The sun shimmered off the desert sand. The temperature could be reaching up to 65° C (150° F) today. I could hear my breathing getting heavier as I climbed. With every step up up the dune, the sand slid back down under my feet. Sweat trickled down my neck but I could not stop. It was my turn with the sand surf board and I didn’t want to miss it.
What is sand surfing?
Sand surfing is like regular surfing waves, except you replace strenuous paddling out with a slippery climb up the shifting sands of a giant dune — no lifts here. To catch a wave on the water, it’s all about judgement, timing and picking the right swell. On the dune, it’s about pushing yourself over the edge and having the nerve to point yourself straight down a mountain of sand without fear.
Expectation: Me shushing down the face of a dune in a low crouch, looking sporty and tan.
Reality: Me starting downhill, picking up speed, getting nervous and ending up splayed on the side of the dune.
You can go down on a sand sled, which you sit on and hold onto handles, or on a sand board, which is the equivalent of a snowboard that you strap onto your feet.
It’s official: I love sand surfing
We were at one of the best places to go sand surfing in America, the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. I went with my daughter, my mother, my brother, my sister-in-law and my nephew, and the day exceeded everyone’s expectations. It encompassed stunning views, a thrilling sport, and an experience that the entire family enjoyed together.
Years ago, I read an article about sand surfing in Namibia — shushing down a slope of silicon dioxide in a sculptural, practically lunar landscape of dunes. No need for salopettes or thermal fleece. I’ve wanted to try it ever since. Finally I got the opportunity to go during our family trip to Taos, New Mexico.
I grew up spending summers in Taos and have been back over the past 2 years, but I never realised how close Colorado is (mountains! backpackers! marijuana dispensaries!) and how accessible this amazing national park is.
About Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park features the tallest dunes in North America, rising to 750 feet. They sit alongside grasslands, wetlands, and forests. You can hike, sand surf, splash in the creek at the foot of the dunes, go wildlife spotting, stargaze with a ranger and more. The £15 entrance fee for a car is good for an entire week (see all fees here). As you approach the park, you can see the dunes when you’re still half an hour away.
A family sand surfing outing
The kids took to the sport like ducks to…well, you know. My 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old nephew wanted to go as far and as fast as possible. They were naturals. Even my mother aced her inaugural ride on a sand sled, which I find harder to control than a stand-up board. She rode smooth and long, in an absolute straight line.
My brother started well, then the sled began turning until the leading edge caught and he tumbled head over heels in a complete wipeout. After that, he opted for a long trek up to the highest dunes. I think his pictures show it was worth it.
Sand surfing is a lot of fun and as our outing showed, great for the entire family. There were kids of all ages alongside us that day — I highly recommend it. Just don’t think about what you look like going down…or back up.
What to take when sand surfing
- Rent a proper sand surfing board or sand sled. Don’t opt for a makeshift version. You need a properly waxed board for a fun and safe ride. For the Great Sand Dunes National Park, there’s a shop just outside this park entrance called Oasis, which is fast and efficient. We’ve also rented in the nearby city of Alamosa at Kristi Mountain Sports, where the shop assistants were very friendly and the bathroom was very clean.
- Don’t forget the wax. Your rental place should provide you with some and you need to keep waxing the bottom of your board to have a smooth ride.
- Consider a sand board over a sled. This might sound counterintuitive for a beginner but the sand sled — while it can be more comfortable since you are sitting down and works best for younger kids — is harder to control than a board. From my experience, older kids and adults will find a board easier to ride.
- Go early. The heat can be punishing on the dunes. Hit the ‘slopes’ early for great rides before it roasts.
- Wear socks! I got this tip from the shop assistant when we booked our boards. The socks protect your feet from the hot sand and the board and are easier to walk back up in than trainers — these end up being little sand scoops you have to empty out regularly. As for flip-flops, just…don’t.
- Bring a bandanna or lightweight sport snood to cover your mouth. Because without one, you create a little sand beard with every face-plant and if the wind blows you get a mouthful for grit.
- Pack plenty of water/cool drinks/snacks. Sand surfing is tiring and you’ll want plenty to drink. Great Sand Dunes is a national park, which means there isn’t a vending machine every 5 steps — you need to bring everything you want to consume on the dunes.
- Open an umbrella. My mother took a regular rain umbrella, which served as a parasol while we watched each other take turns. If you’re going for a full-on day trip, you could bring folding chairs and sun umbrellas to stick in the sand, like some families we saw.
- Wear a bathing suit, if you fancy cooling off in the creek afterward. At this location, the parking lot is divided from the dunes by Medano Creek, a shallow flowing stream where you can bathe your feet or kids can splash around. During drier periods it does disappear.
- Keep sandals and a change of clothes in the car. You’ll have sand everywhere. You’ll be a lot more comfortable on the ride back in a fresh outfit.
- Other things you’ll be glad to have with you:
- Sunglasses
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Long-sleeve shirt or rash guard
- Camera — I kept my iPhone in a Zip-loc bag between uses
Other great places to sand surf
- USA: Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon – This calls itself the world’s first sandboard park; you can take lessons, go on a sand dune buggy tour and more
- USA: Silver Lake State Park in Mears, Michigan – Travel + Leisure magazine named this one of America’s Best Little Beach Towns; it has 2,000 acres of natural sand dunes
- Nicaragua: Carro Negro Volcano – This active volcano lays down a layer of black ash that’s reportedly great for boarding down
- Germany: Hirschau – This small mountain resort features a lift, making the trek up after a ride so much easier
- South Africa: Atlantis dune field, Cape Town – White sand, blue sky, awesome rides…ok, then!
- Namibia – But of course. Swakopmund on the southern edge of the Skeleton Coast is one of the best-known destinations for sand surfing. You can also skydive over the desert, take desert balloon rides, paraglide, parasail, and quadbike
Have you ever been sand surfing? Would you like to try? Let me know in the comments!
That sounds like a blast!! I’m not sure why I never heard of it. I’m adding sand surfing to my bucket list.
This looks hilarious – I’d end up being the one with the sand beard! We love surfing on the sand dunes in Cornwall this would be whole big step up! #britmums