At the 2:46 mark there is a young man, on the left, holding one of his daughters. Sadly this beautiful man passed away from cancer 4 weeks ago. A great surfer, glassed and father, a great bloke much loved by us on the Sunshine Coast. The paddle-out was huge. Love all your videos but this one simply blew me away. Peace Komang. Huge thanks.
I’m fascinated by what may cause locals to be so friendly and welcoming in some line-ups and such aggressive a-holes in other line-ups… Having been that young, selfish local myself, whose local break in Rincon CA, I’m gonna have to admit, once I matured and assumed a more generous perspective, EVERYTHING in my life became A LOT more fun. After all, I was FORTUNATE enough to have been hatched in an area where Rincon is home, so sharing the fruits with those who weren’t so lucky, is the LEAST I can do…😊👍🏽✌🏽
Agree totally about Bali, well at least Bali back in the 2000s. I went 3 times in late 2000s for 3 weeks each time. One of the standout things was how happy and friendly the local people were, from the guys that take you out in a boat to the reef at Airport lefts for example, to our taxi driver Wyian, to shopkeepers, people on the beach, at the restaurants, and in the water. I only really saw people being what you may think of as agressive at Ulus and Balangan on a couple of bigger swell days. And you may expect this really with such high quality waves and the numbers in the water, the really good guys tend to snake most of the waves which some think of as agressive. But if you're patient and get a few, its so worth the effort. Never saw any outright agression like fights though, did hear about it from one or two guys mostly they were calling out Brazilian and Israeli surfers though, not locals.
Totally agree on Brazil! I traveled to surf there when I was a proper beginner and accidently took a wave from a local in the lineup (I didn't snake him, but I should have let him take it). I thought I was about to get hit, but instead the man was chearing on the good ride and then paddled up to let me know if I had gone left on the A-frame, we could have shared the wave. Everyone was good vibes the entire time. Never saw any aggression.
I did Bali 20 years ago and they treated us as equals, surfed Ulu’s twice a day for 6 weeks and never had a problem with anyone. Locals used to shout me into waves when they had priority at times. Best trip on my life hands down
Nicaragua is MUCH safer and better than Costa Rica. Lived in Costa Rica 7 years and I've been living in Nicaragua 13 years now. I'm from Kauai Hawaii. Very good vibe in the water here!!
I'm from Brazil... Spent a week in each country and found Nicaragua terrifying.. People with guns walking around in the street.. Got pulled over by corrupt cops that asked us for money or they would keep the car... Overall a pretty bad experience (that made me never go back) Costa Rica was the opposite for us... Felt so safe and welcomed...
@@mapiochi Over 20 years living down here brother. Nicaragua is the safest of all central american countries. The cops are a way of life down here in 13 years I've had to pay them off 3 or 4 times but you have to realize a cop makes a little over $200 dollars a month and you give them 200 cords 6 bucks and they are happy and your on your way. I spent 50 times that on toll roads in Costa Rica over 7 years. As far as paramilitary police with guns that's mostly in the cities not common at the beautiful Nicaraguan beaches. And those cops with guns is a big reason Nicaragua
@@mapiochi is the safest country in central america. Costa Rica is DANGEROUS brother Jaco Beach is notorious for crime day and night. Limon, Punteranus hubs of crime and killings
@@DenissSanches-nx7ui crazy… totally different experience…. And the cops demanded 200 USD with me.. Btw, people with guns were DEFINETELY not the police! Haha Bad luck, I guess
As a brazillian, I honestly think the bad reputation from Brazil comes from some people traveling in other countries and not really knowing the "rules" of a point break, since we mostly have beach breaks here... In beach breaks we have to paddle everywhere to find the waves, and who is at the best spot, drops... There is no "line", because the line-up is always changing... Sometimes I don't even encounter my friends at the water because we start together but then paddle far away from each other... So some people do that in foreigns point breaks (I myself have met some brazillians doing that and explained to them that you have to wait your turn)... But almost in every surf break people are welcoming and chill... As long as you are not active looking for trouble, you won't get any....
As a Brazilian I'm very happy to know that you had a great time in my hometown (Floripa) and Rio. I can guarantee that 95% of the Brazilian surfers are relaxed and good vibes. Unfortunately the other 5% that creates the bad reputation.
I was lucky to start traveling in the early 70's.In 1980 I visited an outer island in Tahiti.On my first surf a hugely muscled Tahitian, paddling as fast as he could toward me.I was pissing myself thinking that I was about to get punched.To my surprise (and delight)he extended his hand, welcomed me and said next wave is yours!My experiences in Hawaii have been the opposite, sorry to say.Thanks for the video and commentary.
I was lucky to grow up in a snall surf spot, Cornwall at the bottom of the UK and with the exception of a couple of folk, it remains as one if the friendliest places ive surfed
I live/ed in cornwall too, it’s grand but fistral can get some nasty localism in summer when there’s millions of tourists in newquay. not surprising tbh Porthtowans my favourite spot!
