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Dubai surfing instructor Scott Chambers tells Andy van Smeerdijk the first swells are probably only a few weeks away.
When someone tells you they've got a degree in surf science, he's either taking the mickey or he's a surf bum.
But Scott Chambers is another case altogether. A graduate in surf science and technology, no less, he's also a qualified lifeguard and Dubai's best known surfing instructor.
Brought up in Dubai, Scott and his brother, Steve, spent their childhood surfing offshore of Chicago Beach Village, now Madinat Jumeirah, which had pretty decent swell in its heyday. "There used to be a wharf there. We'd catch a ride in, then jump out and run down the wharf and jump back in again - no need for paddling!"
After going to university in the UK, he headed back to Dubai and started a surf school in 2005. "Surfing's picked up big time here these days. Surf Dubai now has about 750 members; it has doubled in just the past year. This year it'll be huge, although we might be running out of room for surfers!"
Waves decent enough to surf are seasonal in Dubai, being governed by the wind direction. Basically the only place to go is Sunset Beach, adjacent to Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
"We're heading towards the best time of the year," says Scott. "Usually about halfway through October is when you get the first few swells."
In the meantime, Dubai surfers look further afield for waves. In fact, by the time this goes to press, Scott will have represented Surf Dubai at the Quiksilver Pro in France, the eighth stop on the Surfing World Championship Tour.
This year the Quiksilver-sponsored surf school is introducing stand-up paddle (SUP) surfing to Dubai.
"You basically stand up on this big surfboard and paddle along. Once you've caught a wave, you steer with the paddle. You can do this on flat water too, when there's no swell. It's awesome for Dubai conditions."
Scott's planning a charity paddle around The World islands at the end of the year to raise funds for Surf Aid International and Dubai Centre for Special Needs. But until the swell picks up, like many local surfers, his mind is prone to drifting off to J-Bay, Bali and other wave havens. Scott shares five of his favourite surfing spots with 4Men.
1. Hossegor, south-western France
Fun waves, mellow crowd... it just has a good, friendly vibe. Being France, there's fantastic food there too. Nearby is Biarritz, which has old school buildings, so it's a real contrast: surf bum collides with posh Europe.
Best: August-October
2. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
This is a big wave spot, but unlike most places where you get big waves it's a beach break, not a reef break. So it's right on sand. Here you get heavy, big barrels up to 20 foot. Being Mexico, there's great food and it's really cheap.
Best: April-October
3. Superbank, Gold Coast, Australia
Unbelievable waves, an overdose. It's a man-made break. There's a dredging pump nearby and the sand it kicks up is taken by the current, which deposits it offshore in a long sweeping line. So you've got a sand bottom with a steep bank, which makes for awesome barrels. And with Surfer's Paradise nearby, you've got a huge party scene.
Best: January-April
4. Bell's Beach, Victoria, Australia
Bell's has a beach break with a long wave that's big in size - it's a solid wall for a long time. Bell's hosts one of the most coveted events on the World Championships tour. Nearby you've got some of the most spectacular coastline in the world.
Best: January-April
5. Trestles, near San Clemente, southern California
This is another crazy place. It's seriously urban near the beach. It's right in the heart of the city and has really playful waves; they call these the 'skatepark of waves'.
Best: August-November
For information on Surf Dubai, visit www.surfingdubai.com
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