Fancy learning to ride the surf-crested waves while enjoying a bit of sun and sand on the side in Sri Lanka? We bring you a few of the best surfing schools on the tear drop-shaped island. Places where your inner wave rider is just waiting to be released...
By Raul Dias
Ahikava Surf School, Galle
As much as it is known as a town with great historical significance, Galle along Sri Lanka’s South Coast is being recognised as one of the world’s leading new surfing hot-spots. Thanks to their impressive swells, the waters off the beaches in and around Galle are fast becoming magnets for surfers who flock to them in droves. And so, recognising this is the Ahikava Surf School that conducts its hands-on classes on the bay of Bonovosta, commonly known as the Dewata Sahana surfing beach. Located a mere 10-minute drive away from Galle towards Matara, the beach with its sandy bottom break makes it safe for you when surfing the first time. From courses that start at just an hour hour-long introductory one to an intensive 7-day certificate course, the school prepares novice surfers for everything from identifying current rips and sweeps so you stay safe while in the water, to practicing that all-important proper surf etiquette when in a line-up to avoid wave crashing.
Ahikava Surf School
No 420/G, Matara Road, Beach of Bonovista,
Dewata, Galle-80000
+94 775903527
srilankasurfingschool.com
Kumara Surf School, Arugam Beach
So secluded and unknown is Arugam Bay along Sri Lanka’s East Coast, that most often than not, the only other visitors to its tiny beach are the playful little crabs that can be seen scampering about. But ask those in the know and the stories they will tell you are sure to inspire your next surfing holiday to this magical spot of sand. ‘Pristine blue waters meet virgin beach’ is the best way to describe Arugam Bay without going into hyperbolic overdrive. But it is the world class surfing here that does a whole lot more of the talking. And while there may not be many places to rent out gear and help with all your other surfing requirements, a surfing course at Kumara Surf School here is the ideal way to get an introduction to the calm waves that lap along the bay’s beach. A surfing novice? Fear not. Due to the beach break, Arugam Bay is the perfect spot for all levels of beginners. What’s interesting is that the surf school lead by pro surfer Kumara is run entirely by local guys who started out with just three (borrowed!) surf boards. Today, all the school’s instructors are ISA (International Surfing Association) and ILS (International Lifesaving Federation)-certified and ready to introduce you to the water sport they are obsessed with.
Kumara Surf School
Ulla Pottuvil
Arugam Bay-32500
+94 774333374
kumarasurfschool.com
Sion Surf Camp, Ahangama
While the South Coast may have the reputation of Sri Lanka’s top backpacker haven, it also has a delicious little secret that not many are aware of. And we’re alluding to that of a surfing haven where one can ride some of the best waves the island has to offer along its Ahangama Beach stretch. With a calm reef break right outside, this surf camp is perfect for both surfing amateurs and the more professional surfers to get their feet (and everything else!) wet in its warm, azure waters. Suitable for surfers of all ages and all levels, the seven-day surfing course at Sion Surf Camp comes replete with a homestay experience, including all dinners and yoga sessions to keep you as nimble as you can get for your surfing sessions. As far as those after hours are concerned, the South Coast has some great ‘aprés-surf’options like the legendary beach parties at the many shacks doting the nearby beaches of Weligama, Unawatuna and Mirrissa.
Sion Surf Camp
Goviyapana
Ahangama-80650
+94 775024602
sionsurfcamp.com
The Surfer Weligama, Weligama
Made up of two different in-residence surfer camps—The Surfer Beach Camp and the TS2-Weligama Surf Camp—The Surfer Weligama makes the most of the pristine stretch of sand that is the Weligama Beach. Said to be situated in the best spot on the beach in front of a less crowded beginner break and walking distance to the Weligama main spot, this surf school also provides an easy access to reach another nine to ten surf spots within a 10-minute radius…besides great accommodation and food, of course. The school offers three surf packages: LEVEL 01 for beginners, LEVEL 02 for those that have been in the water before and the Surf Guiding package for those fairly proficient with riding the waves. All this, with a team of experienced instructors of Lankan, Germans, Dutch, Scandinavians and British-origin who have good local knowledge, perfect for helping you navigate the waves like a soon-to-be-pro!
The Surfer Weligama
NO 65, Wadana Watta,
Pelena, Weligama-81700
+94 773926614
thesurferweligama.com
For the Experienced Surfer…
Surf School Sri Lanka, Ahangama
In a marked departure from the other schools on this list, the Surf School Sri Lanka in Ahangama does not cater to beginners and is purely for all those experienced surfers out there who need to pre-book a spot way in advance. Here, you can choose from a varied number of courses that start from a 5-day one and go up to a more intensive 10-day course, with each beginning early in the morning at 6am with a 2.4-hour ‘in water’ coaching sessions followed by video classes. Employing a specially devised system by coaching director Tim Jones, the lessons here are delivered by ISA certified surf coaches with ratios being four coaches to every one student. And now that Sri Lanka has its first National Surfing Federation—along with its tie in with the ISA—offering ISA coaching qualifications gives visitors a greater quality of coaching. With their season running from the beginning of November to the end of April each year, now’s the perfect time to head there for a week or so to get your surfing A-Game on.
