Google Earth makes these places look amazing, but could you ever surf them?
“It’s a small world… but I wouldn’t want to paint it…” Steven Wright
Google Earth has been crucial in finding some of the world’s newest waves. Intrepid surf explorers like Kepa Acero, Alex Grey, Chris Burkard, Harrison Roach and Mikhala Jones have used the tool to find perfect, never-ridden-before waves in places such as Angola, Alaska, Indonesia, India and Antarctica.
But, in terms of exploration these finds are, both literally and metaphorically, the tip of the iceberg. Where could the next unknown waves be found? We take to Google Earth to find out.
1) The Chagos Islands
Deep in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Chagos Islands or archipelago lie between Africa and Indonesia, about 500 km due south of The Maldives, directly in the path of the same swell lines that roar through J-Bay, sweep into Indonesia and smash against Western Australia.
In addition to their location is their sheer size. The archipelago consists of seven atoll formations, including the largest atoll structure in the world, the Great Chagos bank with a total area of 13,000 km2. Are we starting to get a picture of the potential of this place as a surf destination?
Unfortunately these islands are the most important military outpost in the Indian Ocean, a British Indian Ocean Territory, leased to the USA and operated as a joint UK-US naval support facility. Still with the waves on offer, a few years in Guantanamo might just be worth it.
2) Ascension Island
Where is it? 7°56’ S, 14°22’ W, which is quite accessible, really. Ascension Island is a 60-square mile lump of geriatric molten volcanic rock right in the middle of nowhere, bang smack in the heart of the South Atlantic Ocean that now serves as a British naval and communications base.
It operates under British rule, has one small treacherous wharf and a reputation as one of the most isolated islands on earth. Crowds, therefore, shouldn’t be a problem.
However from the swell charts, it looks the early months from Jan to March would be the most consistent and there is a variety of reef breaks, points and a harbour that look like they could provide incredible waves.
3) Iran
The coast of Iran is tucked up in the Gulf of Oman. The surrounding coasts of Oman, Yemen and Pakistan had all been surfed, by a mix of Dubai expats, war correspondents, army dudes and surf explorers, and yet Iran had never been touched.
However, they have only explored a smidgen of the available coastline and Google Earth reveals beachbreaks, the odd coral reef and rivermouths that might provide excellent waves with the right swell. Pack the headscarf and 6’0” and desert jewels await.
4) Vava’u
A recent UK TV show hosted by Grand Design’s Kevin McCloud called Escape To The Wild featured a couple and their three children living off the grid on a tiny, remote, island in the Vava’u chain located near Tonga. And I couldn’t help but notice a series of tubing lefts that were breaking just in front of their self-made house as Kevin wanged on about solar power and self-sustainability.
A check on Google Earth sees this island is just one of thousands in a triangle that takes in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. The waves in these areas have been well documented, but the potential of these other islands has in no way been fully explored. There just has to be another Cloudbreak out there somewhere.
And the worst thing? The three boys growing up on the island didn’t even surf. The isolation, lack of education and general weirdness of the parents I can understand, but living there and not surfing is just plain child cruelty.
5) Terra del Fuego
“There has been surfers in the area before,” Basque surf explorer Kepa Acero tells Mpora, “but I was pretty sure no one had been this far south to this wave. From checking Google Earth swell charts and local maps there was the possibility of incredible waves. I had to go.”
Kepa did in fact go, to the very southern tip of South America, documenting his solo travels all the way to the end of the Earth. Once there he discovered a perfect lefthander and the exhilaration of finding a new wave after months and months of planning, travel and setbacks.
Kepa who had discovered waves in Indonesia, Angola and India, believes there are more perfect waves in Terra del Fuego and beyond. “With time, and patience, and Google Earth, uncrowded perfection awaits.”
