Surfing Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...

is a growing

sport Sport pertains to any form of Competition, competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and Skill, skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to specta ...

in Turkey, which offers surfers a variety of wave conditions. The Mediterranean Sea on the south coast provides warm water and consistent waves, while the Black Sea on the north coast offers wind-generated swells.

Wave Conditions

Waves in

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...

tend to be shorter than

ocean waves In fluid dynamics, a wind wave, water wave, or wind-generated water wave, is a surface wave that occurs on the free surface of bodies of water as a result from the wind blowing over the water surface. The contact distance in the direction of t ...

, with an average swell period of 6-7 seconds. However, swells can reach up to 11-12 seconds in some areas.

Southern Turkey (Mediterranean)

The Mediterranean coast of southern

is a popular destination for winter

surfing Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitabl ...

due to several factors: * Warm water temperatures (averaging 65-70°F in winter) * Consistent waves, particularly in

Alanya Alanya (; ), formerly Alaiye, is a beach resort city and a district of Antalya Province on the southern coast of Turkey, in the country's Mediterranean Region, east of the city of Antalya. As of Turkey's 2010 census, the city had a population of ...

* Lower tourist activity and accommodation prices in winter

is a particularly popular surf spot, with waves reaching up to 20 feet during the winter and spring months. The waves here tend to come from the south, southeast, or east-southeast, with southeast swells producing longer rides. * Damlatas Beach offers hollow tubing waves, ideal for experienced surfers. * Keykubat Beach offers a variety of waves suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers, with wave heights ranging from 1 to 12 feet.

Northern Turkey (Black Sea)

The Black Sea also offers surfable waves, with heights ranging from 1 to 12 feet. Surfing in the Black Sea is less developed than in the Mediterranean, but a small community of local surfers exists.

History of Surfing in Turkey

The history of modern surfing in Turkey can be traced back to the efforts of Tunc Ucyildiz and the Turkish American Sports Club. Ucyildiz organized the first National Surfing Championship in

Istanbul Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...

and represented

in the ISA World Surfing Games in 2013.

Body Surfing

Body surfing, a traditional activity known as "viya," has existed in

since

the Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...

, particularly in the Black Sea and

Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on the e ...

regions. This tradition continues to this day.

References

External links

Sabah Gazetesi
November 2012

October 2012 *Sports Ministry Official Article

November 2012 *Official video of

International Surfing Association The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the world governing authority for surfing, SUP racing, SUP surfing, bodyboarding and all other wave riding activities. The ISA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. After the 2022 ...

ISA
May 2013 *Transworld Surf Magazine
surf magazine
September 2012. {{DEFAULTSORT:Surfing in, Turkey

Turkish surfers Water sports in Turkey