[johnx2]

Algarve all the way. Stay Sagres for three or four spots in walking distance (not all 100% beginner friendly I should probably say), and more with a short taxi ride. Or stay somewhere like Villa da Bispo if you've transport and don't want to be by the beach, or Lagos if you want livelier. 

The main advantage of the Algarve is that you've south-facing spots for when west-facing are maxed, which may not happen in Sept, but you never know. There's boards for hire and whatever.

I've even clipped a few bolts an hour or so's drive away (not worth it, for me anyway.) And heard talk of guided mtb (but could not be persuaded away from the surf.)

Ahh. Must go back. 

(Editing to add that for me a huge advantage of Algarve is that Jet2 fly there cheap from the place that's on the lips of acronym fans everywhere: Leeds And Bradford International Airport.)

[hongkongstuey]

i'd imagine this pleases a few surfing climbers down in the southwest:
http://magicseaweed.com/news/the-wave-bristol-wins-planning-permission/6495/

[ben]

If you can get past all the 'super rad' comments, this is an inspiring bit of cinematography

http://petapixel.com/2014/07/16/incredible-video-documents-the-absurd-adventure-of-surfing-in-the-arctic-circle/

not quite up there on the level of 'north of the sun' though, they were staying in a warm hut rather than some cobbled together hobbit abode..

[hongkongstuey]

France I love you - not only are you completely spoiled for rock but you also have this (taken last Monday morning):



Just back from a week in Capbreton/Hossegor and can't wait to get back again (following a week in the Dordogne, which also has some half decent climbing it seems)

[Whyatt]

Anyone in Sheffield could help us out with surfing want to try this got major surf phyche! Free weekends can chip in with fuel cost etc or any advice would be appreciated,also any good books with fundamentals understanding oceans etc would be great
Cheers Ian

[Palomides]

Uh-oh.

Just back from a week in Brittany, where I callously insisted that the kids and I did 5 days of surf school for the first time ever.

I fully expected to spend the whole time the wrong way up in the sea being concussed by my own board.

However, it turns out that surfing is easier to get started with, much more physical and much more fun than I expected (I know you all know this already).

Other things I wasn't expecting:

• It's actually quite nice jumping into a cold sea in a wetsuit. I may always wear one from now on, even in the bath.
• Two hours a day of paddling like a loony absolutely kills my shoulders and elbows.
• Self-esteem goes up significantly when one is presented with something resembling a real surfboard instead of a blue foam thing.
• French mums will assume that the only adult in a group of beginners is the instructor, despite said adult displaying a complete inability to surf 

The Ecole Français de Surf seems pretty good (at least at La Torche) - same model as the ESF for skiing, but a lot less standing around for beginners.

Looking forward to the next time...

[tomtom]

Where'd you go Palomides?

[Palomides]

Pointe de la Torche, near Penmarch in Brittany



The surf school's between the two beaches. We had a week of nice little waves

[tomtom]

Cool. I want to go back to Brittany...

[Turboman]

http://vimeo.com/m/103082729
Just saw this on surfermag. First wave at 1.15 is mind blowing.

[SA Chris]

any good books with fundamentals understanding oceans etc would be great

The Stormrider Guides have a good intro at the front, but if you want to go deeper, I recommend.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surf-Science-Introduction-Waves-Surfing/dp/0906720362

or a bit more detail

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surfers-Guide-Waves-Coasts-Climates/dp/0906720583/ref=la_B001KME3KA_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408353372&sr=1-4

Palomides and Stu, well jealous. Might be things going on on East Coast this week though.

[ben]

http://vimeo.com/m/103082729
Just saw this on surfermag. First wave at 1.15 is mind blowing.

that is unbelievable!   would be nice to see a normal-mo (not slow-mo) version of the wave for comparison though as although it's a ridiculously long barrel it's hard to judge when slowed down

[hongkongstuey]

any good books with fundamentals understanding oceans etc would be great

The Stormrider Guides have a good intro at the front, but if you want to go deeper, I recommend.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surf-Science-Introduction-Waves-Surfing/dp/0906720362

or a bit more detail

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surfers-Guide-Waves-Coasts-Climates/dp/0906720583/ref=la_B001KME3KA_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408353372&sr=1-4

Palomides and Stu, well jealous. Might be things going on on East Coast this week though.

this ones quite good too: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824839544/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0824828917&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0X9GGV2D291SWQNZZ04G

Chris - has been dismally flat since i got back to HK. We're in desperate need of a typhoon here...

[SA Chris]

Same book Stu, just newer edition.

Few waves here, but apprently lions mane's jellies are about.

[Whyatt]

Hi thanks for the book knowledge , not much of interest from the sheffield surf massive bout getting out tho 

[gme]

Nice to get a few sessions in proper waves again. Solid waves yesterday and today not to busy and warm.
Tides are not great so not barrelling but beggars can't be choosers.

As Chris said lots of jellies but they are not to bad. Like a bad nettle sting.

[SA Chris]

Hope it lasts til tonight! Looked OK on way past this morning.

[BobbyBear]

Praying for swell at hells mouth in a few weeks, another annual lesson  , (I will get in the ocean more, I will get in the ocean more...) Surf and MTB Saturday, RAC boulders Sunday, unable to move Monday!

[fatneck]

apprently lions mane's jellies are about

Indeed, this bad boy caused the Noodle (5) and me 45 minutes of nettle like stinging and tingling... Not too bad for me but the Noodle was in agony! Easily 3ft across and biggest I've seen on the Lleyn...

[hongkongstuey]

my local spot in HK:



unfortunately it was half the size of this when i was there before work and about three times the size (plus thphoon induced strong onshore with chaotic close outs) when i made it back after work...

[fatdoc]

Pointe de la Torche, near Penmarch in Brittany



The surf school's between the two beaches. We had a week of nice little waves

Love this place... Cycling in the dark before dawn from the campsite... With a few others.. Same guys every morning... For two weeks... Surf and body boards stuffed on / in bike frames, no lights.. No common language. Same focus. Line up of 6 to 8. Classic slow mellow wave, all getting their fair share.. Gets light, over the hill, sets the surf gold for those few precious minutes... Life event.

[hongkongstuey]

Big Wave Bay in HK actually lived up to its name for a change this past weekend...

[Duma]

Hi all, have just booked flights to Lisbon 19th to 26th, looking for ideas about best places to stay? Me and the other half are prob best described as beginner /intermediate level. She's 5'2“ and on a 6'6" fish, I'm 5'9" and on a 6'4" hybrid. Questions: where should we stay for suitable conditions? Should we bother taking the boards, or hire once there? Worth hiring a car? Anyone been and got any recommendations?

[SA Chris]

Not been but Ericeira looks good, especially if you don't plan hiring a car; I think there's a variety of breaks in walking distance from town. I'd always hire a car if I can afford it, makes life so much easier, and if you are hiring a car and not getting shafted for excess luggage take your own boards. Plus you can get to the bouldering at Sintra on "rest" days

I think I promised to scan the pages from Stormriders on the area and send to you ages ago???? Are you away 19 to 26 October?

[Duma]

Thanks Chris, yes 19 - 26 Oct. Flying easyjet, any one experience taking boards with them? Can find wind surf but not surfboards on the Web site