Im from Brazil. The fame of localism and agressive surf culture existed in the past. Especially in Rio de Janeiro because the gracies were surfers and had some fights with hawaians. Today localism is a thing of the past. I surf in Guaruja for 30 years and never had a problem.
I got on this video 12 days late 😄 Super well done as usual, minus Sayulita; friendliest town by far for sure, but the dumpster fire of a wave is another story. So dynamic how everything you said about Sayu was all true and all wrong all at the same time 😂 I love it, great work, big fan.
In general you get back what you give out, if you surf well and are friendly yourself then you'll get treated well and respected! Have surfed all around the world and never once had an issue! Let others get their share and then take an opportunity when it's presented to you. Likely you will need to update this video once you visit Philippines, WSL comp in October is a good time, pumping cloud 9 and the best vibe community of locals and internationals in Asia or the world, super friendly in and out of the water. So Siargao Island is friendliest as everyone else has mentioned. I'm curious though why people make "definitive" lists if they haven't been to all the key surf destinations?! Least friendly Sydney, it's a naturally beautiful city to live in but often see Aussies and Brazzo's yelling at each other in the water, just a weirdo rushed city in general, can't even relax in the water after work 😅. Funny how we Aussies prefer to go to random places just to surf just to get away from the hectic crowds. Bali the locals are getting arrogant in the water but out of water they are friendly. Friendliest surf locations both in and out of the water - Siargao, Byron Bay (even though it's busy) and Portugal. Friendly out of the water Indo. Most hectic in and out of water- GC, Sydney, any point break in Aus.
When I was in siargao in the Philippines I was a complete beginner and was at a reef break clearly to advanced for me. A local guy saw I was struggling and even though I ruined one of his waves he jumped of his board and helped me get push into a wave and I caught the first good wave of my life. Generally I found the vibe in Siargao to be really friendly.
Agreed. Siargao has such a friendly and welcoming vibe. Locals gave me so many good waves. And I saw it with other people as well. Obviously, Cloud 9 can be hectic with many wave pushers but in general, it's still a friendly, happy and verygood nice vibe!
Sri Lanka -> Midigama like 50 longboarder + surfschools pushing people into dropping in and even just on top of other surfers. Hectic, hustle and dangerous.
Surfed Sri Lanka alone for 2 months 21 years ago. 😊 Had Merissa to myself, even main peak Hikkaduwa. Would not go back now. I thought it was crowded already 12 years ago
I also have found out in Bali the locals are respectdul and cheer. If you smile and talk to them, they do the same. Mad respect to them. They lost their island and they're missing their waves...
ive never seen a friendly surf spot. i dont usually have any issues but ive seen alot of heckling, hopping, backpaddling and fighting and arguing at every spot.
Loads of chill spots in Aus, Loads of not so chill spots, I found if a place is packed its gonna be a clusterf no matter what but basically adjacent to these spots is an almost empty awesome peak somewhere.. and that's always where I focus my energy..
Cheers Dan , another interesting video ! Ireland would be near the top of my list to be sure , also befriended a great guy in Ecuador a few ago , shared some buses and a room with him , it really gave a different insight into the country ! ✌🙏
I’ve had fun in Mexico and I’ve also experienced some of the worst locals ever, especially in cabo. 37 years of surfing and I’m at a point in my life where I want to avoid all the a holes
No one will hassle you here. No matter what you ride or experience here we welcome you. The ocean... Not so much. Most places are for intermediate to experienced riders being shallow reefs. South pacific brudha. 🤙
I've found that making friends with some of the locals works best don't just show up at a break and run out into the lineup hang on the beach speak with people cold drinks maybe even a snack to break the ice it's been working for me for decades and yes it's almost always the traveling surfers are Definitely the bad eggs in the lineup and on land they commit the majority of the problems and crimes Be well Dan the Man and Safe travels 👍
Good video dude! Just 4subscribed and also saw your localized version. Agree with you on Sri Lanka for sure! Haven't been there since 2021, so I don't know if the vibes have changed since then....hopefully not. In my experience, only Imsouane competes for the perfect place for improvement, despite being crowded. As well as surfing, i also do surf photography and videography. Do you have recommendations on where would be the best places for that without local camera guys getting territorial? I've never had any problems where I've been filming/photographing so far, but I've only really been doing it in Morocco and also Portugal filming my friend, so if you happen to know the answer to my question, please let me know 👍
Funny enough one of my worst experiences was in super crowded Welligama on very average day. Local guy just lost it for no reason. Just having a shitty day or whatever. We did not fight in the end but he was really aggressive.
