Frequently Asked Questions

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Surf camp Destinations Trip Booking

Surf camp Knowledebase

I have never surfed in my life. Is this trip for me?

Yes it is! These trips are for anyone, even if you have never touched a surfboard. We teach beginners from 0 to learn how to surf, and also help intermediate and advanced surfers to progress in technique and style.

How are the waves and what is the water temperature?

We choose the surf spots base on surf level of the group and also we pick are dates on less rainy seasons. to have a better weather and wave conditions.

The average waves we surf in our classes are in between 1-4 ft and up depending of your level. In Ecuador the waves are in the 2-8 ft range depending on the swells with nice long wall waves: in the other hand Hawaiian waves are in the 2-60 ft range but with the variety of waves in every possible angle is almost impossible to miss out on fun-size waves.

The weather in both destinations is tropical warm with Ecuador being warmer and more humid (30-35 degrees Celsius) and Hawaii (20-30 degrees Celsius).

Are there any requirements if I want to take a surf course?

You must know how to swim.

FAQ

What happens if there are bad weather conditions?

Hawaiian Islands are more exposed to extreme weather, but we always try to look for areas with good conditions.

Anyways, we always try to follow the schedule but we all decide the activity of the day depending on weather. In the extreme case the weather make it impossible to finish your surf training, we will schedule your surf lessons to other date even if is out of your surf trip program. But believe me is not such of thing as bad weather 10 days straight in Hawaii or Ecuador, both have sunny days all year long.

In Ecuador the worst weather condition we can get is the rain, which will just make the experience more fun cause the temperature is the same.

What clothes should I bring?

Is sunny!! For both destinations you should bring regular beach clothes plus hiking shoes, light rain jacket and sunglasses.

We also recommend bringing yoga/sports clothes, bathing suits, a rash-guard (or a t-shirt you don’t mind getting wet), and a beach towel. A sunscreen with a high SPF (a zinc base sun protection is the best for the face while surfing) and insect repellant are highly recommended.

In which language do you teach your students?

The lessons and activities in both of our destinations are in English, and usually also we have a German surf instructor.

The principal country language in Hawaii is English and in Ecuador is Spanish.

On which beaches do the surf lessons take places?

In Hawaii our home break will be Haleiwa’s Puaena Point. However in both destinations we travel around looking for the best surf conditions.

In Ecuador our home break will be Ayampe.

Can I rent surfboards at Pata Sudaka (without taking lessons)?

You will always have a surfboard ready to go take on waves.

Are classes separated by skill?

Yes you will have your personal instructor which will choose depending of your level where to surf. Normally it’s the same spot for level 1 and 2 but for level 3 for sure will be another surf spot.

Our coaches will never stop paddling for you to reach success, you will also get all the support you need to improve with yoga, slacklining, hiking, eating healthy, all the activities in our trips complement each other.

What if I want to bring surf my own board?

You are free to bring your own gear/equipment. Please remember to check the baggage restriction with your airline and always let us know so we can accommodate on site transportation. No discount applies for bringing your own surfboard, but you can try other style of surfboard for our quiver and improve your surfing skills.

Does Hawaii / Ecuador have world class quality waves?

Hawaii is for sure the best place for surfing in earth and beside does a great job holding the Triple Crown of Surfing in Haleiwa, Sunset and Pipeline.

Over the past decade Ecuador has hosted numerous international championships, including the World Surfing Games (2004), the Quicksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (2009), and the ISA South American Beach Games (2011).

I’m shortsighted. Can I still do the course?

Contact lenses are highly recommended

What kind of internet is available in Oahu / Ayampe ?

Wifi will be available at our beach house in both of our locations. We know that connections is important for you to communicate with your love ones so don’t worry internet is essential for us too.

What kind of house we can expect in Hawaii?

The location in Hawaii always varieties, the reason is because we like to experience different sides of the island and that means different houses and different experience for different people. We have a 10 years of experience in the Hawaiian tours business and real states.

