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Find the best surf spots

171 countries 310 Zones 9356 surf spots 5997 GPS waypoints 54588 photos 82093 members 4291 sessions 1842 trips

Select a continent Africa Asia Australia & Pacific Europe Central America Middle East North America South America Select a country

FAQ surf The World - World surf atlas

1. General - Why create this Data-Base?
2. General - Where do you get your information from?
3. General - Why are there different levels of sub-division within the geographical zones?
4. General - How do I find a specific surf spot within the data-base?
5. General - What can I do if I don't know the name, or the exact spelling of the name of a surf spot?
6. General - I can't find the surf spot, why is this? What should I do?
7. General - Can you mail me when new surf spots are added to my local zone?
8. surf spot - How do I add a surf spot to the data-base?
9. surf spot - How do you deal with secret surf spots ?
10. surf spot - Why the interactive form?
11. surf spot - How do I add photos?
12. surf spot - What if I have photos which better illustrate the surf spot than those already posted?
13. surf spot - How can I add comments about the surf spot / zone / country?
14. surf spot - How can I correct or complete a surf spot - extra observation/details?
15. surf spot - How can I correct or complete a surf spot - minor errors?
16. surf spot - How can I correct or complete a surf spot - major errors or completely false?
17. Zone - How can I add a zone or a country?
18. Zone - What are the responsibilities of a regional correspondent?
19. Zone - How can I become a regional or country correspondent?
20. Zone - How can I link my homepage/surf spot to Wannasurf ?
21. Zone - Can I add surf spots in a language other than English?
22. Zone - I want to add a surf spot, but my English is poor?
23. Zone - I have submitted a surf spot, but I can't find it in the data-base?
24. Zone - There is a factual error in the fiche of a surf spot I know well - what can I do?

1. General - Why create this Data-Base?

   This is nothing less than an attempt to provide a comprehensive guide to surf spots around the world. Clearly, many surf spots and indeed whole zones will and should remain un-documented allowing for exploration surf trips. There is a lot of unknown coastline out there!!

   However, if you are planning a surf trip, if you are getting emails/postcards from a friend who is travelling or has moved, if you are reading about surf spots in a surf magazine, or even if you are bored in your office and want to dream a little. then you can come and check out the details of those surf spots, see photos of the line-up and of guys ripping it, see what the local area has to offer and read the comments from that area.

2. General - Where do you get your information from?

   This Data-Base of surf spots from around the world is managed by a couple of friends who started by sending each other weekend 'surf reports' from their rather odd local areas - anything to brighten up a Monday morning in the office. However, now the information is provided by surfers from around the world, surfers who have chosen to give up some of their time to share details of local surf spots. As the data-base grows, so the return on this investment will be obvious: everyone will have access to information about diving, anywhere in the world.(See also our policy on Secret surf spots !)

3. General - Why are there different levels of sub-division within the geographical zones?

   The different degrees of detail are a direct reflection of the diving activity in that area. In some cases, the lowest level of detail is the country level, for example, it would not make sense to sub-divide Angola, which has fewer than ten known surf sites (although the potential is enormous). In other cases, the level of activity is such that we require sveeral levels of sub-division, for example: The USA.

4. General - How do I find a specific surf spot within the data-base?

   The site has been set-up in a (hopefully) logical sense of Continent > Country > Zone > Sub-Zone > surf spot. There are therefore two ways:

   • the best way is to click-and-go through the graphical map pages - this will provide a comprehensive view of those countries which are represented, and which are not! So long as you know where you are going - you should get there (Sorry, this is beginning to sound like a 'Self-Help' book!)
   • Alternatively, use the lists (especially if your browser cannot handle the graphics) via the pull-down menus.

5. General - What can I do if I don't know the name, or the exact spelling of the name of a surf spot?

   Three choices, either:

   • Navigate via the maps to get to the correct Zone, and then check the list of surf spots. If you can't find it maybe it doesn't exist in our Data-Base yet.
   • Check the spelling and then alternate spellings
   • Post a message in case anyone else can help you identify the surf spot from your description.

