Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25256
BRAZIL: rio de janeiro FIJI: kadavu, nagigia island AUSTRALIA: margaret river BARBADOS: soup bowls AVERAGE WAVE HEIGHT: 3 TO 6 FEET brazil: RIO DE JANEIRO There are surf trips that are solely about finding the best pos- sible waves, and then there are surf trips that also take into account lifestyle, culture, nightlife, and overall joie de vivre. Rio de Janeiro is not J-Bay or G-Land or Kirra-you're not like- ly to get the biggest, longest waves of your life here-but if you add all the extra-curriculars to the consistent and extreme- ly fun surf, you'll find Rio to be a world-class destination. The Rio surf scene is alive and bursting with punchy beachbreaks that are often head high and crowded. However, you always have the option of paddling down the beach into a little less quality surf, but a much more tranquil environment. The season starts in March, with April and May being the most consistent months for swell, and goes right through to December. Every stripe of surfer can be found here-from long- boarders to shortboarders, aspiring pros to weekend warriors. Every season offers something for first-time and for experi- enced surfers. Rio is one of the most fitness-obsessed cities in the world and full of friendly locals and surfers, so there's never a problem finding someone who can tune you into the best breaks. There are several worthy breaks within an hour'S drive of Rio. The most consistent is Prainha, 22 miles to the south of lpanema. It picks up virtually every swell, can handle the big stuff when it's cranking, and seems to favor March to December. A kilo- meter-long cove with a couple barracas (beach kiosks), a chaotic little parking lot, and a never-ending stream of local waveriders, Prainha is an anthropological study in the hunting/gathering rites of surfers-Brazil's version of Beach Blanket Bingo. The best wave in town is Guaratiba. Though less consistent it is only a 45-or-so minute drive from Rio Sol (Jpanema area). A kind of reeling river mouth, mini Uluwatu when it's on-Guaratiba, according to the locals, has its best days dur- ing Carnaval in February. The long lefts will make you think of Bali, though instead of nasi goreng as your after-surf feast you'll be eating an icy bowl of acai-a purple Brazilian fruit that might be the third most seductive thing about this country-the first being its warm spirit, the second the consistent surf. Arpoador is a Rio icon. It's a rock headland that separates Ipanema from Copacabana, has shown up in many movies, photos and books, and produces a reeling left that's fast, and racy and super fun. It's within walking distance of Ipanema and a good place to go when you've had a few days of waves and you're a little more laid back. It's where, back in the mid-50S, surfing got its start in Brazil. At first things were done very primitively but in 1964, when legendary Australian Peter Troy, called PT, showed up he changed the way Brazilians surfed. Before PT local surfers rode wooden, poorly shaped "madeirites" and wore swim fins. PT taught them not only a lot about the performance aspect, but also about materials and craftsmanship. After PT the locals lost the swim fins and began using fiberglass and more fluid shapes-surfing performance improved drastically. Arpoador is also famous for hosting the continued on page 70 38