Reddit mentions: The best surfing books

I honestly think this is one of the most thoughtful responses. All the other stuff is logistics and ways not to piss people off, but going to a 3rd world country, especially a coastal town where it's extra poor and everything is for the sake of subsistence, well that's the way to get some real perspective on the world. Also a lot of those people out there are suuuuper friendly. Except for that one kid... f that kid! ;-)

Alright, some logistical advice: Buy this book! http://www.amazon.com/Surfers-Guide-Costa-Rica-Nicaragua/dp/1449925103

Some of the info is outdated but it's got a lot of good wisdom in it.

Unfortunately with windswell, you're almost always likely to have an onshore wind. Prepare for the waves to be a bit disorganized depending on what kind of break your beach is. The good thing though about windswell though is that a lot of the more experienced surfers will pass it up in leiu of doing other things they might deem more important. That means you'll get to pick and choose what waves you want to go for and not have to worry about wave etiquette or some hothead getting in your face if you were to accidentally drop in on him.

My best tip for you is this: learn to surf in non-ideal conditions and gradually try and work yourself into some groundswell sessions.


The Kook's Guide to Surfing is a very good resource for learning some of the basics. I've been surfing since I was 16 and I even learned a few things by reading it.

Best of luck to you, let us know how your trip goes.

Hey, man sorry to hear about your roommate

You should come to Baja, it's very cheap and you'll probably get the most bang for your buck here. Contrary to what you hear in the media, it's very safe for surfers. Check out this book, Surfer's Guide to Baja. It's got some great spots to explore.

I live in SoCal and I'm learning to surf in northern Baja, it's great

I would say "yes" if it's a board you don't give a shit about and you want practice glassing. If you want to go for it, I highly recommend this book: The Ding Repair Scriptures and a good evening's worth of youtube videos. Otherwise, just cough up the dough for the local glasser/ding guy to fix it. They're set up for it and it's money well spent.

Baja is great. Easy from SocCal. If you stick north of Ensenada, tons of access. If you go farther souther be prepared with maps, food, water, and a spare tire.

https://www.amazon.com/Surfers-Guide-Baja-Mike-Parise/dp/0967910056/ref=nodl_

Get yourself "the scriptures", it answers all, but here's the quick:

1. I guess, using dixie cups, slightly over-estimate and toss the left-over.
   
   
2. Yes, sand more so the cloth lays in the "grind down zone" (read the scriptures) and you don't sand off all of your new cloth.
   
   
3. I guess too, basically I double the volume of resin with qcell.
   
   
4. I buy my supplies at a local place: http://www.fiberglasssource.com/

Use to sell this at the shop i worked at. Updated fairly often last I remmeber. Has some good info for new travelers.

http://www.amazon.com/Surfers-Guide-Baja-Mike-Parise/dp/0967910056

you start by getting this

there is an OG surfing guide to southern California published back in the 60s - not the best pictures though, mostly aerial shots from a helicopter in fuzzy black & white

http://www.amazon.com/Surfing-Guide-Southern-California-David/dp/091144906X