6. General - I can't find the surf spot, why is this? What should I do?

   Many possible answers:

   • Are you sure that you are navigating to the correct Country and Zone? - Check out the LISTED Description of our Zones in case our definition of the Zone does not correspond to your idea of what the Zone should be!!
   • The surf spot doesn't exist in our data-base yet. Add the surf spot yourself! (see below)
   • Post a comment on the Regional Forum page asking for help in tracking down your lost surf spot.

7. General - Can you mail me when new surf spots are added to my local zone?

   For the moment this is not operational. However, we will be establishing free mailing lists which you will be able to subscribe and un-subscribe to, automatically from the Zone Home Page. Once, again we state our aversion to SPAM, and guarantee that these lists will NOT be used for any kind of SPAMMING.

8. surf spot - How do I add a surf spot to the data-base?

   Hopefully this will be obvious, use the Add a surf spot link from any page and then simply fill in the form. Please take great care with the accuracy of your information. If you are in doubt read through the HELP pages which have been prepared to guide you through the choices. The data-sheets will be validated by local correspondents whenever possible. For the access section provide a detailed description, or better still send us an illustration, either done on a PC, or as a scan of a hand drawn map. Attached photos should illustrate as best as possible the surf spot - see below ("How do I add photos")

9. surf spot - How do you deal with Secret surf spots ?

   Obviously, "secret sites" is going to be a difficult subject! Our policy is clear on this: Secret surf spots are only secret when they are genuinely secret that is known to you and a handful of mates. If the surf spot exists in surf magazines, in surf guides or is widely known, then be adult about it: this is no longer a secret.

   Equally, consider the fact that one day or another you will want to leave, your local beach and go and explore the world's surf spots. If you have ever heard of, or seen photos of, mythical waves in Chile, Indonesia, Namibia or Sweden, don't forget that it is because someone has taken the time to share the information with you. We are the first to deplore overcrowded surf spots, but think that a detailed data-base could help to alleviate the problem by allowing people to be more adventurous in their choice of surf spots.

   If you or our Regional Correspondents pick up a surf spot, which is locally accepted as being genuinely Secret, then contact us and we will check up and if necessary remove the surf spot from the web-site.

10. surf spot - Why the interactive form?

    The interactive form is the first step in producing a fully automated site posting facility. The format is designed to cover a wide range of possibilities. However, even The Management recognise that we are not perfect beings - so if you want to suggest improvements please contact us

11. surf spot - How do I add photos?

    Two possibilities exist:

    • If you are adding a new surf spot, then you can attach (as you would to an email) up to three photographs of the surf spot. It is important to note that these photos should illustrate as best as possible the surf spot. This is not the place to put close-ups of you and your mates onto a boat. The place for these is.see below.
    • Associated with each surf spot are photo-galleries: you can add any photos you wish, but please be sure to send either .gif, .png or .jpg format, and keep the size down (<200kb). These photos are stored on a server and we pay for the storage space. Note that the photos will be displayed in the gallery as thumbnails, and full size versions will be linked to the thumbnails. To avoid any abuse of the Photo-Gallery service, photos will NOT be posted automatically, but will be sent to, and subsequently posted by, the Webmaster.

12. surf spot - What if I have photos which better illustrate the surf spot than those already posted?

    Send them to us via the "add photos" button on the page of the surf spot, explaining why they are better (viewpoint, better quality etc) We will be pleased to post them. Please see below our policy on photo ownership and copyright, below.

    If you are a professional or semi-professional photographer, then feel free to add your name and contact info discretely to the photo (text section), or directly on the photograph. However, once photos (from any source) are posted to Wannasurf.com the digital format copies of the photographs become the property of Wannasurf and we reserve the right to use and publish these photos in any form whatsoever, without prior consent of the photographer. Equally, Wannasurf explicitly excludes any possibility of payment or remuneration for said photographs. However, we will be happy to offer free links to your personal web-sites - you help us, we help you.

13. surf spot - How can I add comments about the surf spot / zone / country?

