I learned to surf on Sri Lanka’s south coast – here’s what it was like
I was washed up on the beach, my tears mixing with the salt water. Snot trickled down my face as I mumbled to my surf instructor, “I need a break.” My body was tired, and my arms were starting to ache after what felt like the 800th pop-up and subsequent wipeout off my big plastic surfboard.
He walked over to me, begging me not to be upset, reassuring me that if I just keep taking baby steps, I’ll become a surfer. But after watching first-timers, ranging from six to 60 years old, stand up and ride waves without issue, I was starting to have serious doubts.
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Popular surf spots in Sri Lanka
Surfing always felt like a pipe dream given my upbringing in chilly, shark-infested New England waters. So, after years of putting it off, I decided to spend a month in Sri Lanka learning how to surf.
The south coast of Sri Lanka is a bona fide surfer’s paradise. It feels like the Bali of yesteryear, where perfect baby waves roll into its myriad bays on a continuous loop. There are plenty of bohemian surf towns to choose from, including Weligama, Mirissa, Ahangama, Unawatuna and my personal favourite, Hiriketiya.
Hiri, as locals call it, has a crescent bay, sandy bottom and clean waves, meaning easy, safe surfing. Nearly a dozen surf schools line the beach, piled high with surfboards and locals in rash guards asking if you want to take a lesson. Costing between 5,000 and 6,000 Sri Lankan Rupees for an hour-long session (most surf schools are open to bargaining), it’