A good surf camp is a place where people come together to learn and enjoy surfing in a safe, supervised and all inclusive way. It can take the form of a multi day course, with expert tuition, or it can be a more all inclusive experience from an actual `camp` or site with other accommodation and facilities.

With so many surf camps to choose from, here is a run down of the styles that you will encounter.

Sometimes surf camp is an all inclusive holiday, where an agent brings together all of those common attributes of the surfing holiday from separate companies: surf tuition, accommodation, tour guides, transfers and transport; all under one banner, with the agent taking a percentage. Undoubtedly, under good management, this kind of holiday can be successful and reasonably priced. But is there more surf camp gold to be mined?

What about somewhere that captures the imagination? A mini surfer`s paradise, where surf camp is a place to fulfil the surfers needs. These places exist in some of the more tropical, remote and bohemian places in the world. Where surf camp is a way of life.

These kinds of surf camps come purpose built, with accommodation for various budgets and tastes. There will be provision for storage of boards and drying out wetsuits and gear, along with gear rental available. There should also be places to hang out and enjoy the company of friends and strangers, with things such as outdoor fireplaces, lounges, hammocks or volley ball nets. Maybe there are a few conveniences, such as Wi-Fi access. But this kind of establishment does not have to be decked out with the latest luxury facilities. Somewhere that is clean, simple, by the beach, somewhere built for the outdoor lifestyle is ideal for surf worshipers.

You should expect to find an onsite surf school, with a program of instruction for beginner to intermediate abilities, taking place almost every day of the week. There may be the opportunity to check out the best local breaks with local guides and for some extracurricular, such as language lessons or other outdoor sports. These surf camps can also be inexpensive, if you are choosy in where you go and you go off season.

The final kind of surf camp is the dedicated surfing academy, where excellence in teaching is the standard. You may be taught by top surf coaches, including pro or ex pro surfers. They are often sponsored by brands such as Animal clothing and will be kitted out with top notch equipment. They have tailored programmes for all kinds of surfers, from young age group summer schools, through to private parties. It is up to you. The world is our oyster. Choose wisely and have fun!

With so many great surfing destinations to choose from, where do you go to escape the winter cold? There are so many fantastic spots that it may depend on what else you want to gain from your surfing trip. Some destinations offer nightlife and glitz, while others offer peaceful retreats in remote areas.
Southern Europe in winter produces some great surfing conditions and popular surf haunts include the windiest Canary Island, Fuerteventura, Portugal and its numerous surfing spots along the Algarve coastline and the island of Malta with its many reefs, points and beaches. While the weather may not be hot, the climate is temperate and the waves are big.

Heading a little further away are the fabulous surf spots of Cape Verde off the west coast of Africa where the Trade Winds blow across the islands in the winter making this a mecca for windsurfers and surfers alike. Morocco`s west coast is lined with superb surfing beaches and the warm winters make this an attractive winter getaway.

On the other side of the Atlantic is a huge array of surfing destinations with the east coast of Florida attracting those who wish to surf in warmer conditions during the winter months. Whatever the wind and swell conditions there is always a surf spot for you depending on your level of ability and how much of a challenge you wish to have.

Costa Rica in Central America offers not only great winter surf destinations, but the chance to have an exotic holiday at the same time. Explore the incredible volcanoes, rainforests and coastal areas teeming with wildlife, while you`re not catching some waves. The most popular surfing spots are found on the west coast at resorts such as Jaco, with waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean.

To really experience the surfing lifestyle head to Hawaii, thought to be the birthplace of big wave surfing. Choose from one of the popular surf islands and enjoy the thrill of riding the big waves in the heart of surf-land. The islands of Kauai, Oahu and Maui all have awesome breaks and even if you are a beginner you will find perfect spots to learn with excellent tuition available.

No matter where you choose to go, look out for good hotel offers, Premier Inn vouchers, surfing packages or cheap flights to make your trip affordable and value for money. No matter whether you choose to stay in a five star hotel or a tent, a winter getaway surfing trip will be enjoyable, thrilling, exhausting and most of all fun!