    Diving, like most things in life is not objective. surfers are not objective. So if you want to add your comments about a diev site, a zone or a country - use the message box associated with any of these levels. NOTE, however, that these are distinct from the FORUM (in which questions and answers are developed for helping other surfers, which includes a TRAVEL section). The messages associated with the data-base are designed for adding personal comments about the specific data within the data-base. For example, recent changes to the surf spot, shark sightings, someone built an hotel on the "unspoilt beach" whatever)

14. surf spot - How can I correct or complete a surf spot - extra observation/details?

    If you want to add your two-cents worth of information in the Data-Sheet of a surf spot you know, then add your comments to the page using the "Add Comments" section. These comments will be added to the page and be available to anyone who uses the "Read Comments" section.

    PLEASE NOTE: this is not a discussion forum (surfers Forums exist, but are housed on a 'Regional' Level), so do not enter into arguments or discussions. Leave factual information which will help fellow surfers. Equally, this is not a place to bitch about any individual or groups. The comments will be monitored and maintained only if considered useful.

15. surf spot - How can I correct or complete a surf spot - minor errors?

    If you find minor errors in the Data-Sheet of a surf spot you know, then add your comments to the page using the "Add Comments" section (see above). Equally, you may wish to address corrections to us.

    Suggestions will be validated by local correspondents and incorporated or not depending on their worth.

16. surf spot - How can I correct or complete a site - major errors or completely false?

    If you find major errors in the Data-Sheet of a surf spot you know or see a Data-Sheet for a surf spot which doesn't exist, then contact us directly. Your information will be validated by local correspondent(s) and modifications or deleting of the Data-Sheet will result.

17. Zone - How can I add a zone or a country?

    If you find that our Data-Base does not cover an area, or that you feel that a zone should be sub-divided, let us know. However, once the site has been fully functioning for some time, this should no longer be a problem. We have done a considerable amount of research to try and provide a global sub-division of divind zones. However, we are not experts and recognise that modifications may be necessary.

18. Zone - What are the responsibilities of a regional correspondent?

    In the first phase of this project we will be looking for two main functions:

    • To regularly add surf spots to their zone, or to encourage friends and friends-of-friends to do so. Thereby giving some momentum to the project.
    • To maintain a critical eye on all of the surf spots submitted for the zone that they are responsible for, indicating any errors or false data.

    In a second phase of this project we will build an Administration Panel, from which trusted regional correspondents will have direct access to the files and from their zone.

19. Zone - How can I become a regional or country correspondent?

    Sell yourself! Contact us and tell us which zone you wish to cover, and why you are a good candidate for the post! The anonymity of regional correspondents is a matter of personal choice. In some areas it will probably be best to remain unknown, at least until surfers realise that this site is not designed at revealing their "secret surf spots", but at bring a comprehensive Data-Base of KNOWN surf spots to as many surfers as possible. (see also our policy on Secret surf spots).

20. Zone - How can I link my homepage/surf spot to Wannasurf?

    As we are trying to create a real surf community, we are happy to add your homepage or surf spot as a link. This will done at the country or zone level. However, we will only create links if you have contributed to Wannasurf by adding data. Equally, we will require your email so we can adequately maintain the site.

21. Zone - Can I add surf spots in a language other than English?

    No ! to keep Wannasurf as accessible as possible, for the greatest number of people, we will only use contributions in English. If you not confident in English, don't panic, send in your text anyway!

22. Zone - I want to add a surf spot and/or message, but my English is poor?

    Send it in anyway - we want to hear from you !! If you have important information about a surf spot data-sheet, or about a question/answer - send us your text in both English and one of the following: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and we will try to improve the English version. If we get too many messages, this will not be possible as we have limited time and resources. Contact Contact us

23. Zone - I have submitted a surf spot, but I can't find it in the data-base?

    At present, the contribution of surf spots is not fully automatic; the completion of a data-sheet with access and photos requires some work by The Management. This inevitably creates some delay between the submission of a data-sheet, and the posting of it to the data-base. If this delay is long (more than one week) contact The Webmaster

24. Zone - There is a factual error in the fiche of a surf spot I know well - what can I do?

    Decide whether the error is a subjective, opinion based observation, or a factual error. If it is subjective add a comment in the message box on the surf spot data-sheet. If there is a factual error, send us your observations. We will try to validate these via our network of local correspondents and make changes accordingly.

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