Hey, I'm Brazilian. When I saw that Brazil was on your list, I laughed out loud. I think Brazil is one of the most violent places to surf besides Hawaii, especially in the southeast and south regions. The macho vibe dominates many lineups, and there's also the jiu-jitsu culture that mixes with surfing. I could tell you many stories. I grew up in that environment. If you're a girl, be prepared to be harassed on the lineup. Surfers in Brazil tend to be very misogynistic and homophobic. Remember that surfer who punched a girl on the Bali lineup? He was Brazilian. Unfortunately, the surf culture in the country I grew up in is this shit. 🙃
@@davem3673 Rio is very friendly because it is a big international city, with a lot of people passing through. There is no way to identify who is "local" or not, but if you go to beaches like Arpoador on a good day or "Prainha" you will find people who claim to be locals with the testosterone-vibe. Fernando de Noronha and many places in the northeast are just good vibes. We Brazilians usually are affectionate as we are violent with ourselves, with foreigners the experience can be different because we have a colony complex and we usually treat gringos well, but I don't want to speak for all Brazilians.
I have a theory that some people in tropical places act really angry and selfish because of mold exposure symptoms and parasites/worms really affect peoples mood, personality and aggression
lol you missed the whole Pacific? Basically everywhere on the west Pacific Coast except Hawaii and Philippines is chill most notably Samoa Fuji Japan ect!
Absolutely agree about Sri Lanka! Been there 3 times.. gotta be the one of the best places to learn surfing and advance your skills really fast. All locals are super friendly Never actually been to Arugam bay myself, just Weligama/Midigama area due to the season.. only found Hiriketiya Beach to be not as friendly, but that was in the whole village itself not just the surf point! Great video thanks :)
Dan! What happened with the surf discovery video?!? I saved it on my watch later list and when I went to check it out it had disappeared!!! Noooo! Pls put it back ! Great channel by the way keep it up!!
Yesh sort of, I surfed Either quicksilvers, or cloud 9 can't remember, paddled out and what I assume were locals asked me where I was from, I said Aussie they said Ok Aussies don't get in the way, and let me have a paddle, some I think english beginner/intermediates paddled over and the locals blatantly made it obvious they weren't welcome, until they paddled back down, they were laughing at them and heckling, etc, pretty weird, never had that in Aus, or even indo.. haha
The only time i heard any negativity from a local Balinese chap it was in regards to incoming people from wider Indonesia, there are some sensitivities around the differences religiously between Bali and the rest of indo. Bali being Hindu and much of Indo being Muslim in faith. Being Hindu is one of the reasons Bali is the way it is.
The day that you come back to Floripa, I gonna show you some point, that you not gonna believe, if you don’t already know: Guarda do Embaú. In my humble opinion, that’s the best of the East coast of whole America. Cheers…
😅 I live in the other Islands in Tahiti...I've seen spear guns and cut anchor ropes directed to non locals...Tahiti maybe be cool...others are definitely not
For Bali, they aren't so aggressive because of their culture and how they handle conflict. When they smile at you it doesn't mean they are nice or they like you, that's just the social oil over there. I found that often in line up, it ends up being more passive-aggressive than aggressive, but still very frustrating. When you go to Balangan and you have 120 people (counted them). In a wave that is too fast for 98% of surfers. That you have a 1:1 ratio between westerners and their private local coach that push them into waves, how is that fun for anyone? It because a huge buisness and I understand they took the opportunity. But don't except any kindness or anything. And I think that's where it gets toxic. When you show them you're respectful, leave them the bomb, wait for your turn, in a rare no so packed peak. And that at the end, it's logically your turn, on a medium quality one and that the local that just came back from the previous bomb, snakes you, and shout you out the wave, that just encourage bad behavior and that's not a feeling of shareness. People might disagee with it and it's fine. It's only my feedback after 1 month there sufring many times a day everyday april-may 2023. If we would do such things at my local break, people would be really sad visiting us. For Tahiti, I definitely heard the opposite.
I normally love your videos and I have many hopes when I read the title of this one. However, Bali?? as a friendly destination?? maybe not by the locals, but other countries that dominate the lines up in Bali...
Yeah Balinese are the happiest most welcoming people I've met, but as you said, Bali is hectic and can be aggressive becasue of the sheer amount of people!
Straight off - Sri Lanka is NOT a friendly place. Feral Aussie "locals" have ruined A-bay. Bali has been ruined by the a handful of "enforcers". El Salvador is a basket case and the only place where I have had a knife waved in my face in the lineup. Who brings a knife in the water? I watched his other "localism" video and seems to be completely opposite in my experience. Maybe he got his notes and countries mixed up? One place he didn't mention is the Dominican Republic. Crooked cops, spoiled and entitled locals, etc. not worth going to either.
A lot of traveling surfers are disappointed these days ,because they get all their information from the internet , where everyone else gets their information, so maybe going where the internet hasn’t told them about, they would be less disappointed.
