Do your research and you can head for whichever outpost suits you, be it Saltburn-on-Sea, Tynemouth or Jersey. There’s a plethora of coastal towns at which to decamp, with waves varying in size to suit your level. Shall we start at home? Sure, why not? Let’s see if we can boost that surfing revenue to a round £2 billion. Never surfed before? Don’t worry: I’ve recommended some top surf schools to get you started. If you’re wondering how you’ll keep the kids entertained on your next getaway, I propose that a surfing holiday will do just the trick, with the following destinations providing the perfect backdrop. A desire to try something new, a willingness to put up with failure – yes, you will fall, fall and fall again, in new and ever more spectacular ways that grant your cohorts a good chuckle – and a love of the water are the only ingredients required. The truth is, anyone can give the sport a blast: individuals, groups of friends, families. This template is as misleading as the one advanced in Point Break – that surfers are a ragtag bunch who rob banks when they’re not chasing mammoth breakers. Long-haired and lithe, perennially tanned, prone to ending every sentence with dude, dude. Let’s get it out of the way: there’s a popular image of ‘the surfer’. There are 500,000 surfers that call Britain home, and with an abundance of coastline surrounding us – newsflash: we’re an island! – there’s no reason why that number shouldn’t swell in the coming years. Surfing is big business in the UK, and the stats bear this out: last year it was reported that the sport represented some £1.8 billion to the economy(*). I’d love to hear that you braved the coolness of the ocean, forging toward the horizon off the coast of Cornwall, Gower, Devon or Thurso that you conquered waves large and small before the sun skedaddled to its hideaway, obscured by a screen of autumn clouds. Ian Lyon of Atoll Travel recommends Kandui Villas for families, right in the heart of the legendary surf zone, playgrounds.When was the last time you went surfing? Given that we’ve enjoyed one of the warmest UK summers in memory – in fact, the fourth hottest since 1910 – I’d hope the answer is “ Recently”. My son Alex did just that in September, gave the kids some shirts and then took some of them out for a surfing lesson. Afterwards, relax by the pool, snorkel the reefs or visit the local village. As for the experts, let them rip at Greenbush, Bowls Right or Maccas. Kids – or parents – can learn to surf at Fish Fingers, the perfect beginner wave. The Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra is also on the wishlist for surfers, with Macaronis Resort ensuring everyone in the family has an unforgettable time. Balangan and Bingin are also excellent, with local warungs on the beach serving nasi goreng and Balinese fare.Įlsewhere in Bali, Komune Resort at Keramas is spectacular for everyone in the family – it even has night surfing under lights. Huge, long rollers sweep into the cliffs, providing great rides for experienced surfers and unbelievable views from the cliff-top Single Fin café. Bali is the main destination for families, with Uluwatu the place people aspire to surf. Throw in cheap massages, beautiful accommodation and fabulous resorts, and you have yourselves a wonderful holiday. Indonesia is surfing heaven, with so many places to ride unbelievable waves. We have been to quite a few overseas destinations – here are some of the hotspots. I have two surfing sons, a surfing husband and I don’t surf. Now that same guy has a wife and kids, and wants a trip that combines world-class waves with the luxuries you need to keep the whole family happy.” They then wanted charters in the Maldives or Fiji. “Ten years ago we organised trips to Indonesia for single guys. Charlie Pierce from The Perfect Wave agrees, saying that their business has changed. Even if there are non-surfers in the family, the idea of a holiday in the sun is very appealing. More and more Australian families are heading overseas for a family surf holiday, and there are many destinations that fit the bill. What’s not to love about a sport that sees kids active in the sea, doing an activity that they can enjoy their entire lives? There are dads on boards, mums on boards, sons and daughters signing up for learn-to-surf lessons and groms (young surfers) competing in competitions far and wide in events sponsored by Subway, Rip Curl, Billabong or Fox Head Australia. On every beach, there is a battalion of blonde-haired kids, riding the waves on surfboards.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |