Nicaragua: The Most Beautiful Surf Destination

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$Early morning at an outer reef in southern Nicaragua. The size of this wave can be deceiving but make no mistake, one can stand plenty tall in one of these heaving barrels. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Early morning at an outer reef in southern Nicaragua. The size of this wave can be deceiving but make no mistake, one can stand plenty tall in one of these heaving barrels. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$This is Duster Rhodes. He’s been coming down to Nicaragua for quite some time now and it’s evident by how well he knows this beach break. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

This is Duster Rhodes. He’s been coming down to Nicaragua for quite some time now and it’s evident by how well he knows this beach break. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Diego Cadena is a madman! He happened to make a trip down (to Nica) on one of the bigger and best swells we had this past season. Needless to say, he was a true stand out by continuously pulling into some of the craziest bombs during his visit. Here he is lining up with probably what could or should be another sick cover shot with his water photog Juan Munoz. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Diego Cadena is a madman! He happened to make a trip down (to Nica) on one of the bigger and best swells we had this past season. Needless to say, he was a true stand out by continuously pulling into some of the craziest bombs during his visit. Here he is lining up with probably what could or should be another sick cover shot with his water photog Juan Munoz. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$If you have yet to travel to Central America, despite what others might say or think, Latin American people are arguably some of the nicest most genuine people on the planet. This little local girl who was completely fascinated by my camera happened to catch my attention while I was shooting some surfers at this rocky right hand point break in El Salvador a few years back. Although she didn’t say much (she was actually quite shy) while peeking through the poles of that makeshift palapa, I could tell that she wanted me to take her picture, language barrier aside, I simply smiled back at her and fulfilled her wishes. Less fortunate yet so so happy, this little girl\'s naturally photogenic smile could melt anyone\'s bad day away in a heartbeat. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

If you have yet to travel to Central America, despite what others might say or think, Latin American people are arguably some of the nicest most genuine people on the planet. This little local girl who was completely fascinated by my camera happened to catch my attention while I was shooting some surfers at this rocky right hand point break in El Salvador a few years back. Although she didn’t say much (she was actually quite shy) while peeking through the poles of that makeshift palapa, I could tell that she wanted me to take her picture, language barrier aside, I simply smiled back at her and fulfilled her wishes. Less fortunate yet so so happy, this little girl's naturally photogenic smile could melt anyone's bad day away in a heartbeat. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Always really easy going and stoked in and out of the water, big barrel standout and friend Mel Young heads down to Nicaragua during the peak swell season every year and always goes big, whether it’s in big gaping tubes, or normal sized, fun, rippable waves. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Always really easy going and stoked in and out of the water, big barrel standout and friend Mel Young heads down to Nicaragua during the peak swell season every year and always goes big, whether it’s in big gaping tubes, or normal sized, fun, rippable waves. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Nicaragua’s coastline has miles and miles of untouched slabs, reefs and countless beach breaks. It’s strictly up to you though whether you choose to paddle out if you come across an empty wave like this. Remember the old saying…. it’s always bigger than it looks from shore. Well you can add heavier to this one as well. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Nicaragua’s coastline has miles and miles of untouched slabs, reefs and countless beach breaks. It’s strictly up to you though whether you choose to paddle out if you come across an empty wave like this. Remember the old saying…. it’s always bigger than it looks from shore. Well you can add heavier to this one as well. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$This is a shot I got of this random guy who was ripping the whole time he was down here. It’s not uncommon to watch different people come and go each week, but it’s the ones who surf well that always tend to stand out when you’re looking down the beach. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

This is a shot I got of this random guy who was ripping the whole time he was down here. It’s not uncommon to watch different people come and go each week, but it’s the ones who surf well that always tend to stand out when you’re looking down the beach. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$I usually don’t care to shoot midday as the lighting tends to be really harsh, but I couldn’t resist running down after seeing the waves to grab a few shots. The offshore winds were really strong and I was getting completely blasted by the sand coming off the berm I was perched up near. Not wanting to risk turning my camera a paper weight full of sand, just as I was about to pack it up, I saw this set lining up on the horizon that looked like the biggest set of the day. I ended up getting two entire sequences: first off Steve Schenkenberger (not pictured) and his brother Tim in about a six or seven second barrel. That was one of the longest in and out barrels I think I’ve seen down here (this shot in particular being towards the end of the sequence, since he wasn’t even visible for most of the wave). Tim ended up running up to me right after that wave and asked if I got the shot, I just laughed and said, “Shot? I just got that whole entire sequence.” Needless to say, he was pretty psyched. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

I usually don’t care to shoot midday as the lighting tends to be really harsh, but I couldn’t resist running down after seeing the waves to grab a few shots. The offshore winds were really strong and I was getting completely blasted by the sand coming off the berm I was perched up near. Not wanting to risk turning my camera a paper weight full of sand, just as I was about to pack it up, I saw this set lining up on the horizon that looked like the biggest set of the day. I ended up getting two entire sequences: first off Steve Schenkenberger (not pictured) and his brother Tim in about a six or seven second barrel. That was one of the longest in and out barrels I think I’ve seen down here (this shot in particular being towards the end of the sequence, since he wasn’t even visible for most of the wave). Tim ended up running up to me right after that wave and asked if I got the shot, I just laughed and said, “Shot? I just got that whole entire sequence.” Needless to say, he was pretty psyched. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$There are a lot of traveling surfers that drift through Nicaragua throughout the year. Here Rob Machado on a nice left, taking a moment for himself from what he is better known for doing when he is down here, which is giving back to the community through “Waves for Water” a non-profit organization that helps to get clean water to people living in impoverished areas. Check em out www.wavesforwater.org. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

There are a lot of traveling surfers that drift through Nicaragua throughout the year. Here Rob Machado on a nice left, taking a moment for himself from what he is better known for doing when he is down here, which is giving back to the community through “Waves for Water” a non-profit organization that helps to get clean water to people living in impoverished areas. Check em out www.wavesforwater.org. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$This is a shot I took a while back of an unidentified surfer, south of Huntington Beach back when I used to live there. This also was where I surfed a lot when I wasn’t shooting. You can pretty much shoot here anytime and you’re guaranteed to get some super sick shots or if you\'re surfing – empty fun peaks all to yourself. I like this shot because it goes to show how you can still get some of the funnest uncrowded days in some of the most crowded parts of the world still. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

This is a shot I took a while back of an unidentified surfer, south of Huntington Beach back when I used to live there. This also was where I surfed a lot when I wasn’t shooting. You can pretty much shoot here anytime and you’re guaranteed to get some super sick shots or if you're surfing – empty fun peaks all to yourself. I like this shot because it goes to show how you can still get some of the funnest uncrowded days in some of the most crowded parts of the world still. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$This is the same wave as in my first photo. As you can see, the size can be pretty deceiving. Unknown charger at an Outer Reef, Nicaragua. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

This is the same wave as in my first photo. As you can see, the size can be pretty deceiving. Unknown charger at an Outer Reef, Nicaragua. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Last year they held the ISA Masters down here and this year they ended up running the ISA Jr.’s. The Masters pretty much blew this place open to the rest of the surfing world who hadn’t yet heard about Nicaragua, but with its consistent waves it only makes sense why they ran the Juniors here as well. I ended up shooting a lot of the groms surfing over at our local break a few beaches over where most of them ended up staying during the contest. If you really want to see the future of surfing… go to any of the under 18 and under events. The kids from all different countries were ripping all over the place going for everything they could with nothing to lose. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Last year they held the ISA Masters down here and this year they ended up running the ISA Jr.’s. The Masters pretty much blew this place open to the rest of the surfing world who hadn’t yet heard about Nicaragua, but with its consistent waves it only makes sense why they ran the Juniors here as well. I ended up shooting a lot of the groms surfing over at our local break a few beaches over where most of them ended up staying during the contest. If you really want to see the future of surfing… go to any of the under 18 and under events. The kids from all different countries were ripping all over the place going for everything they could with nothing to lose. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$One of the many ISA Jr. Team members from South America warming up in Nicaragua’s contestable perfect beach break surf for the contest a few beaches over. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