What we can assure you is, the house will be in the north or in the east side of the island which are the most beautiful and natural parts of Oahu. Also we always offer a beach walk distance house with full kitchen and grill for you to use. and finally with search for houses surrounded by big natural spaces for yoga and other activities.

The most important is, it will be very safe for you to walk around, and it will be at a walking distance from the beach.

We take care of the cleaning but you should keep organize your room…..Says your mom.

Share rooms are mixed, men and women, if you don’t feel comfortable with that, please let us know.

The idea is for you to interact with other people of the adventures experience. But we have the option of a private room for a extra charge. Please let us know if you want a private room in the reservation process.

*We DO NOT accept outside people in the rooms.

I have food allergies and restrictions will I still be able to eat what is included?

Of course! Once we’ve received your application form, we will get in touch with you and invite you to tell us about your allergies or food restriction. This way, we will be able to plan our meals consequently and offer you an option if there is a meal that doesn’t suit your needs.

What is the nightlife like?

Oahu is surrounded by beautiful and natural places, we try to be close to chill spots where we can enjoy and feel more relax, in the other hand the best place to go out at night is Waikiki that is 45 minutes far from where we are, but is it worth it will be a good night out. In our surf trip package Waikiki night out is included but if you want to go out more nights it will be on your own expenses.

Ayampe Ecuador is a quiet little village, with an awesome beautiful beach, there are some bars but this little surf spot is the expression of root life, if you want some party or go to a club, you can go to Montañita that is 18 km or 20 minutes from Ayampe. There you will have all the party quote you need, without losing the relaxing and natural place to stay.

Destinations Knowledebase

What is the currency in Hawaii and Ecuador and how much extra money do I need?

The US dollar is accepted everywhere in both of our destinations. and is the ideal currency for this trip.

The U.S dollar is the official currency of Ecuador and Hawaii.

Our suggestion is $30 dollars per day out for Ecuador and $50 per day out in Hawaii.

For example a meal can cost (5/10 US$) in Ecuador and (10/20 US$) in Hawaii.

*There is no ATM in Ayampe-Ecuador, make sure to have some dollars before your trip. Anyways there is a ATM in Montañita and Puerto Lopez, both just 20 minutes from Ayampe.

*For Hawaii there is ATM location all around the island.

FAQ

What about mosquitoes and transmitted diseases and what are the necessary vaccines?

You should always have insect repellent when traveling to tropical destinations.

There are no current mosquitos outbreaks in any of our destinations as of Jan 2018 either.

For Hawaii and Ecuador destinations there are no required vaccines. However we recommend having Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid and Tetanus.

Is it safe to travel to Hawaii and Ecuador?

Our team has the knowledge and experience in all of our destinations to guide you and let you know all the tips and details for a safety trip. you shouldn’t be worried.

We believe in the freedom of exploring and experimenting each destination in your own way. If you are careful and respectful, the risks of any bad event are very low. If you follow the basic rules that all travelers should follow when they travel to any place in the world it will be ok. We give basic security advice for each trip.

Where else in Hawaii / Ecuador do you recommend me to travel?

Ecuador is an amazing country to travel, we can offer you small packages of 2 or 3 days to explore the Amazon or go rafting to the Andes.

*Recommendations for Hawaii: All the Hawaiian islands are beautiful, just let us know which you wish to go and we can guide you. Once we get to know our travellers we will advise them depending on their interests. Both destinations have many different attractions and places to visit and we know them all. Please let us know if you wish to travel more after your experience with us.

For Hawaii we can offer you packages to travel to other islands.

*Recommendations for Ecuador: Baños, Mindo, El Cotopaxi, Canoa, El Yasuni, Cuyabeno, Vilcabamba and more.

What is the minimum age requirement to go on a surf trip with Pata Sudaka?

Travelers are usually aged from 18 to the immortality (we believe the age is a state of mind), if you feel you want to have an adventure just come, in case of a teenager will need a parental proxy if you are underage (17 or less).

is it possible to stay more than 10 days at Pata Sudaka in Hawaii / Ecuador ?

