Outside Magazine rates North Chesterman, Tofino, one of North America’s best beginner surf spots!
Frank Island—Tofino, British Columbia Surf Report: On the south end of Chesterman Beach on the west coast of Vancouver Island is one of the best beginner breaks in North America. Cold in the winter, cold in the summer (this is Canada, after all so pack your wetsuit). Scene: Tofino is the Surf City of Canada, a shockingly beautiful hamlet that gets 118 inches of rain per year, so it’s craggy like Ireland, quaint like New England, and as green as Hanalei, Hawaii. Beach fires and family BBQ’s line these sandy beaches, the smell of fresh cooked salmon wafting into the line-up most summer evenings. Tofino is a mellow scene that some say is similar to that of California in the 60s. It’s an out of the way place very popular with Canadians and tourists from all over. Snow covered glaciers and 1,000-year-old cedar trees form the backdrop. Don’t forget to look ahead for black bears when walking down the beach trail. This part of the world gets huge surf half the year, but Frank Island knocks down all that fury allowing beginners to splash away like baby ducks on either side of the tombolo (spit of land) that connects the island to Vancouver Island. Bonus: Great stream, lake, and ocean fishing; kayaking by river, fjord, and open sea; and sight-seeing that is a little bit New England, a little bit Viking, a little bit Paul Bunyan. A place most people don’t even know exists, but is one of the best, most unique beginner spots north or south of the border because of that weird little tombolo. Wax Run: Surf Sister, 1-877-724-SURF, www.surfsister.com Live to Surf, 250-725-4464, www.livetosurf.ca
Every Trip is different and will require a different packing
list, but here is a list that will help you prepare for your trip. Do some
research on the area that you will be traveling to and gear up accordingly.
If you are thinking about coming to Tofino and wondering where to stay, we recommend checking out the Dunes at Chesterman Beach. It’s a modern, west coast style, 2 bedroom cabin just steps from the surf. It’s really easy to get pumped on your session after watching surf videos on one of the 2 giant plasma screens You can suit up at home, then walk to the break in just minutes. There is easy access to North and South Chesterman, and very short drive to Cox Bay or Long Beach.
After spending the day at the beach, come back to your private cabin, enjoy a cold one and warm up in the outdoor jacuzzi, or shower with a friend in the huge 2 person indoor shower. Remember to pick up some local seafood to cook on the outdoor grill. Be sure to hit the beach at dusk to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Don’t forget your camera. Even on chilly nights relaxing outside is awesome with the hot tub and outdoor patio heater.
Being a small cabin it’s perfect for 1-2 couples or a family and since the Dunes comes with everything you need, you can stay for as long as you like. Just a 5 min walk down the road there is Outside Break (Live To Surf is here too) where you can experience real local culture and pick up some fresh food and grinds, and watch artists in action. For more information on the Dunes, visit their website. They also offer surfing and romance packages.
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