Learn To Surf In Durban

Durban is currently basking in the glow of rave reviews from visitors from all over the globe. From its high rises and buzzing city centre, to the rolling hills and cane fields on its outskirts, to its festive sub-tropical beaches, Durban must truly rate as one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Besides being one of the prettiest, most welcoming cities in the world, Durban is also a top surf travel destination and a hotbed of surfing talent.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Durban gave rise to such surfing legends as Shaun Tomson, Martin Potter and Mike Esposito. More recently, Durban has spawned the undisputed leader of surfing's New School, the freakishly talented, Jordy Smith.

In short, Durban is Surf City. The water is warm for most of the year, the weather is mild, the locals are friendly, and the surf breaks are sand-bottomed – what better place to learn how to surf?

Photo: Sir Mo - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmoosa/

Visitors to Durban will find that it has a charming 'small town' vibe about it. It is extremely laid back and everything takes place in African Time, in other words, at about as leisurely a pace as one could hope for.

The stretch of coastline from Sun Coast Beach, the northern-most beach in Durban, to uShaka Beach on its southern side, is known as The Golden Mile, and not without reason. Lined with hotels, palm trees, and a newly revamped walkway, this little slice of Durban has no fewer than 6 top quality beach breaks for surfers to choose from. If the line-up at one beach happens to be crowded, surfers will more often than not be able to find one which is empty, just down the drag.

Learner surfers could explore Durban's Golden Mile for months without becoming bored. The city's beach breaks are some of the most consistent anywhere on the planet, and surfers here are normally spoilt for choice most of the year round.

Surf coaching is easy to come by in a place like Durban. Being a surfing hotspot, there are resident surfers who have loads of experience, and who have made surf tuition and safaris their full-time occupation.

Roxy Learn To Surf – Is headed up by Alan Wallace. Says Alan, “My greatest passion, other than the ocean, is giving someone else the opportunity to love it as much as I do. I am overcome with excitement when my students stand for the first time”. While their coaching on weekends is geared predominantly towards group lessons for girls and ladies, they also provide one-on-one lessons throughout the week for anybody who is interested. Their focus is very much on safety in and out of the water. Roxy Learn To Surf provides all surfboards, rash vests and wetsuits, all a learner needs is their swimsuit and towel.

Jeep uShaka Surf & Adventure Centre – Provide surfing lessons in Durban. For groups of 6 surfers or more, they offer a discounted rate. Following carefully planned course instruction guides and lesson plans, the coaches ensure that all levels and age groups are catered for and that students get the individual attention they require. Safety is a priority.

Amphibious Adventure Tours – Is based on the Bluff, a short fifteen minute drive from Durban. They offer beginner surf lessons, as well as day trips for more experienced surfers. Day trips include transfers to local breaks up and down the coast and charges differ, depending on the distance traveled.

Learner surfers can contact these companies directly, or simply call in for some friendly advice at one of the many surf stores around town. The surfing fraternity in Durban is a friendly one and will happily point newcomers in the right direction. To be sure, a holiday to the friendly city of Durban would be one to remember, and learning to surf would be but one of the many treasures that a visitor would take away with them.

Sean Laughton is a writer and surfer from Durban, South Africa.