Surfing is addictive. Once it clicks, you feel like you鈥檙e flying over the surface of water. The only thing is, you need a wave to do it. For me, wakesurfing doesn鈥檛 scratch the itch, and while mechanical wave pools exist, they aren鈥檛 exactly cheap or ubiquitous yet. Enter the Lind Canvas, an insanely over-engineered, high-powered electric surfboard that delivers surf-like thrills in any reasonably-sized body of water at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. And you only need to sell one or two critical organs to be able to afford one!

It sounded like something I needed to test for myself, so I traveled to Stockholm, Sweden, where the company is based, to check them out.

Two things that are important to emphasize right away: First, these are surfboards, not e-foils, and second, these boards are built for flat water, not waves. It is designed to put the power of a wave into the board itself and recreate the feeling of riding waves in places where there are no waves. The idea of some rich scrubs trying to poach waves from normal paddle-surfers on these 80-pound rockets in a crowded line-up is frankly terrifying.

The Lind Canvas surfboard comes in two sizes: a 6鈥�3鈥� shortboard and a 6鈥�9鈥� mid-length. From the top they look like standard surfboards, though they are a bit wider, and at 6鈥� thick they are more than twice as thick as your standard board to accommodate the special sauce. In the board鈥檚 belly, a hollow bay holds the battery and engine. Every single component, aside from the individual battery cells themselves (which are the same lithium cells you find in high-end electric cars), has been meticulously designed in-house. The result? A sleek 3.1 kilowatt-hour battery pack and an astonishing 28 horsepower engine.

If that sounds like a terrifying amount of power to have under your feet, you would be correct. It is one of the most power-dense platforms ever created鈥攄ouble the power density of a Tesla Model S. It鈥檚 the kind of engineering you expect from something military grade, not from a surfboard purely for recreation.

Evolution of the Electric Surfboard

This is not the world鈥檚 first electric surfboard. This isn鈥檛 even the first electric surfboard from Alexander Lind, the Swedish co-founder from whom Lind gets its name. His first boards under the company Radinn were heavy and wide, making them extremely difficult to get on rail and carve with. In other words, they felt more like a small boat you stood up on rather than a board you surfed.

But Radinn enjoyed some early success. In 2014, Lind took the company鈥檚 first prototype and rode it off a 9-foot-tall waterfall for a promo video. The video cuts away just as Lind and the board touch down in the water, conveniently omitting that the thing snapped in half upon impact. It didn鈥檛 matter, though. The video went viral, and despite the Radinn boards鈥� shortcomings, they sold about 1,000 units over the years. So, when Alex was looking to start fresh, he thought, 鈥淲hy not do it again鈥攔ecreate the viral enthusiasm鈥攂ut do it right this time?鈥�

Together with his two new co-founders鈥擜nders Dellson (CEO) and Mattias S枚derhielm (CTO/COO)鈥擫ind traveled to the Maldives. They took surf lessons during the day and, in the evenings, worked on a business plan for what would become Lind Surf. Upon returning to Stockholm, they got to work assembling a production team of absolute killers, including tapped Swedish materials and production specialists and poached experienced Heart Aerospace engineers who had previously worked at NASA on Mars rovers.

While Radinn had started with the jet and tried to build a board around it, Lind started with a surfboard. They worked with shaper Sam Bass of, who is known for making highly-customized boards, refining their design for a shortboard that would have the planning, grip, and responsiveness of a real board while also being thick enough to house the payload that would power it.

Design Features of the Lind Canvas

The Canvas design is modular, separated into three pieces. There鈥檚 the board itself, which features a thick oak stringer with two-dozen screw holes for the included foot-straps. It鈥檚 light enough that it can be lifted with one hand, but it also comes with a canvas bag with a padded shoulder strap. Its largest, flattest surface has an aluminum panel that becomes the bottom of the board and acts as a heat-sink in the water, keeping the batteries healthier. The heaviest component, a 37-pound battery, can be carried in the included backpack.

Also tucked away into the backpack is the jet engine. Rather than using one larger motor, which would have been bulbous and impacted the board鈥檚 hydrodynamics, they split the job and use two motors in parallel. To achieve this, Lind made a mad-scientist-level, multi-stage gearbox with bespoke gears that听 transfers maximum torque to the single impeller in the middle without shearing the gears鈥� teeth off. Like everything else, that impeller is made in-house, utilizing computational fluid dynamics to develop the correct attributes.

A wireless remote control, which uses a simple trigger to control acceleration and has a four-way D-pad on top to power on/off, pair with the board, and adjust the power-level. A bright LCD displays your current power level and remaining battery percentage (but not your speed in mph or kph). For the geeks thinking all this must take an awful lot of programming, that would be correct. The system has six microcontrollers that manage everything from speed to battery maintenance. It even has 4G telemetry so it can share critical information with you. For instance, if you accidentally leave your battery in a hot car with the windows up, it will send a notification to your phone before heat damages the electronics or the whole thing bursts into flames. It really is a staggering amount of engineering, and yes, the price tag reflects that, but we鈥檒l get to that in a minute.

The charger is pretty slick, too. It looks like something you鈥檇 plug into your electric car, but it uses a standard electrical outlet and charges shockingly fast. A battery can fully recharge in an hour. Considering each battery gives you about 45 minutes of run time (shorter if you crank up the power level), that really maximizes the amount of time you get to spend in the water.

It鈥檚 also worth noting that you can customize the board with the paint job, or specific materials, like a wooden inlay on the deck. You can even work with the shaper of your choice, as long as they can make a design that will fit the electronics payload.

Testing the Lind Canvas

None of that engineering matters if the thing doesn鈥檛 work well. Fortunately, I can confirm that it is indeed obscenely fun. The backpack and bag system is designed so you don鈥檛 need a boat ramp or a dock, or anything like that. You can even hike it down to a remote lake, river, or beach, though you probably wouldn鈥檛 want to hike too far as the whole system weighs about 77 pounds. Once you鈥檝e found your spot, you turn the board onto its back, latch in the jet pack and battery, add the fin, flip it into the water, and pair it with the remote. The whole assembly is toolless and takes just a minute or two.

Then you put your belly on the board, point it in a safe direction, and squeeze the trigger. For first timers, it鈥檚 recommended that you start at power level 4 or 5 (out of a maximum of 15). Within seconds you鈥檒l be hydroplaning, dragging your legs behind you, and grinning like an idiot. As with real surfing, the transition from prone to standing is one of the trickiest bits, but here you aren鈥檛 falling down the face of a wave with just seconds to get to your feet. On a Canvas board, you effectively have an unlimited amount of time to get your balance and work your way to vertical, which still takes time to figure out, but as with a bike, the faster you鈥檙e going the more stable it is.

