From packing racquets, radical surf sabbaticals and a neutral La Niña, there are a load of positive trends that could help make your next surf trip even more epic.
The Radical Sabbatical
A new trend forsees more and more workplaces increasingly offering extended sabbaticals and workations as perks in contracts or as a way to keep, refreshed, valued employees.
Many a mid-life crisis may be averted by a classic South American surf road trip or stint in Costa Rica. And if six months of splitting your time between Bali, G-Land, and The Mentawais won’t see you back at work fit and firing, maybe it is time to get that hair transplant and buy that Harley Davidson.
Racketeering Is A Thing
Are you reluctant to leave your paddle or pickleball addiction at home on your surfing trip?
Fear not, for in a trend coined by Globetrender as “Racketeering” many luxury resorts are increasingly incorporating state-of-the-art courts and facilities for the racket sports taking over the world. After a day of waves, many accommodation options in 2025 will feature clinics, tournaments and coaching sessions.
F**k-it Lists
Bucket lists are so 2024.
F**k-it Lists are all about the here and now. Forget those big-ticket items you want to do before you die, the focus has shifted to spontaneous, short-term experiences that you can do right now. It also embraces JOMO (the joy of missing out, rather than the fear of) and means you can stick to those tried and tested surf spots you know and love, without thinking you need to bungee jump off a 200-foot cliff after having tried tow surfing at Tavarua.
Sustainable Travel Goes Mainstream
Sustainable travel is no longer a trend.
It will be more and more possible to be engaged in responsible travel without compromising comfort or wave quality. The travel industry is also increasingly moving towards regenerative travel, which is not just about minimizing negative impacts but also about where sustainability can improve the whole surf trip. We have made this commitment to sustainable travel one of our key initiatives. We proudly partner with SeaTrees (@seatrees) to support their mission of restoring our ocean and helping reverse the impacts of climate change. Each trip you book with WaterWays Travel, a donation is made to help our planet!
La Niña Light
Over the last six months, El Niño conditions deteriorated, and a La Niña light pattern developed, all of which is forecasted to be relatively weak and short-lived.
It’s what’s called a Neutral (ENSO), defined by normal sea surface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific. It’s a little dull, but we can expect normal or near-average weather and swell/surf. Tropical formation is more favored in the Western Pacific and Atlantic, while somewhat suppressed in the Eastern Pacific. Not enough to base a surf trip on, but in this mad chaotic world, knowing things will be relatively stable is no bad thing.
Destination Dupes
Swap out Rote for G-Land, or try a boat trip through PNG rather than the Mentawais.
These are examples of the new travel trend titled “Destination Dupes” by travel tech company Expedia. More and more travelers are avoiding popular but costly and crowded destinations, in favor of lesser-known, more budget-friendly options. Dupes can be closer to home, off the beaten track, or just a friendlier, less crowded version of some well-known staples. The choice is yours. Check out PNG Explorer or contact our team for some suggestions.
Go Han Solo
A recent study by Infinity Business Insights found that the solo travel market is expected to have an annual growth rate of 9.1% between 2023 and 2030.
You’d take that compound interest on a portfolio. This means that as surfers take more independent trips, the travel industry is far better equipped to deal with their needs. More tours are designed to foster friendships, there are hostels with private rooms and workplaces while single supplements are on the decline. It’s about time solo surfers, who always paddle out alone, got the rewards for never being part of a rent-a-crowd.