Sitting 10 miles off the east coast of Canada in the same North Atlantic window that makes its southern neighbor Nova Scotia a coldwater wave magnet, is the island of Newfoundland. Originally known as Terra Nova, the sizable island in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador beckons all those brave enough to travel to its chilly shores.
While it’s far from being an unexplored surf destination, New Foundland’s small surfing population (estimated to be around 50 or so in a population a little over 500,000) makes it easy to find oneself surfing completely alone at a given beach, point or cove. Its unique location leaves it open to a wide range of swells from the North Atlantic with numerous points facing east, north and south, and even a wide enough stretch of water to the west, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to allow for local windswell waves on the west coast that rival those of a good day on the Great Lakes.
Beyond the opportunity to catch epic, cold surf, there is plenty to see and do on Newfoundland. From whale watching, to shopping, to fishing, to hiking, to iceberg watching, there’s a little something for everyone. And, as the island is home to the only authenticated Norse settlement in the Americas, and the first British exploration of the Americas, Newfoundland is rich in culture and history. Oh… and at the right times of year, you can check out the Northern Lights. Hooked yet?
There is a fair amount of information online regarding surfing in Newfoundland, but you’ll want to do some serious homework and get a hold of a few good maps before venturing there for a surf. Full, heavy rubber is an absolute must, almost year-round, as passing icebergs are no stranger to the Newfie summer lineups. Getting there is easy, but going off the map is where the fun is.
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hey
where can i go surfing in st. john’s? do you have contact info for a rental shop?
New Melbourne is close to 2 hours N. of St. John’s. Surfing here sucks. No rentals. No shops. The crisp, lengthy, peeling right points are all ours. Remember… surfing here sucks.