Gallery: Samoa – November 2014
Article provided by Atoll Travel destinations
Sunny days, offshore winds, no crowds and fresh swells in November? Welcome to Samoa…
November is quite often associated with surfers taking a gamble on indo to defeat the mid year crowds while hopefully catching some remaining swell, which consequently results in a "win" or a "loss" scenario. Despite a brand new casino opening recently just minutes from Samoa's international Faleolo airport, finding good waves in Samoa this November was not a red or black decision.
Consistent SouthWest swells showered us with options on the South Coast, while the first solid North swell allowed us to discover hidden gems on the North Coast. Aganoa was easily the most consistent break on the less populated, simple island of Savai'i (think winding roads through the greenest flora, thriving wildlife, open traditional Samoan Fales and incredibly friendly locals), while all other breaks remained consistently untouched. Thats right, no other surfers were encountered anywhere else on Savai'i during November, just our crew at Aganoa Lodge ready to explore.
In particular, a 5-7 feet SouthWest swell that arrived with a swell period of 20 seconds, delivered solid rights and lefts to our doorstep at Aganoa lodge deeming conditions pumping. On either side of this swell there were constant South pulses providing us with fun waves that were tickled with an offshore wind every time a band of rain would pass over us. Amongst all of this, an ocean temp of 28 degrees ensured the mood stayed tropically stoked.
The first decent North swell of the season came towards the end of the month sending Hawaii into a frenzy and letting us know that we had around 3 days until it hit our empty Northern coasts in Samoa. A trip around Savai'i on the first day the swell hit resulted in an endless chase for waves. After viewing all of the Northern breaks as great options, we settled for a wave on the West Coast called Coconut Grove which is reminiscent of a peaky South Stradbroke Island on certain swells, only over reef. With a great start to the North swell season, I guarantee there will be plenty more firing days in Samoa in the coming months.
With choices all around, everybody that stayed with us at Aganoa Lodge Samoa went home surfed out and frothing to come back. Cheers November, see you next year. - Alex Pundyk
Mark Visser on Preparing Kelly Slater For the Pipe Masters
"We really worked a lot on the ability to feel versus think!"
Nick Carroll: A Beautiful Round at Pipe, a 10 for the GOAT
Sean Doherty: Medina & Italo Ride On, Jordy & Filipe Crash Out, While Slater Has His GOAT Moment
Nick Carroll: Grading The World Title Contenders on Day 1 of their Pipeline Showdown
Sean Doherty: Medina Dominant, John John Back and Zeke On a Mission as Pipe Gets Started
Mark Visser on Preparing Kelly Slater For the Pipe Masters
"We really worked a lot on the ability to feel versus think!"
Sean Doherty: Medina & Italo Ride On, Jordy & Filipe Crash Out, While Slater Has His GOAT Moment
Day 2 at the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters
Nick Carroll: Grading The World Title Contenders on Day 1 of their Pipeline Showdown
Day 1 at the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters
Sean Doherty: Medina Dominant, John John Back and Zeke On a Mission as Pipe Gets Started
Day 1 at the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters
Which Will Be Called the Best Single Wave From the Last Decade of Hawaiian Winters?
Watch the contenders here.
An Epic Week of Pipeline Viewing, the First Teaser For Laura's Movie, and Incredible Baiyungu Country Barrels
This Week In Surfing: Ten Things from Surfing & the Internet on the Week That Was December 13, 2019
