Learn to Surf with The Perfect Wave

Is your dream to learn surfing? This wonderful water sport is steadily becoming more and more popular and new surfing locations are being discovered every year. Each step that you take on your journey to discover the magic of riding the waves on a board will be exciting – and you will understand why thousands of people in the world have made it a part of their lifestyle. You can, too!

First principle to remember is that you need lots of patience to become at least an intermediate surfer. Nobody can become a top surfer in a couple of weeks, no matter how many shortcuts you take. As a newcomer, you will need to learn basics like indentifying the types of waves suitable for surfing, paddling, catching a wave and learning a correct stance on board. But don’t forget – every surfer, even the professionals, started as humble beginners and had to learn the very basics before riding those 9-foot monsters off Mentawai Islands or Bali coast. The best start is to find a good surfing school with some experienced guides to give you some solid basics that you can build on once you return from your first surfing holiday.

Once the theoretical part of your first lesson is finished, (and you will cover interesting and useful topics like surfing equipment, basic techniques, types of waves and surfing etiquette), you will learn paddling, catching your first wave and maneuvering it! But beware – you need to know how to swim so you don’t put yourself in a danger once a bigger wave comes. There are also other dangers out there – be aware of the marine creatures like jellyfish or stingrays, rip currents, potential drowning and collisions with other surfers – may you surf in a busy location. But don’t let me put you off from learning this fantastic sport that has its own culture, music and fashion. Initially, you will be learning safely, close to the beach, under the supervision of your mentor.

Respect the others and don’t be ashamed of yourself making mistakes or falling off your surfboard. The key to success is listening to your guide and more experienced friends and to be ready to practice everything they show you. Before you start learning, make a decision you will not get frustrated and upset with your first failures. With learning how to surf, it is all about getting it right step by step and practicing. Also, surfing has certain etiquette and you shouldn’t drop in someone else’s way if they are already riding the wave or paddle straight through the heart of the lineup where people are surfing.

Have fun! Surfing is all about freedom of mind and a positive spirit. Setting small goals and reaching them along the way certainly is the part of the fun. We can guarantee you from your own experience: those “first times” will get you so stoked for more! From the first time you stand up, to the first time you steer your surfboard a bit and the first time you ride a nice wave - it’s truly an experience. Celebrate the small steps.

Find a great location to learn! If you would like to remember your first steps on a surfboard for your lifetime, fly to a great location and have a great overall experience of good food, nice accommodation and meeting other keen travelers learning to surf. Bali absolutely rocks, with some awesome surf camps and schools that we handpicked before we put them on our website. Europe, Brazil, Hawaii and Mexico also offer some sweet options.

The Perfect Wave’s mission is to help those who wish to learn this exciting sport – and the way of life – by offering some very good product for their surf holiday, to help you reach your goal to learn, or improve your skills. Going through the process ourselves, we can recommend some really good surf schools in some of the most beautiful corners of the world.

Bali always comes to our mind as the first option. Beautiful island full of great accommodation, lovely weather, fantastic food and awesome prices offers quite a value and several options for your surf experience. Padang Padang Surf Camp is a great place run by surfers that share your passion and offer you their wealthy experience. This camp consists of 2 well-equipped villas and other activities like swimming and tennis for your free time. The Chillhouse in Canggu boasts 5 luxurious Bungalows, The Surfers House, and Tree Top Loft that are set amongst 1500sqm of exotic tropical gardens in a natural, tropical atmosphere. But there is also an option to combine your choice of accommodation with a great surf school that does free hotel pickup and offers beginners, intermediate, children and families surf lessons – and it is Bali Surf School. They are passionate and knowledgeable people who will be happy to assist you with your first steps on the surfboard, help you improve your skills or take you on a great Surfari to a location of your choice!

For the full range of our “Learn to Surf” packages, please check out this section, send us an e-mail or give us a ring on 1300 00WAVE – and we will be stoked to assist you in finding your surf holiday and advise you along the way.

Surfing in Papua New Guinea

Lying just 160 kilometres north of Australian shore in the south-western Pacific Ocean and comprising more than 600 islands, Papua New Guinea is an undiscovered world of vibrant culture, traditions, adventure and great surf conditions. Despite its image of an underdeveloped and perhaps dangerous country, it has been attracting tourists in the recent decades and there is no wonder – unlike other prominent tourist destinations, it offers absolutely uncrowded and sustainably protected waters for some phenomenal surfing, diving, fishing and kayaking.

When it comes to surfing, PNG is characteristic with short second interval which means the swell is less powerful and it is an ideal place for low intermediate to advanced surfers. As for seasonality, Papua New Guinea’s surf potential is there all year round. During the monsoon cycle (wet season), the North side of PNG has great surf locations with offshore as well as mainland waves from mid November until the end of April. The swell is brought in by the monsoon and some consistent waves are to be discovered and scored in Vanimo, Wewak, Kavieng and Madang and the breaks range from 3 to 6 feet with some 8-footers on a great day.