1. It shortens your learning curve. It is quite natural for someone to be frightened when surfing for the first time. This fear is lessened though when a professionally trained instructor breaks down the process in detailed steps. You learn the fundamentals of surfing etiquette and how nature such as the wind, wave formation, and tide could affect your ride. Thus, there is not much second guessing and you get to know how to surf better in a short time.

2. The proper surf gear is introduced to you. Taking into account your physical condition, a surf camp will orient you on the correct surfboard that you should be riding and the appropriate wetsuit to wear.

3. You take your first surfing lessons in a safe environment. With a trained instructor and the right gear, you are able to immediately wrap your head around the idea of you surfing the unpredictable waves of the ocean. The best surf spots are chosen for you based on your ability to surf. Even if you fall, you are confident that the surf camp staff are monitoring your progress and would mentor you on where you can improve on.

4. You get to enjoy surfing with the group. It is more fun to learn a sport when you have others learning the same way as you are. A surf camp is also a good venue to meet other like-minded individuals that you can possibly invite to your surfing activities after the camp.
Having your surfing lessons in surf camps is a good investment. You start on the right note and it makes you look much cooler on that surfboard.

Check out a Surf Camp Destination.

The difficulty is not in knowing that you want to travel, but in figuring out where you want to go. All over the world there are amazing beaches with different waves at different times of year. So, the first question you want to ask yourself is when you want to go. When is an important question as, usually, it will eliminate some of the choices for you and highlight others as likely choices.

Once you have figured out the when, it is time to look at the where and this will depend on a lot of factors such as do you like it hot and what type of waves are you looking for? Although surfing is often seen as a tropical weather sport, some of the best spots in the world are not often sunny and the water can be quite cool. Are you after a calm ocean with gently rolling waves on a sheltered beach somewhere or are you an experienced surfer that wants to seek out the roughest most challenging waves?

After the when and the where comes the how. How do you wish to travel? Although it might seem romantic, it really is not necessary to emulate the surfer movies you have seen and choose to back pack on a shoe string budget. Choosing to take a more luxurious route will not impact on the quality of the surf and you may well find that this type of holiday is more your speed. There are a number of beautiful resorts around the world that cater specifically to surfers and understand the needs you may have and endeavour to meet them as best as possible.

For instance, many resort areas now offer gear hire for those who require it as well as pro shops and classes and courses for beginners. If you are travelling with a group, you can choose a private villa holiday that will give you the privacy you need as well as proximity to the ocean. Many resorts offer specifically situated private apartments and villas that are ideal for surfers. Imagine waking up in a beautiful resort and bounding out of your villa directly into the surf – paradise.

If you are a beginner surfer you will want plenty of mellow beach breaks. Not shallow reef breaks with barrelling monster tubes. Check the average temperature of the water for the season you are in so that you know what kind of wetsuit you need, if at all. As a beginner, you will probably want to use a reasonably lengthy board. Something at or over nine feet long will suffice.

Check out whether to bring your own board and other equipment, or if renting is a better option. Call the local surf shop at the destination you are going to. If you are flying somewhere, check on restrictions for oversize baggage. You will find many airlines that are surfer friendly.

Even if you are not going somewhere hot and sunny, think about sun protection. A rash guard is always a good idea. A high performance sun cream is a must. Remember to re-apply if you are in the water all day and cover spots which catch sun rays bouncing off the water, such as under the nose and ears.

If you need travel insurance, see that it covers surfing under the terms and conditions.

Get a neat fitting swimsuit, bearing in mind the kind of action that it will be seeing. You do not want to worry about having a wardrobe malfunction such as a strap slipping off. Also, avoid anything hard or abrasive, such as sequins or buttons. Board shorts are also a good option.