In Stockholm, I test the board on a number of different lakes, rivers, and bays, in fresh water, salt water, and brackish, sometimes with rolling hills in the distance, sometimes in front of massive hotels or vacation homes. As someone who has been surfing for the last 20 years, I came in with high hopes and low expectations, but I was thrilled to make it to my feet on the first try. In fact, every single person in our small group (most of whom had never surfed) all made it to their feet relatively quickly, and then everyone just started ripping. I was able to really lean into my turns, feeling the G-forces pull my feet into the deck of the board, while a rooster-tail of water sprayed off the back. While the 6鈥�9鈥� mid-length board is more stable for getting up, the 6鈥�3鈥� shortboard is much easier to turn. On smooth water, I turned it up to power-level 10. I鈥檇 estimate I was going somewhere between 25 and 30 miles per hour, noticeably faster than the waist to head-high waves I typically surf in California. The heaviness of the board helps dampen some chop in the water, but you really feel those bumps at speed, including when you make a big turn and ride over your own wake. I had no shortage of spectacular wipeouts.

While it does indeed feel a lot like surfing, it鈥檚 not a perfect analog. The weight distribution is different and learning to carve with motorized power takes some getting used to.There鈥檚 certainly a learning curve, and I only scratched the surface. Once you figure it out, though, you can mix in some flair. LLind鈥檚 team riders, none of whom are paddle surfers, were able to cross-step their way up to the nose and hang-five, demonstrating a level of finesse that only comes with time and practice.

For all its speed, because it鈥檚 electric, it鈥檚 also much quieter than something like a jet ski, so the sounds of your uncontrolled whoops echo unimpeded. Tourists who saw or heard me coming were quick to pull out their phones and snap pics of this strange watercraft zipping by them.

Safety Notes

As good of a time as this board is, there鈥檚 still plenty of room for safety improvement. While a normal surfboard has an ankle leash to keep your board nearby, that鈥檚 not an option here. For now, once the controller hits the water and breaks the radio signal, the board鈥檚 motor stops. But if you neglect to release the trigger as you fall, then that board will continue on at speed and with inertia, which means you might have to swim a good 50 yards to retrieve it鈥攐r it could crash into a river bank, boat, or person.

Thus, you鈥檙e advised to let go of the throttle the moment you realize you鈥檙e falling. But that introduces another problem: the drag of the water slows the board down faster than your body, sending you flying off the front, which is extra scary because then you could be run over by the board or slashed by the fin. Thankfully, neither of those things happened to me or anybody in my group, but a couple of times were too close for comfort. Lind is currently testing different solutions for both of these issues.

Sticker Shock

If this all sounds like a ton of fun and you鈥檙e wondering what the catch is, well, it costs $25,000. You could buy a mid-range 2025 Toyota Corolla for that. Hell, you could buy three new, entry-level jet skis, which would carry six times as many people and are more versatile water vehicles. So it鈥檚 not an 鈥渋t鈥檚 not for everybody鈥� thing as much as it鈥檚 an 鈥渋t鈥檚 for very few people who can afford it鈥� thing.

That said, I actually hate jet skiing, and I feel indifferent about wakesurfing, but I loved this board. If I wanted a recreational water vehicle for my lake house, I would choose a Lind Surf board over a jet ski in a heartbeat. It鈥檚 such a unique feeling. It鈥檚 quiet and sleek, and the sheer amount of power it packs is unlike anything I鈥檝e ever experienced. The only problem is I don鈥檛 have a lake house or $25,000 to drop on a surfboard. For those that do, this board offers a truly unique experience on the water, and it鈥檚 a ripping good time. If you can find a way to demo one for a day, you will not regret it.

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In 2020, David Litt, former senior speech writer to President Obama, moved from Washington DC to the Jersey Shore, and felt the need for a jolt of life amidst the pandemic. So he did what anyone would do: David decided he needed to learn to surf. As a sensible Yale-educated, New York Times best selling author, David knew he needed help. And that鈥檚 how he ended up bobbing in the ocean with someone who could not be more dissimilar to him, his tattooed, truck driving, death metal enthusiast, Joe Rogan superfan, brother-in-law, Matt. The sea salt comedy of errors, became the basis of David’s brand new book “It’s Only Drowning: A true story of learning to surf and the pursuit of common ground.” And while it hilariously recounts David鈥檚 learning process, the book is also a surprising investigation of the current American culture war, the roles David and his brother-in-law have been cast into, and how, as unlikely as it would seem, a sport like surfing can help bridge the fissures of class and culture.

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Mike de la Rocha is a difficult man to define. He’s an artist and an advocate. He’s the voice of a generation and a bit of a beach bum. He’s an award-winning change-maker and the co-founder of two businesses: a that provides work for formerly incarcerated people, and an internationally renowned that connects celebrities with social change movements. And now, he’s an author, too.

De la Rocha鈥檚 forthcoming book is an ode to his profound and emotionally complicated relationship with his late father. The man, Ismael “Mayo” de la Rocha, could be an enigma. He was at once a professor who mentored thousands of students over the course of his long career, and a closed-off figure who struggled to teach his own sons emotional intimacy. The tale de la Rocha weaves is an intimately vulnerable story about culture, the trappings of masculinity, and the capacity we all have for change. In ,听de la Rocha reflects on the enduring lessons of the ocean and how surfing and the natural world helped him break through the layers of conditioning and forge a deeper relationship with his father鈥攁nd with himself.听听

In the below excerpt, de la Rocha stands on the beach with his toes in the sand, looking out at the ocean and back into the past. As he reflects, he reveals some of the lessons his father did teach him鈥攅verything from how to whittle down your belongings (including toys) to the bare essentials, to how to withstand the shock of freezing water, even when your body begs you to flee.

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An increasing number of smart, eco-conscious entrepreneurs are putting Earth first by utilizing unwanted materials that would otherwise end up as trash. From trendy tote bags and fanny packs made out of billboard vinyl to casual and recovery footwear made from leftover running shoe midsole scraps, the following four companies are doing their best to keep our planet鈥檚 landfills and oceans from overflowing with trash. In the process, they鈥檙e creating awesome gear.

Rareform Bags

caught my attention by infiltrating my Instagram account. Intrigued, I reached out to the company to learn that while traveling in El Salvador, Alec Avedissian saw locals utilizing the water-resistant, durable material that covers billboards for roofing. Alec and his brother, Aric, launched Rareform in 2013 with a surfboard bag made from discarded billboard material. They鈥檝e since expanded to tote bags, hip packs, and other bags out of brightly colored vinyl that isn鈥檛 traditionally recyclable.

鈥淭he lifespan of a billboard typically is around four to six weeks,鈥� says Alec Avedissian, who also serves as CEO of the company. 鈥淲hen the billboards come down, we then work with our partners to get them shipped to our warehouses in Thousand Oaks, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.鈥�

The company has since kept 700,000 billboards, which amounts to over 30 million pounds of material, out of the landfills by repurposing them as bags.

I鈥檝e been testing the ($80) and love its large capacity, multiple pockets, zippered closure, and waterproof exterior in a one-of-a-kind design for traveling. I can also see myself using this bag for summer adventures as a 鈥渢hrow everything in and figure out what I need on the way to the trailhead鈥� type of bag.

听Trash Gear Co.