This country has recently become a new frontier in regards to discovering new breaks – literally by the day! As Andrew Rigby of PNG Explorer put it, "Somebody needs to come up with the formula to name new surf breaks we discover as I've run out of names! We are discovering, on average, eight new breaks per trips.” On our most recent trip to PNG in January 2011, we were certainly witnessing this and scored some of the best waves ever!

The PNG Explorer is the best surf charter boat in the region, and probably in the south Pacific. Rewriting the record books in discovering new surfing spots, they take surfers to New Hanover, St Matthias, East coast islands of New Ireland, the Admiralty Islands and beyond. It gives you the flexibility of being on a boat and the knowledge of your experienced skipper/surf guide, who will always take you to the best possible locations. Well-built, this spacious 23-metre charter boat has been custom built to ensure the absolute comfort and functionality for the ultimate uncrowded surf experience in the perfection of tropical PNG. Providing excellent service is a top priority for PNG's most experienced duo in surf exploration with Captain Andrew Rigby and wife Jude. Together with their experienced crew, they aim to maintain and expand on the great hospitality & PNG experience they have provided over the past three years of surf charters.

Another great charter boat, best for small groups of 4 or less, is 10-metre sailing catamaran, Tiki Tu. They also keep discovering new breaks and will take you to places untouched by mass tourism, untroubled by 5-star resorts and package tourists not interested in the culture of the country that they are visiting. Every experience that you have will feel like you are the first to experience it, the first person to visit this island village, surf this wave or snorkel on this reef.

Both of these charter boats that we offer have some great service, very experienced crew and know the area as good as the locals. The best choice you can make when thinking of going on a boat charter in PNG!

As for the land-based resorts, the Nusa Island Retreat in New Ireland province (north part of PNG) with eco-friendly accommodation, food and boat transport to the surrounding islands is an excellent choice. All the breaks in the area are easily accessible from the resort and can be surfed on any tide. They have simple, high quality traditional island-style bungalows that can cater for up to six people. The Premium bungalows are built over the water and have ensuite bathrooms, and the Standard bungalows are built right on the beach or just back from the beach and have the use of shared bathroom facilities.  They also have a large 2-storey house with it's own bathroom that is perfect for large groups or families.

Rubio Plantation Retreat is in the remote central northeastern coast of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. From here you can search the remote coastline and offshore islands for an undiscovered wave. Rubio's accommodation consists of 6 separate bungalows. All bungalow's are made from native materials and are located along the beachfront. Rubio has a good, consistent break right on the beach directly in front of the retreat. There are also many other good breaks in the local area. Surf spots range from mellow longboard waves (depending on swell size and direction) to fast and hollow reef passes.

There is still lots to discover in this beautiful and mystical country – absolutely remote, secluded regions, beautiful mountains, virgin forests and unsurfed breaks without the crowds, untouched by mass tourism and commercial resorts. Be the first one to visit these places and give Papua New Guinea a try!

To enquire about your next surf holiday in Papua New Guinea, beat the crowds and surf the breaks that could have been discovered just a few days before your holiday, please call us on 1300 00WAVE to speak with one of our friendly consultants or click here to send us an e-mail!

Photo gallery: Out most recent Papua New Guinea trip!

Check out this exclusive photo gallery of our January 2011 trip to this beautiful, exotic country that is up-and-coming destination.

If you want an absolutely awesome, uncrowded waves and a great trip to a new frontier where they are discovering new  unsurfed breaks on every trip, Papua New Guinea is the way to go! Its culture, serenity, untouched nature, great waves and people have blown our minds. 

Nusa Island Retreat:

Fishing:

Epic waves:

Local kids:

Rubio Plantation Retreat:

Why Book with The Perfect Wave?

• We are passionate surfers that frequently travel to the destinations, and stay with the resorts, camps, boats that we sell.
• Extremely experienced travel consultants, each with between 5 years and 10 years working in the industry.
• Customer Service Guarantee:

• 24/7 Emergency Assistance.
• 24 hrs response time on enquiries.
• We will go above and beyond the call of duty everytime, nothing is too much trouble.
• Guaranteed start to finish service for every client. We will be with you all the way, until you get home.

• Friendly, helpful and knowledgable team members.
• We have intimate and extensive destination knowledge.
• Established and valued relationships with the best surf operators on the planet!
• Fully licenced, accredited and financially secure international travel agency.
• Member of the Travel Compensation Fund that ensures your money is protected!
• Respected, reputable quality surf travel brand.
• Largest range of surf trips on offer from Austraila.
• Wholesale Flights – we will get you the best possible with affilited airline and increased luggage allowance.
• Competitive prices and value for money.
• Constantly updated information on specials and surf related topics – available through our monthly newsletter, Facebook, Blog, or Twitter.
• Referral Program – refer a friend and receive $100 credit per booking for your next trip!!
• Conveniently located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches – if you’re a local, you’re welcome to drop in and say g'day!