Find out if there will be lifeguards on hand at the beach that you are visiting. You can also look online to see what kind of swell and wind conditions are forecast. Light offshore winds, with a long period duration, something over ten seconds, are usually the best.

At the beach, check the tide and ask if there are any rips or undercurrents to be aware of. Make sure you know how high the tide is going to be, so that you are not left isolated in a patch of sea, with no easy place to land. Read any notices and see that you understand what the different lifeguard flags mean.

Try to pick an uncrowded spot, where you will not be in any danger of being run over by other surfers and you do not have to wait in turn for your next wave.

It is always better to go with a group and to have people there with more experience and a little local knowledge. It will also be cheaper to go with Groupon deals for renting apartments or getting expert tuition from a surf school. Most importantly, sharing your experience with your friends is much more fun, so enjoy!

First, it is important to try and relax, slow down and make the travelling aspect of your trip part of the fun. Therefore, always make sure you plan your travel properly so that you are not, for example, turning up at airports a few minutes before your flight. Rushing around to catch your flight is sure to leave you stressed out. So get to the airport a couple of hours before your flight, relax in the lounge, read a book and enjoy it.

Another good idea that will ensure you are not rushing around at the last minute is to have a special bag (a shoulder bag is ideal) reserved for travelling only. Here, you can store your passports and itineraries in certain places and make sure you return them to the same place each time they are used. That way you will never be left rifling around in bags trying to find your documents because you will know exactly where they are.

That said; wherever possible try to limit yourself to one carry-on type bag. One of the biggest causes of stress when you are travelling is worrying about lost luggage. Limiting yourself to one bag will not only put an end to worrying, it will also eliminate the need to wait in endless queues to have your luggage checked in or retrieved.

Looking after yourself while you are travelling is also vital, perhaps more so than in our daily lives. Make sure you leave time to stop and eat regular, healthy meals. In addition, keep yourself well hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoid consuming alcohol until you have reached your destination.

Another great tip that will keep your worries to a minimum is to send yourself an email before you leave that includes all the important information regarding your travel. For example, note down any phone numbers such as credit card offices, just in case your wallet or purse gets stolen. Any numbers relating to your flights should also be noted. That way, should you lose your tickets you only need check your emails to retrieve the information.

Finally, the best way of travelling around between flights is to hire a car. At the vast majority of UK airports such as Manchester, Heathrow or Leeds Bradford airport car hire is always available. Book before you travel, if you can, to guarantee the car is ready and waiting for you at each of your arrival or departure points, this will ensure your travel is not only stress-free but fun.

H2O Trash Patrol is dedicated to continuously making a difference by picking up the litter on the beaches, and in the bays, lagoons, and waterways. It is their mission to clean up these pristine environments, making them safer and more enjoyable for people to visit and healthier for the wildlife and our oceans overall.

What began as a lesson to small children has since blossomed into an enterprising mission to clean up our waterways and beaches for the futures of these young impressionable and pure minds. Recently awarded the Environmental Hero Award by the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, H2O Trash Patrol is passionate about making a difference by physically getting out there on the beaches and in the water to pull out as much trash as possible and bringing awareness of the growing plastic and debris in our world’s oceans.

Cleaning the water and the beaches has become a family passion for the Diaz Family of Encinitas, CA. They are committed to making a huge difference by taking action and maximizing their time and the time of their crew to be on the beaches and in the water cleaning up as much as possible. What they take out they sort and recycle what they can.

H2O Trash Patrol specializes in cleaning up those “hard to reach” places in and around the water via Stand Up Paddleboards, leaving little to no footprint. They provide “custodial” services of the waterways for the benefit of the environment, public safety and health, and local businesses who utilize the nearby water as an added benefit to their local customers and tourists.

Only your generous donations and sponsorships can cause the change they make to be substantial. With your help, they are able to spend the maximum amount of time taking the pollution out of the water and off the beaches. Your contributions provide the resources the environment needs to heal and allows us to bring safety back to our beaches.

Visit H2OtrashPatrol.com  and learn how you can make a difference.

