soul-surfing

[ImJ2x]

OK. I'm an old guy (45). I surfed for about 1 year (1980) when I was a teenage college student in San Luis Obispo, CA. I've been wanting to get back on a board ever since. I'm at a crossroads in my life where I'm looking to relocate (from Seattle) to someplace warm with waves. I don't care where it is--Cali, Hawaii, Florida, Australia, some exotic locale in some hidden corner of the world--I don't care. I just want to be able to paddle out in the morning without ANY hassle from locals/knuckleheads protecting "their" waves. Surfing truly was an almost spiritual experience for me, even as a teen, and that's what I want to recapture. (We used to call it soul-surfing.) Is there such a place on earth in 2007? Thanks for any suggestions.

[boco rio]

If your lucky enough to find such a place you cann't tell anyone else about it or it will become crowded.

[northswell]

There are a few places East Side this side of the pond, but it aint hot, and mostly down right cold.

[Old Guys Rule]

It kind of depends on what you can afford. All the places you mentioned have some great breaks and with the right etiquette you can fit in most anywhere. I love living in Southern California but it is not a cheep place to live. You need to make sure you have a great income or lots of savings to make it work comfortably.

[ImJ2x]

Thanks for the replies. And money won't be a concern. I just don't wanna be hassled by any surf-thugs, lol. Is it really as bad as I hear it is? I hear Hawaii is even worse with the rage than Cali.

[Hang11]

New Zealand mate. Plenty of uncrowded mellow spots if you go looking, easy enough to get residency if you've got a bit of cash or useful skills, and on the whole, laid back friendly people - there's only 4m population on both islands, 1m of them in Auckland. You could find what you're looking for on the South Island, or some of the more remote parts of the North Island.

It's not necessarily that warm though.

It's far enough out of the way to be left alone for most things really.

[northswell]

women folk down in NZ seam pretty friendly. Had a rep in the shop today, south islander ended up in the uk, man she could've sold me anything

[ImJ2x]

I hadn't considered NZ. But I've had more than one person tell me it's the most beautiful place on earth. And I'm an avid mountain climber (I lived in Colorado for 20 years), and I think NZ has decent climbs. hmm...

[ImJ2x]

Do they sell Jeeps in New Zealand? I can't live without my Rubi.

[Otter]

If money is no problem, I'd definitely be heading for NZ myself...

[ImJ2x]

In another forum, they're suggesting Baja California--very affordable, nice weather (on the coast, but it's too hot inland), good waves, no surf thugs.
Any opinions?

[boco rio]

Baja can be ok if, you live in a gated community with security. Also you have to be careful of the Federalies that will shake you down occassional for no particular reason. Every place has it's risks. I would love to live in New Caledonia if possible. Unfortunately, Americans are only allowed to stay 30 days at a time.

I visited New Zeland when I was in the Navy and found it to be nice. The people were great, but the water is too cold for me. I moved to Florida from San Diego 18 years ago and like this climate better. The surf is fair and sometimes gets decent. Cost of living is much more reasonable than California. JMHO.

[Hang11]

Do they sell Jeeps in New Zealand? I can't live without my Rubi.

Yes. There's plently of opportunity to get them covered in mud too.

Lots of mountains, generally very near to the coast, and loads of climbing. It's possible to surf and ski/snowboard in the same day during winter.

Generally, in the far north, it's pretty warm all year round, the winters get colder as you head further south, and the scenery on the South Island is incredible. The summers are hot most places, wetter on the the west coast, and drier on the east coast.

There's lots of choices for places to surf, from popular and busy beach breaks, some really good points and reefs, and lots of out of the way spots if you go looking. Places like Raglan get a bit of crowd pressure, but generally it's really chilled out and laid back.

I love it - wouldn't live anywhere else.

[Otter]

Maybe no surf thugs, but you've got to deal with Federales... Generally, not nice people, they want your money, they don't speak English and they have the power to put you in jail or kill you. I don't like Federales.

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

san diego...

i love the surf there.. not too many surf thugs and a lot of great spots.. like scripps blacks OB sunset cliffs etc etc

[Surfdoc]

I have been surfing in San Diego for almost twenty years. Some spots get crowded but the crowds are generally cool. I have not had any issues since I was a young kid and trying to be aggressive. An "old man" put me in my place at my local break. It was then that I figured out on a crowded day you will get more waves if your a nice guy willing to share instead of trying to take off on anything that comes by.

So with that.........Southern California has it all.

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

i will be down in SD eventually. this summer to surf.

[Dec]

Phuket. Tropical island, some decent surf, really chilled out surf vibe, locals are awesome. Bit of a problem though, theres only surf 5-6 months of the year, then it goes flat and the tourists turn up.

You could go to Indonesia and chil there.