There’s no denying that surfing is growing. Every day, new surfers are catching their first wave and falling in love with the art of wave riding. Our home on the North Shore of Oahu is a true surfer’s paradise. The wave at our North Shore Surf School on Turtle Bay is gentle, forgiving, and perfect for learning. Just down the road, on a stretch of coast known as the Seven Mile Miracle, some of the best waves on the planet break. Not every surf community is as lucky as us to have some of the best and most diverse waves in the world at their fingertips, yet there are hundreds of surf communities around the world thriving while surfing whatever wave they can. Continue reading below to learn more about 4 Unlikely Destinations with Thriving Surf Communities.
The Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast has always had a thriving surf scene. Surfers have been riding waves in Texas and the Florida panhandle since the 1950s. When most people think of Texas surfing, they think of the Waco Wave Pool or Tanker surfing, but the Lone Star State is home to over 367 miles of coastline with dozens of surf breaks scattered up and down the coast. What may surprise surfers even more than the Texas surf scene is the one in Louisiana. Louisiana’s coastline is almost entirely river delta, meaning there are no long sandy beaches with reliable sandbars. So, the crew at Pontcha Surf Club in New Orleans surf wind swell in Lake Pontchartrain and make the occasional trip to Grand Isle, a barrier island with the best surf in the state.
The Great Lakes
It’s hard to comprehend just how big the Great Lakes are. The Great Lakes take up 94,250 square miles of total surface area, which is more than enough space for wind to create fetch that turns into surprisingly well-organized surf. Despite their landlocked location, the Great Lakes produce solid surf. The only issue is that swell season in the Great Lakes is in the middle of winter, which typically sees sub-freezing temperatures accompanying any major swell event. If states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana aren’t on the top of your surf travel list, one look at photos from this year’s major swell events will change your mind.
The Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are no stranger to adventure sports. With over 3,000 miles of snowcapped terrain stretching from northern New Mexico into British Colombia, the Rocky Mountains are home to some of the best ski terrain in the world. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, travelers can now add surfing to the list of adventure activities available in the Rockies. Thanks to a series of standing river waves located throughout the Rockies, states like Colorado and Idaho are home to emerging surf communities.
Munich, Germany
Munich, Germany, is home to the original river wave, the Eisbach. Located in the heart of the city, the Eisbach attracts surfers from all over the world and has a strong group of locals who ride it year-round. The Eisbach is a fast-flowing river that passes through the heart of the city and features a man-made wave that can range from 1 to 3 feet. The best time to surf the Eisbach is from November to March when the river is not too full.
What our surf community on Oahu’s North Shore lacks in novelty, it makes up for in storied surf tradition, world-class waves, and the best surf school on the planet. Book your stay at Turtle Bay Resorts to stay in the heart of Hawaii’s surf community on the North Shore. Sign up for a North Shore Surf Lesson at our Oahu Surf School to begin your surfing journey.
