Sri Lanka Beach Front Surf Camp - , Ahangamma. Sri Lanka
INTRODUCTION
Our surf camp is situated in a tiny village named Whelingoda just out side of Ahangama on the south coast of the island. We are a locally owned guest house who has partnered up with Europeans to offer a surf camp in the best period to surf in the south, November until April.
Established in 2004 we are the first surf camp in the area and maybe one of the first on the island! We are also one of the only surf camps in the area that is directly in front of the waves you will be surfing on.
Professional European surf coaches work together with the local guest house staff to insure that this feels like staying in Sri Lanka at a real surf camp.
The founder of the camp has been running surf schools in Europe for almost 20 years, a good vibe is essential for everyone to have a great time while learning to surf. Everyone working as a surf coach at the camp is experienced and we all try our best to ensure the true spirit of the surf is with you when arrive until you leave.
We are not a luxury yoga spa, we are a good old fashioned surf camp/school. We have a full range of ages from 18 if unaccompanied through until 60, or as old as you feel ?!
We surf every day but there is plenty of time to relax, on the beach for some sun, in the hammock for some chill time, Carrom in our restaurant, visiting the jungle tailor to get some new clothes hand made or simply laying on your bed listening to the waves crash on the beach.
When full we are around 20 people, it depends on how many couples we have staying. the groups are no more than 6/7 per surf coach normally less. We cater for all levels and there are always enough surf coaches to go around.
THE ACCOMMODATION
The guest house is simple and clean, all rooms have a private bathroom. Rooms are all in front of the beach facing the Ocean. We also have dorm room option, max 3 pax in a room, no bunk beds and no tents. From your room its about a 10 seconds walk and your in the Indian ocean.
We have a lovely little open air restaurant at the camp where we have breakfast and dinner together. Our Swimming pool is the ocean, we don’t have TV but we do have wifi, its not super fast but works for emails etc. the restaurant is also a fully licensed bar that sells, local Lion beer, Arak, wine all the usual suspects.
Breakfast is included every day of your stay together with 6 evening meals per week in our restaurant. A combination of western and Sri Lankan food is on offer. Normally the day that dinner isn’t included there is an option for a special curry night or beach BBQ, this is not included in the price. Vegetarians no worries just let us know what you can and can’t eat.
Everyone gets together in the evening for dinner when we all eat on a large table in the restaurant. Normally a few beers and a few laughs go down, if every one is up for it then we have options also to take the party further to a local club or bar.
Most of our rooms are the same so its easy to decide. Six of them have double bed, bathroom and out door space for chilling in the day or evening, ideal for the solo traveler or a couple the dorm rooms are slightly bigger and can handle max 3 person at a time. Three rooms have AC and are first come first served basis, all the others have a ceiling fan and mosquito net over the beds. All rooms have bed sheets that will be changed every third day as well as clean towels and full room clean.
THE ACTIVITIES
Our surf lessons all get done on the beach in front of our place no loading boards no driving around. We have arranged a sensible time table system with the other schools that now use the area so its never to crowded. Its perfect for learning, no rocks or dangerous currents to worry about. For the more experience surfers the waves further out are super fun, its a beach break so the sand banks can and do change.
Five minutes walk down the beach either way and we have really good reef breaks, one of them being the most well know spot in the south ” The Rock”, certainly for the more more experienced surfers. not a place to do lessons or learn how to surf reefs. It gets busy but its still possible to catch great waves out there.
We are only open for the best season in the south, there are two monsoon seasons on the island and when one side is good the other is not. We start when the monsoon rain and weather patterns have moved over to the East side, we get a little rain in November mostly early on in the month. Its always possible to surf however, never flat and certainly never to cold.
Day starts at 8 when the lessons begin, we start early so we miss the wind, it picks up through out the day. The lesson is for 1 hour with the coach, you are then welcome to surf longer, while being supervised. As our guest house is on the beach you can surf when you want for as long as you want. breakfast is after surf and is served until 10:30.
Second lesson is at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, normally the wind drops around then, after surf a beer on the front wall and watching the sun going down is recommended. Because of our position its possible also to surf as the sun comes up, the more experienced surfer often do this but every one is welcome to give it a go, worth doing once in your life..
Our surf coaches can be from all over the place, they all speak English as well as where ever they are from. We surf every day 2 sessions per day from the day you arrive until you leave. Its a surf camp so you can surf as much as you like. Small groups and loads of fun is the main idea.
Surf board hire work out to be around €40 per week per board, we ask you to sort your own travel insurance incase of accidents. We like to try and video every one at least once and do a video analysis evening once per week.
LOCATION & GETTING HERE
Location
We are in a little village called Wehlingoda our guest house is directly on the beach that you will be surfing on, about 10-second walk from your room and you’re in the ocean, Yeeeah!! No need to load surfboards into a van and drive anywhere, it´s pretty perfect.
If necessary due to wave size or if anyone wants to explore, it’s easy to jump into a Tuk Tuk with your surf board and go for a good old fashioned wave hunt! we have many good spots all with in a 20-minute ride.
Water temp is best described as tropical, it’s the Indian ocean so no wet suit required, warm water. Same goes for the air temperature it’s hot and humid 24/7, lovely …
We are situated pretty close to larger towns, Unawatuna, Weligama, and the furthest away Hikkaduwa about 30 mins drive. These places all have bars and clubs for anyone keen for a part night or two. Our closest village Ahangama is a classic little Sri Lanka village and is equipped with a super market, tailors, betting shops ?!, barbers, pharmacy and some good doctors and medical facilities. It’s possible to walk from out place or a few minutes drive in a Tuk Tuk, last year even opened a night club!
Getting Here
We offer an airport pick up service, it is about a 3-hour drive and costs €85. The cost is for the trip not per person so the more people sharing the cheaper it is for everyone.
Also possible by train and bus a lot cheaper but a lot more hassle, depending on what time you land. Some people who have already been in Sri Lanka traveling get the to us by public transport, defiantly and adventure.
We have a train station and also bus station about 5 mins away. From Colombo airport is a bus ride to the train station then the train stop in Ahangama, we collect you from there.
PRICES & PACKAGES
Rooms
Single room per week €465
Double room per week per person €415
Dorm style room per person €375
Includes:
✔ Breakfast every day
✔ 6 x evening meals from our restaurant
✔ Surf coaching
✔ We like to try to film everyone at least once and do a video analysis in the evening once per week.
✔ We surf every day so you get going From the day you arrive and finish the day you leave.
Does not include:
✔ Surfboard hire is €35 per week per board
✔ We ask you to sort your own travel insurance in case of accidents.
✔ Transfer: We offer an airport pick up service, it is about a 3-hour drive.
The cost is for the trip not per person so the more people sharing the cheaper it is for everyone:
– 1 or 2 pax €85
– 3 pax €100
– 4 + pax €30 each