Pete Grunwald started collecting discarded plastic 鈥渁s a fun side project鈥� in 2021 while he was working full time as an industrial designer creating protective eyewear for military applications. He鈥檇 break down plastic waste in a blender and use a panini press to mold the pieces into something new: bicycle fenders. He now collects and molds plastic full time with his company听., which continues to make fenders and is soon releasing sunglasses with frames made from repurposed plastic.

鈥淎 big source of my plastic waste is Pak-Techs (plastic can carriers) and I work with beer distributors, breweries, and various stores to collect used ones that customers bring back,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚 have a whole host of smaller sources of plastic as well, much of it coming from friends and community members who are excited by what I’m doing and set aside waste plastic for me.鈥�

After working in the outdoor industry for years, a vendor trip to China opened his eyes to the environmental impacts of traditional manufacturing and, coupled with his knowledge of the massive amount of waste plastic being produced domestically, pushed him toward the Trash Gear concept. 鈥淭hat trip sparked the idea: What if a company could collect local waste and turn it into high quality outdoor gear?鈥� Grunwald says.

While Grunwald says he鈥檚 loved using kitchen tools and figuring things out on the fly, he adds: 鈥淥ne day I hope Trash Gear Co will have a proper manufacturing space and truly be an example of a better way to produce great products.鈥�

I鈥檝e been testing a sample of Trash Gear Co. sunglasses and love their unique frame coloration鈥攖he swirled pattern of the plastic reminds me that they kept something out of the landfills.

Think Blue Surf Bag

Designed to keep your key, key fob, credit card, cash, or anything small completely dry while you surf, SUP, kayak, or play in the water, the听 is made out of aviation life vests that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Co-founders Marlene Smith and Cathy Chin used to fuel their surfing sessions with Ziploc bags full of cookies鈥攏ot very successfully. They tried making more functional waterproof bags out of various materials before finding a solution in aviation life vests. Smith, who is a private pilot, and her husband, who works in aircraft maintenance, knew that the life vests were discarded after some of their components expired, while the material of the vest itself, having been stored in an airtight bag in the dark, was still as good as new.

鈥淎pproximately 5,000 life vests have been diverted from the landfill into our inventory,鈥� says Smith. 鈥淥f those, so far 2,000 have been converted into The Surf Bag. Every time someone chooses to purchase The Surf Bag over a product made from new plastic, they are making a direct impact on the environment by participating in this diversion.

鈥淢y dream is to ultimately divert all the retired life vests from the landfill into a variety of high-quality waterproof products making it easy for consumers to choose a sustainable product over new plastic products and allowing them to directly contribute to sustainability.鈥�

The small bag lies flat in board shorts pockets and can be connected to a surfboard or SUP leash tie, or to kayak straps or a backpack with a carabiner.

Fleks Footwear

Fleks Footwear founder Leah Larson says the ocean has always been her happy place. 鈥淚 used to go jump in the ocean before high school if I was in a bad mood,鈥� she says. After years in the footwear industry, including a long stint as the VP of Product and Creative Director of Ugg, Larson wanted to find a way to reuse the discarded waste from footwear manufacturing while also solving the wastefulness of flip flops, which become toss-away rubber and plastic. Her love of the ocean inspired her to minimize footwear manufacturing leftovers and discarded beach shoes. She teamed up with a friend and past co-worker, Stuart Jenkins, founder of Blumaka insoles, to launch Fleks Footwear.

Fleks (and Blumaka) grind up footwear manufacturing waste鈥擡TPU scraps left over from the midsole manufacturing process鈥攁nd shape the conglomerate material into slides, clogs, and other casual and recovery footwear. Larson says there鈥檚 enough discarded manufacturing foam waste in the footwear industry to make two and a half billion pairs of midsoles for Fleks shoes. Plus, says Larson, 鈥淭his process uses no solvents and a lot less water than traditional manufacturing.鈥�

I鈥檝e been testing the听, and while they might not be as plush underfoot as my son鈥檚 Yeezy Slides that I occasionally steal, I love how my feet stay put on the footbed. Larson chalks that up to the tiny bits of repurposed foam that morph around the foot.

I also love the flecked rubber; it reminds me that my slides kept discarded waste out of the landfills and the ocean, which, like Larson, I鈥檇 like to keep healthy. (Larson and I graduated together from the same San Diego high school and used to jump into the same stretch of ocean before classes started.)

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Surfing has an undeniable allure. The ancient Polynesian practice combines both power and grace and forges an intimate connection between a surfer and the ocean. The pros, like John John Florence and , make wave riding look effortless. But even experienced surfers are regularly humbled by the ocean. First-timers often get pummeled just trying to paddle out.

I still recall my first surf experience as a kid on the Jersey Shore. I had borrowed a friend鈥檚 shortboard and couldn鈥檛 make it past the relentlessly pounding breakers. Exhausted from being clobbered by the incoming waves, I gave up and tried to ride the whitewater. I ended up with a bathing suit full of sand and water leaking from my nose for what seemed like days.

After a few more failed solo sessions, I booked a lesson and my frustration instantly turned into enjoyment thanks to some basic pointers. Even one hour under the tutelage of an instructor can be a gamechanger, especially if you鈥檙e a total novice. Intel such as where to paddle out at a break, how to read the incoming sets, and knowing which size board is right for you, can transform your surf experience. Most newbies consider standing up on the board a success. But here鈥檚 a little secret. Learning to read the ocean and being able to paddle into a wave on your own, without a push from an instructor, is the real beginner鈥檚 success.

Now in my 40s, I consider myself an intermediate surfer. But I still try to take a lesson at least once a year, particularly when I travel to a new destination. Surfing is a lifelong practice, and the ocean is an ever-changing arena. You can always be learning and improving. And you鈥檙e never too old to hop on a board. One surf instructor I know says he regularly teaches students in their 60s and 70s.

Whether it鈥檚 your first time paddling out or you鈥檙e looking to fine-tune your bottom turn, the following surf schools can help get you up and riding and take your skills to the next level.

Hammer Surf School, Jersey Shore

Pro surfer Sam Hammer has chased waves around the world from the tropical beaches of Costa Rica to the frozen shores of Iceland to star in Chris Burkhard鈥檚 hit film, Under An Arctic Sky. But he hasn鈥檛 forgotten his Jersey Shore roots. His namesake surf school hosts private 75-minute lessons throughout the summer in several Shore towns, including his hometown of Lavallette. And most locales, like Spring Lake and Bay Head, can be accessed by train from New York City via New Jersey Transit. Hammer personally teaches the Sunday sessions in Spring Lake and you can book him for private coaching. I grew up on the Jersey Shore and know first-hand that if you can surf in Jersey, you can surf just about anywhere. The waves tend to be weak, yet steep, so they鈥檙e harder to paddle into, and, once you鈥檙e in, tougher to navigate. Summer conditions tend to be more mellow, but still, if you earn your surfing chops on the Shore, you鈥檒l feel like a pro on the slow, peeling waves in other destinations.

Beginner Tip: “Don’t overthink your movements on a surfboard,鈥� says Hammer. 鈥淟ike with any sport, you learn mechanics slowly and will instinctually move faster through repetition.”

