Surfing in Phuket
The Kingdom of Thailand is situated in the heart of Southeast Asia. A gateway to many neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Indochina and Southern China. Also Thailand is a unique part of the world, a land of wonders including a coastal region with many waves just waiting to be ridden.
Many people like to call Thailand "the land of smiles". The people inhabiting Thailand today share a rich ethnic diversity - mainly Thai, Mon, Khmer, Laotian, Chinese, Malay, Persian and Indian. Thai culture is evident everywhere in the Kingdom: in Buddhist rites which take place in numerous Thai temples, the succession of festivals that occur throughout the year, and the country markets where locals haggle, politely, for everything from food to clothing.
Thailand is a tropical country with lush rainforests, spectacular waterfalls, national parks, beautiful beaches, amazing arts and the culture is a dream for many, this country is a definite must to see in your lifetime and once have seen it you will come back again and again.
Falling in love with this fine country is a part of the package. Starting in the north with the multi colored orchids and fascinating handicrafts. The central plains with its rich fertile soils and horticultural areas. The pearl white sandy beaches of the East Coast and of course the vibrant, colorful, cosmopolitan Bangkok. In the south, unspoiled beaches are a treat and there are too many to mention. Most Islands are a short boat trip from Phuket and there are also many unsurfed waves for the adventurous.
Thailand’s short surfing history
Thailand is not known to have waves and only just in the last few years has the craze hit with an amazing punch. Although Thailand is not known for world class waves, still it can be fun and on a good day it may resemble your favorite home beach break in the season of summer. Surfers have been coming here for over 25 years now. They are obviously keeping the secret between them and the surfing world. Many come back and stay longer each time. Eventually some had decided to settle here and make it their home. As more people came here on holiday seeking what Thailand had to offer - stumbling down the beach full of Thai food looking for a massage - they saw what they thought couldn't be true waves breaking on a sandy beach. People talked, and the word spread quickly.
With resources such as the internet and advertising a new phenomena had begun. Surf shops started springing up, clubs were formed, surf contest held every year, and of course surf schools and surfboards for hire.
The Local Surfers
Thais definitely have the surfing spirit behind them. Most of the Thai surfers learned the art by borrowing surfboards and purchasing second hand boards from traveling foreigners. If they were lucky enough one would be left behind or given as a gift of friendship. As time progressed some even tried the hand at building their own, unfortunately the materials were hard to come by and the learning hard and tedious.
These days surf shops and factories in Thailand have surfboards and genuine brands from all over the world, and at competitive prices too.
Competition can be very fierce in the crowded waters at the popular beaches such as Kata beach, but most Thais are quite friendly in the water and love to have a chat. Being polite and courteous will get you a long way.
The Foreign Surfers
People from all over the world congregate here in the surf season to enjoy the ocean in many forms, diving, snorkeling, sailing, kite boarding, swimming and of course surfing. With the warm water and soft rolling waves fun can be had from the beginner to the advanced surfer. People love to surf and usually once they try the hook is in. After the first real wave, just have to have one more. It's not just the waves; it's the people, the fantastic food, the awesome beaches. The list goes on and on. The foreign surfers that migrate here every year come from all over the world such as Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Australia, etc. Countries that don't even have surf, have surfers these days. Guess where they learnt, Thailand.
Surfing in Thailand
Thailand's surf is ruled by seasons. The west coast has waves in the Monsoon (wet season) May to October and East Coast: November to April, both need storm activity and winds to bring up the ocean swells. The west coast swells are dominantly from the south to south west. Occasionally swells will roll in from the west and north west created by tropical low pressure systems. The winter below the equator (southern hemisphere) produces most of the surf that hits the west coast. These produce ground swells (swells that travel a long distance and have a corduroy look to them). The roaring forties are storms that travel from a west to an easterly direction (Africa to Australia). These giant storm fronts push swells up into the Indian Ocean traveling thousands of kilometers pounding on reefs and beaches exposed to the moving swells.
