Barbados, located 13.1 North and 59.9 West is the most easterly of all the Caribbean islands. This location makes us open to every bit of weather activity that generates a swell. A ‘swell’ is the term surfers use to describe a wave that is coming in and it is usually generated by a low or high-pressure system, tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes. During the winter months of October to April snow systems that move off the Northeastern seaboard of the USA into the North Atlantic push large and powerful swells to our west, north, and east coast. In a “nutshell” you can surf in Barbados almost every day of the year. There is surf for all levels: beginners, social, competitive, and World Champions!
The east coast where the world-famous “Soup Bowl” at Bathsheba is located is the most consistent on the island, producing rideable waves almost every day. However, the north-East trade winds that blow all year, which blow side-to-onshore on this coast, make conditions bumpy most days.
For fifty to seventy-five days a year, those winds swing out of the South to Southwest and combine with a three (3) to 15 foot North to Northeast swell, creating the most amazing waves found anywhere in the world. This makes Barbados the ideal playground for the world’s best surfers, including ten-time World Champ Kelly Slater who stated in his autobiography “Pipe Dreams” that the “Soup Bowl” is his fourth most favorite wave in the world, and on Feb 4th, 2005 catching Soup Bowl at its all-time best, Slater said, “it was the best day of surfing in my life”.
Alan Burke is one of the most successful surfers in the Caribbean and the most successful in Barbados. A lifelong surfer and ardent competitor, multiple and present Barbados Champion and hardcore athlete, he began giving lessons casually and then decided to share his love of the sport by establishing the school. He is now fulfilling his dream and true love of teaching the sport that made his life at Burkie’s Surf School.