Details: $99 for a 2.5-hour adult group surf class; $113 for a 75-minute, one-on-one private lesson;

Mario Surf School, Todos Santos, Mexico

Over the years, Los Cerritos beach has been discovered, but even with the crowds, it remains one of my favorite surf spots. Located just 10 minutes south of the hip town of Todos Santos and 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, it鈥檚 incredibly accessible to reach and its mellow, smooth waves and a sandy bottom make it a friendly place for beginners. But those aren鈥檛 the only reasons Mario Becerril, a Baja native and former pro, chose to base his surf school there nearly 20 years ago. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also one of the few beaches in Mexico that has gradual wave zones suitable for all levels,鈥� he explains. This helps ease the congestion and is great for progression. Becerril鈥檚 school is known for its three-step, beginner-focused pop-up technique and also for offering more advanced learning options, such as multi-day clinics, and its surf excursions, which showcase the region鈥檚 best waves, like premier point break Punta Conejo.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to surf on a bigger board when you are learning and work your way down to smaller boards progressively,鈥� says Becerril, 鈥渁nd remember the best surfer out there is the one that has the most fun.鈥�

Details: $67 for a 60-minute group lesson; $80 for a 60-minute private lesson; $180 for a three-day clinic; $350 for a private eight-hour surf excursion

Mary Osborne Surf Academy, Ventura, California

Champion longboarder Mary Osborne has over 25 years of teaching experience and excels at tailoring lessons to match her clients鈥� goals. Her Ventura-based camp offers lessons year-round, but she suggests clients book between late August through December to score magical weather and epic right-hand point breaks. The area has a variety of surf breaks, making it ideal for progression. She starts beginners at Mondos Beach. 鈥淚 call it the Waikiki of California, because it is very easy, slow, safe, and great for learning,鈥� she says. And she coaches experienced riders how to cross step toes to nose on a longboard. Most adults book her 90-minute private lessons, however she also offers two-hour group adult classes on Saturdays, lessons with apr猫s surf brunch, music, yoga, and massages, and she can customize beachfront rental homes, dining reservations, and activities for visiting clients who book multi-day lessons.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淎 lot of times people will want to book a lesson everyday for a week, which sounds incredible,鈥� says Osborne. 鈥淗owever, the reality is the body gets tired and you may need a break every other day.鈥�

Details: 90-minute private lesson from $150;

Pro Surf School Hawaii, Waikiki, Oahu

In my opinion, Waikiki is one of the best spots to learn to surf. Legendary two-mile Honolulu beach has gentle, forgiving waves, plus it鈥檚 the birthplace of modern surfing, which makes it all the more special. Kai Sallas, the reigning International Surf Association longboard champion, was born and raised in Waikiki and operates his surf school from the stylish on the quieter, eastern edge of the bustling neighborhood. You don鈥檛 need to be a hotel guest to book a lesson (though if you鈥檙e visiting from out of town, it鈥檚 a relatively affordable, super convenient base, with the best brunch in town). Sallas and his team cater to both beginner and intermediate riders, educating on everything from surf etiquette and wave knowledge to performing more advanced maneuvers like cutbacks and snaps. He鈥檚 also a shaper and can suggest the perfect board for your riding abilities.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淎lways keep your eyes on the ocean,鈥� says Sallas. 鈥淪tudy it before you go out. Watch it as you paddle out and sit in the lineup. And keep examining the wave as you鈥檙e paddling into it.鈥�

Details: From $99 for a two-hour beginner group lesson, $199 for a private one-on-one; .

Skudin Surf, Long Beach and Rockaway Beach, New York听

Over the last two decades, brothers Will and Cliff Skudin have helped put New York surfing on the map with their global big wave pursuits and their community-driven, namesake surf school. Throughout summer, they offer adult lessons at surf spots in Long Beach and Rockaway Beach. Both can be reached from New York City by train (the former via the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the latter on the subway). Summer is typically the best time for beginners, because the ocean is a bit warmer and the waves are more manageable. Dealing with Mother Nature鈥檚 whims is part of surfing, but riders who want to finesse their pop ups in a more controlled environment can book lessons year-round at America鈥檚 largest indoor wave pool in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a 10-minute drive from Manhattan. The brothers also run a nonprofit, , which helps make surfing accessible to the economically disadvantaged and people with disabilities.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淎lways check the conditions before you go out to surf, so you鈥檙e set up for success,鈥� says Will Skudin. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing worse than gathering all your gear, being stoked to get out there, and showing up to flat or dangerous conditions.鈥�

Details: $125 for a 75-minute private lesson at Long Beach or Rockaway Beach; $99 for an hour-long wave pool session;

Surf Happens, Santa Barbara, California

Surf Happens has helped groom pros like Lakey Peterson and brothers Parker and Conner Coffin. The school鈥檚 successful teaching formula鈥攔efined over 25 years鈥攊s rooted in founder Chris Keet鈥檚 experience as a competitive surfer and lifelong waterman.

鈥淲hat sets our curriculum apart is its focus on levels of evolution, principles, and techniques that build upon one another. It resembles a martial art in its progression,鈥� he says. 鈥淩egardless of skill level or ability, from beginning to elite, there are cheat codes to get to the next level within the phases we teach.鈥�

Surf Happens鈥� methodology builds on fundamentals, like evaluating the ocean conditions for hazards, finding line-up markers, reading the winds, waves, tides, and currents, and understanding techniques like paddling and duck diving. The school鈥檚 home beach is Santa Claus Lane, which offers a sand bottom break with idyllic learning waves year round. But Keet and his team take students to various point, reef, and beach breaks in the area, from Campus and Leadbetter Point, to other secret spots. Adults have their choice of private or group lessons, coaching series, surfaris, and week-long custom packages that explore the best waves for your ability.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淭reat surfing like a life skill and be patient, humble, and hungry to learn,鈥� says Keet. 鈥淟earn how the ocean works, be respectful of her power, and the people who you share it with, know your limits and never give up.鈥�

Details: 90-minute private lesson from $150; three-day coaching series from $750; half-day surf safari from $250; week-long surf experience from $1,250;

Surf Simply, Nosara, Costa Rica

This week-long, all-inclusive surf coaching resort in Nosara is widely considered the top dog of surf schools and typically books up six to 12 months in advance, so plan ahead. The sleek, 10-room lodge is just 200 meters from Playa Guiones, a long, wide beach that delivers over 350 surfable days each year, with wave conditions for all abilities. Surf Simply鈥檚 earned a cult following for its unique, analytical style, which provides students a road map of skills and drills. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 teach you how to surf, we teach you how to teach yourself how to surf, or surf better through a combination of video feedback, theory lessons, and in-water coaching,鈥� says Robin Bass, the school鈥檚 logistics manager. This holistic approach includes classroom sessions on swell forecasting and board design, fine-tuning board agility and turtle rolling in the pool, plus mobility work and post-surf massages. Surf Simply鈥檚 team of nine coaches work with just 12 guests per week, ensuring personalized attention. And every guest is sent home with photos of their sessions and a video from the week.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淐ontrary to what a lot of people believe, I don鈥檛 think you need great balance to surf,鈥� says owner Harry Knight. 鈥淲hat you do need to be able to do is to relax your body in this unusual situation, so that your core stability muscles can do their job. The more you rush, the more tense you are likely to be and the harder it will be to find and keep your balance. Good surfing should be slow and smooth, not fast and jerky.鈥�

Details: $8,716 solo and $15,646 per couple for one-week, all-inclusive;

Surf Sister, Tofino, Canada

With more than 20 miles of rugged shoreline, the tiny coastal town of Tofino on Vancouver Island is considered Canada鈥檚 surf capital. The area鈥檚 wild backdrop of snow-capped peaks and old-growth forest are well worth donning a wetsuit to brave the brisk waters (you鈥檒l want a 4/3mm in summer and at least a 5/4mm, plus a hood and booties in winter). Surf Sisters set up shop here in the late 1990s with the mission to introduce more women to the sport. Mission accomplished. They now aim to make the sport accessible to all genders, races, and ages (their oldest client to date was 76).

Beginner lessons start with a briefing on ocean safety and surf etiquette, before moving into waist deep water where students can familiarize themselves with their longboards. A second lesson goes out past the breakers and gets into how to choose and catch a wave and how to begin to maneuver and turn once you鈥檙e up and riding. 鈥淥ur goal is to create a good foundation of knowledge so students can continue practicing and learning on their own,鈥� says Surf Sister staff member, Alyssa Teremy. Experienced riders looking to uplevel their skills can book private coaching with Shannon Brown, the head coach of the Canadian National Surfing Team, who can help with everything from surf psychology to improving stance and style. Conditions determine where you鈥檒l surf, but Surf Sisters typically teaches at South and North Chesterman and Cox Bay. The school also operates a surf shack at on Cox Bay, which caters exclusively to guests.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淭ake your time,鈥� says Teremy. 鈥淕etting into your wetsuit is hard enough when you first begin, so pace yourself with all things surfing and your entire surfing career will be all the better for it.鈥�

Details: 2.5-hour group lesson $99; private $199; $350 for a half-day of private coaching;

South Beach Surf School, Newport, Oregon

After running a surf school in Virginia Beach, Russell McClanan, a former competitive surfer and captain of the USA surf team, relocated to the Oregon Coast and was wowed by the lack of crowds and consistency of the surf. 鈥淚 got tired of teaching in flat conditions,鈥� he says. 鈥淚n Newport, there鈥檚 knee- to waist-high waves nearly every day of summer. The air is 65 to 70 and the water hovers in the mid 50s. A five millimeter wetsuit keeps everyone warm.鈥� His one-on-one lessons are geared to serious wannabe surfers who care more about learning to read the currents and understanding etiquette than popping up on day one. 鈥淓ach surf break is like a different football team that wants to beat you up,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou need to study it and do your research and have a strategy before you paddle out.鈥� Every session starts with 20 minutes of balance exercises and some stretches before entering the water. Once out past the breakers, he hones in on essential techniques, like how to use your legs to spin your board while sitting on it in the lineup. He also offers big wave training and tow-in lessons for seasoned riders looking to up their game.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淧ractice the surf burpee on land so you get used to the mechanics of jumping to your feet,鈥� says McClanan. 鈥淵ou might be able to surf the whitewash crawling to your knees, but you can鈥檛 ride a real wave if you can鈥檛 get to your feet.鈥�

Pricing: $160 for a two-hour private lesson; $300 for two hours with video analysis;

Jen Murphy is a regular 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor and considers herself a lifelong student of the ocean. She tries to take a surf lesson at least once a year and regularly hires a coach or guide when visiting a new destination. She鈥檚 surfed around the world, from the remote shores of Easter Island to the rugged coast of Scotland.

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Coachella鈥檚 music, scenery, and summer camp vibe makes it easy to escape from almost every aspect of reality鈥攅xcept, of course, for the desert heat. Around every day at 3:00 PM, it starts to feel like someone is personally taking a hot blow-dryer to your face. By the end of the weekend, most folks are a little sunburnt and totally fried. Fortunately, there鈥檚 an easy way to recover: set aside an extra day to relax, unwind, and cool off at one of these serene spots near Palm Springs.

Visit Palm Springs Surf Club

When you think of Palm Springs, a few images come to mind: the tall Moroccan palm trees, the bright painted doors, and the mid-century modern architecture, to name a few. But surfing? Introducing the .

The family-friendly Palm Springs Surf Club stands as a testament to the history and culture of the city. It first started as Oasis Water Park, which was built in 1986 and has since been acquired and rebranded several times, but in 2019, it found its current owners鈥攁nd a new purpose.

The club’s main attraction is the high-tech wave pool, which allows surfers to pursue an otherworldly dream of surfing in the middle of the desert. The pool is capable of producing 200 types of waves at different sizes and intervals, so it鈥檚 easy to find the right surf to match your skill set. Around this time of year, Palm Springs鈥� temperature can soar up to 100 degrees, but the temperature of the wave pool is in the chilling 60s, making it easy to stay cool no matter the time of day.

The club itself is an experiential affair with slides, a lazy river, and plenty of food and cold drinks, says Massey Pitts, Palm Spring Surf Club鈥檚 vice president of marketing. Whether you鈥檙e looking to surf all day or just lounge at the cabanas and watch the pros shred, the Palm Springs Surf Club has something for everyone in your party.

Go Boating on Big Bear Lake

You may have heard of Big Bear鈥檚 famous , which is only two hours from Los Angeles, but in the summer, its namesake lake is a major draw for Californians looking for a change of scenery. After spending days soaking up the desert heat and dust, a lake escape at Big Bear is a quick adventure away that promises the ultimate relaxing experience.

One of our favorite ways to explore Big Bear Lake in its entirety is by boat.听Thanks to the multiple , there are plenty of options for activities to match your adventure style. You can waterski, wakeboard, jet ski, paddle, or fish听(the lake is famed for its rainbow trout). Too busy nursing a hangover? Cool off in the water with some good tunes and a cold beverage鈥攖he perfect cure, in our book.

SUP or Kayak The Salton Sea

If you鈥檙e looking for peace and quiet after the Coachella crowds, head to the town of Bombay Beach on the edge of the Salton Sea. Once a ritzy 1950s Hollywood getaway, it鈥檚 now an artist鈥檚 enclave and the lowest-elevation community in the U.S. at 223 feet below sea level.

The Salton Sea is massive, covering more than 340 square miles, and its high salt content makes it perfect for serene kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tours. Glide across the glass-like surface of the lake and revel in feeling like you鈥檙e on another planet.

Good news for bird watchers: the Salton Sea is also home to the . The refuge has recorded 400 different species and offers an exclusive glimpse into rare vagrant species, birds that stray outside their expected breeding, wintering, or migrating range.

Whether you鈥檙e a history buff, looking for a transcendental experience, or a true birder, the Salton Sea is an off-the-beaten-path destination that gives you a special glimpse into California鈥檚 distinctive environment.