Surfed Lombok a lot over the years and enjoyed the people in/out of the water, but recently brought my wife along and holy wow is it a different experience for women. I mean way worse than any of the many other Muslim communities that we’ve visited… almost open hostility in some places. Sort of ruined the place for me
In Hawaii this year I got $120 fine for J walking a side street second day of my visit. No leniency for tourists...in fact the cops were deliberately targeting them.Stay away.
I saw a local at ulus grab a floating thick piece of bamboo and smash a body boarder on the skull with it, the ego stuff is crazy in surfing now, guys act like cage fighters these days. I recon go where it’s cold/freezing.
Would like to know what people think of people who call themselves locals after only living in some of these places for a couple years. I’ve had that experience in Costa Rica, a lot of people have moved there they don’t even speak the native language yet they think cuz they live there now they are a local. In my mind locals are people who grew up there or at least have been living there for a really long time and have adopted the culture as their own but what do I know??
I found Hawaii to be super friendly. I reckon it depends on your attitude in and out of the water. Be mellow, friendly and respectful as a visitor there and you'll be treated that way in return.
I'm from there and it is remarkably friendly and relaxed, even at the famous waves. And I surf using a SUP and weird foam paddles, so if anyone was going to get hassle, it would be me. Perhaps its due to our friendly nature, or just the low crowds. 15 people in the water at a well known spot is seen as a bit busy
@@lucasbridges8082 April and May, late August to end of October are the two sweet spots for decent weather and waves. One can reasonably expect decent surf half of the days. Good luck
At the 2:46 mark there is a young man, on the left, holding one of his daughters. Sadly this beautiful man passed away from cancer 4 weeks ago.
A great surfer, glassed and father, a great bloke much loved by us on the Sunshine Coast. The paddle-out was huge.
Love all your videos but this one simply blew me away.
Peace Komang.
Huge thanks.
How sad 😢 May he rest in peace 🙏🏼
I’m fascinated by what may cause locals to be so friendly and welcoming in some line-ups and such aggressive a-holes in other line-ups… Having been that young, selfish local myself, whose local break in Rincon CA, I’m gonna have to admit, once I matured and assumed a more generous perspective, EVERYTHING in my life became A LOT more fun. After all, I was FORTUNATE enough to have been hatched in an area where Rincon is home, so sharing the fruits with those who weren’t so lucky, is the LEAST I can do…😊👍🏽✌🏽
Hey mate!! That's an epic (and really refreshing) perspective to have!!
Get on!!! Big love from the UK 👌🤙
That's because testosterone drops with age.
When it's like taking candy from a baby.....it's fun and the visitors give way
Agree totally about Bali, well at least Bali back in the 2000s. I went 3 times in late 2000s for 3 weeks each time. One of the standout things was how happy and friendly the local people were, from the guys that take you out in a boat to the reef at Airport lefts for example, to our taxi driver Wyian, to shopkeepers, people on the beach, at the restaurants, and in the water. I only really saw people being what you may think of as agressive at Ulus and Balangan on a couple of bigger swell days. And you may expect this really with such high quality waves and the numbers in the water, the really good guys tend to snake most of the waves which some think of as agressive. But if you're patient and get a few, its so worth the effort. Never saw any outright agression like fights though, did hear about it from one or two guys mostly they were calling out Brazilian and Israeli surfers though, not locals.
Yeah for sure!! I think it's still basically the same now, from what I've seen!
Totally agree on Brazil! I traveled to surf there when I was a proper beginner and accidently took a wave from a local in the lineup (I didn't snake him, but I should have let him take it). I thought I was about to get hit, but instead the man was chearing on the good ride and then paddled up to let me know if I had gone left on the A-frame, we could have shared the wave. Everyone was good vibes the entire time. Never saw any aggression.
I did Bali 20 years ago and they treated us as equals, surfed Ulu’s twice a day for 6 weeks and never had a problem with anyone. Locals used to shout me into waves when they had priority at times. Best trip on my life hands down
Epic stuff!! So Cool!
El Salvador is next for me! I'll be brushing up on your videos before hand 😅
Nicaragua is MUCH safer and better than Costa Rica. Lived in Costa Rica 7 years and I've been living in Nicaragua 13 years now. I'm from Kauai Hawaii. Very good vibe in the water here!!
Epic to hear mate!! And yeah to be fair, I found Nicaragua to be pretty mellow also!!
I'm from Brazil... Spent a week in each country and found Nicaragua terrifying.. People with guns walking around in the street.. Got pulled over by corrupt cops that asked us for money or they would keep the car... Overall a pretty bad experience (that made me never go back)
Costa Rica was the opposite for us... Felt so safe and welcomed...
