Surfing in Barbados,and learning to surf in Barbados is world class.
Located 13.1 North and 59.9 west, Barbados is the most easterly Island of the Caribbean island chain, therefore the coast line is open to every bit of weather activity that generates a swell.A Swell is a term commonly used by surfers regarding waves are on the way and is generated by either a low pressure, high pressure, tropical depressions, tropical storms, hurricanes and during winter months Oct-April snow systems that move off the North eastern seaboard of the United States into the North Atlantic push large and powerful swells to our west, north and east coast. Basically in a “nut shell” you can surf in Barbados almost every day of the year. There is surf for all levels, beginners, social, competitive and World Champions! One of the most ideal areas in the world to learn to surf is on our South to South East coast, Burkies Surf school located at Long beach is situated in this area, the four locations of Longbeach, Surfers Point, South Point and Freights bay are all within a two mile radius and are all world class surf spots for learning, with Freights Bay being probably one of the best in the world to learn to surf. However, quite often this area and the south coast can receive large swells and become an advance surfers dream! The west coast has the best quality surf on the island but is also the most inconsistent, breaking only approx. 30 days a year, not the ideal coast to learn on due to the jagged, razor sharp coral shelves that the waves break on, its the shape of these reefs that make the waves of great quality, deep water on either side of the shelf, creates an A frame type wave, exactly what a surfer dreams of. The East coast, where the world famous “Soup Bowl” is located is the most consistent on the island, producing rideable days almost everyday, however due to the NE trade winds that blow all year, which blows side to onshore on this coast making conditions bumpy most days. The fifty-seventy five days a year that the wind swings out of the south- south west and with a 3-15ft North -North East swell running creates the most amazing waves
found anywhere in the world, and making it the ideal playground for the world’s best surfers, including eight time world Champ Kelly Slater whom stated in his autobiogfy “Pipe Dreams” as his fourth most favourite wave in the world, and on Feb 4th 2005 catching Soup Bowl at its all time best, Slater said “It was the best day of surfing in my life” By Alan Burke
Xtreme Degreez Sports Mag
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