Draft:Surfing in Trinidad and Tobago

Surfing in Trinidad and Tobago [1]^[2] finds that the islands' surf conditions are primarily influenced by windswell and groundswells originating from the northeast.^[3] While not widely recognized as a major global surfing destination, Trinidad and Tobago offer notable surf spots, particularly along Trinidad's north and northeast coasts and Tobago's southwest coast.^[4][5] The peak surfing season typically extends from December to April.^[6][3]

Modern surfing commenced in the late 1960s, introduced by international visitors, predominantly from the United States and Europe.^[1] This initial exposure inspired local youths in both Trinidad and Tobago to adopt the sport, leading to a steady increase in its popularity from the 1970s onwards.^[5]

Early local surfers, including Michael Baker, Trevor Paience, and David Achong, were among the first to engage with the sport on the islands, driven by the inspiration of these international visitors.^[7] This organic, grassroots development highlights a deep-seated local passion for surfing, which contributes to the resilience and dedication observed within the contemporary surf community, even in the absence of widespread international recognition.^[8] The surfing culture is thus intrinsically linked to the local communities rather than being solely a tourist-driven phenomenon.^[5]

The formalization of surfing in Trinidad and Tobago is evident through its competitive history.^[7] Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, Mount Irvine Bay consistently hosted various surfing competitions that attracted both local and international participants.^[9] A notable event was the "Tobago Pro" in 2016, which saw local surfer Andre Stewart claim victory, with Adrian De Silva securing second place.^[10] The consistent organization of these events over several decades signifies a maturation of the surf scene beyond casual recreation.^[7] The success of local athletes in these competitions demonstrates that the grassroots development fostered talent capable of competitive achievement.^[11] This historical competitive activity provides a foundation for the current generation of Trinidad and Tobago surfers to aspire to higher levels, potentially influencing national sports policy and further solidifying the sport's development.^[5]

Trinidad and Tobago offer diverse surfing locations, each with distinct characteristics.

Trinidad: The primary surfing areas in Trinidad are situated along its north and northeast coasts.^[12] Key spots include:

• Balandra Bay:^[13][14]
• Damien's Bay^[6]
• Salybia^[6][3][14]
• Sans Souci^[6][3][14]
• Toco^[6][3][14]
• Las Cuevas^[3][15][14]
• Blanchisseuse^[3][15]
• Grande Riviere^[3][15]

Tobago: Surfing is prominent on Tobago's southwest coast.^[3] Notable locations include:

• Mount Irvine^[16][5]
• Pigeon Point^[6]
• Crown Point^[15]
• Sunset^[6]
• Airports^[6][15]
• Crazy's^[15][16][17]

Waves in Trinidad and Tobago can reach heights of up to 15 feet.^[12] The optimal surfing season spans from December to April.^[6][3] During this period, the islands experience northeast trade winds that generate windswell typically ranging from 4 to 8 feet, complemented by long-period north-northeast groundswells that produce waves generally between 4 and 6 feet.^[3] Specifically for Mount Irvine, the best conditions are observed when a Northeast swell combines with a Southeast offshore wind. May is noted as the most consistent month for clean, surfable waves at Mount Irvine, with rideable conditions present 94% of the time.^[18]

The explicit identification of specific coasts (north and northeast Trinidad, southwest Tobago) and a defined "best season" highlights that surfing in Trinidad and Tobago is highly dependent on particular geographical features and seasonal meteorological patterns.^[3] This specificity, exemplified by the detailed optimal conditions for Mount Irvine, indicates that the surfing experience is not uniform across the islands or year-round.^[18] The comparison of Balandra to "Soup Bowls" in Barbados suggests that while Trinidad and Tobago's waves may not be globally renowned, they can offer high-quality surfing experiences comparable to well-known regional breaks.^[13]

Trinidad and Tobago has produced a number of notable surfers who have achieved competitive success and contributed to the sport's development.

