Home >> About Typhoon Surf Tours
About Typhoon Surf Tours
My name is Andrew, I'm a Kiwi, and I created Typhoon Surf Tours to share two of my passions with others - taking people to inspirational places off the beaten track, and helping others to improve their surfing.
Typhoon Surf Tours is a New Zealand company and I am based in New Zealand except when leading tours in Japan.
The idea of starting Typhoon Surf Tours crystallised while I was living in Miyazaki, Japan teaching English. During those 2 years I had so many good surfs I can’t remember them all, and on land I had just as many rewarding experiences. I’ve traveled to a lot of places around the world surfing but there is something truly magical about surfing in Japan.
Tracking an approaching swell, planning a mission, jumping in the car and scoring good waves amongst natural surroundings is what I have always done. Somewhere along the way I discovered I got a lot of satisfaction from being the guide and providing great experiences for others. I like playing the host and letting everyone else go into holiday mode!
I believe Japan is the perfect place to do this.
Experience
I am an experienced surf instructor, I trained and worked in Australia and also spent a season managing a surf school in Panama. Nothing makes me happier than to see someone take their surfing to the next level. That moment the satisfaction shows on their face! Obviously, I can’t guarantee that you will get perfect waves all the time – that’s the ocean's call – but I can guarantee it will be an adventure you won’t forget.
The Intermediate Surfing Course we offer is quite different from other surf schools. It takes a holistic approach to improving your surfing, we don’t just focus on analysing your technique. I believe that helps, but it is most beneficial to take an overall look at a surfers skills first. Where are they at mentally? Are they trying too hard? Are they strong enough? Are they flexible enough? Can they read waves properly?
Once that has been done then a plan can be made for improvement. That plan might invlolve simple cue-words related to a particular move, or it might involve regular yoga, strength exercises, or a shift in your mindset.
The Tours
Japan can be a hard place to visit as an outsider with no Japanese language skills. You would probably be OK on your own but there would be many frustrations and missed opportunities. On these tours you will benefit from my knowledge of the area - that means better waves, better food, more insight into the culture and a deeper overall experience.
Each year, there will only be a few tours, we want to keep the experience authentic and ensure the tours provide a positive experience for travelers and the local people.
Dates and Prices
Although there are limited dates available for our tours and courses, we are flexible. If you are interested but the timing isn’t quite right, please email us. We can offer custom tours for group bookings.
The tours have been designed to be as comfortable and affordable as possible, with a good standard of accommodation and food. If you are booking as a group we can possibly offer discounts, depending on the exchange rate at the time. Feel free to ask.
Cheers,
Andrew
Founder and Tour Guide
view the details of our Japan Surf Tour with Guide
view the details of our Intermediate Surfing Course
enquire about a tour
book a tour