After a few calls I was told to contact the Sierra Club’s Coastal Program. Funny, but I had always thought of Sierra Club as the protectors of the mountains and the forest. Not necessarily the ocean or beaches.

I received a phone call from Mark Massara from the Sierra Club’s Coastal Program. Not knowing anything about his background and not knowing he was an attorney who had won one of the largest clean-water environmental lawsuits in the country, I would have sworn I was talking to a laid back surfer. With his soft spoken easy manner, who would have thought this guy was an environmental attorney genius.

Mark Massara was working as an attorney for Surfrider in 1991 when he won the lawsuit against 2 pulp-mill companies near Eureka, California. Now he’s director of the Sierra Club’s California Coastal Campaign. He also founded Surfers Environmental Alliance and the National Association of Surfing Attorneys, and writes on coastal and environmental legal issues for surfing magazines and other publications.

Mark has been a surfer and an activist pretty much his whole life. Surfers may seem like unlikely partners for the Sierra Club, and even Massara says that organizing them “is like herding cats.” What Mark strives to do it to get surfers more involved in their community and to take actions in protecting the coastline. The people at city hall are not surfing or hanging out at the beach. Most city officials are totally clueless what is going on. That is why it is important for every one of us to take actions and make our voices heard in the name of saving the environment.

Mark and I worked side by side holding events at Patagonia stores to inform the communities of the destruction of one of the last untouched stretches of coastline in California. Not only did Hearst Corp hope to gain millions in revenue in building another “Pebble Beach”, they took no consideration of the significant Native American resources that would be disturbed by the project and the environmental impact to the ocean, sea life and the local communities. It was with the power of a crowd of 1,500+ local town folks and surfers who showed up to the Coastal Commission hearing demanding a stop to this obscene project. We sent the high-powered, 3-piece suit Hearst Corporation lawyers back to New York where they came from. It was an awesome victory in the name of the environment.

You can probably catch Mark surfing his favorite surf break in Ocean Beach near San Francisco. Or you may run into him at an environmental cause or campaign along the California Coast. I wish we had more lawyers like Mark that strive to do good for people and the environment.

The exhibit explored many aspects of women riding waves. From the Hawaiian surfing queens to the freshly crowned champions of the women’s pro tour, “Women on Waves” celebrates more than 300 years of women’s performances in surfing. At the same time, the exhibit chronicles the beach fashions women endured or created, the milestones they accomplished and the often-overlooked influence feminine mystique has on wave-riding.

Though the exhibit wasn’t able to provide a complete history of women’s surfing, it does a great job in highlighting women’s contribution to the sport of surfing. Women on Waves was a delight to both women and men alike.

Blue Ocean’s Sea to Table program helps seafood lovers better understand their relationship with the ocean through the seafood they eat. Their seafood program relies on intensive fisheries research for their seafood rankings, writing, and publishing, with direct outreach to the public and chefs, as well as partnerships with respected institutions. They help you select and enjoy fish with confidence and a clear conscious.

Did you know . . . The largest remaining Atlantic bluefin population-which breeds in the Mediterranean-is now also endangered with collapse? The quota for fishing in the eastern half of the Atlantic and in the Med is more than double what the Commission’s own scientists recommend. Moreover, recent catches have exceeded the limit by more than 50%. Actual catches are about 230% higher than scientists recommend, meaning that for every one fish that can be sustainably caught, fishermen are killing more than three. The population has halved since the 1970’s, with most of the decline occurring in the last 5-6 years. It’s the familiar Bluefin story: Illegal fishing is rampant, too many fish are being caught, and the population is headed for collapse.

Blue Ocean Institute works to inspire a closer relationship with the sea through science, art, and literature. We develop conservation solutions that are compassionate to people as well as to ocean wildlife, and we share reliable information that enlightens personal choices, instills hope, and helps restore living abundance in the ocean.

Click here to learn more about the seafood you eat. Please visit www.blueocean.org for more information.