Joanna James
As a destination revered by wave riders around the world, surfing hotspots in Sri Lanka are as varied and as abundant as its stunning beaches. Here are some of the country's top surfing hubs.
Occupying pride of place near Ahangama, the surf spot known as Kabalana is known to produce quite large swells during choice times of the year. As one of Sri Lanka's top surfing destinations for those who prefer short boards, the fat A-frame swells offer lasting and lengthy barrels on both sides. Originating from 'The Rock' Kabalana provides pro surfers with the best A-frames in the entire nation but surfers would be wise to visit the area during the peak tourist season which lasts from December to March as the water in the area can be a letdown in the months after.
As one of the island's most popular beach holiday destinations, it should come as little surprise that Hikkaduwa reef is one of the country's top surfing hubs. Offering surfers of varying degrees of experience and skill level a beach break to suit their preferences, the Hikkaduwa reef is so well-known among the surfing communities heading to the island that it is extremely crowded during the peak tourist season. Hikkaduwa's coastline produces heavier set waves and the A-frame shape of the reef means larger waves can be produced. The reef and its immediate vicinity are a favourite surfing spot among the local surfers Down South as the venues also afford long rides, especially on the left and barrels to the right. Breaking over the deep reef surfers need not concern themselves with scratching their feet but should be careful all the same.
Located opposite Ceylon Sliders, the Weligama beach is the ideal stomping ground for beginner surfers who are learning the basics of the sport and honing their skills with the board. The beach is not only long but the bay clings to the beach, creating the perfect breeding ground for future surfers. The area's popularity among novices means the beach is almost always crowded with learners but it is not difficult to find a patch to one's self and enjoy a sliding contest at leisure. The beach breaks are found in the bay and the area is a prime surfing location when the tides are too high elsewhere on the southern coast.
As its name suggests, the Lazy Left is a mellow break that's found opposite the Midigama Bay and is arguably one of the top surfing hotspots in all of the southern shores of Sri Lanka. The area is best tackled with a longboard although those who are not adept at using longboards may find the take off a bit of a challenge at first. The Lazy Right, in contrast, is a step forward and can break in different places with varying parts of the wave rolling through. Both these breaks are located over a deep reef area and are accessible to those who come from the channel. Intermediary level surfers will also appreciate the conditions of this reef break as it affords novices the chance to catch their first ever reef break.
Surfers in search of calm right-handers and equally relaxed left-handers should look no further than the Mirissa Beach break which offers longboard enthusiasts the perfect conditions to enjoy a smooth ride. While surfing may not be among the top things to do in Matara, those based in Soul Resorts Sri Lanka can organize a surfing safari in Mirissa via their hotel or a local tour operator.
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