5 Surf Babes on Where to Find the Best Waves This Winter Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Andreea Diaconu / @andreeadiddy1/5Andreea Diaconu
To gauge the Bucharest-born model’s mind-set these days, just ask her where she currently lives: “Between Soho, Rockaway, and a 777.” After all, when she’s not juggling castings and shoots in Manhattan or circling the globe on a plane during fashion month, she just might be paddling out at the popular Queens beach, which is the closest thing New Yorkers can get to a surfers’ hangout.
Where to surf now: Troncones, Mexico
“Troncones and Santa Teresa [Beach in Costa Rica] are probably my favorite; there are consistent waves at both, but Troncones has more options, as well as slightly better landscapes—and it’s not as crowded . . . yet. La Boca is a nice, mellow reef with a channel paddle, while Saladita is a harder paddle out but breaks beautifully both ways. When you’re feeling adventurous, there are bigger breaks if you rent a boat. The best food was at La Tortuga, where you get to release turtles into the ocean every Monday. La Mexicana has a funny staff and mezcal margaritas—and friendly chickens, turkeys, and pups running around!”
Photo: Courtesy of Quincy Davis / @quincydavis2/5Quincy Davis
Growing up in Montauk—Long Island, New York’s low-key surf town—Davis took to the board early: At age 13, she signed on as part of Volcom’s surf team, and in 2013 she collaborated with the brand on a collection of beachwear. This year’s slate of competitions kicks off with the Manly Australian Open in February; she is also putting the finishing touches on her first custom-designed short-board fin launching this summer, in collaboration with the California-based surf-gear company Captain Fin.
Where to surf now: Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands
“It’s so incredibly beautiful. The water is as blue and clear as you can imagine. I have gone with my family since I was very young, and I love that it isn’t too far away from New York: a three-hour flight, followed by a very short island-hopper flight. As far as waves go, wintertime gets much more swell—lots of fun, rippable right point breaks! The locals are awesome, too, so genuine and kind. I stayed on a catamaran one time, and that definitely was the way to go: woke up in a new spot every morning, which was amazing! But there are also some cute bed-and-breakfast–type places; one is called Sebastian’s, right on Little Apple Bay.
Photo: Courtesy of Amanda Chinchelli3/5Amanda Chinchelli
With a childhood divided between Brazil and Florence, Italy, Chinchelli has called many places home—one of which is the water, where she stoked her love of surfing. Her fittingly named swimwear line, Seea, nods to vintage cuts (high-waisted briefs) and modern obsessions (surf leggings). Now based in San Clemente, California (“Fortunately, I can surf all year long,” she says), she’s off to Kauai next month to shoot an upcoming collaboration with Anthropologie—and hopefully hit the beach. “There is nothing better than surfing in tropical, warm water and only wearing a swimsuit and sarong all day,” she says.
Where to surf now: Panama
“My favorite winter escape. It’s a relatively short flight to Panama City, where it’s great to stay for one night to walk around the beautiful Casco Viejo, and then fly the next day to the islands of Bocas del Toro along the Caribbean coast. I stay at the Red Frog Bungalows, which is a beachfront, carbon-neutral resort in the middle of a stunning jungle, reachable only by boat. Scott, the owner, is committed to finding the best uncrowded waves, and I have to say we scored every time. After or in between sessions, you can enjoy tacos and margaritas in the beach shack two steps from the bungalows. The surrounding nature is incredible, and there are waves for all levels and taste—but I suggest bringing a short or mid-length board because a board longer than 7 feet won’t fit in some of the tiny airplanes. (We had to leave our log in Panama City!) It’s a great place to go in the winter, as the most consistent surf is from November through March.”
Photo: Courtesy of Kelia Moniz / @keliamoniz4/5Kelia Moniz
Hailing from Oahu, Hawaii, Moniz had a built-in surfing crew growing up, with four brothers and a former pro-surfer father. Now based in southern California, the model and two-time world longboard champion tours the globe—Bali, Tahiti, Mexico, France, and beyond—as part of the Roxy surf team. Her first collaboration of women’s tees debuts with Roxy Japan this summer. “It’s a small range inspired by a place that has my heart and is my home: Hawaii,” she explains.
Where to surf now: Oahu, Hawaii
“Because I am from this island, you might think this is a very biased answer, but hopefully my reason backs it up. During the winter season, the quality of waves, water, and weather is like no other. You get at least two full rainbows a day with ultra-sunshine, the most crystal-blue water that looks almost fake, and the whitest fluffy sand. Makes you want to sleep in it all day! Not to mention, there is a huge variety of quality ethnic-food trucks along the entire coast.”
Photo: Courtesy of Cynthia Rowley5/5Cynthia Rowley
The New York fashion designer isn’t shy about her passion for surfing: She has been designing covetable, frame-flattering wet suits for the past several years, first in collaboration with Roxy and more recently under her own name. Next month, she is set to open a concept shop in Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center, where the emphasis is on fitness—by land and by sea—with soft-top kook boards and her new surf collection, along with ready-to-wear, in stock. She is also musing on future escapes: “I’m hoping to get to Cuba and find some nice lines,” she says.
Where to surf now: Hawaii
“My favorite spot is always the most recent. I just got back from Hawaii. I loved Diamond Head in Honolulu, but every wave was a party wave—it got a little crowded. We snuck away to Kauai, where sometimes the waves got a little too gnarly for my skill set, but it was always fun to paddle out. The water was beautiful and filled with giant sea turtles. The island is rooted in a hippie culture, so creative and cool people are everywhere (‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ was written there). Just the most beautiful backdrop I’ve ever seen: from the hills of the Na Pali Coast.”
