I'm looking for a spot to travel to for SUP surf.
Criteria :
Easy as possible to get to from Copenhagen with 7-2 hardboard. ( I can fly too)
Easy gentle waves shoulder high. Preferably a point break, lefts as I am goofy.
Consistent surf.
Friendly spot that is tolerant of SUP surf.
Anytime of year.
I've been to Freights in Barbados and that was great place, a bit expensive to get there and long trip. but enjoyed the vibe. I was only SUP surfer there during 2 weeks.( saw other SUP but they were pretty unskilled and stayed away from waves or gave up quickly). I was respectful of others and didn't get one bad word or look the whole time. Waves were really small, only up to waist. So this is a benchmark.
Is there place in Europe?
Been to Peniche in Portugal, but that's a beach break and it was very crowded with schools, even in October. Messy waves too.
Jasper Seinfaith has put Klitmöller on Westcoast of Denmark on the map, anyone sup surf there?
Must be in Europe?
Central America cheaper and the cost will be the same, also the waves are far more consistent.
Doesn't have to be Europe. As long as flights and land transportation is easy from Copenhagen.
Not looking for gold, just some advice on easy places for consistent SUP surf.
Was just researching Thy area of Denmark where Klitmöller is, it's a 6-8 hr drive. Probably my best bet if I keep an eye on the weather and wave prognosis. Could sneak out for long weekend. Bloody cold tho.
Well, if you got the time so you can "jump" to the pacific side of Central America. From Panama up to Mexico you got pretty good surf everyday with many types of waves.
As well, you can go to Sri Lank which is cheaper alternative, with more forgiving waves and cheaper hotels etc.
Europe is much more crowded beacuse of the weather now, and in the winter it's too damn cold.
One more option (closer) are the Canarian Islands, which you got very good surf (check the seasons and spots) but for more advanced surfers. The waves are strong and usually the bottom is rocks, sharp reefs etc.
IMO Sri Lanka and Nicaragua will be the best and cheapest destinations for a short visit.
Maldives are a bit further, but it will be warm and there are a variety of surf options. But people shouldn't go next April; I believe there will be tornadoes, hurricanes, chemical warfare and the sharks are very hungry, especially from around the 20th 
.
Fuerteventura in Canary Islands is pretty good IMHO.
There's spots kind of reserved for SUP surf (or "zones"...e.g. shortboarders take the most inside peak, longboarders a bit further out, and SUPs take the most outside peak/a bit wide of the proners...don't know if this is "official" but when I was there we took a wave SUP lesson and the teacher gave us some info about the spots/"pecking order" there. Shop called "Lineup" is pretty professional, can recommend...all the guys there seem to do a bit of every possible water sports...surf, sup, kite, downwind, windsurf etc. - so they have the mentality that one should check out the conditions first and then make the most out of it)
The vibe is good for SUP in Fuerteventura. SUP spots are also reef breaks - so you have a pretty good channel, and don't have to fight the beach break close outs. Good spots for both (prone) short and longboards too. I've done a bit of both (prone and SUP) while there. The place needs a bit of knowledge about tides/swell&wind directions etc. - that's why I recommend a guide/teacher at first (so you can make most out of the conditions)...We made the mistake of trying to figure out everything by ourselves at first (been there several times), but next time again, going to take some lessons at first, and that way gain some more knowledge about the prevailing local conditions/forecast. Still, sometimes hard to read the conditions but I guess that's part of the game - and our typical one week stay is just too short for scoring at 100% rate 
Also, you need to hire a car to chase the swell on different parts of the island. The distances are relatively short though.
The season there is from October to March (so basically winter time). Atlantic NW swell (best direction) being the most common that time...in the summer there's usually strong winds from the NE, and for what I know that is the best season for kite/windsurf. EDIT: January, February might offer quite large swell...autumn is typically more mellow. But being an island, if the swell is huge there's usually some protected spots on the "lee side".
Hope this helped...just one option to consider. Only 5-6 hour flight from Scandinavia is a strong plus (especially travelling with family). From Denmark the flight is probably even a bit shorter?
Check out England, I saw rideable surf all the way up from Durham to the Scottish border with good waves in and around Whitby. St Ives and surrounds have decent waves and good sup paddle areas. Scotland has good waves from time to time and saw some excellent waves in both Ireland and Wales.
Some of the northern scotish isles would be heavenly for supping in the summer with some of the world's most pristine aquatic environments.
pump.
Select to expand quoteTomW059 said...
Been to Peniche in Portugal, but that's a beach break and it was very crowded with schools, even in October. Messy waves too.
Portugal is so much more than Peniche!
you probably got yourself in the most crowded place.
one place you should also consider is Galicia :)