@@mapiochi Over 20 years living down here brother. Nicaragua is the safest of all central american countries. The cops are a way of life down here in 13 years I've had to pay them off 3 or 4 times but you have to realize a cop makes a little over $200 dollars a month and you give them 200 cords 6 bucks and they are happy and your on your way. I spent 50 times that on toll roads in Costa Rica over 7 years. As far as paramilitary police with guns that's mostly in the cities not common at the beautiful Nicaraguan beaches. And those cops with guns is a big reason Nicaragua
@@mapiochi is the safest country in central america. Costa Rica is DANGEROUS brother Jaco Beach is notorious for crime day and night. Limon, Punteranus hubs of crime and killings
@@DenissSanches-nx7ui crazy… totally different experience…. And the cops demanded 200 USD with me..
Btw, people with guns were DEFINETELY not the police! Haha
Bad luck, I guess
As a brazillian, I honestly think the bad reputation from Brazil comes from some people traveling in other countries and not really knowing the "rules" of a point break, since we mostly have beach breaks here...
In beach breaks we have to paddle everywhere to find the waves, and who is at the best spot, drops... There is no "line", because the line-up is always changing... Sometimes I don't even encounter my friends at the water because we start together but then paddle far away from each other...
So some people do that in foreigns point breaks (I myself have met some brazillians doing that and explained to them that you have to wait your turn)...
But almost in every surf break people are welcoming and chill... As long as you are not active looking for trouble, you won't get any....
As a Brazilian I'm very happy to know that you had a great time in my hometown (Floripa) and Rio. I can guarantee that 95% of the Brazilian surfers are relaxed and good vibes. Unfortunately the other 5% that creates the bad reputation.
Just spent a month in Ireland. Cant believe it didn't make it on the list!
Such nice people, cool vibes and great waves🤘
How many spots did you hit ? Any good point breaks or inlets ? Going in '25 - Cheers !
I was lucky to start traveling in the early 70's.In 1980 I visited an outer island in Tahiti.On my first surf a hugely muscled Tahitian, paddling as fast as he could toward me.I was pissing myself thinking that I was about to get punched.To my surprise (and delight)he extended his hand, welcomed me and said next wave is yours!My experiences in Hawaii have been the opposite, sorry to say.Thanks for the video and commentary.
I was lucky to grow up in a snall surf spot, Cornwall at the bottom of the UK and with the exception of a couple of folk, it remains as one if the friendliest places ive surfed
I live/ed in cornwall too, it’s grand but fistral can get some nasty localism in summer when there’s millions of tourists in newquay. not surprising tbh Porthtowans my favourite spot!
@@augustineleudar oh yeah for sure - I'm over poldhu way, but I love gwithian in particular, Fistral never bothered me much
I’m leaving in Brazil, and I totally agree. People is really friendly.
Im from Brazil. The fame of localism and agressive surf culture existed in the past. Especially in Rio de Janeiro because the gracies were surfers and had some fights with hawaians.
Today localism is a thing of the past. I surf in Guaruja for 30 years and never had a problem.
I got on this video 12 days late 😄 Super well done as usual, minus Sayulita; friendliest town by far for sure, but the dumpster fire of a wave is another story. So dynamic how everything you said about Sayu was all true and all wrong all at the same time 😂 I love it, great work, big fan.
In general you get back what you give out, if you surf well and are friendly yourself then you'll get treated well and respected! Have surfed all around the world and never once had an issue! Let others get their share and then take an opportunity when it's presented to you. Likely you will need to update this video once you visit Philippines, WSL comp in October is a good time, pumping cloud 9 and the best vibe community of locals and internationals in Asia or the world, super friendly in and out of the water. So Siargao Island is friendliest as everyone else has mentioned. I'm curious though why people make "definitive" lists if they haven't been to all the key surf destinations?! Least friendly Sydney, it's a naturally beautiful city to live in but often see Aussies and Brazzo's yelling at each other in the water, just a weirdo rushed city in general, can't even relax in the water after work 😅. Funny how we Aussies prefer to go to random places just to surf just to get away from the hectic crowds. Bali the locals are getting arrogant in the water but out of water they are friendly. Friendliest surf locations both in and out of the water - Siargao, Byron Bay (even though it's busy) and Portugal. Friendly out of the water Indo. Most hectic in and out of water- GC, Sydney, any point break in Aus.
Drone clips work well to tell the story
When I was in siargao in the Philippines I was a complete beginner and was at a reef break clearly to advanced for me. A local guy saw I was struggling and even though I ruined one of his waves he jumped of his board and helped me get push into a wave and I caught the first good wave of my life. Generally I found the vibe in Siargao to be really friendly.
Wow, that's epic! So good to hear stories like that rather than the other way around!!
Agreed. Siargao has such a friendly and welcoming vibe. Locals gave me so many good waves. And I saw it with other people as well. Obviously, Cloud 9 can be hectic with many wave pushers but in general, it's still a friendly, happy and verygood nice vibe!
