Tofino Winter Surfing is Totally Cool, Even Cold!

Tofino Winter Surfing

The Secret’s Out: Tofino Winter Surfing Rocks!

Here’s a Tofino secret – winter is the time to catch big waves. Summer is loads of fun riding waves and hanging out on the beaches, but winter is the time to surf like the big kids! Winter swells are bigger which not only means the usual breaks are rockin’ but beaches and bays that were calm in the summer spring to life so the number of breaks along the West Coast increase.

West Coast Surfing for Beginners and Experts

Tofino and the West Coast have seen a surge of surfers from beginners to experts looking for that unique Canadian surfing experience. The breaks along our sandy beaches are a perfect place for beginners to get their feet, and everything else, wet and in the winter this doesn't change. Areas of Chesterman Beach is usually a good place to learn to ride and MacKenzie Beach next door can also blow up some sweet winter surf. Chesterman and Cox Beaches can offer some big, big waves that carry a lot of power. Not only is surfing these waves for skilled riders, just getting out to the green can be a challenge. Long Beach is large and can offer a wide range of waves: on some winter days it’s your best bet for rides.

Ride With Your Heart and With Your Head

Surfers require a heart full of passion and a head that plays it smart. Just like most sports you have to match your skills to the situation. While riding the white wash in the summer and working your way up riding the green on the smaller summer waves is a perfect way to learn to surf, paddling out into overhead waves may be downright foolhardy.  Don’t get carried away into being the star of your own Jackass failed stunt. Bigger waves require more experience, more physical abilities, more knowledge of the break and a good sense of how long you can stay out in the frigid waters.  If you are not an advanced surfer, watch the experts in the water, then head on up or down the beach to a quieter location and surf with the rest of us. Many of the surfers here are learning and we love company.

Be A Cool Surfer! Access the conditions and live to surf another day.