California's not the only hot surfing spot in the world. Rio has a number of good spots to catch the waves. And if the waves aren't as big as in Hawaii, the water's certainly warmer than Vancouver Island. The surfing beach closest to the main part of Rio is Arpoador Beach in Ipanema. Waves are between 1 and 3m (3-10 ft.). São Conrado Beach is off and on. Sometimes there are good 2m (6 1/2-ft.) waves, sometimes it's dead. Out in Barra de Tijuca the main surf beach is Barra-Meio, a 1km-long (1/2-mile) stretch in the middle of the beach (around Av. Sernambetiba 3100). Waves average around 2m (6 ft.). Carry on down that same beach another 6.5 to 8km (4-5 miles), and you come to Macumba-Pontal, a 2.5km (1 1/2-mile) beach with waves up to 3m (10 ft.). If you've brought your board and just need transport, there's a surf bus that departs the Largo do Machado at 7am, 10am, 1pm, and 4pm and goes along Copacabana, Arpoador, São Conrado, and Barra de Tijuca as far as Prainha, past Recreio. Call to confirm departure times (tel. 021/2539-7555 or 021/8702-2837); tickets cost R$3 (US$1.25) each way. If you need a board, hot Coast, Galeria River, Rua Francisco Otaviano 67, loja 12, Ipanema (tel. 021/2287-9388), rents short boards, fun boards, and long boards for R$40 (US$17) a day. You need to book ahead if you want a board on the weekend. If you're looking for lessons there's a surf school conveniently located in Ipanema. The Escolinha de Surf Paulo Dolabella (tel. 021/2259-2320) is in front of the Caesar Park Hotel. The regular lessons are Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 10am and 3pm to 5pm but you can also arrange for a lesson on the weekends or other days. Drop-in rates are R$30 (US$13) per hour, including the equipment. However, like true surf dudes, they will neither have nor answer phones; you have to go find them. In Barra, go to Pepê's Shack (Barraca do Pepê) and look for Pedro Muller or Gagu, both of whom operate surf schools around there. Price of a private lesson is around R$30 (US$10) an hour.
