Surfing in Greece - National Championships in Crete

Catch the wave

Greece - land of ancient gods, inspiring ruins, great food - and surfing? The Hellenic Surfing Association is a new organization actively promoting the sport of surfing in Greece, and is hosting the Greek Open National Surfing Championships near Heraklion, Crete on November 1st and 2nd, 2003, depending on surf conditions. Contact them directly for 2004 dates.

There was no entry fee in 2004, no charge at all for observers, and a Women's Competition was slated to be held "if more than two women enter."

In the unlikely event that there's no worthwhile surf anywhere along the northern Cretan coast, they plan an off-the-water party around the village of Avdou.

For a very unusual take on the decline of Minoan Civilization, check out the Surf Report For Greece and Crete page, where the case is made that all might have worked out differently had the Minoans just learned to surf in time.

The Ikarus Centre for the Arts & Artist's Commune was founded by Tasos, who also founded the Hellenic Surfing Association. Serious surfers may want to contact him for details on surfing in Crete.