Yes, it can be done – on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in Russia’s Far East.
It’s that giant piece of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk
Be advised that a surf trip to Russia will require cold water wax, a thick wetsuit with booties and hood, helicopter, six wheel drive vehicle, and an AK-47 to ward off the occasional bear. On the plus side, you’ll be the only person in the water, a dream come true for those of us who grew up surfing the crowded breaks of SoCal.
I’ve been thinking about this for a few years since it involves two of my favorite topics: Russia and surfing. A while back I did a Google search on surfing in Russia, but didn’t come up with anything substantial. I even traveled all the way to the Caspian, and still, nothing. Surely with all that coastline, though, Russia has to have something surfable?
I recently came across this article from Surfer’s Village detailing a Rip Curl sponsored surf trip to Russia, in which pro surfers Tom Curren and Brian Toth found themselves in an old Soviet Mi-8 scouring the coast of Kamchatka for potential waves:
Curren, 40, who resides in Santa Barbara, California is considered by many to be the sport’s greatest ever performer, was joined by Toth, on this the most recent chapter in Rip Curl’s ‘The Search’ program, an ongoing series of expeditions to remote and uncharted coastal areas across the globe looking for perfect surfing waves. With the aid of helicopters, specialist six-wheel-drive vehicles and the latest wetsuit technology to allow high performance surfing in sea temperatures around 10° C, the expedition surveyed the coastlined surfing at a series of locations.
[...]
Tom Curren commented; “I didn’t actually see where we were going on the map until the day before we came over here and it’s definitely remote and I was really kind of nervous that it was going to be really, really, cold, of course it is pretty cold, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. We saw a volcano when we were camping at the first beach, that was pretty exciting I’ve never seen a volcano erupting before, it’s definitely rewarding to go to a new place that you don’t know anything about, and actually get good surf, even more interesting is to see surfing developed in places like this where there’s potential for a surfing culture to develop”.
Footage from the expedition was, of course, posted on YouTube:
(About one minute into the video)
Still, Russia’s entry on WannaSurf remains sparse. Maybe some local Russian surfers (are there any?) could provide some updates.
Entire photo gallery is here.
I would love to visit Kamchatka…not necessarily for the surfing (although that would be amazing), but I’ve heard it’s the most beautiful part of the country – active volcanoes, a rugged coastline, and lush forests teeming with wildlife. Yeah, Kamchatka’s definitely on my travel “to do” list, with or without the surfboard in tow.
From Tony Sidoti:
Do it!!!!!!!!
Do it, Do it, Do it!
Just take some friends, and lots of ammo.
From Willa:
Oh my god, thank you for this post. Russia’s okay but, I totally dream of surfing in Antarctica.
From Rick Majors:
Thank you! Your site was submitted by RICK EVANS and has been accepted for inclusion on localsurfingnetwork.com. Click here to view your site on LSN.
http://www.localsurfingnetwork.com/travel
Peace and good waves!
~LSN Site Admin
From Mikhail:
Hi, thanks a lot for this info. I am from Russia, west though – St Petersburg.Currently I am in Nor Cal, but I think I will come back home soon. I am so much in surfing, that I am trying to find the places at home where I can surf. Do you have any new update regarding to such places in Russia? From the other side you are welcome with any questions about Russia – I will try to help.
Thanks. Mikhail
From Oleg Connell:
hey my name is Oleg Connell and i live in wilmington, NC, thou i was born in Atka, Siberia, Russia! I lived there till i was about 7 and then i got adopted into USA!! Know i surf and have surfed since i moved here!! im 14 and i am a russian surfer living in Wilmington, NC
From Oleg Connell:
Мое имя Oleg Connell и я живу в Wilmington, Северная Каролина!! Я жил в Сибирь Россия на 7 лет и получал принятым в Америка!! Я выбрал вверх заниматься серфингом как только я получил принятым. Я тренирую ежедневное и знаю я 15 лет времени! Я надеюсь пойти профессиональный один день и возможно пойти назад к моей домашней земле и заниматься серфингом она для the first time!! Мой номер 910-508-3098 если любое хочет достигнуть меня и спросить мне любые вопросы или заинтересован на всех!
From peruanetz b santa cruze:
Hello there
I’m a peruvian dude,living in santa cruz,that plans to go back sometime soon to Russia, yes, that’s right abratno poedu rossiyu
pishite mne poshalusta
From Natalia aka solo:
For those who truly interested in Russian waves check some fresh updates in Russian sector at wannasurf.com –
http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Russia/index.html
Recently, surf journalist and writer Michael Kew, who visited Vladivostok last month together with surf photographer Chris Burkard and pro-surfers Mike Losness, Josh Mulcoy, Warren Smith, Cj Kanuha, Sam Hammer, has written a story about their surf trip in Vladivostok.
Parts 1,2 have already published on surfline.com
Part 1
http://www.surfline.com/travel/reflections-of-searching-for-surf-in-russia-part-1_30691/1/
Part 2
http://www.surfline.com/travel/a-cold-war-against-the-almost-surfless-east-sea_30693/1/
Part 3 coming out soon
From Kamcho:
Hello Rip Curl! Aloha Surfers!
I am from Kamchatka but now i am in Dominican rapablic have a surf!
WERE IS THE WAVES IN KAMCHATKA? WHAT THE NAME OF BEATCHIS? Please say to me
Life Is Better When You Surf
From Natalia aka solo:
Check here bro:
http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Russia/Far_East/Kamchatka_Peninsula/index.html
Although, should say there is quite a little info so far…
From jonathon park:
Any surf in Vladivostok? Jon from Oregon coast.
From Aleksandr Tadei:
How about in the Black Sea or even the Caspian Sea?
From NS:
2 j. park:
http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Russia/Far_East/Primorsky_Krai/index.html
http://www.surfline.com/travel/reflections-of-searching-for-surf-in-russia-part-1_30691/1/
http://www.surfline.com/travel/a-cold-war-against-the-almost-surfless-east-sea_30693/1/
2 a. tadei
http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Russia/Black_Sea/index.html
http://www.crazy-surfclub.ru/Crazy-forum/Guestbook/viewtopic.php?t=17134 (you’ll need to use a google translater to read this one – ‘cos it’s accessible in russian only)
From kite'n'surf:
Aloha, bros! I’m from Vladivostok. There are about 5 + secret spots near the city. And many more undiscovered on all coast of region. We have reports on a forum primsurfer.ru and some HQ vids & pics on redpaddle.ru
I wish to travel on a Guam to get more experience!