Home exchange for surfers - any ideas?

[glisserscrew]

Got a question for you all - would you be interested in participating in a home exchange program, specifically for surfers? You would let people stay at your home for a few days / weeks and surf their local spots, and you'd get to stay with them and get to know their local spots?

I'm thinking of adding this functionality to glissers (which is a site I'm working on) but wanted to see if there's any interest first!

Thanks for all feedback guys

[essex sucks]

yeah it a good idear but not sure if i would do it as my local spot is 3 hours away

[billie_morini]

glisserscrew,
I'd vote, "Yes," if I knew how to cast a vote. My home is in northern CA. There are many accessible beaches from my home ranging in drive time from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Not exactly close, but definitely many options and good roads. I'd throw my auto into the deal, too.

By the way, this kind of thing has gone on a long time in the BMW motorcycle community.

[glisserscrew]

Billie, thanks for your comments! I like the idea of adding your car to the package, makes it a lot easier for people (and cheaper).

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

id like the idea of trading a room in hawaii for a room in the mountains near a ski resort during the winter for a month or so.

[blueastacia]

I would be interested in this for sure, problem is, I am 4 hours away from the Oregon Coast. I would be down to switch for Hawaii though or anyone else who wants to come to the mountains. I am only 20 minutes away from Mt. Bachelor.

[drowningbitbybit]

I think the problem with this plan is already becoming obvious -

"Wanted - Apartment overlooking sea at great surf break with warm water, no crowds, and consistently great surf.

Offered - Squalid bedsit in middle of dirty city, four hours drive from the nearest break, that only works once a month and then its 2ft of dribbly mush."

[pkbum]

I think the problem with this plan is already becoming obvious -

"Wanted - Apartment overlooking sea at great surf break with warm water, no crowds, and consistently great surf.

Offered - Squalid bedsit in middle of dirty city, four hours drive from the nearest break, that only works once a month and then its 2ft of dribbly mush."

lol.

[RJD]

For offer : Quality room, double bed (to share) & breakfast to hot surfer chicks + All the wax you want..

[drowningbitbybit]

And, ladies, continue your world tour after staying at RJD's....

Offered - Apartment, Sydney, overlooking sea, near to world class breaks.

Note - Offer must be taken up within next two and a half weeks before MrsDBBB arrives in australia.

[Hang11]

Can I send my wife to a squalid bedsit in a city on the other side of the world, and get some hot surfie chicks back in return?

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

http://www.couchsurfing.com/

the solution.

[glisserscrew]

All good points. There's a risk that there's a tilted supply/demand situation. But I think that can be avoided...

I mean there are areas in the world that have both large populations, AND great surf conditions. Think about the US (California, Florida), the UK (Cornwall/Devon/Wales), France (Bordeaux/Biarritz), SA (Cape Town), Austrialia, NZ etc.

And I don't think both parties have to have a surf house for this to work... Think it's more important that both are surfers, so they can share experiences. Maybe a surfer in Hawaii would actually be up for a few weeks in my place in London... or maybe I'm just dreaming....

Anyway, thanks for your comments, think it's worth trying it out at least

[glisserscrew]

ok, I've just finished the coding and added the feature to the site, going to be interesting to see if people like it. But seems to be quite a few surfers who like the idea.

Let me know if you wanna help building the site etc, it takes time to do it alone and let me know if you find bugs etc please.

glissers.com

Cheers, Nils

[Anomac]

I live where I live so I can surf. I think we all have to make the hard decisions like where to live and quality of life based on what makes us happy. You could say I swapped my life in Sydney for one here in Bali.

Much more better!

[CHarvey]

I can't wait to take my trip down there and go surfing.

[perusurf]

it sounds interesting, but not if one is trying to run a business... it definitely wouldn't be profitable...
i do welcoe anyone to come but not just to crash freely

[parrysurf]

it could work.....but i'm sure it is full of flaws.
I live 20 min from several world class spots....I would only want to trade for an equal quality spot. Plus what about disrespectful guest....could I serve up a sea grave if I take this guy to a secret island spot on my boat...and he snakes some locals.

Lots of potential problems....but sounds interesting.

[home-travel]

your idea is really very interesting one but not good in long run