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Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there? We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

Standing on the black-sand shore at the edge of Iceland鈥檚 Troll Peninsula, Jay Sweet tapped the top of his head twice and laughed when I stood up and returned the gesture, signaling I was fine after being walloped by a little wave I鈥檇 attempted to surf in the Arctic Ocean. Actually, I was much more than fine鈥攆or the second day in a row, in February, I was surfing (or, you know, trying) a dozen miles beneath the Arctic Circle. I was ecstatic.

Back in the States, Sweet is the executive director of the , the vaunted American institution where, yes, Dylan went electric six decades ago but has also long worked to expand the definition of what American folk can entail. But on the north shore of Iceland a few weeks per year, Sweet is also a de facto surfing instructor for , a 15th-century sheep farm that鈥檚 been converted into a boutique luxury resort and extreme adventure outpost 15 miles inland from where we sought our break.

Shuffling out of the water, with my entire body blanketed in borrowed neoprene, I could see , the Arctic recording outpost owned by Deplar鈥檚 parent company and the space I鈥檇 come to tour. (Sweet is a consultant there.) It is an isolated artist retreat where musicians look to go inward. My wife, Tina, and I clambered into a Toyota truck with Sweet, heat cranked and our boards hanging out of the back. We headed to the studio to prepare for the next journey. We had, after all, come to Iceland to go outward.

Indeed, during the 48 hours since our party of six had arrived, our lives had become a toggle between indoor comfort and outdoor escapades. As soon as we鈥檇 stopped surfing the day before, we鈥檇 retreated to a massive hearth in the recording studio鈥檚 lounge with warm bowls of soup. We鈥檇 then toured the valley on small but sturdy Icelandic horses renowned for their idiosyncratic and smooth gait know as the .

When that was over, we returned to the Farm itself, an unassuming black house with a living roof planted with tundra grass that unfolds in several levels and wings of luxury that are almost impossible to see from the road. I showered in my room, which instantly felt like home and headed for an enormous geothermal pool, slipping like a harbor seal beneath a glass wall to the heated outdoor half. I cycled between the pool, a sauna, and a hot tub for hours鈥攐r until it was time for dinner鈥攁 three-course meal of elegant updates to classic Icelandic fare like cod, lamb, and Icelandic Happy Marriage cake, all at a communal dining table that seated two-dozen. During those two hours, strangers from several countries became friends, the mood collectively enhanced by the realization that we were in a corner of wintry heaven, here at the end of the earth. As everyone drifted to the bar or their bedrooms, I stepped on our little porch and looked up, waiting for the Northern Lights to dance.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel听

When that second day of surfing was done, we had an appointment to keep鈥攁 group sauna session in a round house built into the side of the hill, the roof covered with towering grasses. Inside, a tattooed sauna keeper with muscles that looked like bundles of paracord talked us through the history of the Icelandic sauna, then snapped a towel in front of each of our faces to direct the heat toward us like a fireplace bellows. One by one, she marched us outside to a cold plunge pool dug into the hillside, with a spotlight aiming up from the bottom. She timed us before returning us to the sauna, repeating the process until we all relented.

That was supposed to be the end of our adventures, after the horses and the surfs and the hikes, and after we鈥檇 turned down chances to take fat bikes onto frozen lakes and go ice fishing. But ever since we鈥檇 arrived, Tina and I had eyed the tall ridges that surrounded Deplar Farm and talked (furtively, at first) of climbing one. When we finally broached the subject with S贸lr煤n鈥攖he knowledgeable and funny guide for our group, who insists you call her Maria if her real name is too difficult鈥攕he enthusiastically agreed we should give it a go. And since we鈥檇 be leaving in less than 16 hours, we knew this was our last chance. So we met her in Deplar鈥檚 gear barn, a cathedral of skis and poles and paddles and clothes and crampons. She would be watching us by GPS, she said, but we were free to go on our own with the help of the ice axes and spikes she鈥檇 supplied.

We ascended the steep face 2,000 feet until we realized we鈥檇 soon lose the battle with daylight, especially since the farm below had already disappeared behind a whiteout. We picked our way back down the slick faces, glissading the last few hundred feet on the banks of a frozen river. We returned to Deplar, covered in a little mud and bleeding from at least one knee and feeling totally victorious. It was my favorite moment at the Farm, the sensation that comes with the satisfaction of doing something about which the other guests weren鈥檛 so sure.

That flexibility and scope are key at Deplar. They will take you heli-skiing (for the price of the fuel) in aggressive terrain, or they will lead you on cross-country meanders. They will cut you loose to test your own skills on unknown slopes and trust that you will be back by dinner, or they will join you on a slow horseback trot along unpaved roads. Each morning, your guide presents some options and then lets you plot the course of your adventure, however heavy or light you hope to make it.

Eat and Drink

鈥淒id you see those lights up the road, on the top of the hill?鈥� the chef asked the table during our first night at Deplar Farm. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where the lamb comes from.鈥� He was talking about the lamb shank that stood on each plate like an obelisk, surrounded by a sea of blood-red beet puree, perfectly tender potatoes, and succulent mushrooms. It was the night鈥檚 main course and emblematic of the place鈥檚 culinary approach鈥攖ake the standard fare of Iceland, source it as locally as possible, and then apply techniques imported from classic French cuisine. Dinner, then, was always full of surprises, where ingredients you came to anticipate, like cod, were recast in unexpected roles, as when the fish was diced so that it looked more like rice. Eating was a protracted and social process, too, each of the three courses patiently revealed and explained by the chef and sommelier.

But the true standouts were simpler. There was the ever-present table butter, so soft it seemed to spread itself over sourdough. There was the breakfast, dominated by crepe-like Icelandic pancakes and massive bowls of Skyr, Iceland鈥檚 wonderfully acidic and protein-loaded yogurt, piled generously with granola and fruit. And there were the blessed snacks, from the in-room refrigerator replenished each morning to standing spreads of nuts, trail mixes, and dried fruits, ready to be bagged before you headed out the door.

I should say that I stopped drinking years ago. But the drinks were so generous for everyone鈥攁nd the non-alcoholic options so plentiful for everyone else鈥攖hat I found myself playing bass during an impromptu karaoke jam with three women older than my mother on the final night as my successful, professional friends played beer pong nearby. When I woke up the next morning, the bar resembled the remains of a college party, and Wilco鈥檚 Sky Blue Sky was still playing. There were, suffice it to say, a lot of Icelandic pancakes at breakfast.

Choice Cabins

In my first few days on the Appalachian Trail, I became Gunner, an ignominious trail name bestowed upon me by someone who has somehow become a best friend because I looked like Elmer Fudd. It felt a little like fate, then, when we arrived at our room to see 鈥淕unnar鈥� painted across the white door in a tight, black hand. It was presumably a reference to Gunnar H谩mundarson, a warring Icelandic leader a millennium ago. Each of the 13 rooms at Deplar has its own historic name, and they all share a deeply cozy design, from king beds piled high with sheepskin blankets to a slate shower with water hot enough to toast you after escaping the Icelandic winter. Each room is meant to be personalized, too, from separate sound systems in the bathroom and bedroom you can adjust yourself to a refrigerator that is constantly restocked with house-made hummus, jerky, and drinks.

