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Surfing Sri Lanka

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Created by LateStarter > 9 months ago, 31 Oct 2014
LateStarter
WA, 589 posts
31 Oct 2014 10:29AM
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After clocking up my 3rd consecutive annual pilgrimage to the Mentawais, I am wanting to try something different for next years surf getaway. I'm also bali'd out for a while...

Have any of you guys been to Sri Lanka?

I'm looking to find a land camp that's near decent waves for experienced surfers, as opposed to the many camps that appear to cater toward beginners and newbies.

Any tips, suggestions or general hearsay would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers in advance

Ctngoodvibes
WA, 1402 posts
31 Oct 2014 11:00AM
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Forget Sri Lanka and lock in Maldives I reckon

jbshack
WA, 6913 posts
31 Oct 2014 12:29PM
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LateStarter said..
After clocking up my 3rd consecutive annual pilgrimage to the Mentawais, I am wanting to try something different for next years surf getaway. I'm also bali'd out for a while...

Have any of you guys been to Sri Lanka?

I'm looking to find a land camp that's near decent waves for experienced surfers, as opposed to the many camps that appear to cater toward beginners and newbies.

Any tips, suggestions or general hearsay would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers in advance


Have you considered the North shore in Winter Once your actually there its not that expensive..




A couple of waves breaking on the inside..Strictly advanced only conditions

mocha1
WA, 929 posts
31 Oct 2014 2:45PM
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Have been thinking same. Nearly got AIR ASIA tickets to Sri Lanka during the last sale....mission!!

would be fun, frustrating but all part of the trip......fly to Colombo (2 flights) train across Sri Lanka to Potuvell (or something similar to that) the Tuk Tuk to the Aragum Bay

Surf around that area varies from Euro Hipster Heaven to pretty darn good fun....according to my research you just have to search a little further than Aragum Bay

Check out this website (correct name escapes me but it is very similar) eat sleep surf

A mate of mine has gone and has some very tasty photos !!!!!!

Ted the Kiwi
NSW, 14256 posts
31 Oct 2014 8:12PM
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What time of the year are you going? I spent 5 weeks there at Dec-Jan just gone. Loved it. Probably one of the best places I have been all things considered. Loved it. If you went there just to get waves though I think you would be disappointed. If you want more from your holiday then it rocks. Great people & food - amazing scenery and history. As for the surf component its not epic in terms of size but you get fun waves every day. Take a couple of short fat boards. I surfed on the south coast and surfed by myself or with one or two others the majority of the time - if you want to you can choose to surf with the crowds but there are so many waves its no drama. Plus the standard in the water is pretty average so even when there are a few people you get more than your fair share. Those Sweds and Swiss are not too flash at reading the sets when they come in. Definitely take some booties. Also its really really cheap. $5 will get you a ripper of a dinner with 4 or 5 different curries. The local beer is super tasty as well.




chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
31 Oct 2014 5:48PM
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Ted the Kiwi said...
What time of the year are you going? I spent 5 weeks there at Dec-Jan just gone. Loved it. Probably one of the best places I have been all things considered. Loved it. If you went there just to get waves though I think you would be disappointed. If you want more from your holiday then it rocks. Great people & food - amazing scenery and history. As for the surf component its not epic in terms of size but you get fun waves every day. Take a couple of short fat boards. I surfed on the south coast and surfed by myself or with one or two others the majority of the time - if you want to you can choose to surf with the crowds but there are so many waves its no drama. Plus the standard in the water is pretty average so even when there are a few people you get more than your fair share. Those Sweds and Swiss are not too flash at reading the sets when they come in. Definitely take some booties. Also its really really cheap. $5 will get you a ripper of a dinner with 4 or 5 different curries. The local beer is super tasty as well.











Sounds better than a really good offer I got to go to canggu.

Or how about Nicaragua, a few crew around my way rate it beyond good




bene313
WA, 1347 posts
31 Oct 2014 8:59PM
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LS - what time of year? It's seasonal.

LateStarter
WA, 589 posts
31 Oct 2014 9:15PM
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Looking at taking some time off around mar-May next year, but def flexible.

mocha1
WA, 929 posts
1 Nov 2014 12:14PM
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Sri Lankan write up, travel plans and wave regions in...l...website Surf Sleep Travel

Sectorsteve
QLD, 2195 posts
9 Nov 2014 6:24PM
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Arugam Bay is a 300 metre right , but its a major 5- 6 hour drive from Colombo on the east coast. The drive is pretty amazing though as youll probbaly have to stop for elephants and the scenery is special. We are talking 250km drive but it takes 5-6 hours! Roads may be better now, as i went 2 weeks after the Tsunami, and the Tsunami did something weird to Arugam Bay Initially, meaning there was no fish and the surf pumped a few times outta season. I cannot quite remember but i think over xmas the season is south coast(hikkaduwa etc) and mid year, april onwards is east coast.
Had some great sessions at Arugam and South Coast.
Things to watch for are : Israelis. Very aggressive. THe local boys give them lotsa "bamboo massages" as they call it.
The other other to watch for is the gang in hikkaduwa - especially if you are with a girl. Theyll do anything to score euro girls and ive witnessed them tryna push pills into a 14 years olds mouth and stopped them. THey drug girls basically. Its what they do.
I was there ages so i got to really know the place probably at its worst. it was devasted.
However it is pretty nice and im sure its way better after the rebuild.. Cheap as chips and amazing food.

katana
WA, 644 posts
9 Nov 2014 10:01PM
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try reunion like north shore bit pricey to get there but pretty cheap when there insane setups like ive never seen and mostly empty
1 week was not enough

jbshack
WA, 6913 posts
9 Nov 2014 10:23PM
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katana said..
try reunion like north shore bit pricey to get there but pretty cheap when there insane setups like ive never seen and mostly empty
1 week was not enough


You just get home

Thats great news..

LateStarter
WA, 589 posts
10 Nov 2014 11:13AM
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katana said..
try reunion like north shore bit pricey to get there but pretty cheap when there insane setups like ive never seen and mostly empty
1 week was not enough


I thought there was a ban on surfing Reunion Island - apparently its has the second highest incidence of shark attacks in the world. (sitting just behind WA, ironically)

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
10 Nov 2014 1:04PM
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LateStarter said..
katana said..
try reunion like north shore bit pricey to get there but pretty cheap when there insane setups like ive never seen and mostly empty
1 week was not enough


I thought there was a ban on surfing Reunion Island - apparently its has the second highest incidence of shark attacks in the world. (sitting just behind WA, ironically)


Was gonna say - make sure you have your boards fitted with Surf Safe devices! I also heard of a recent ban.

katana
WA, 644 posts
10 Nov 2014 4:06PM
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you get the picture why I was over there ,seems there research and govt departments are a little more approachable than ours with possible solutions to shark attacks
and scored some epic waves

Ctngoodvibes
WA, 1402 posts
10 Nov 2014 5:36PM
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Nice "business" trip Dave

Kami
1566 posts
11 Nov 2014 3:58AM
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bene313 said..
LateStarter said..
katana said..
try reunion like north shore bit pricey to get there but pretty cheap when there insane setups like ive never seen and mostly empty
1 week was not enough


I thought there was a ban on surfing Reunion Island - apparently its has the second highest incidence of shark attacks in the world. (sitting just behind WA, ironically)


Was gonna say - make sure you have your boards fitted with Surf Safe devices! I also heard of a recent ban.


Hi,in Reunion island it's already offense to hit the water with penalties fee from cops ( around 30euros) , any way better than getting bite by starve bullshark .



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"Surfing Sri Lanka" started by LateStarter