Creepy and Creative Mindz! - Mitch Taylor’s new website

Check out a new funky website of Mitch Taylor, one of The Perfect Wave's sponsored surfers:

http://creepyminds.tumblr.com/

The fun loving larakin of the team, Mitch’s youthful approach and sense of humour to everything he does makes every trip with him an entertaining one!  But despite this, Mitch is one serious little surfer.  You will rarely find him at home… rather in Bali, Kalbarri, Margaret River…  never a dull moment and rarely the same location!  Despite his many years of competition Mitch is actually still only a Pro Junior, so with the world at his feet and travel on his mind, you are sure to see more of this kid at a beach near you.

Surfing in Maldives

Considered to be one of the wonders of the world by the travellers, the Maldives are nestled south-west of India in the Indian Ocean and are formed by about 1200 coral islands. This tropical paradise is well-known for its absolutely pristine clear waters, beautiful overwater bungalows and bright blue skies, all-year sunshine and fantastic diving and snorkelling in lagoons the temperature of bath water. This tropical archipelago is the ultimate holiday destination for sun, sand and beach lovers, couples on a honeymoon, families, scuba divers and all those who wish to indulge themselves with the best possible holidays. And did we mention the world-class surf conditions?

There is something for everyone in Maldives – you can stay in a paradise-like land resort and your non-surfing partner will have absolutely no complaints about the fantastic food and plenty of activities to choose from. And if you both surf, or are a larger party of friends/family and want to get the most of your surfing trip in non-crowded conditions and explore some excellent waves, get yourself on a surf boat charter and enjoy the top surfing holiday of your life!

The Maldives boast several superlatives: the smallest Asian country in terms of population and area; the smallest predominately Muslim country in the world; and the lowest country in the world – with an average ground level of only 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level – the country’s high point is only 2.3 metres!

Temperature is consistent the whole year round: 29-32’C during the day and 25-26’C during the night.  The Maldives climate can be divided into two periods, characterised by two monsoons:

• The South-West Monsoon, from May to November, is humid and with persistent rainfalls. In this period the sea is heavy and winds are strong.
• The North-East Monsoon, from December to April, has very little rainfall and lower humidity.

A great variety of reef breaks exist, ranging in intensity from quite mellow and enjoyable shreddable walls to gnarlier hollow sucking dry pits. There is something for everyone when you surf the Maldives, and although occasionally crowded, it is possible to get away from it all and enjoy some of the warmest most pristine water you will ever experience.

The same swells hitting Indonesia deliver the goods to the Maldives except that the latitude is higher and the south-east exposure is less convenient. There are three main surfing areas;

• The North and South Male Atoll: during the South-West Monsoon season, from May to December. The waves are strongest from May to August.
• Central Atolls: standard waves are long clean rights with size varying between 3 and 6 ft. During austral winter (April-October), it's never flat.
• Southern Atolls in the South from February to April and from September to November.

The tides and currents place a very important role in defining the surfing conditions in the Maldives. All the breaks occur near the tight channels of the atolls. The currents through these channels can become very strong. During the south-west monsoon, currents go towards the external reef of the atolls, creating the best conditions for surfing. The swelling lines are usually perfect and the waves keep the same shape with all the tides.

The surf throughout the Maldives generally ranges in size from 4-8 feet, however bigger days have been experienced. The best waves in North Male can be experienced from May to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur in June/July/August. The best waves in South Male usually come  between July and October. The most famous breaks are in North Male’ Atolls. These points offer rights and lefts, whether for beginners or for professional surfers, with waves from 1 to 3 meters with long break points.

Surf spots can be accessed in two ways; by charter boats rented by groups of surfers, and by dhoni transferring surfers from the resorts – although not all the spots can be accessed from the resorts. Usually, surfers prefer the surf boat charters to reach the different points in North and South Male’ Atolls, as they have no constraints and can choose among the most famous breaks. Don't leave without surfing Jailbreaks (Himmafushi), Honkys and Sultans!

The Perfect Wave offers the best of available land-based resorts and boat surf charters. Our most popular land-based resort is Kandooma in South Male - loved by couples, families and honeymooners. Cola's Surf Camp in North Male Atolls, loved by surfers on budget, is our exclusive operator. For those looking for a change from the popular North & South Male breaks, Medhufushi Island Resort in the Central Atolls is a great escape offering 5* quality and proximity to uncrowded waves.

For those fantastic and uncrowded breaks that cannot be accessed directly from the land resorts, we definitely recommend to jump on a boat charter! We have personally hand-picked the best of what is available in the country and regularly visit our operators to assure consistent product quality: Haira, Hamathi and Carpe Vita in North & South Male atolls and Cobia, Anloran and Atoll Challenger in Central abd Southern Atolls are all great boats with fantastic surf guides and offer you packages in all price ranges. But make sure your dates don't get booked!

To enquire about your next surf holiday in Maldives, please call us on 1300 00WAVE to speak with one of our friendly consultants or click here to send us an e-mail.

Checkout Swellnet's new online magazine - The Swellnet Flyer

Checkout Swellnet's new online magazine - The Swellnet Flyer!!


http://www.swellnet.com.au/news/2063-presenting-the-swellnet-flyer-issue-1

Loads of awesome images and fantastic stories to keep you dreaming of your next surfing adventure.