Best place to learn to surf in Asia ?

I read an article in Action Asia magazine once about learning to surf in Maldives. It sounded really good but Maldives is notoriously expensive so can anybody else recommend alternatives to learn to surf ?

I suppose what I am looking for is follows

1. Beach breaks as opposed to reefs
2. Instructors who can communicate and will be patient
3. Surf boards available for rent
4. Consistent waves - no point flying somewhere only to find there's no waves
5. Not massive waves - not quite ready for Fiji and Samoa !
6. Not too many people - don't want to be getting in the way of people who already know how to surf and who will beat us for waves

I was really really hoping to avoid going to Bali but just writing the list above I start to understand why people go there to surf, since it fulfills so many of the basic requisites. BUT if anybody knows of any other options I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you so much - Heather

Sorry about the slow reply...
I found a spot in taiwan, run by a guy Tony.
Excelent guy with a great attitude and place. He runs a bunkhouse style hostel(about HK$100 per night) and does surf training to the local univarsity surf club.
http://www.spot.com.tw/
His place is also perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing(6m kite)(he has hire gear)
http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?go=1&lang=eng&vs=1&sc=83755&wj=knots&tj=c&odh=4&doh=22&fhours=180
Well worth a visit

my buddy recommends Kuta Beach in Bali, super cool and OK for beginners.

see his words

November is the transitional period between dry and wet seasons (as far as surfing is oncerned). The prevailing sell angle is begining to shift further south, but most swell is still on the West coast although generally it's smaller than at the height of the dry season (July/August).

Kuta Beach is by far the best place for absolute beginners. It's a sand-bottom beach brek, lots of space, lots of white water, plus board rental and surf schools. It will be absolutely fine for you at that time of year.
By December there will be less and less swell on the West coast and places like Nusa Dua, Serangan etc on the east side will be working more regularly. here's not really anywhere suitable for beginers on that side of the island, but there will stil be waves suitable for learners at Kuta...
As for the actual weather, there's unlikely to be much rain in November. It generally starts to get wet into December.

So BALI it is!

I personally love KenTing in Taiwan...! This place is lovely, it's like Hawaii in Taiwan..! I strongly recommend!!!!!!!!!

Give it a shot, guys!

some info:

Kenting is in the southern part of Taiwan. It is a popular beach area bordering on the tropical region of Taiwan. Don?t hesitate to rent a bike and explore the (flat) surroundings. Kenting is also a National Park of Taiwan, with many tropical plants such as palm trees, a few banana trees, and even sugar canes. Good place to swim, surf and dive.

Be careful at Kenting. There's often jetskis tearing around with little care for safety. I've seen divers go into the bay while jetskis were overhead and I've been told that deaths are not so rare.

Hi, I personally do not agree at all with the highlight on Taiwan. The coast is rather dull, no big waves, concrete almost everywhere. The photo posted does not entice at all you to visit that part of Taiwan! I would agree with some previous posts that Bali is a sound and good option to learn surf in Asia, but certainly not Taiwan. LWC

LWC,

You obviously have never seen the east coast of Taiwan. True there's lots of concrete in areas close to Taipei, but further south there are high sea cliffs and entire beaches that can be yours alone for the day.

Personally I am a big fan of Boracay and kite surfing there.

watch the video. That is another surf option versus the "usual" surf destinations

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1010414/kite_surfing_boracay_beach/

Enjoy Boracay guys ;-)

Rosemary (the kite surfing girl ;-)

Another cool video of kite surfing ..... enjoy and dont forget to plug in the sound! You ganna wanna move

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1173569/kite_surfing_kiteboarding/

see ya, James.


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