Summer is right around the corner and with summer comes summer vacation. You plan your summer vacation all winter, and when summer arrives you pack your bags. Have you thought about taking a surfing trip this summer? Here are three reasons why you should be traveling as a surfer.

Catch New Waves

Let’s admit it, we all get tired of the same thing day after day. If you aren’t traveling as surfer, then you are probably experiencing the same waves day at your home surf spots, unless there is a drastic change in weather or conditions. This can get boring, but it also can make you less-skilled as a surfer. If you want to be a better surfer, it’s important to change up where you are surfing and the types of waves you are catch.

The surf at Folly Beach is incredibly different than the surf you would see on the west coast. We all know Folly Beach and South Carolina in general are not known for the huge swells (unless a storm is sending waves our way). While you may feel like a pro surfing at Folly Beach, surfing in San Diego can be a different story.

Meet New People

If you surf at the same spot day after day, you probably know all the people who surf the spot. For better or for worse, everyone knows everyone. Surfing trips can be a great opportunity to meet new people. The good thing about surfing trips is you know the people you are going to meet while traveling will share your interest in surfing. There are always going to be locals for you meet who could potentially become future travel mates. You just never know who you are going to meet on the water!

One piece of advice though when hitting up local surf spots when traveling, always be courteous to the locals— they were there first. Don’t cut them off, get aggressive, or leave a bunch of trash behind, respect their space, just as you would want them to respect yours.

Experience Different Cultures

What better way to experience different cultures than a surf trip? You get to do what you love (surfing), while eating and drinking local foods and beverages, and immersing yourself in the local culture. When planning just a regular vacation, you will probably find yourself just going to the more traditional tourist places. Surf trips allow you to get off the beaten path a bit. Many hot surf spots are not in super touristy areas. They require you to leave the city and hustle and bustle to more remote locations to experience a place in its most raw form. The locals you meet while surfing are a great source of information on where to eat, party, and explore. You may even find yourself loving a place and a culture so much that you will start planning to go back as soon as you leave!