The Gentleman’s Guide To Bringing Your Girlfriend On A Surf Trip

The decision to leave a girl in bed for waves is considerably easier in tropical climates.

Surfers are selfish. So naturally surf trips with a significant other complicates things. They can be fun, but when the waves are pumping, you’re forced to choose between your first love and your current one. Ever said after getting barreled is better than sex? 

If you have a girlfriend who surfs at your level, then this article isn’t for you. No, this is for the gentleman who couldn’t bear to surf the soft point with his missus when there’s top to bottom tubes around the corner and for those leaving their other half behind on the beach.

So we talked to Matty Wilko, whose life’s a perpetual surf trip on how to maintain relations with his girlfriend, Anna Jordan.

“If the girl doesn’t like the beach, then it’s probably not going to work out anyway,” says Wilko. Nothing can make or break a relationship like traveling. Plus, pumping waves and romance don’t exactly coexist. She’s going to grow bored if you’re attention is drawn seaward for too long. Leave her behind at the beachside bar with the cool bartender and his charming foreign accent and your paranoia will do the rest…

If you’re going to take her abroad, find a good destination and hope she likes Yoga, reading and cocktails with umbrellas.

“I guess it depends on what your girlfriend is into, but the Maldives is pretty awesome. We recently did a trip there and it was amazing. The waves pumped and the places we stayed at had so much awesome stuff to do. We had some flat days to rest and have cocktails and then some pumping days where I got my fix. No one can not enjoy it there. South Africa or anywhere that when the surf goes bad there’s a lot to do are good. As long as the waves get bad,” laughs Wilko.

Some places are better for the boys. That’s not sexist, it’s true. “Boat trips in Indo would have to be the worst to bring a girlfriend. Or, anywhere that you are non-stop hunting for waves or surfing and staying in shitty places. It might be ok for a few days but after a while, they will lose their mind,” says Wilko.

If you’re gonna bring a girl, you’re better off with comfortable accommodation, nightlife, and activities for the both of you to enjoy. Don’t go based on wave quality alone.

“My girlfriend loves reading so that makes life a bit easier but I think it’s best to let them know when it’s pumping so that they are doing their own thing,” continues Wilko. “Then during the small or windy days, you can make it up to them so that everyone’s happy.”

Also, be a tourist and support the local economy….or something like that. “I love sightseeing and eating nice food so if we are in a place with either then we do that. If not, I surf and she lays out on the beach and reads. After we have a beer and she rubs aloe vera on me,” laughs Matt.

“If the waves are good, I’m going to surf, but when the surf is average, I definitely skip a session or two that I would have normally surfed.”

When it comes down to bringing a chick, “Don’t do it!” is Wilko’s honest advice. “Nah, just make sure she loves the beach and you’ll be sweet.”