But you鈥檒l want to leave your room for the common spaces, too鈥攁 library with mountain views, a media room with deep couches, multiple gyms, and, my favorite, a hearthside hangout zone equipped with towering hi-fi speakers, a fancy turntable, and an assortment of very good records. (, the company that owns Deplar and a string of properties on several continents, is named for .) Each morning in Iceland, I woke up very early to write a profile about the singer . The record perched by the turntable when I arrived? Panda Bear鈥檚 masterpiece, Person Pitch. It was a coincidence (I think) by studio engineer Wade Koeman, but it wasn鈥檛 the only bit of magic I encountered at Deplar, where the tall troll hill feet from the front door is treated as sacred space.

When to Go

As we left Reykjavik, our small Icelandair plane shuddered when it broke through the clouds, pushing through the gray of the day in the capital city. But an hour later, we landed in Akureyri鈥攁 town of 20,000 at the edge of one of Iceland鈥檚 longest fjords鈥攁mid a blue-bird day, the sky so bright and the ground so free of snow you might not have guessed it was winter in Iceland. The two-hour drive to Deplar Farm was all horizon, cliffs tumbling into oceans into infinity. By the next morning, though, our valley was a mix of ocean air and white, a strange snow globe with no visibility. The conditions shifted constantly between these two states.

All this to say: Go anytime. Every person I spoke to at Deplar Farm recommended a summer return, when the hiking, biking, and fishing were as endless as the green of the valley. They also suggested being there with more snow, so that the barn of DPS skis and the stable of snowmobiles could take us far and fast.

How To Get There

Two airports serve Reykjavik. In all likelihood, you鈥檒l fly into Keflav铆k International, a hub for Icelandair, which has 20 direct stateside destinations. A Deplar emissary will scoop you there, shuttling you either to a quaint guesthouse they keep near the city鈥檚 harbor for the night or straight to the second airport, Reykjavik Domestic. You鈥檒l fly to Akureyri, at the country鈥檚 northern edge, and again be picked up by a Deplar representative, your adventure guide for your stay. Sit on the right side of the van for the best scenery, and don鈥檛 fret too much about the one-lane tunnels that cut beneath mountains. Deplar isn鈥檛 the easiest place to reach, but Akureyri is working to expand its international flights. And the remoteness, after all, is part of the reward.

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Don鈥檛 Miss

As an American, it is tempting to look at Iceland as a speck of sparsely populated lava rock between two oceans, smaller than the state of Tennessee, and assume you can see it all quickly. If you鈥檙e spending major money to go stay at a luxe spot where your every wish becomes someone else鈥檚 task, isn鈥檛 that enough? How much can there really be to see? Don鈥檛 make that mistake.

As exceptional as my stay at Deplar Farm was, my time outside of it might have been my favorite part of my first Icelandic visit. After we returned to Reykjavik, Tina and I grabbed some pastries from the incredible bakery and a tiny rented Kia and headed for , where a volcano and glacier lord over a peninsula with a coastline so rugged it makes the crags of Maine look like a small-scale model. We climbed atop and drove into craters, waded into water loaded with seals, and stood on a beach where the tide lurched in and out of smooth lava rocks, creating one of the most psychedelic sound experiences of my life. There were hot springs, commanding columns of basalt, and, at the cheap motel we found halfway back to Reykjavik, the best Northern Lights of our trip. (Many hotels have a sign-up sheet; when the Lights appear, they call you, no matter the hour.) Don鈥檛 let guided adventures, however great, replace a self-guided one, especially in a country with as many uncanny spectacles as Iceland.

Details

Price: From $3,970 (winter) or $4,377 (summer), three-night stay required

Address: 570 Fljot, 脫lafsfj枚r冒ur, Iceland

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Why was 国产吃瓜黑料 hiking columnist and Backpacker contributor Grayson Haver Currin touring a music studio in Iceland? Long before he had finished the Triple Crown of Hiking, ever since he was a teenager in North Carolina, he was a music journalist. He continues to write about music for GQ, The New York Times, Pitchfork, and many more.

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Costa Rica鈥檚 wildlife-rich rainforests and soaring volcanoes can sometimes distract from the fact that this country has some of the prettiest beaches on the planet. The coastline is just as diverse as its flora and fauna; you鈥檒l find it all here, from volcanic black sand to sugary white shores. With 800 miles of coastline and more than 300 beaches along the Pacific and the Caribbean, you could easily spend a lifetime exploring every patch of sand.

I鈥檝e visited Costa Rica more than 20 times. When I first started traveling there鈥攎ore than two decades ago鈥擨 gravitated to surf towns on the Pacific Coast, like Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Malpais, and Nosara. Even though these spots are now on every tourist鈥檚 radar, they are still some of my favorite beaches for surfing. That鈥檚 because you鈥檒l find every type of wave鈥攆rom powerful barrels to endless peeling lefts and rights. And it鈥檚 easy to fly into Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR), rent a car, and string together a surf safari. Each town has surf schools and rental shops, and I always recommend hiring a guide so you can escape the crowds and go to some secret local breaks.

Some of my most memorable wildlife encounters have also occurred on this coast. From the main beach of Ballena National Marine Park, I鈥檝e spotted competition pods of male humpbacks putting on a show of breaches and tail slaps. At Playa Ostional, I鈥檝e witnessed thousands of turtles crawling ashore to nest, like a marine version of the great migration. And the snorkeling can be second to none, especially in the crystal clear waters throughout the Caribbean Coast.

With so much to explore, this list covers just a handful of my favorite spots. I鈥檝e included a mix of less-trodden gems that take some effort to reach and impossible-to-ignore destinations that are no longer secrets. Trust me, each one embodies Costa Rica鈥檚 pure vida spirit.

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1. Playa Espadilla, Costa Rica

Location

Nestled along the Central Pacific Coast bordering Manuel Antonio Park. The main town, Quepos, is a 15-minute drive away.

Why We Love It

This wide, mile-long stretch of sand actually comprises two beaches. The northern half is public, while the southern half is accessible through Manuel Antonio National Park. There鈥檚 something magical about hiking through lush rainforest, filled with sloths, squirrel monkeys, and iguana, and emerging onto golden shores fronting the Pacific. From July to October, you might even spot humpback whales breaching. The forest-crowned cliffs of Cathedral Point mark the southern end of the beach. I like to hunker down on the quieter, southern section and walk down to buy a coconut or order tacos from the vendors who set up on busier Playa Espadilla Norte. Because it鈥檚 west facing, the entire beach delivers some of the prettiest sunsets I鈥檝e ever seen.

Know Before You Go

To access the beach from the south, you must online for $18. May through November typically has short but daily rainfall. This is also when the surf鈥檚 up, so bring your board or rent one from the beachfront .

2. Playa Uvita

Location

One hour south of Manuel Antonio Park in the town of Uvita, which is considered the gateway to the Osa Peninsula. The beach is located within Ballena National Marine Park.