In Ecuador If you want to stay longer you can stay in our house for an extra charge. $60 a day for a maximum of 5 days, after that another surf trip should start.

Trip Knowledebase

How does the Pata Sudaka free shuttles works?

In order to benefit from the included shuttles, you must arrive and leave on the same dates planned in our surf trips. For example, if you have booked a surf trip from April 1st to 10th, you must land on the 1st and leave on the 10th to catch our free shuttles. Outside of these dates, transportation from the airport is not included.

*FOR HAWAII: To avail of the free shuttle, you must be at Hawaii, Honolulu Airport (HNL) between 9 am and 1 pm.

*FOR ECUADOR: To avail of the free shuttle, you must be at Ecuador Guayaquil Airport between 9 am and 12 pm.

If you arrive in advance to any of our destinations, it is possible for us to accommodate you (additional fees), or we can also advise you on places to stay prior to your trip with us. Just contact us if that’s your plan.

If you arrived after the surf camp has started, to any of our destinations, it is possible for us to help you with transportation (additional fees), or we can also advise you on how to get to where we are.

Do we need a visa to enter the country?

For Ecuador most of the countries around the world are accepted into the country on a 90 day visitors visa. (PLEASE check your country of residency before you reserve).

For Hawaii remember that you will need an USA visa so please make sure you have one before you reserve.

FAQ

How do I get to Ayampe / Oahu, once I’m in Ecuador/ Hawaii airport?

Pata Sudaka team will meet you at the international airport for both destinations.

(Honolulu international Airport HNL, Oahu – USA) We will take care of all ground transportation during the trip.

Honolulu International Airport: (808) 837-8300
http://hawaii.gov/hnl/

(Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport GYE, Guayaquil – Ecuador)

Guayaquil – José Juaquín Olmedo (593)-4-216-9000
http://www.tagsa.aero/

HAWAII
We recommend you go first to Waikiki just to find the right place to stay before our trip. There is a lot shuttles to Waikiki and Honolulu, the cost is around $10. It is not possible to take the bus with any luggage.

If you arrive after 2 days of the start of the trip we can pick up for an extra charge of $50.

ECUADOR
Anyways if you are coming before or after 2 days of the beginning of Pata Sudaka trip we can give you instruction to get to Ayampe, which they are very easy.

The bus terminal is just next to the airport, make sure to take the taxi INSIDE the airport. Once you are in the bus terminal go to the 3th floor and look for CLP (Cooperativa Libertad Peninsular), Buy your ticket ($6 one way) to Montañita, It’s a red bus, the buses are in a very good shape, they are very safe equip with security cameras and it doesn’t stop anywhere. Go straight Guayaquil – Montañita. The trip will take around 2 hours. Once you get to Montañita take another bus ($2) green or blue color and stay in Ayampe, that trip should take around 25 minutes. The last bus in Montañita pass at 8:00 PM.

Schedule : From Monday thru Sunday. 04:00 am to 8:00 pm

The other way will be taking a taxi it should cost around $150 direct to Ayampe and will last around 3 hours

Where should I call if my flight delays?

We have a real time automatic email system, so you can always write to us. Once you reserve with us you will get more detail contact information depending on your destination.

HAWAII
Contact : Raul Marin
Phone number: +1 808 636 0917
Address :222 Kaiulani Street,
Honolulu, Hi 96815

ECUADOR
Contact : Daniel Luque
Phone Number: +593 42380675
Address: Ave. Las aguas #704, y Laureles.
Guayaquil, Ecuador

SWITZERLAND
Contact: Nina Meyer / Daniel Luque
Phone Number: +41 76 447 5221
Address: 118 Nordstrasse, 8007, Zurich.

How to book my flight ticket?

We recommend booking through sites like cheapoair.com or Kayak.com which allow you to compare the different airline deals. Remember, if your destination is OAHU the airport is Honolulu (HNL) and for AYAMPE the airport is at Guayaquil – Ecuador (GYE).

*Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months following the departure date.

I want to travel alone is it recommended?

There is a large number of travelers who are traveling by themselves, so is probably that you will not be the only lone traveller. Whether you are traveling in couple, groups of friends or alone, you can expect meeting new people and live all kind of new experiences.

Our team and friend will always be there, and we hope to create a great and friendly environment for everybody.

I am planning to travel in Couples?

This is a perfect trip for couples, we have private rooms for an extra fee, please let us know before the trip so we make sure to give you one room with a double size bed to feel more comfortable.

I am planning to travel with a big group?

Depending of the size of your group we can give you an entire room or accommodate you as you wish, just don’t forget to mentioned us before your trip all the group details. If your group is more than 60% of the total you can choose some activities on your own.

I’m planning to travel with my family and bring my kids?

We accept kids with parents supervisor, also we prefer if they are older than 15. If you are planning to travel with kids please, let us know before the booking process by sending us an email via website.

Do I need to purchase a travel insurance?

YES, a travel insurance is required to be part of the surf trip.

We suggest contacting your local insurance agent, or bluecross.com remembering that you need an insurance that covers surf as an activity.

*Some credit cards also offer coverage for holidays. We advise you to check with your bank too.

Booking Knowledebase

What happens if the group doesn’t fill the minimal number of 10 participants for the experience?

The show must go on, we are ready to have the best surf time ever, maybe it will be not a big group experience but with our team and friends you’ll never feel alone.

How do I book on your website?

You have to be at least 18 years old, have a current passport, just follow the simple steps in our webpage. If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate in contact us.

Is it safe to book with Pata Sudaka?

Yes it is safe. Our web page is built with the security parameters you need to feel comfortable with providing the requested personal information and payment methods.

FAQ

Do you guarantee the quality and standard of your trips?

Pata Sudaka commits with the experience we offer. We will provide with all the amenities, gear and equipment we promise in our trip’s schedule.

Do you tailor the trip packages?

Yes we do. We also provide with custom-made trips. For special requests we recommend contacting us at least 2 months in advance.

Do you organize group tours?

Yes we can accommodate groups. Please contact us ASAP. Spaces are limited.

Can I cancel my trip?

We have made the next refund policy, please read it before you make a reservation.The cancellation of a surf trip will generate fees for us, that is why sadly we can’t give a full refund.

FOR ECUADOR ONLY:

Cancellation with 100% refund (excluding processing fees) is possible within the first 48 hours of booking.

If you cancel 30 days before the date of your trip the reimbursement will be 75%.
If you cancel 15 days before the date of your trip the reimbursement will be 50%.
Starting on day 14th before the date of the trip there will be no refunds.

FOR HAWAII ONLY:

Cancellation with 100% refund (excluding processing fees) is possible within the first 48 hours of booking.
If you cancel 30 days before the date of your trip the reimbursement will be 75%.
Starting on day 29th before the date of the trip there will be no refunds for Hawaii destination.

FOR HAWAII & ECUADOR
In case of natural or political disasters there will be no refunds.

How can I get a refund?

Depending on the way you paid for your trip, it can be reinstate to your credit or debit card, PayPal. We will send checks for reservations within United States or international wire in case or other countries.

How do I cancel?

Where can I stay if my flight doesn’t fit the exact dates of this trip ?

For your extra nights, we suggest check with La tortuga or La Buena Vida both located a few steps away from our Villa. If you wish to stay in Montañita (a more touristic and lively town located 30 mins away from Ayampe), we would recommend you Morrison Hotel.

*Remember that extra nights are at your own expenses.

Can I extend my package once in Hawaii - Ecuador?

Yes you can. We offer different options if you want to stay extra time in our destinations. we can offer you packages for different places and tours.

How can I book for this adventure?

1. Fill up the application form. Send us US$400 deposit to secure your spot.
2. We will send you an email confirming your admission and all the details for your surf trip.
3. 45 days prior to departure, the payment of the balance will be required for travel confirmation.