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Surfing in Fiji

Surfing - Next to diving, surfing is the up-and-coming recreational sport in Fiji. Fiji is considered by experts to be one of the world's prime, newly discovered surfing spots - a fact which has been greatly publicised in the surfer magazines. In particular, there is fine surfing near the exclusive island resort of Tavarua which is south of the Mamanuca Islands off Viti Levu's western side. However, in the past few years budget surf camps have appeared in Fiji, and there is plenty of room for more.

According to the Surf Report , a first-rate newsletter which calls itself a 'monthly summary and forecast of worldwide surfing conditions', there are at least 19 documented surfing areas in the Fiji Islands. Of those, only one area (near Club Masa) is a beach break. A few others may be relatively close to shore, but most entail use of a boat for getting in and out of the surf. The biggest hazard, according to the newsletter, is infection from coral cuts. It's a given that since nearly all of the good surfing in Fiji is in and around reefs, dealing with coral is an issue. Other potential problems are boating accidents as well as treacherous currents, sharks and sea snakes.

Geographically, the breakdown of surfing spots goes like this: four are in the area near fabled Tavarua Island; six are off the Coral Coast area, near Club Masa or in a 30-km vicinity; five are near the capital of Suva; one is near Beqa; one is off Kadavu; one is off Kabara in the Lau Group and one is near Kia Island in the far north of Vanua Levu, near Labasa. Practically speaking, most surfers would stick around Viti Levu where most of the 'proven' sites exist rather than going further afield.

Though Tavarua is considered the primo spot, good waves are not limited to this area. The Coral Coast also has excellent surfing according to Andrew Wade, manager at Hideaway Resort (tel 500 177), who is also an avid surfer. Most people agree that there are probably numerous as yet undiscovered sites on Fiji where surfing is also first class.

One of the newest surf developments is Club Masa (PO Box 10, Sigatoka), situated at the mouth of the Sigatoka River and in the shadows of the famous Kulakula Sand Dunes. Club Masa is a funky, low-end, homestead-like scene that specialises in catering to surfers; it's the only place in Fiji with a beach break. Windsurfing is also excellent here.

Surftrek Reef Surfing Fiji (tel 790 435) formerly known as Trekkers Reef Resort, is the other new establishment devoted to hard-core surfers. Other than Tavarua, it is the only surf camp dedicated to the breaks at Namotu and Wilkes reefs. It's on a 4.8 hectare property adjacent to Momi Bay, beneath the Momi Guns emplacement amid rolling hills and cane fields, 28 km south of Nadi. This is not a lavish affair but is a notch or two up on the comfort scale when compared to the other surf camp, Club Masa.

Those staying at Seashell Cove are also near some excellent surfing and snorkelling (tel 790 100/393 for information about surf trips). Day trips are available to the reef.

Finally, there is Yanuca Island, near Beqa - a lush, sparsely inhabited jewel a half-hour's boat ride from Pacific Harbour. The surf camp is operated by a small local company called Frigates Surf Riders in conjunction with Rosie Travel Service (tel 722 755), a well-established local tour company. Day trips are available, but most visitors opt for four-day packages. The surf spot is about a half-hour's boat ride from Yanuca to an area called Frigates Passage, which is on the south-western edge of Beqa Lagoon. The wave is a left-hander, and with the south-east trade wind blowing offshore, is a very consistent break.

The Surf Report recommends taking two boards - a short board about six feet in length and a longer one, six feet eight inches to seven feet two inches as a back-up for larger surf. They say a wetsuit is not necessary though suggest a vest or nylon jersey to keep off the sun. Naturally you would want to bring some heavy-duty sun block and mosquito coils. For more detailed information from this excellent publication, back issues on the Fiji edition (Vol 7 No 12) are available for US$5 or US$5.50 for overseas orders. Write to the Surf Report, PO Box 1028, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA (tel 714 496 5922).

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