Why We Love It

Ballena National Marine Park spans nearly 250 acres of pristine beach and rainforest. Of its four beaches, Playa Uvita, located at the main entrance of the park, stands out for its iconic whale-tail shaped sandbar, which can only be accessed during low tide. When the water is at its lowest, the walk is about a 1.25-miles to the tip of the 鈥渢ail.鈥� A reef protects this unique formation from strong currents and waves, making it a fantastic spot for tide-pooling and snorkeling. And from mid-July to October, humpback whales put on a show that can be observed from shore or up-close on boat tours that launch from this beach.

Know Before You Go

Because the beach is located within the park, an entrance fee costs $8. offers fantastic whale and dolphin boat tours (from $90) as well as kayak excursions along the whale鈥檚 tail formation and into a small mangrove forest (from $85). Between May and September, Playa Uvita gets consistent waves that are perfect for beginners. Take a lesson or sign up for a camp with (group lessons from $65).

3. Playa Conchal

Location

About a 30-minute drive north of the popular beach town Tamarindo, on the northern end of Guanacaste province within Reserva Conchal Community Resort.

Why We Love It

A walk along Playa Conchal doubles as a foot massage as its shores are made up of millions of smooth, pulverized seashells that glimmer in the lapping waves. Set between two rocky points in a private cove, this beach feels like a little oasis with calm, turquoise water ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. Vendors along the beach rent water sports equipment, including snorkels and fins; the rocks near the northern end are the best spot to see colorful fish. One of the most magical ways to enjoy the beauty of the beach is on a sunset horseback tour with ($50 for one hour).

Know Before You Go

If you splurge on a room at the (from $828 per night) or the all-inclusive (from $807 per night), you only need to walk out your door to access the beach. Non-guests can park in the neighboring town of Brasalito and walk about 20-minutes south along Playa Brasalito to reach Playa Conchal (bring flip flops as the sand can heat up mid-day). Plan to stop at no-frills Soda Brasilito for traditional tico fare, pre- or post visit.

4. Playa Chiquita听

Location

On the Caribbean Coast in the province of Lim贸n, less than four miles from the surf town of Puerto Viejo.

Why We Love It

Tucked away from the bustling beaches of Puerto Viejo, this serene swath of pearly, forest-fringed sand fronts a series of tranquil coves that beckon swimmers and snorkelers with crystal clear, bathtub warm waters. A small reef just offshore is home to electric hued anemone, bright blue parrotfish, and schools of zebrafish. When I visited last year, I鈥檇 walk the beach at low-tide each day and almost always spotted horses grazing beneath palm trees and howler monkeys playing in the canopies on the far ends of the beach.

Know Before You Go

The Caribbean Coast doesn鈥檛 experience Costa Rica鈥檚 typical weather patterns. From May through November, when much of the country is wet and green, this area is dry and sunny. A handful of unmarked trails lead from the street to dirt paths that access various points of the beach. has a direct path and its shady beach club is open to the public and serves delicious dishes, like spicy ceviche and rondon seafood soup (from $365 per night).

5. Playa Guiones

Location

The main beach in Nosara, a surf-and-yoga hub on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Why We Love It

This is one of my favorite surfing beaches on the planet, particularly for longboarding. Playa Guiones is blessed with swell nearly all year. Mornings and later afternoons usually deliver glassy wave perfection. And when the waves aren鈥檛 breaking, I love running the 4.3-mile crescent-shaped stretch of firm-packed sand. When I first started taking surf trips here in the early aughts, it still felt a bit undiscovered. Since the pandemic, the laidback beach town has become a favorite base for remote workers. You鈥檒l definitely be sharing waves, but the pura vida ethos keeps the vibe mellow, and the line-up offers a variety of peaks, so you can spread out in the water and find the perfect spot to suit your abilities. The sandy bottom, varying conditions from beginner-friendly whitewater to long, peeling lefts and rights, and dozens of local surf schools, make it an ideal place to improve your surfing.

Know Before You Go

December through mid-April brings smaller, beginner-friendly waves; the swell picks up May through November. I鈥檝e always felt safe in Nosara, but petty theft has been a concern of late. On my last trip, someone snatched my flip flops off the beach, so be aware of your belongings. Family-friendly is a five-minute walk to Playa Guiones and has its own surf club (from $168 per night).

6. Playa Avellanas

Location

In Guanacaste Province on the Pacific Coast, about 12 miles, or a 30-minute drive south of the buzzy beach town of Tamarindo.

Why We Love It

Less trodden than Playa Tamarindo to the north, Playa Avellenas is considered a surfing paradise with a largely undeveloped sandy beach and waves that can reach up to 18 feet. Experienced surfers test their mettle on La Purruja, a lefthand reef break in front of the main parking lot, and Little Hawaii, a barreling reef break on the very north side of the beach. Intermediate surfers should paddle out to El Estero, a more forgiving sand and reef break in front of a river mouth that produces A-frame waves that break left and right. True beginners can hone their pop-up at El Parqueo, a mellow beach break.

Know Before You Go

If you鈥檙e going to surf, December to April features smaller waves; the larger swells roll through between May and November. Even if you鈥檙e an experienced surfer, it鈥檚 helpful to hire a guide who knows the local currents and tides. offers one-on-one guiding as well as lessons (from $60). Lola鈥檚, a beachfront cafe, has been fueling surfers since 1998. Stop by for a pre-surf smoothie or post-surf Imperial lager. Beach loungers and umbrellas can be reserved (from $17 for the day) with full food and beverage service.

7. Playa Ostional听

Location

Within Ostional Wildlife Refuge, a 20-minute drive north of Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Why We Love It

This 4.3-mile black sand beach is all the more impressive due to the monthly phenomenon known as arribada (Spanish for arrival by sea), when thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore to lay eggs. One of the world鈥檚 most important nesting grounds, as many as 90,000-plus turtles have been counted arriving in a single day. It鈥檚 also possible to see nesting leatherback and Pacific green turtles at this beach.

Know Before You Go

The refuge is open to visitors all year, but August through October is the high season for nesting. Arribadas take place around four to 10 times during this period and last three to 10 days each. Visitors must pay an entry fee, around $10, and a local guide is required to tour the refuge. Asociacion de Guias Locales de Ostional (AGLO) runs tours multiple times a day during arribadas and posts announcements about tour dates and times on the .

Jen Murphy grew up on the Jersey Shore and considers herself a beach connoisseur. Some of her favorite patches of sand are in Costa Rica. She recently wrote the Beginners Guide to 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel in Costa Rica and the 15 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World for 国产吃瓜黑料.

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The first written accounts of surfing in Africa predate accounts of surfing in Hawaii by 100 years. In his new movie, Wade in the Water, documentarian David Mesfin asks: What else have we glossed over in the history of Black surfing? The result is a stunning look at Black suffering and Black joy, and how a group of people who have been stereotyped as avoiding water actually have a deep and meaningful history with the ocean.

The post The Joyful History of Black Surfing appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.