“A local is just a dirtbag who can’t get his shit together to travel” – Owl Chapman

This world we live in is continually becoming smaller and is as accessible as ever before. The waves that fill our dreams night after night are becoming more reachable for any with the will and drive to go out and make riding them a reality. For those who seek to chase swells and surf at breaks that will leave you in awe and with a smile for months to come this is truly a golden age to live.

With surf travel becoming so much easier for us than for those in years past, there really is no reason why we shouldn’t be studying up on our dream-wave and making the necessary arrangements for your trip of a lifetime to happen. As you get ready to chase swells and ride in foreign lands you may want to check out a few helpful hints that will make your next adventure a memorable and positive one, not just for yourself but also for the people whose land and cities will serve as hosts for your future journey…

1. “Don’t Drink the Water.” – I pulled a title off of one of my favorite Dave Matthews songs for this one. Depending on your choice of location, the tap water may leave you ripping on the porcelain throne instead of in the ocean. Study up and ask questions about water quality and more than likely just stick to the bottled stuff.

2. Immerse Yourself in the Culture – There is so very much to learn from wherever it is you decide to go. Who knows when you’ll find yourself there again so soak it all in, appreciate it, go beyond the ocean to see what treasures it may hold.

3. Learn the Language – Although it’s not quite necessary to get the whole language dialed before you go, do your best to pick up some of the basics. Learn the translations for golden words like hello, goodbye, please, and thank you. This will go a long way when interacting with the locals.

4. Be Prepared – While my days as a boy scout were very short-lived and left my scout leaders with plenty of gray hair, I do remember those two words being hammered into my oversized head. Nothing’s worse than being at a wave you have worked your booty off to get to only to find yourself with a broken board, out of cash, or with a rash on the fellas that could have been prevented with a little lube. Prepare yourself for anything that could happen that could cut down on your precious time in the water.

5. Help the Local Economy – Some of the greatest waves are located in cities and countries that struggle economically. Many of them depend heavily on tourism dollars to sustain themselves. Make an effort to spend your money in places that will benefit the local economy the most. Stay away from chain retailers, restaurants, and markets as much as possible. They are giving to us, so it is important that we give back.

6. Take Care of Your Guide – A recent trip to Samoa taken by my brother Jamie left him with the realization that these guys can make or break your trip. If you act snarky, snobby, or unappreciative you may find yourself with a guide who does just the bare minimum. Jamie quickly realized this and his offerings of a six-pack and dinner to their guide were rewarded with a trip to a very secret and very empty break, one that is rarely part of the typical routine there. A little love goes a long way.

7. Respect the Culture and Customs – While they may differ greatly from your own, remember that you are a guest. On this same trip to Samoa, Jamie came to find out that the Samoan people are very religious and choose not to surf on Sunday in the village he was staying by. Although Jamie didn’t share in this belief, he chose to respect the local customs and do the same.

8. Leave the Area a Cleaner Place – It’s common sense to clean-up after yourself, but we recommend taking that a little farther and cleaning up after those who have come before you. It doesn’t take much but will go a long way to keep these pristine locations the in the magical form that make them so desirable. Hopefully generations to come will be able to visit these places in the form we find them in now, if not better.

9. Give to the Groms – Be prepared to have the local children fascinated with what you are doing there. If you are headed to an area that may not be very well off economically, take an extra t-shirt, rashguard, boardshorts, or even a surfboard to leave with any of the local youngsters. If you’re able to, take a couple of them out and give them the gift of surfing by doing a quick lesson. It won’t take long but will go a long way toward leaving future generations with a good taste in their mouth when it comes to surfing and those who come to ride the waves in their land.

10. Live It and Love It – This tip pretty much covers all of them and is as crucial as any. Who knows when or if you’ll ever be back in that same place. Soak up and take in everything it has to offer and you’ll end up up with memories to last a lifetime. Go beyond surfing and check out some of the other unbelievable adventures that many of these locations have to offer. As the line from the movie “Into the Wild” goes- “The core of mans’ spirit comes from new experiences.”

Tags: Surf Travel

Posted by Shaun on Monday, June 16th, 2008 in Surfing.

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