Travel: Hang 10

Where there’s a will, there’s a way—to surf. © Brian Adamson
Where there’s a will, there’s a way—to surf. © Brian Adamson
  • Just one year from now, surfing will be a part of the 2020 Olympics in Japan for the first time ever. With Park Hyatt Tokyo as your home base, you’re sure to get stoked watching the top surfers in the world rip through the breaks at Shidashita Beach, 40 miles east of downtown and the site of the Olympic competition. To some, Japan may seem like an under-the-radar surf spot. Below are four other places where you might not expect to be able to ride the waves – check them out to have a swell time.

o    Barcelona: Sagrada Familia. Salsa. Siesta. And Surfing. The closest surfing spot in Barcelona is just a 15-minute walk away from Las Ramblas. Avoid the crowds and head to the open seas. The waves at Barceloneta are long and perfect for beginners, as the shifting sandbars cause them to break both to the right and the left. Nearby, in the Eixample district, Almanac Barcelona’s concierge can arrange for your own surf board to be shipped from (and back) home; or the hotel can book a rental ready to be picked up right on the beach at the Barceloneta.

o    Charleston: For those who don’t want to get caught up with the kooks in California, Charleston’s break is consistently named one of the top spots on the East Coast. Or, more accurately, Folly Beach, which is just 12 miles south of the Holy City. The waves are 20- to 30-percent bigger than other beaches in the area, but Folly is still known as a good place for beginners (a.k.a. groms) and more seasoned salts who want to perfect their form. After a day of wiping out and getting caught on the inside, Belmond Charleston Place offers the ultimate in après surf—be it a relaxing spa experience or a much-deserved Southern meal.

o    New York City: It’s the most densely populated area in the U.S., but surfing in New York City is alive and well. (If you don’t trust us, check out the @nysea Instagram account ­– the handle is a wonderful play on words, and the surf photos will get you stoked.) Among the popular subway-accessible spots is Rockaway Peninsula, just 18 miles from Chatwal, New York’s prime Midtown Manhattan location. For visitors with a bit less time on their hands, a 20-minute walk due west of Chatwal will lead you to Manhattan Kayak Co. on the Hudson River, which rents out kayaks and stand up paddleboards.

o    Nantucket: Surfing in Nantucket? ACK-tually, yes! Nantucket offers one of the most consistent breaks in the northeast, as the island is all sand and sandbars. And with increased JetBlue flights from Westchester and LaGuardia this summer, the Grey Lady is closer than ever. Two of the more popular beaches is Surfside and Nobadeer, where big breaks can attract big crowds. For more info on where to go – and how to book surf lessons – check with the concierge at Nantucket Island Resorts.

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