Sri Lanka -> Midigama like 50 longboarder + surfschools pushing people into dropping in and even just on top of other surfers. Hectic, hustle and dangerous.
Brazilians are so nice in the water. Also, idk if you’ve been to Siargao Philippines, but never experienced a better vibe in the water than there.
5:28 “sketchy uninviting place like hawaii” couldn’t have said it better meself 😂
Surfed Sri Lanka alone for 2 months 21 years ago. 😊 Had Merissa to myself, even main peak Hikkaduwa. Would not go back now. I thought it was crowded already 12 years ago
Literally bali and lombok are some of the crowded spots I've been too
I also have found out in Bali the locals are respectdul and cheer. If you smile and talk to them, they do the same. Mad respect to them. They lost their island and they're missing their waves...
ive never seen a friendly surf spot. i dont usually have any issues but ive seen alot of heckling, hopping, backpaddling and fighting and arguing at every spot.
Hahah, fair enough! There are some out there though... Best of just surfing bad waves by yourself 😂
Loads of chill spots in Aus, Loads of not so chill spots, I found if a place is packed its gonna be a clusterf no matter what but basically adjacent to these spots is an almost empty awesome peak somewhere.. and that's always where I focus my energy..
Im Australian and love surfing brazil, people are beautiful in the water, chilled local vibes 😁
Surfed all over the world. Surfing culture in Peru was awesome Debatedbly best I’ve seen. More so than other South American countries I’ve visited.
I can tell you about the most unfriendly Margaret River
Idk I think lowers wins 😂
For me it’s Ala Moana bowls when the south shore is on
Which break the box? there's some friendly spots around there
Margs is fine alsong as you don't surf the premium waves, and you dont come in packs of brazzos trying to take every wave
@@cool_christian92yea it’s only cuz u one haole 😂
Cheers Dan , another interesting video ! Ireland would be near the top of my list to be sure , also befriended a great guy in Ecuador a few ago , shared some buses and a room with him , it really gave a different insight into the country ! ✌🙏
I’ve had fun in Mexico and I’ve also experienced some of the worst locals ever, especially in cabo. 37 years of surfing and I’m at a point in my life where I want to avoid all the a holes
No one will hassle you here. No matter what you ride or experience here we welcome you. The ocean... Not so much. Most places are for intermediate to experienced riders being shallow reefs.
South pacific brudha. 🤙
Good to hear mate! Love that attitude :))
The Canary Islands must be in the opposite video
I agree, I had my rented car scratched, wheels punctured and in most waves locals dropped on my waves. Not good at all, holidays ruined.
Hahaha, I made one on the "Most localised places" and yep, Canaries is in there!
That sucks! Classic Canaries though unfortunately!
I've found that making friends with some of the locals works best don't just show up at a break and run out into the lineup hang on the beach speak with people cold drinks maybe even a snack to break the ice it's been working for me for decades and yes it's almost always the traveling surfers are Definitely the bad eggs in the lineup and on land they commit the majority of the problems and crimes Be well Dan the Man and Safe travels 👍
Yo Michael! Yeah for sure that extra bit of respect and going out of you way goes so far!!
Good video dude! Just 4subscribed and also saw your localized version. Agree with you on Sri Lanka for sure! Haven't been there since 2021, so I don't know if the vibes have changed since then....hopefully not. In my experience, only Imsouane competes for the perfect place for improvement, despite being crowded.
As well as surfing, i also do surf photography and videography. Do you have recommendations on where would be the best places for that without local camera guys getting territorial?
I've never had any problems where I've been filming/photographing so far, but I've only really been doing it in Morocco and also Portugal filming my friend, so if you happen to know the answer to my question, please let me know 👍
I love Sri Lanka some of the nicest and most welcoming people on the planet and weligama bay is super chilled for beginners to intermediates 👍
Funny enough one of my worst experiences was in super crowded Welligama on very average day. Local guy just lost it for no reason. Just having a shitty day or whatever. We did not fight in the end but he was really aggressive.
Hey, I'm Brazilian. When I saw that Brazil was on your list, I laughed out loud. I think Brazil is one of the most violent places to surf besides Hawaii, especially in the southeast and south regions. The macho vibe dominates many lineups, and there's also the jiu-jitsu culture that mixes with surfing. I could tell you many stories. I grew up in that environment. If you're a girl, be prepared to be harassed on the lineup. Surfers in Brazil tend to be very misogynistic and homophobic. Remember that surfer who punched a girl on the Bali lineup? He was Brazilian. Unfortunately, the surf culture in the country I grew up in is this shit. 🙃
I found Rio friendly and up north in Fernandho do Norana and Praia de Pipa
@@davem3673 Rio is very friendly because it is a big international city, with a lot of people passing through. There is no way to identify who is "local" or not, but if you go to beaches like Arpoador on a good day or "Prainha" you will find people who claim to be locals with the testosterone-vibe. Fernando de Noronha and many places in the northeast are just good vibes. We Brazilians usually are affectionate as we are violent with ourselves, with foreigners the experience can be different because we have a colony complex and we usually treat gringos well, but I don't want to speak for all Brazilians.