Surf School Sri Lanka
Amaravila Kathaluwa,
Ahangama-80650
+94 754726844
surfschoolsrilanka.com
By Raul Dias
Ahikava Surf School, Galle
As much as it is known as a town with great historical significance, Galle along Sri Lanka’s South Coast is being recognised as one of the world’s leading new surfing hot-spots. Thanks to their impressive swells, the waters off the beaches in and around Galle are fast becoming magnets for surfers who flock to them in droves. And so, recognising this is the Ahikava Surf School that conducts its hands-on classes on the bay of Bonovosta, commonly known as the Dewata Sahana surfing beach. Located a mere 10-minute drive away from Galle towards Matara, the beach with its sandy bottom break makes it safe for you when surfing the first time. From courses that start at just an hour hour-long introductory one to an intensive 7-day certificate course, the school prepares novice surfers for everything from identifying current rips and sweeps so you stay safe while in the water, to practicing that all-important proper surf etiquette when in a line-up to avoid wave crashing.
Ahikava Surf School
No 420/G, Matara Road, Beach of Bonovista,
Dewata, Galle-80000
+94 775903527
srilankasurfingschool.com
Kumara Surf School, Arugam Beach
So secluded and unknown is Arugam Bay along Sri Lanka’s East Coast, that most often than not, the only other visitors to its tiny beach are the playful little crabs that can be seen scampering about. But ask those in the know and the stories they will tell you are sure to inspire your next surfing holiday to this magical spot of sand. ‘Pristine blue waters meet virgin beach’ is the best way to describe Arugam Bay without going into hyperbolic overdrive. But it is the world class surfing here that does a whole lot more of the talking. And while there may not be many places to rent out gear and help with all your other surfing requirements, a surfing course at Kumara Surf School here is the ideal way to get an introduction to the calm waves that lap along the bay’s beach. A surfing novice? Fear not. Due to the beach break, Arugam Bay is the perfect spot for all levels of beginners. What’s interesting is that the surf school lead by pro surfer Kumara is run entirely by local guys who started out with just three (borrowed!) surf boards. Today, all the school’s instructors are ISA (International Surfing Association) and ILS (International Lifesaving Federation)-certified and ready to introduce you to the water sport they are obsessed with.
Kumara Surf School
Ulla Pottuvil
Arugam Bay-32500
+94 774333374
kumarasurfschool.com
Sion Surf Camp, Ahangama
While the South Coast may have the reputation of Sri Lanka’s top backpacker haven, it also has a delicious little secret that not many are aware of. And we’re alluding to that of a surfing haven where one can ride some of the best waves the island has to offer along its Ahangama Beach stretch. With a calm reef break right outside, this surf camp is perfect for both surfing amateurs and the more professional surfers to get their feet (and everything else!) wet in its warm, azure waters. Suitable for surfers of all ages and all levels, the seven-day surfing course at Sion Surf Camp comes replete with a homestay experience, including all dinners and yoga sessions to keep you as nimble as you can get for your surfing sessions. As far as those after hours are concerned, the South Coast has some great ‘aprés-surf’options like the legendary beach parties at the many shacks doting the nearby beaches of Weligama, Unawatuna and Mirrissa.
Sion Surf Camp
Goviyapana
Ahangama-80650
+94 775024602
sionsurfcamp.com
The Surfer Weligama, Weligama
Made up of two different in-residence surfer camps—The Surfer Beach Camp and the TS2-Weligama Surf Camp—The Surfer Weligama makes the most of the pristine stretch of sand that is the Weligama Beach. Said to be situated in the best spot on the beach in front of a less crowded beginner break and walking distance to the Weligama main spot, this surf school also provides an easy access to reach another nine to ten surf spots within a 10-minute radius…besides great accommodation and food, of course. The school offers three surf packages: LEVEL 01 for beginners, LEVEL 02 for those that have been in the water before and the Surf Guiding package for those fairly proficient with riding the waves. All this, with a team of experienced instructors of Lankan, Germans, Dutch, Scandinavians and British-origin who have good local knowledge, perfect for helping you navigate the waves like a soon-to-be-pro!
The Surfer Weligama
NO 65, Wadana Watta,
Pelena, Weligama-81700
+94 773926614
thesurferweligama.com
For the Experienced Surfer…
Surf School Sri Lanka, Ahangama
In a marked departure from the other schools on this list, the Surf School Sri Lanka in Ahangama does not cater to beginners and is purely for all those experienced surfers out there who need to pre-book a spot way in advance. Here, you can choose from a varied number of courses that start from a 5-day one and go up to a more intensive 10-day course, with each beginning early in the morning at 6am with a 2.4-hour ‘in water’ coaching sessions followed by video classes. Employing a specially devised system by coaching director Tim Jones, the lessons here are delivered by ISA certified surf coaches with ratios being four coaches to every one student. And now that Sri Lanka has its first National Surfing Federation—along with its tie in with the ISA—offering ISA coaching qualifications gives visitors a greater quality of coaching. With their season running from the beginning of November to the end of April each year, now’s the perfect time to head there for a week or so to get your surfing A-Game on.
Surf School Sri Lanka
Amaravila Kathaluwa,
Ahangama-80650
+94 754726844
surfschoolsrilanka.com
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the December 2018 issue of Jetwings Domestic in-flight magazine of Jet Airways http://www.jetairways.com/EN/IN/jetexperience/magazines.aspx)
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