Surfing in BC- Favourite Spots?

igeneer · #1 Posted **Apr 29, 2009, 11:47 PM**

Hey everyone,

I have recently become very interested in surfing and was hoping some of you could give some insight into the best surfing areas (likely somewhere near Tofino), or even places in Northwest Washington. I haven't been to the Pacific coast to surf, and I noticed a lot of sandy beaches southwest of Tofino.

I look forward to hearing everyone's recommendations.

SpongeG · #2 Posted **Apr 29, 2009, 11:54 PM**

i think thats the only area to surf in BC

I know a coworker of mine - her husband and friends would drive down to oregon coast to surf - really when you factor in the ferry time and all that to get to tofino oregon is about 6 hours - tofino works out to be close to that in travel...

anyway Tofino is the place

http://www.longbeachsurfshop.com/

http://www.gotofino.com/surftofinobcphotos.html

the places in oregon where they went was Lincoln City

http://magicseaweed.com/Lincoln-City-Surf-Report/316/
http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/...t_5074/travel/

djmk · #3 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 12:00 AM**

tofino is a great place to learn. plenty of surf schools and tons of beach. i first learned at chestermans beach eons ago. they now make you pay 10$ a day for parking at long beach.

however, its nothing like hawaii (but that might be a good thing especially if you're first trying out.). also look up Nootka Island.

phesto · #4 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 12:17 AM**

The beaches south of Tofino are pretty much the only consistent surf on the West Coast of B.C (near civilization anyway). They’re all beach breaks and all about a 10 minute drive from one another, so it’s a good spot. Water’s cold though and you’ll need a 5/4 wetsuit. Good if you’re learning though and there are surf schools there.

If you’re a little more experienced and can plan your trip based on conditions (ie. You can read a swell report and it looks decent) try Jordan River and Port Renfrew northwest of Victoria – when it’s pumping Jordan river is probably the best wave Canada has to offer (in my opinion).

For details on spots in BC check out: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_...ast/index.html

There are plenty of surf spots along the Washington coast – some of them even get going in the summer – Westport is probably the busiest just because it’s relatively close to Seattle. There are some decent breaks, but nothing is as easy (or scenic) as Tofino, and I prefer Oregon over WA anyway.

igeneer · #5 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 1:37 AM**

That's good to know about OR vs. Washington. I am over in England right now, and had a chance to surf the Atlantic (Newquay in Cornwall)...The waves were way too big for me, although it was amazing weather.

I've been keeping an eye out on Magic seaweed for surf conditions, and also am noticing that the water temperature has risen to around 11 Celsius along the coast and 15 C in the Georgia Straight... The sun must be shining much warmer these days!

Thanks again and I look forward to surfing there this September!

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/marin...tationID=46132

Overground · #6 Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 1:55 AM**

Next month at Tofino is the 3rd annual Rip Curl surf competition. $20k in prizes and three time world champion Tom Curren will be there.

http://www.ripcurl.com/index.php?ripcurl_aboutthest3w

twoNeurons · #7 Posted **May 8, 2009, 6:39 AM**

I've only scuba dived in these frigid waters... but after just returning from Hawaii and trying surfing on Waikiki beach... I just don't think Tofino can compare.

3D Ninja · #8 Posted **May 8, 2009, 10:20 AM**

West Van winter storms

twoNeurons · #9 Posted **May 8, 2009, 6:14 PM**

The most dangerous waves West Van ever had were the FastCats.

raggedy13 · #10 Posted **May 13, 2009, 11:33 PM**

I grabbed these photos off CoastalBC.com long time ago so I figured why not post them here. Everybody loves photos, right? I believe they're all from the Tofino area.

All by Stephen Mayor