• Chris Dennis: A national champion and former World Qualifying Series (WQS) competitive surfer, Dennis achieved a global ranking of 144th.^[19] He is an ISA certified surf instructor and has received significant accolades, including the Angostura Champion award in 2018 and the Surfer of the Year title in 2019 from the Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT).^[20] In 2021, he was honored with the Aloha Award for his community work.^[21] Dennis co-founded the non-profit organization Waves for Hope, dedicating himself to surf therapy programs for at-risk youth.^[19][20][22] His personal journey into surfing is distinctive; he self-educated about the sport by reading encyclopedias and crafted his first surfboard from a tree splinter after a storm.^[19]
• Jude Gomez: Beginning his surfing journey at the age of four in Tobago, Jude Gomez represented Trinidad and Tobago alongside Aiden Albada at the IOC-sponsored Central American Caribbean Sea and Beach Games in Santa Marta, Colombia, in 2022.^[12] He was among the youngest competitors at the event, facing seasoned professionals, an experience he described as a "real eye opener".^[6]
• Aiden Albada: Starting surfing at age four, Aiden Albada achieved the No. 1 ranking for the season in the Western Surfing Association (WSA) and National Scholastic Surfing Association's (NSSA) Gold Coast Division (16-and-under category) by age fourteen.^[12] Albada won both the Open and Juniors (Under 18) divisions at the 2025 Sans Souci National Surfing Competition, earning the title of national surfing champion.^[23]
• Alec Mendes: Mendes began surfing at a very young age in Trinidad, initially mentored by his father, Ryan, and later by Chris Dennis and Alan Davis.^[6] He was selected for the National Team to compete at the ISA World Junior Championship.^[12]
• Ludmilla Günther: Günther started surfing at seven years old.^[6] In 2022, she was selected for the German National Junior Team and represented Germany at the ISA World Junior Championship in El Salvador and the ESF European Junior Championships in Portugal.^[6] She holds multiple National Champion titles in Trinidad and Tobago (U12 Mixed 2018, U14 Girls 2019) and secured 1st place at the Tobago Pro 2019 (Female).^[6] She also possesses six National Swimming Titles.^[6]
• Esther Hares: Hares began surfing at four and a half years old.^[6] In 2022, she received an ISA Global Youth Ambassador Scholarship Award and was selected for the inaugural ISA and Olympic Solidarity Continental Youth Athlete Development Program in El Salvador.^[12] Her achievements include winning the U12 Nationals in 2017 and the First Citizens Sports Award (Youth Female Surf Athlete 2020), and she was ranked 1st in Girls U18 and U16 in 2020.^[6]
• Josh Galt: Galt was crowned junior champion and reached the final of the Men's Open at the National Surfing Championships.^[24]
• Kathy Ann Smith: Smith is recognized as a long-standing women's champion in Trinidad and Tobago surfing.^[24]
• Che Lovelace: Lovelace is the Masters and Longboard champion and currently served as the President of the Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT).^[25][26]

The achievements of young surfers like Jude Gomez, Aiden Albada, Ludmilla Günther, and Esther Hares in international competitions signify a rising competitive profile for Trinidad and Tobago surfers on the global stage.^[6] This demonstrates that Trinidad and Tobago is not merely a location for recreational surfing but a place actively developing and producing competitive surfing talent.^[6] The success of these young athletes has the potential to inspire further participation and investment in youth development programs, thereby strengthening Trinidad and Tobago's position within the regional and international competitive surf scene.^[6]

The Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) serves as the official affiliate for surfing within the twin-island nation.^[26] The Association's main office is located in Port of Spain, Trinidad.^[26] SATT plays a pivotal role in the organization of national competitions and the broader promotion and development of surfing across the islands.^[24][25]

The Waves for Hope program, a non-profit organization, was co-founded in 2019 by professional surfer Chris Dennis and Manuela Giger.^[21] This initiative is dedicated to establishing surf therapy programs for at-risk youth residing in underserved communities.^[19][20][22] The program utilizes surfing as a means to guide young individuals away from crime, abuse, and challenging home environments.^[21][27]

The National Surfing Championships are a regular fixture in Trinidad and Tobago's surfing calendar. The 2025 edition was held June 21-22, 2025, at Beach Break, Sans Souci, Toco and featured multiple divisions and brought together top surfers from Trinidad and Tobago to compete.^[23] The Surfing Development Programme has been instrumental in encouraging strong participation from young surfers in these national events, contributing to the growth of local talent.^[24]

The Carib Pilsner International Surf Festival was an international surfing competition held at "Beach Break" in Sans Souci, Toco. In its second year, the event became the first international surf competition outside the United States to be included in the Western Atlantic Pro Surf Series.^[25] The festival featured a prize purse of USD$10,000 and drew competitors from multiple countries, including Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica. Notable past participants include Venezuelan champions Rafael Pereira and Francisco Bellorin, as well as local surfers Che Lovelace and Christopher Dennis.^[28]

Although Trinidad and Tobago are not widely known as a global surf destination, the islands are recognized within the Caribbean surf scene.^[3] Recent initiatives, such as guided surf trips launched by the surf travel company Thermal in partnership with Chris Dennis, aim to provide visitors with a unique experience that combines surfing with an immersion in local culture and community engagement through the Waves for Hope program.^[19] This approach targets a specific niche of travelers seeking authentic experiences and a connection with the local environment and community.^[19]

Academic research highlights the broader socio-economic contributions of surfing in Trinidad and Tobago.^[29][22] There is a profound 'place attachment' among surfers and a deep integration of surfing into the local social fabric, fostering a distinct subculture.^[30] The sport provides a constructive outlet for youth and contributes to the formation of positive social networks, connecting multiple generations.^[29][22] This finding elevates surfing's economic significance beyond direct tourism revenue, as it potentially attracts new residents who contribute to local economies through housing, services, and local businesses, such as surfboard repair.^[6]

• Tourism in Trinidad and Tobago