I have a theory that some people in tropical places act really angry and selfish because of mold exposure symptoms and parasites/worms really affect peoples mood, personality and aggression
Also white/European people haven’t had as much generational exposure to tropical pathogens
You left out Snapper... 😆
Hahaha 😂😂
How are you doing, Dan? Anything on Ubatuba, Brasil? I wll be there early September..
lol you missed the whole Pacific? Basically everywhere on the west Pacific Coast except Hawaii and Philippines is chill most notably Samoa Fuji Japan ect!
Absolutely agree about Sri Lanka! Been there 3 times.. gotta be the one of the best places to learn surfing and advance your skills really fast. All locals are super friendly
Never actually been to Arugam bay myself, just Weligama/Midigama area due to the season.. only found Hiriketiya Beach to be not as friendly, but that was in the whole village itself not just the surf point!
Great video thanks :)
Thanks Steven! Yep totally agree!
Dan! What happened with the surf discovery video?!? I saved it on my watch later list and when I went to check it out it had disappeared!!! Noooo!
Pls put it back !
Great channel by the way keep it up!!
Hey mate!! I had to take it down unfortunately for legal reasons (long story short, some people weren't happy about it). But thank you!!
Phillipines locals (Siargao) where also very friendly
Yesh sort of, I surfed Either quicksilvers, or cloud 9 can't remember, paddled out and what I assume were locals asked me where I was from, I said Aussie they said Ok Aussies don't get in the way, and let me have a paddle, some I think english beginner/intermediates paddled over and the locals blatantly made it obvious they weren't welcome, until they paddled back down, they were laughing at them and heckling, etc, pretty weird, never had that in Aus, or even indo.. haha
Haven't been there myself, but have heard the Phillipines are pretty chill!
Balinese are very friendly and nice, until they're not. Then they can be very unfriendly and not nice. Cultural sensitivity is very important.
The only time i heard any negativity from a local Balinese chap it was in regards to incoming people from wider Indonesia, there are some sensitivities around the differences religiously between Bali and the rest of indo. Bali being Hindu and much of Indo being Muslim in faith. Being Hindu is one of the reasons Bali is the way it is.
definitely not oregon the people here don’t want to be surfing with you
Agree with you about Brazil. Super friendly. Lots of drop ins thought but think that’s just something you have to accept.
Yeah for sure!!
@@DanHarmon123 love your videos btw-always interesting
Great one Dan!Thanks for sharing
No worries! Stoked you enjoyed it :)
Thanks for posting this Dan. I've been to Sri Lanka twice, great people and long board heaven for sure! I'm eyeing Lombok now.
Epic Steve! Stoked you enjoyed the vid :)
@@DanHarmon123 You have a great style bro!
Good stuff mate 👍
Great job.
Thanks.
The day that you come back to Floripa, I gonna show you some point, that you not gonna believe, if you don’t already know: Guarda do Embaú. In my humble opinion, that’s the best of the East coast of whole America.
Cheers…
Thank you Dan - great vid!
Stoked you enjoyed it :)
😅 I live in the other Islands in Tahiti...I've seen spear guns and cut anchor ropes directed to non locals...Tahiti maybe be cool...others are definitely not
Hey Mark! Wow, that surprises me but I haven't been there. I guess things like that can and do just happen everywhere!
Tahitians don't like french people very much for obvious reasons.
I travelled to some outer islands in the 90s and the vibe was don’t come on masse, no photos and show respect. If not, expect violence.
For Bali, they aren't so aggressive because of their culture and how they handle conflict. When they smile at you it doesn't mean they are nice or they like you, that's just the social oil over there.
I found that often in line up, it ends up being more passive-aggressive than aggressive, but still very frustrating.
When you go to Balangan and you have 120 people (counted them).
In a wave that is too fast for 98% of surfers.
That you have a 1:1 ratio between westerners and their private local coach that push them into waves, how is that fun for anyone?
It because a huge buisness and I understand they took the opportunity.
But don't except any kindness or anything.
And I think that's where it gets toxic. When you show them you're respectful, leave them the bomb, wait for your turn, in a rare no so packed peak.
And that at the end, it's logically your turn, on a medium quality one and that the local that just came back from the previous bomb, snakes you, and shout you out the wave, that just encourage bad behavior and that's not a feeling of shareness.
People might disagee with it and it's fine. It's only my feedback after 1 month there sufring many times a day everyday april-may 2023.
If we would do such things at my local break, people would be really sad visiting us.
