Anyone Surf Barbados???

[WetWork999]

A few friends and myself are looking to take a trip to surf Barbados and I am hoping someone that frequents this page will give me some advice and information on surfing in Barbados. Who did you fly with and where did you stay? Advice on anything would be seriously helpful.

Thank you in advance.

~A

 

[diroberts]

I have not been there but if you haven't done so already you might check out Surfline.com's Travel Section. They have a nice run down on Barbados.

 

[WetWork999]

Thanks Diroberts. Much obliged.

~A

 

[joltt]

I was there back in the mid 80's, sorry don't remember much except for fun waves, Cockspur Rum, and warm Dragon Stout! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/facelick.gif" alt="" />

 

[dknj]

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Central_America/Barbados/

http://www.globalsurfers.com/country_details.cfm?land=Barbados

Check these above links also. I'm going in mid December and doing some research myself. Trying to decide on an area to stay. The East Coast near Soup Bowls seems a bit isolated, although great surf. The South West coast seems to have the night spots, but saftetly can be a bit sketchy I hear. The West coast seems nice, some surf spots, but likely need to get a car to drive around to get to the good waves, although not sure how far. Let me know what you all find out. I'm tryingt to make a decision.

Hope this helps.

 

[jimrayoden]

I surfed there back a number of years. Beautiful island and the people are friendly. Surf is fickle but can get very good from pic's I saw in a surf shop while I was there. My trip for surf was underwhelming, but I was only on the island for 8 days. Surfed once or twice. West side of island is offshore from trades and has beautiful beaches and coral reefs with potential. Get a Surf Report for details. Plan to spend as long as possible during the winter months (Dec-Mar) to score some good waves. Good luck.

 

[quashi1]

Barbados is sick.

Look out for urchins though... Hail up Mark Holder,Zed, Smokey and Adrian Small - quashi surfboards
www.quashi.com

 

[dknj]

What are Urchins? Would Reef Booties be a protective measure?

 

[WetWork999]

Here you go DKNJ

The sea urchin is a spiny, hard-shelled animal that lives on the rocky seafloor, from shallow waters to great depths. These globular marine invertebrates move very slowly along the seabed. There are about 700 different species of sea urchins worldwide. Many sea urchins have venomous spines. The biggest sea urchin is the red sea urchin (Strongylocentratus franciscanus); it has a test about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter.

Pic of a purple sea urchin

 

[DACK]

Fun fast and hollow in the right time of the year give me a call monday at work and check out surfex.com over the weekend. I work at surf express and have been doing Barbados for about 20 years personaly. Give me a call and if nothing else I can let you know what to expect.
Dack

 

[cazart]

I stayed there over new year's of 2000,
25-30kt onshores every damn day for 11 straight days.
Got a little taste of SoupBowls, though. Very shortboard friendly.
Stay at Sea-U.

 

[freedomsurfer70]

hey bro's just got back from Barbados...town of Bathsheba
home of "soup bowls" and "parlors" a quick walk up from soupis.....great waves...get on it early...rum is strong..so stick to early nights...fyi stay in Bathsheba...
rent there if you stay in the city it's too far away..am traffic was a killa
no crowds...just kelly and sean slater!! killing it as usual
good bros good times....enjoy
book through surf express they rule
peace in the middle east

 

[dknj]

[I went to Barbados in early December of this year. I checked out the NorthWest, South, and East Coasts. Not much happening on the west side. There was small surf on the south coast. There was a mixed swell on the East coast making for some choppy conditions during most of the day. On my last couple of days there (about a week ago), the NE and trade winds lightened up and I got to surf a couple of late afternoons. I surfed at a spot just south of the Edgewater Inn, just slightly pass lifeguard stand. Not sure if that is Soup Bowls or Parlors??? It was a very happening wave. Medium sized, about chest to head high, friendly drop and workable shoulder with heavy juice. Some bigger sets too. I stepped on some urchins that I was asking about and had a bout 10 in my foot. Although I got some mixed opinions, most people said don't attempt to remove them, but after about a week getting more irritated, I've dug some of the bigger pieces out which just seem to disinigrate so probably won't worry about the remining pieces, but if anyone has suggestions or questions let me know. Barbados is a fun trip.

 

[cbarney]

I was just there in mid November and I heard mediocre reports about it so I left the board at home to avoid the $100 each way board fees on American. Got there and stayed in Bathsheba for 8 days. Surf was like this. ***** really spitting and easy workable, superb shortboard waves at Soupbowls with no or light offshores every day and all day which is not totally typical. It was sick and the crowd which I was told were akin to the pricks at Zippers in Cabo was easy to avoid and chill when you were there. Saw Kelly Slater surf one morning too. Take your board and check the east / north spots .

 

[cgsurfer411]

I am heading down there in february. Anyone ever use ZEDS SURFING ADVENTURES. I am thinking about useing them,almost definitely going on there surf tours. How are they? They asked for a 50% down payment to reserve dates.

 

[cbarney]

Dude, don't bother using some surf tour there. The main spots are right there, totally obvious and Duppies is hard as hell to find but everyone will help you out if you ask.

 

[dknj]

After being there a month ago, I actually would recommend hiring someone for a tour/trip, lesson, or whatever you want to call it. Unless you've been there before or already know where to go and when. While it is true that it easy to get around if you rent a car, someone with local knowlege will know what is breaking and what is not which will cut out what otherwise would be wasting time. It is true that you can just talk to people near the beach when you arrive and get a lot of good information. Unless I was going with a group of people, I would hire someone if you want to maximise your time in the water. Learn where to take off, paddle out, paddle in, etc. I guess it also depends on what kind of swell is happening. The east coast had decent swell when I was there but mixed winds chopping it up and wasn't ridable until the last few days. Someone else might have gone directly to other spots although I guess there is no guarantee that anywhere would be working, even with a guide. On the otherhand, if one of the popular places is consistently working, it may not be needed. I rented a car and didn't use Zeds, but met him who seemed cool so I don't think you would have any problems with them.

 

[BeerCanBob]

yeah man go surf in the bajan crowds.....good surf season so far, lots of nice north swells in the caribbean thanks to all you ***** ujp weather in the states....try some other islands......same swells no crowds, i live on another unamed caribbean island, crowded is 5 guys out