Hello…finally gettin’ out of Dodge (Berkeley really), and in two weeks will be landing in Sri Lanka. And yea, the usual questions…where to find a board, decent place to stay…anyone gone that route ?? Thanks
I went to Sri Lanka in 2003, in a relatively peaceful time in that country’s torrid recent history. I surfed on the SW, South and East coasts and was able to find cheap, if crappy boards to hire everywhere. Mind you, that was before a 6-metre wall of water rearranged so much of those coastlines a few years ago, and before the civil war flared up again, particularly in the east.
But having said that, I think Aragum Bay is still operating as a surf Mecca over east, and it’s definitely worth staying for a week or two. Cheap food, cheap accommodation and a long right hand point breaking over coral and sand. When I was there an Aussie expat was running a little surf shop where you could hire boards, but I don’t know if he’s still there, or even still alive after the tsunami. Steve, or Jake, or Peter, or something like that…
Down south, you should check out Mirissa. It’s got a nice little point up the western end of the beach that shapes up nicely in the right conditions. Fresh caught seafood for sale in the beachside restaurants as well.
On the west coast there’s Hikkaduwa, which is the Sri Lankan version of the Gold Coast (or Miami Beach if you’re from the US, as you seem to be). I just went straight through there, cos that kind of travel experience just doesn’t appeal to me at all. But it’s worth checking out if you want a bit of night life I suppose.
Anyway, hope you have fun.