a jungle-clad coastline mimicking Santa Barbara’s Rincon but without the crowds. This famed right-hander takes a massive southwest swell to break into true form, but when it does it’s well worth traveling halfway around the planet to surf.

Salsa Brava

Located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, Salsa Brava is a fearsome reef break with a reputation for breaking boards and manning surfers. Salsa Brava breaks during the winter with a solid north, northeast, or east-by-northeast swell. Salsa Brava is easily Costa Rica surfing’s heaviest wave. This hollow, thick-lipped wave breaks over a shallow reef shelf. If you stick the steep drop and pull in, you’ll score the barrel of your life. If you miss it, you may take one of the worst beatings a wave can dish out.

If you’re considering taking a surf trip, head to the best surf school in Central America to get the most out of your Costa Rica surfing experience. Head to our website to book today!

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How to Take Your Surfing to the Next Level with These Intermediate Surf Tips

At Safari Surf School, we teach hundreds of new surfers every year. For many guests, surfing becomes, not just a lifelong hobby, but a passion. We have guests return year after year to further improve their surfing. Playa Guiones isn’t just the ultimate beginner wave, it’s a great wave for progression, where intermediate surfers can learn to generate speed, carve, and turn. If you’ve learned to pop up, bottom turn, and ride cleanly down the wave, it’s time to take your surfing to the next level. Our team at Safari Surf School has put together a list of surf tips to help you achieve your goals in the water. Whether you’re gearing up for a surf trip, prepping for winter swell season at home, or just looking to improve your overall surfing, continue reading below for How to Take Your Surfing to the Next Level with These Intermediate Surf Tips.

Intermediate Surf Tip #1 Surf the Right Board for Your Skill Level

Happy smiling faces of the Safari Surf crew

One of the worst things a surfer can do for their progression is to ride the wrong board. Our number one surf tip is for surfers to spend ample time learning before changing boards. While it may be tempting to jump on the latest shortboard model once you have mastered the basics. You still have a long way to go. Shortboards lack the float and stability that new surfers need. We teach our new surfers on beginner-friendly soft top surfboards. Eventually, those students progress to traditional longboards that allow them to trim, turn, and carve. If students have a desire to downsize further, they then progress to a mid-length, which has plenty of stability and float with increased maneuverability. Once a new surfer has learned to generate speed, carve, and turn on a longer board, they’re ready to move to a high-volume shortboard.

Look Down the Line

Intermediate surfers who struggle to ride on the upper portion of the wave’s face can do so by looking down the line. This surf tip will help surfers who struggle to make fast-breaking waves. When you’re surfing, your head and shoulders essentially act as a steering wheel. Where you look while riding dictates where you go. So, as you get to your feet during your pop-up, turn your head and shoulders and look down the line. Where your head and shoulders face, your hips will follow, and you’ll be riding cleanly down the line.

Surf With Your Whole Body

As you progress as a surfer and begin to ride shorter boards, you’ll need to learn to generate speed. Surfers generate speed by climbing up and down the wave’s face, finding pockets of speed in the wave’s steeper sections. The most effective way to pump for speed is to utilize your entire body. As you drop into a wave and come off your bottom turn, throw your weight towards the wave’s face by extending your body and arms up towards the wave. This shift in positioning and weight will pull you up the wave face. As you rise up the face, compress by bending your knees to lower your center of gravity and descend the wave face with ample speed.

Lead Your Turns

Just like when generating speed, turning requires our whole bodies. Doing a proper cutback requires several steps. Step 1: compress and shift your weight towards your back foot. Step 2: Start your turn by leading the turn with your hands. Move your leading arm in the direction you want to turn by rotation at the hips and shoulders. Step 3: Follow your lead arm with your gaze, turning your head as you rotate. Step 3: Engage your outside rail as your board rotates through the turn. Step 4: rebound off the white water and continue surfing in the packet.

Surf on the Top Two-Thirds of the Wave

The top two-thirds of the wave contains 90% of the wave’s speed and power. As an intermediate surfer, you want to increase your time riding on the top two-thirds of the wave. When you surf on the lowest third of the wave, you can’t generate speed or climb the wave face, and the wave will often outrun you. Surfing on the top two-thirds of the wave allows you to use the wave’s power and steepness to generate speed and set up maneuvers.

Whether you’re new to surfing or an intermediate surfer who wants to continue improving, our surf coaches in Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador have what it takes to help you accomplish your surfing goals. Nothing is better for your surfing than an immersive surf trip to a world-class wave. Head to our website to book your trip today!

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Surf Forecasting 101: How to Know When to Go

Have you ever looked at the surf forecast that you thought was favorable, grabbed your board, and raced to the beach only to find onshore slop? Surf forecasting isn’t the guessing game it was decades ago before the likes of Surfline and live stream beach cameras, but it still takes a well-trained eye to make sense of the data you’re presented in a typical forecast. Whether you’re looking at the surf forecast of your next surf trip destination or your local beach break, it pays to know how to decipher the science behind the forecast. To learn the basics of surf forecasting, continue reading below for Surf Forecasting 101: How to Know When to Go.

