Georgia
EuropeLevel of surfing
Beginner
Quality of surf
Average
Call code
995
Net code
ge
Area
69700
Coastline
310 km
Climate
Warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Hazards
Coup / Civil Unrest
Best Months
November - December
Population
4661473
Currency
Lari (GEL) lari per US dollar - 1.78 (2006)
Time Zone
ZP4 Russia Zone 3 (UTC+4)
Special Requirements
Private Beaches, Special Pass / Permits, Lengthy VISA Process
surfing
Dims: Colonnade at Gagra
With a total area of 436,400 square kilometres and depth of over 2000 metres in some places, there is easily enough space for persistant wind patterns to create rideable swell on the Black Sea. Naval battles have been fought here, empires born and lost on the shores. This area once maked the end of the civilised world as far as the Greeks were concerned. It marks the end of the popular definition of what surfing is all about as well. As surfers turn their eye towards places such as Georgia, real suprises are only now beginning to apear around coastal spa towns such as Gagra - a new frontier awaits discovery.
what to pack
Cserlajos: Nike Cortez 'TB trainers; 7 January 2007
Essentials: mosquito net & repelent; vitamin tablets and hangover pills (unless you can outdrink the locals); good walking shoes (most of the roads and plazas are cracked and there can be glass from broken bottles).
Make sure you pack according to the season. Going in winter will require warm clothes, but rapid temperature drops are common so warm clothing is necessary even on hot summer days. Windproof and waterproof clothes will be good. In summer it can ger very hot, so take some cooling clothes.
As usual, bring all medical things u need with you, as in some remote parts of the country it can be difficult to get them. Bring your own toilet paper and anti-septic hand-showerstuff, because the toilets are not always very clean.
All the gear if you plan to camp: a good sleeping bag and tent that are good for very low temp; special gas container u can use for heating food and water; a sturdy backpack or a cargo pack with a good daypack. Invest in a portable water filter or at least take some puri-tabs or boil the water.
Bring plenty of memory for digital cameras and bring plenty of batteries.
what to pack
Cserlajos: Nike Cortez 'TB trainers; 7 January 2007
A small backpack makes a good carryon bag and will be useful in daily life. Women: remember to take a good flat pair of shoe's.... And for everybody: pair of comfortable walking shoes will be great for sightseeing. Beach clothing & sandals will be useful if you are going in the warm season. Try to choose classics, and items that you can mix and match.
Definitely take along some bug repellent spray, good sunscreen and sunglasses! Better take your medicines with you (esp. anti hastamine tablets), as the brands can be unfamiliar. Bring your own toilet paper and anti-septic hand-showerstuff, because the toilets are not always very clean.
All the gear if you plan to camp: a good sleeping bag and tent that are good for very low temp; special gas container u can use for heating food and water; a sturdy backpack or a cargo pack with a good daypack. Invest in a portable water filter or at least take some puri-tabs or boil the water.Bring plenty of memory for digital cameras and bring plenty of batteries.
Pretty much everything can be bought in Georgia nowadays. But again, travelling to the remote areas, better to bring everything with you.
If you want to help out an orphanage, collect warm clothes and bedlinen and bring them along as handluggage (if you tell the airline when checking in, they might allow you the excess baggage for free).