Could The Worst Place On The Entire Planet Be The World’s Next Great Surfing Destination? Great Leader Thinks So

Shannon Aston

The undisputed title of ‘Worst Country (or Place) on Planet Earth’ is held by North Korea, a country where the ruling dictator has been rumored to have executed his own uncle by stripping him down naked and sicking a pack of hungry dogs on him. ‘Great Leader’ Kim Jong-Un has also carried out executions by having individuals shot by the same guns that are used to bring down aircraft. I know I don’t need to explain to you bros how inhospitable of a place North Korea is for citizens and tourists alike, but I figured I’d at least set the scene a little bit on the country that some believe might be the world’s next great (and exotic) surfing destination. Beginning this past Sunday the Good Korea began offering an 8-day surfing safari all across North Korea.

Shannon Aston

If you’ve followed my surfing-related content here on BroBible for a while you’d actually know that N. Korea is home to some spectacular waves, and this isn’t just a gimmick. A while back I covered surfing photographer Shannon Aston’s ‘38th Parallel Beach‘ collection of photographs, taken at North Korea’s 38th Parallel aka the ‘Military Demarcation Line’. As you can see from the pictures taken by Shannon Aston there are some truly epic waves to be ridden in North Korea if surfers are willing to risk the batsh*t craziness that comes along with traveling inside the North Korean border.

Shannon Aston

As I mentioned above the tours began just this past Sunday, and they’re being offered by URI Tours. Here’s a look at the itinerary you can expect if you’re willing to shell out the $2,750 (single) or $2,250 (double) for the 8-day surfing safari across the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK):

We are serving up a totally new surf destination for all you surf fans: NORTH KOREA! We’ve assembled an expert team of surfers to track and analyze the weather patterns for over a year and we’re happy to report that the pristine beaches and rocky outcrops of the Hamhung and Sijung area on the east coast receive a fair amount of swell from a 90 degrees easterly window. We’re now offering YOU a chance to surf these virgin waves through a DPRK surf exploration camp led by ISA Course Presenter and current coach of the Chinese National Surf Team, Nik Zanella – AND – North Korea expert, and Uri Tours Founder and CEO, Andrea Lee. The first part of the expedition will include analyzing surf weather patterns in the DPRK and identifying ideal surf spots, using data that Nik and his team have compiled over the past year. The second part of the expedition will be a surf camp that will include an in-class exploration seminar, on-the-spot guidance (on surf, that is) as well as practical surf lessons. This will be a great chance also to mingle with the first local surfers. We’ve received the proper permissions to invite North Koreans who want to learn to surf to participate in this inaugural surf camp. We’re stoked to introduce them to the awesomeness of surf. When we’re not surfing, participants will get an unparalleled travel experience while we visit the iconic sites in Pyongyang and drive cross-country through remote parts of the countryside to get to the coast. This is bound to mark the epochal opening of DPRK to the art of wave riding. We’re inviting surfers of all levels to join us in this incredible and historical surf expedition and to be a part of bringing surf to North Korea!!

ABOUT THE CAMP
– The surf camp caters mainly to beginner and intermediate surfers, but the surf exploration expedition is open to advanced and pro surfers.
– Participants must be able to swim.
– Please bring your own board. We have limited rentals on a first come first serve basis. We suggest longboards and mid length boards to capitalize on small surf. We will be allowed to check boards into cargo and have pre-arranged this with Air Koryo, the national airline.
– Surf sessions are strictly dependent on marine weather and can be called off in case of hazardous conditions.
– There is no guarantee of ideal surfing conditions. Part of this exploration project is to map the eastern coast of the DPRK and to be a part of this pioneering team.
– Water temperature will range from 18 to 22C. We recommend a full wetsuit of 3mm or thicker.

Shannon Aston

Obviously this trip isn’t recommended for Americans, as North Koreans are force fed anti-American propaganda from the moment they are old enough to watch TV and would love nothing more than to spill the blood of an American citizen. So if you’re thinking about booking this trip then you should consider the prospect of having to keep your identity as an American completely secret for 8+ days or else you might end up in a North Korean concentration camp.

You can CLICK HERE for a day-by-day itinerary of what you’d end up doing on each of the 8 days of the surfing safari across North Korea.

[BBC]