SURFING

Lebanon’s surfing community has grown and a few facilities offering instruction have opened up over recent years. Ali Al Amine, owner of Surf Lebanon, says: “When we think of surfing, we tend to picture a tropical island with huge waves, but this is far from accurate. Over the last six years, surfing has gained traction in Lebanon and there are some great surfing spots up and down the coast.”

How to get started

Take a lesson to learn the basics with a center like Surf Lebanon, certified by the ISA (International Surfing Association). It’s important that you practice in different weather conditions in order to understand the way the sea changes and how to read the water.

Ali says: “Get comfortable swimming around currents and waves. Core strength is crucial so burpees and pushups go a long way. A valuable tip I give is that when in doubt, don’t paddle out. If you feel you are not ready to go further out to sea, then don’t – it’s not worth the risk.”

Equipment

Surf centers will provide you with everything you need to hit those waves, but if you prefer to get your own gear you will require a surfboard (of course!), a wetsuit (for surfing in winter), a surf leash (for safety in case you fall off your board), surfing wax (for a better grip on your board), earplugs (to protect you from surfer’s ear), sunscreen and sunglasses (for summer).

Where to go

Batroun, Jiyeh and Byblos are popular destinations for surfers. The stronger winds are found around the northern town of Batroun, making it a good option for wind-related water sports like windsurfing. Towards the south, winds tend to lose strength.

Surf Lebanon, Jiyeh (71 900322) Board’n’surf, Byblos (03 734601/03 283413)