Five amazing must-surf spots

I think it may be time to accept the sad inevitability of it being winter. again

The summer, in all its hazy, festival-filled glory, is starting to slip further from memory, as it gets that little bit colder each night and wetter each morning. Still, it’s not all bad news. There are the glorious copper tones of the British autumn to look forward to as well as the best cold weather stereotype of all – cosy nights in by the fire (good book and blanket optional).

But the best way of all to beat the winter blues is to get wetsuited up and head out for some surf action. If you’re lucky enough to have the dosh to fund a trip to a far away blue-skied beach then you can head for Indo or Oz to tick off your dream surf spots. For those of us with more realistic beach bum budgets, there are still stellar waves to be had in Morocco or Scotland.

Whether you’re a pro-boarder fluent in the lingo or a landlubber who just happens to enjoy flailing around in a wetsuit occasionally, make a checklist of five of the most amazing must-surf spots in the world and hit one up this winter. Gnarly.

JEFFREY’S BAY, South Africa

Photo by Flickr user Ree Saunders

For anyone with a passion for catching waves, J Bay is a ‘must surf before you die’. Now home to the Billabong Pro ASP World Tour each year, Jeffrey’s Bay was once a hipster hangout in the 1960s and 70s. Since then, its reputation for having the best right hand point break in the world brings thousands of keen surfers to what used to be a sleepy fishing town.

ULUWATU, Bali, Indonesia

Photo by Flickr user Tom Booth

As a reward for coping with the crowds, Uluwatu in Bali boasts pretty consistent waves from April to November, attracting the gnarliest of surfers to its popular shores. For those who are perhaps more on the rookie side, this gorgeous spot in the Lesser Sunda islands also promises gorgeous coral reefs, plus the chance to visit the 11th Century Balinese sea temple of Pura Luhur.

BELLS BEACH, Australia

Photo by Flickr user staminaplus100

Renowned among surfers, Bells Beach is home of the world’s longest running surf competition, the Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival. Just south-west of Melbourne on the Great Ocean Road, this fantastic surf beach boasts waves of up to 16ft on a good day. Thanks to the Australian summer, heading here around November will see you making the most of glorious temperatures – just add flip-flops from Surfdome’s gorgeous selection (available here: http://www.surfdome.com/Flip_Flops-370/) and you’re good to go.

ANCHOR POINT near Taghazout, Morocco

Photo by Flickr user walkaboutjon

Head to Morocco for the famous long right-hand point break. If you’re lucky (and appropriately skilled), you can ride it for as far as 2km, from Anchor Point to the beach break at Panorama’s. When the surf’s not up, you can explore the surrounding mountains and fishing village.

THURSO, Scotland

Photo by Flickr user Paul Wordingham

Much closer to home, Thurso in Scotland offers fantastic surfing thanks to the powerful waves coming in from Pentland Firth. This top surf spot is definitely not for the fainthearted, however, as temperatures can be gruelling, and you’ll want to wrap up warm when you’re out of the water to stave off hypothermia. Luckily, as good as they are at flip-flops and board shorts, plenty of surfing brands, like those found over at Surfdome, excel at warm hoodies. Who says comfort can’t be cool?

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