The Many Components of Surf Forecasting

Whether you use Surfline or one of the many other surf forecasting providers, you’re likely looking at some combination of the same forecasted data either taken from government weather data or calculated from that weather data. A typical surf forecast will display surf height, swell height, swell direction, wind spend, and wind direction, along with primary, secondary, and tertiary swell info. While all that information can be overwhelming, once you know what to look for, it will help you understand your home break on a whole new level.

Surf Height

Surf height is an approximate measurement of the face of the wave. Surf height differs from While surf height may seem subjective, depending on where you’re traveling. A two-foot wave in Hawaii and a two-foot wave in California are drastically different. For the sake of surf forecasting, however, surf height is an objective measurement of the wave’s face from the top of the cresting lip to the trough of the wave.

Wind (Direction & Speed)

Besides, swell height, wind direction, and wind speed are two of the most critical variables in surf forecasting. Ideal winds for surfing are gentle, between 0 and 5 kts, and blowing directly offshore. Surf forecasting platforms present both the wind direction and the speed, which can give surfers insight into the wave’s current and future conditions. If you’re surfing the west-facing Playa Guiones in Nosara, a gentle east wind is preferred. If you’re surfing a sheltered cove or a jetty break where a landmass blocks the wind from one direction, you may be able to find clean waves with a cross or even onshore wind.

Swell Size, Interval, & Direction

To create the surf height metric, forecasters use a combination of the swell size, swell interval, and swell direction data points. The swell height is the measurement of an open ocean swell from the crest to the trough. The Swell interval is the distance between two swells and is given in seconds. The swell direction, given in North, South, East, West, or a combination of directions, tells surfers which direction the swell is traveling from. Surfers generally seek out solid-sized waves with longer intervals. The longer the interval, the bigger the surf. For example, a 2-foot swell at an 18-second interval at Playa Guiones will produce overhead surf. Where a 2-foot swell at 9 seconds could be barely chest height. The longer the interval, the more powerful the swell, and the more time the swell has to build in size. Each break has a forecast that brings it to life in its best form. A combination of the perfect swell direction, an ideal interval, and a swell height that’s just right will create perfectly sculpted waves without a drop of water out of place. Learning to read a surf forecast and knowing a spot’s preferred conditions takes an enormous amount of time and effort, but it pays off dividends when you score the waves of your life at your favorite break.

Take the guesswork out of surf travel by booking a trip to Safari Surf School in Nosta, Costa Rica, Playa Venao, Panama, or Ayampe, Ecuador. With friendly instructors, world-class waves, and accommodation for any budget, a trip with Safari Surf is the ultimate form of surf travel. Head to our website to book today!

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The Safari Surf Guide to the Ecuador Surf Season

Surf travel is not the adventure into the unknown that it was just a few short decades ago. With today’s advanced surf forecasting and the modern ease of travel, a willing surfer can spot a swell online, book travel, and be halfway around the world surfing within a day. Still, even with today’s comforts, planning a surf trip to a new destination can feel a bit overwhelming. With all the available resources online, how do you know who to trust? Despite advancements in surf forecasting, every spot is different, and sometimes, forecasts are just plain wrong. When planning a surf trip, it’s improtant to know what time of year the waves are best. It always helps to talk to fellow travelers who have been to your desired destination to get a feel for what the place is like before you commit to a trip. If you’re thinking of planning a surf trip, we’re here to help. Beyond our surf school in Costa Rica, we have surf schools in Panama and Ecuador that are ideally located by world-class waves. If you’re looking to shake things up and head somewhere new for your next surf trip, head south to Ecuador. Continue reedling below for the Safari Surf Guide to Ecuador’s Surf Seasons.

Surfing in Ecuador

Ecuador is known for its charming backpacker towns, towering mountain peaks, and the Galapagos Islands. Few of the travelers who make the journey to Ecuador are there for the waves, but for those in the know, Ecuador is a premier surf destination with a diverse selection of quality waves. Ecuador has four surf regions: North (Mompiche to Bahia de Caraquez), Central (Manta Zone), Baja Manabi, and South (Las Salinas to Montanita). Our Ecuador surf school is located in the Baja Manabi Zone, just south of Parque Nacional Machalilla. Ecuador has comfortable water temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and sees year-round swell, so you can likely leave the wetsuit at home for your Ecuador surf adventure.