One of the many ISA Jr. Team members from South America warming up in Nicaragua’s contestable perfect beach break surf for the contest a few beaches over. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Team Australia ended up taking the win at the ISA World Juniors this year. Luke Hynd who finished 4th in the under 18 boys, was named Standout surfer of the entire contest. It’s no wonder with MANuvers like this. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Team Australia ended up taking the win at the ISA World Juniors this year. Luke Hynd who finished 4th in the under 18 boys, was named Standout surfer of the entire contest. It’s no wonder with MANuvers like this. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$This is a very common view when you’re surfing in Nica. If you ever plan to visit Nicaragua, take into consideration a good majority of the waves are barrels so I’d say about ninety percent of your quiver should be planned around just that. Lots of Barrels. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

This is a very common view when you’re surfing in Nica. If you ever plan to visit Nicaragua, take into consideration a good majority of the waves are barrels so I’d say about ninety percent of your quiver should be planned around just that. Lots of Barrels. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$As pretty as it is…. broken boards are not an uncommon site here either (not so pretty). Outer Reef exploding on a super shallow rock reef. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots</a>$

As pretty as it is…. broken boards are not an uncommon site here either (not so pretty). Outer Reef exploding on a super shallow rock reef. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Something I think most of us surfers can agree we all live for… here Micky Clarke pulls in and sets up for the view. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Something I think most of us surfers can agree we all live for… here Micky Clarke pulls in and sets up for the view. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Who’s looking at who? Howler monkeys always make for some interesting downtime spectating. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Who’s looking at who? Howler monkeys always make for some interesting downtime spectating. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Earlier I spoke about the talent coming from the young up and coming surfers. Nicaragua has quickly become a go-to spot for anyone from micro groms to WQS even WCT who’s who of surfing trying to up their game in less crowded, perfect, warm rippable waves. Noah Collins putting an exclamation on his stance on futuristic surfing. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Earlier I spoke about the talent coming from the young up and coming surfers. Nicaragua has quickly become a go-to spot for anyone from micro groms to WQS even WCT who’s who of surfing trying to up their game in less crowded, perfect, warm rippable waves. Noah Collins putting an exclamation on his stance on futuristic surfing. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Not all days are like this (semi-glassy with manageable not too strong offshore winds) but when they happen, they are truly memorable. This lucky surfer sits perfectly slotted and scoring some really fun waves while visiting. He definitely went home smiling. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Not all days are like this (semi-glassy with manageable not too strong offshore winds) but when they happen, they are truly memorable. This lucky surfer sits perfectly slotted and scoring some really fun waves while visiting. He definitely went home smiling. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Okay I know it sounds cliché, but yes, this really is my favorite place to be. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Okay I know it sounds cliché, but yes, this really is my favorite place to be. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Mickey Clark is another up and coming grom from Ventura who is making his way down to Central America more and more and each time I see him down here it really shows in his surfing. He’s been killing it on the competitive circuit lately too. Good waves equals good surfing. Good surfing also equals awesome photos! Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Mickey Clark is another up and coming grom from Ventura who is making his way down to Central America more and more and each time I see him down here it really shows in his surfing. He’s been killing it on the competitive circuit lately too. Good waves equals good surfing. Good surfing also equals awesome photos! Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$With how good the waves can get, there are literally days where you can shoot all day long (really depends on how much post you want to torture yourself with later haha) You can capture something amazing at all tides and lighting of the day really. Speed blurs are a good alternative when the sun has gone down and the waves are still firing but you don’t necessarily want to call it a day. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

