ShaneKiwi said...

HI
Has anyone been to the Christmas Islands recently.
Planning on a mission there over Christmas ( of course) so be interested in any feed back regarding surf and accommodation. Not to mention swell expectations for that time of year .
Cheers shane

hey mate,

yeah i went the start of last year took a sup, mal and fish, it looks the goods on google earth but its not, yes its off shore but howling, and super sharp and shallow, nice people and place is very quiet but cant say im rushing to go back, sorry if i'v busted you bubble but yeah..

Christmas is very hit and miss. The wind is mostly howling offshore so the best passages that hold massive swell get blown to bits with windswell generated inside the worlds largest coral atoll. Many of the super sucky fun set ups max at around six foot. You rarely get wind swell heading into lee coast due to offshore conditions so if nothing coming from Hawaii's North Shore swell window you get nothing on the London/Paris side. Generally it is very long period groundswell around third to half the size of Sunset Beach a day or so later.
There are several breaks on windward side but onshore slop. A couple of cross shore death slabs too. Very shallow most of the breaks so expect coral time on sup.
A sup would be great to paddle to many of the better breaks as they are almost all a very long paddle from town and you are not allowed to set foot on the Island without a guide between main two areas as is a bird sanctuary. This island has a few great set ups. Usually boat trips are used to island or Paris which can be on "Island time" The strong currents are fatal and you will not find help if you dissapear out to sea.

Generally the waves are tiny fun or if swell comes suit confident short boarder who don't mind putting their wellbieng at risk. Very windy for sup!!!!

When, or if the wind stops it can get epic and a sup would be sick.

Plenty of places to stay I personally think, but have not stayed with, the surf camp is a bit expensive for what you get, location of camp(no waves in front) and you may not get any waves, you may get solo epic tube time???????

There is a hotel that has air con, looks over fun point and Bombie with easy walk to town, if you can call London a town. Look on Kiribati tourism website.

Amazing people and place with the best fishing I have ever encounted.

Fanning is great but you need time or private boat.

Take two pairs of booties!

Enjoy the ride.

StKilda SUP, Are you talking about Christmas Island in Kiribati or Australia?
I do not recognise the names you mentioned or a Casino. But I have not been there for 18 months.