Best Ecuador Surf Season for Beginners

While Ecuador has year-round swell, there’s a definitive surf season from December through April when Northwest swells are dominant in the Pacific, and winds are predominately light and offshore. Beginner and intermediate surfers may find it preferable to surf in the offseason from May through November. During this time of year, the winds can be predominately on shore, but the mornings are still glassy. With thin crowds and glassy, smaller surf in the mornings, May through November is ideal for new and intermediate surfers.

Where to Surf Year-Round in Ecuador

While most of the region’s waves crave the northwest swells and offshore winds that prevail during December through April, there are plenty of breaks that work well with south swell and even a few that work with either swell direction. Ayampe, home of our Ecuador surf school, is a tranquil hideaway on the coast, located in the Baja Manabi zone with a reliable wave that breaks year-round.

How to Get to Ayampe

Ayampe may be off the beaten path, but it’s well worth the trip. To get to Ayampe from the States, you’ll first fly into Quito. From Quito, you will connect on a domestic flight to Manta. From Manta. you can take a bus or a taxi to Ayampe. The journey may be long, but it is well worth it. Ayampe reminds us of what Nosara was like 20 years ago— quaint, charming, and full of natural beauty.

If you’re considering taking a trip to South America, visit our Ecuador surf school in Ayampe for a once-in-a-lifetime surfing experience. Head to our website for more information.

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Panama Surf Seasons: Decoding the Best Time of Year to Surf Panama

Surfers have been chasing waves in Central America for decades. The sliver of land that connects North and South America has two dualling coastlines that each produce flawless surf and attract traveling surfers from all over the world. While most travelers focus their wave hunting on Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Panama has proven to be a worthwhile surf trip destination with world-class waves on both the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts, friendly locals, an incredible amount of biodiversity, and some of the most immaculate beaches in the world. While Panama has quality surf all year, each season brings something different. If you’re wondering when you should plan your Panama surf trip, continue reading below for Panama Surf Seasons: Decoding the Best Time of Year to Surf Panama.

Best Panama Surf Season for Beginner and Intermediate Surfers

If you’re traveling to Panama’s Pacific Coast to learn to surf, visit during the Dry Season, which falls between October and April. During the Dry Season, you can expect cloudless blue skies, gentle offshore breezes, and small to fun-sized surf. While there’s still plenty of swell during the Dry Season, you’re unlikely to encounter overhead and above the surf, which would sideline most beginner and intermediate surfers. In addition to friendlier wave sizes, the Dry Season also sees cleaner wave conditions, thanks to the gentle offshore breeze that blows nearly all day during the height of the Dry Season. If you’re after learner-friendly Panama surf, head to Panama’s Pacific Coast during the Dry Season.

Panama Pacific Coast Swell Season

If you’re a high-level intermediate or advanced surfer looking to make the most of the Panama surf, head to Panama during the Rainy Season to chase large south swells on the Pacific Coast. The Rainy Season falls between May and September and is considered Central America’s official swell season. During the Rainy Season, powerful south swells form in Antarctica and travel up the Pacific Coast to Panama’s south-facing coastline. Premier waves on the Pacific Coast, like Playa Venao and Santa Catalina, come to life during the summer months. New surfers traveling to Playa Venao during the Rainy Season won’t be out of their league, thanks to the protected corners of the cove that have learner-friendly waves all year long.

Panama Caribbean Coast Swell Season

Bocas Del Toro Surfing — Image Credit: Surfline

Panama’s Caribbean Coast is home to the world-renowned surf destination, Bocas del Toro. Bocas Del Toro is an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, home to white sand beaches, pristine coral reefs, and world-class waves. Bocas Del Toro is an ideal surf destination for advanced surfers looking to chase warm water barrels that break over lively reefs. Bocas is an island community where you travel by water taxi to and from different islands and waves. Because of its location in the Caribbean Sea, the swell season in Bocas coincides with the Dry Season and the North American winter. During the winter, storms form off the coast of Canada and travel down the coast of the United States before reaching the Caribbean Sea, where they collide with the reefs in Bocas to form world-class surf. To chase Panama surf in the Caribbean book a winter trip and follow a swell down to Bocas del Toro.

To book your Panama surf trip and learn more about our Panama surf school in Playa Venao, head to our website. Stay tuned to the Safari surf blog for more surf and travel news.

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Everything You Need to Know About Surfing in Ecuador

Known as the “Heart of the Earth,” Ecuador is home to a diverse landscape that includes towering mountain peaks, dense jungle, tropical beaches, and some of the best waves on the planet. Our Ecuador surf school is located in the tiny, charming town of Ayampe, where lively tropical waters collide with stunning beaches, a dense jungle, and friendly locals and ex-pats.

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The Safari Surf Guide to Where to Surf in Panama

At the bottom of Central America, Panama winds and weaves between the powerful Pacific Ocean and the electric blue Caribbean for a combined 1,547 miles of dualling coastlines. Between the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts, Panama possesses dozens of world-class waves that each break in warm, tropical water.

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