With how good the waves can get, there are literally days where you can shoot all day long (really depends on how much post you want to torture yourself with later haha) You can capture something amazing at all tides and lighting of the day really. Speed blurs are a good alternative when the sun has gone down and the waves are still firing but you don’t necessarily want to call it a day. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Nicaragua is mostly lined with insane beach breaks. That being said, when those good sized southern hemi swells start stacking in at anything over 8-10 feet it can get a little out of control and sometimes you’re forced to go find a point break or the more makable slab or outer reef. Here, a local kid gunning for it on a pretty maxing day at this river mouth right on a good sized SSW swell in Southern Nicaragua. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Nicaragua is mostly lined with insane beach breaks. That being said, when those good sized southern hemi swells start stacking in at anything over 8-10 feet it can get a little out of control and sometimes you’re forced to go find a point break or the more makable slab or outer reef. Here, a local kid gunning for it on a pretty maxing day at this river mouth right on a good sized SSW swell in Southern Nicaragua. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Case in point. A surfer here contemplates the beach shore break paddle out. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Case in point. A surfer here contemplates the beach shore break paddle out. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$This is one of those days one might want to skip the beach break and start exploring other options, like French bodyboarder Ugal Nev here from Reunion Island. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

This is one of those days one might want to skip the beach break and start exploring other options, like French bodyboarder Ugal Nev here from Reunion Island. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Free-surfer, sponsored, un-sponsored… not sure who this kid was, but he was killing it. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Free-surfer, sponsored, un-sponsored… not sure who this kid was, but he was killing it. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Joel Smith from San Diego loves to charge whether or not I am shooting. Luckily we linked up more than a few times while he was visiting and scored some killer shots this season. On a side note, I also really love the water color in this photo, it looks like Hawaii or Indo. It amazes me how often I actually get shots with really cool looking blue and green water, especially with how most spots are churned up sandy beach breaks. I can’t complain. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Joel Smith from San Diego loves to charge whether or not I am shooting. Luckily we linked up more than a few times while he was visiting and scored some killer shots this season. On a side note, I also really love the water color in this photo, it looks like Hawaii or Indo. It amazes me how often I actually get shots with really cool looking blue and green water, especially with how most spots are churned up sandy beach breaks. I can’t complain. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Here local stand out from SJDS Roque Lopez displays how much power and energy he puts into his surfing. I’ve been coming down here for the last 8 years or so and I’ve seen how crazy the Nicaraguan local force has been growing over that time – and they only keep getting better and better. It won’t be too long before you start seeing Nica kids on the world stage, especially with surfers like Costa Rican Carlos Munoz helping pave the way. Central America altogether is blowing up with talent right now. A lot of traveling surfers leave their boards behind for the local kids when they leave, so I think that’s helping them out tremendously as well. Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Here local stand out from SJDS Roque Lopez displays how much power and energy he puts into his surfing. I’ve been coming down here for the last 8 years or so and I’ve seen how crazy the Nicaraguan local force has been growing over that time – and they only keep getting better and better. It won’t be too long before you start seeing Nica kids on the world stage, especially with surfers like Costa Rican Carlos Munoz helping pave the way. Central America altogether is blowing up with talent right now. A lot of traveling surfers leave their boards behind for the local kids when they leave, so I think that’s helping them out tremendously as well. Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

$Sunsets in Nicaragua are pretty incredible. Unless it’s raining, you’re pretty much guaranteed a keeper sunset photo opportunity just about every evening. Eighty degree water, perfect waves, a Toña (optional of course) topped off with a tranquillo display of golden warm hues & colors lighting up the tropical Nicaraguan sky… what else can you ask for? Photo: Brian Scott/<a href=\"http://www.nicaraguasurfshots.com\">Nica Surf Shots<a/>$

Sunsets in Nicaragua are pretty incredible. Unless it’s raining, you’re pretty much guaranteed a keeper sunset photo opportunity just about every evening. Eighty degree water, perfect waves, a Toña (optional of course) topped off with a tranquillo display of golden warm hues & colors lighting up the tropical Nicaraguan sky… what else can you ask for? Photo: Brian Scott/Nica Surf Shots

My name is Brian Scott. I am a freelance photographer from California and recently relocated to Nicaragua, Central America. I enjoy shooting surfing, portraits, empty waves, landscapes and animals of all kinds that are native to this beautiful part of the world. I really try to focus on capturing the surfing lifestyle and essence of Latin America in all its raw beauty–be it locales or explorers alike. I have been coming down to Central America for the past eight years now, and people have always asked me why I choose this of all places. My images show why Nicaragua, to me, is the most beautiful surfing destinations on this planet. Enjoy!

Check out more from Brian at Nicaraguasurfshots.com

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