For Tahiti, I definitely heard the opposite.
Tahiti shouldn't be on this list. The Wassel, Duval Sapinus incident isn't an atypical attitude.
Oh yeah!! I remember that incident to be fair!!
Solid video...thank you
Great content as always 👏
Thanks!!
I just spent a few weeks in El Salvador and there were many Brazilians. Brazilians are awesome surfers and friendly.
YES!! I asked you this one 🙏🏼
Hahha stoked you liked it :)
I normally love your videos and I have many hopes when I read the title of this one. However, Bali?? as a friendly destination?? maybe not by the locals, but other countries that dominate the lines up in Bali...
Yeah Balinese are the happiest most welcoming people I've met, but as you said, Bali is hectic and can be aggressive becasue of the sheer amount of people!
do you film the drone shots of these spots? they add a lot to you talking each place/break
Thanks! I get most of them from a stock footage website called Envato Elements!!
Straight off - Sri Lanka is NOT a friendly place. Feral Aussie "locals" have ruined A-bay. Bali has been ruined by the a handful of "enforcers". El Salvador is a basket case and the only place where I have had a knife waved in my face in the lineup. Who brings a knife in the water? I watched his other "localism" video and seems to be completely opposite in my experience. Maybe he got his notes and countries mixed up? One place he didn't mention is the Dominican Republic. Crooked cops, spoiled and entitled locals, etc. not worth going to either.
Do you always travel with boards ?
Where were you in Brazil Bro?
I went to Florianopolis, Rio and Saquarema!! Loved all of them!
A lot of traveling surfers are disappointed these days ,because they get all their information from the internet , where everyone else gets their information, so maybe going where the internet hasn’t told them about, they would be less disappointed.
Yeah true! And with all the good waves you seen constantly on social media, leads to high expectations!!
What about the philipenes? Always wanted to check that out
In other words, every place I want to go. Longboards for lyfeee.
Hb the Philippines?
PURA VIDA 🌴 Thank you for putting us on your list. If you come back look me up and I show you the real PURA VIDA lifestyle. COSTA RICA forever🤙
Surfed Lombok a lot over the years and enjoyed the people in/out of the water, but recently brought my wife along and holy wow is it a different experience for women. I mean way worse than any of the many other Muslim communities that we’ve visited… almost open hostility in some places. Sort of ruined the place for me
Ahhh damn! That's interesting and very unfortunate, sorry to hear that! I ddin't think it was like that there...
Don’t take anything I say seriously I’ve never actually been there.
What about Ireland Dan
Sri Lanka people are so friendly, but it is infected of Israel people, who think that they are local, specially in Ahangama.
In Hawaii this year I got $120 fine for J walking a side street second day of my visit. No leniency for tourists...in fact the cops were deliberately targeting them.Stay away.
The internets busiest surfer
There's no waves at home in summer, so gotta do something I guess ;)
I saw a local at ulus grab a floating thick piece of bamboo and smash a body boarder on the skull with it, the ego stuff is crazy in surfing now, guys act like cage fighters these days. I recon go where it’s cold/freezing.
Keep on making videos!
Thanks mate! Will do!!
Would like to know what people think of people who call themselves locals after only living in some of these places for a couple years. I’ve had that experience in Costa Rica, a lot of people have moved there they don’t even speak the native language yet they think cuz they live there now they are a local. In my mind locals are people who grew up there or at least have been living there for a really long time and have adopted the culture as their own but what do I know??
You got so tanned 😄
I found Hawaii to be super friendly. I reckon it depends on your attitude in and out of the water. Be mellow, friendly and respectful as a visitor there and you'll be treated that way in return.
Good video
Thank you!!
I have in the map an island in brasil called Florianópolis, really tourist and surf cultere in there. be aware.
Can you pls do video of whr is best to surf 'and' get laid?
Sharp haircut!
GALICIA!
no where on the east coast usa lol
The Brazilians have that rep, because of the way they behave in Indo and other spots around the world. It is well deserved.
Anywhere in india ?
Haven't been there myself!! But I'm sure it would be!!
yewww
Yeah Hinduism is a nice cultur
Ireland?
I'm from there and it is remarkably friendly and relaxed, even at the famous waves. And I surf using a SUP and weird foam paddles, so if anyone was going to get hassle, it would be me.
Perhaps its due to our friendly nature, or just the low crowds. 15 people in the water at a well known spot is seen as a bit busy
@@liamloftus6123 awesome. thank you for the response! it would be a dream come true for me to surf in Ireland
@@lucasbridges8082 April and May, late August to end of October are the two sweet spots for decent weather and waves. One can reasonably expect decent surf half of the days. Good luck
For sure!! I should have put that in actually!! Super friendly there also!
aloha
Africa is far more friendly than most of these places, not to forget about Europe
Yeah to be fair!! It was pretty good vibes down in S.A!