#45 The Best Surf Spots
Chatting to digital nomad Alex to learn more about balancing waves and running an online consultancy business.
Wow, this is one late newsletter. But I have a little bit of an excuse: We’re currently in Romania for a friend’s wedding, and the travel here was a bit of a doozy.
We ran on 3 hours of sleep (from the flight), so everything has been very much nonstop travel, straight into socialising and trying our best not to look how we feel internally. And we did it!
But today’s newsletter is not about Romania. Let’s go a little further. Australia, to be precise.
Meet Alex Noles. An automation and workflow pro I met on LinkedIn and definitely one of the cool guys. We initially connected because of our common interest in no-code but somehow ended up talking about Alex’s favourite surf spots (which I’ll share with you).
Travel, to me, is an art form: it changes how you see the world and yourself. So, I had to learn more about Alex’s adventures and how he makes it work alongside his business.
Growing up, my family were nomads, always on the move, exploring every nook and cranny of Australia. So, when I find myself anchored to one place for too long, a sense of restlessness sets in, a displacement I suppose. That's why for me, travel isn't just about taking a break; it's where I feel comfortable—exploring new places and cultures, embracing the unfamiliar, and finding fresh perspectives.
My work allows me to travel the world and also grants me the freedom to surf when the waves are good—while both travel and surfing allow me a chance to breathe, have a release from work, quieten my busy mind, and gain fresh perspectives.
Surfing is Alex’s happy place. It’s where all of the stress melts away. He can be in sync with nature, far away from his daily wories.
But back to the best surf spots. This was a tough question for Alex, as there’s far too many on his list. Let’s start with Australia:
I have been lucky enough to travel all of Australia more than once, and the entire East Coast is an incredibly special place to me—full of empty waves, stunning views, remotre campsites, beautiful beaches, and amazing food. If you are ever in the land down under, then please, oh please rent a car and escape the cities; this is where the true beauty of Australia can be found.
Going farther afield, Alex picks Florianopolis, Brazil:
It’s my second home—amazing people, great parties, beautiful views, awesome surf, and of course açai. I always struggle to articulate my feelings towards the people of Brazil, but they are so full of life, their vibrant energy and fiery spirit resonate with me.
And a few others include Peru (particularly, the Sacred Valley Region nestled in the Andes), which is “a mix of lush green valleys, ice-capped mountains, tropical jungles, and expansive deserts. The food warms your soul, and the people warm your heart,” says Alex.
Patagonia, Chicama (worlds longest wave) and Pipa (North Brazil) are other 'favourite destinations'—Patagonia for scenery that is unmatched, Chicama for the longest surf break, rich history and almost ominous landscape, and Pipa in North Brazil as the perfect destination for any longboarder (surfer) that enjoys vibrant culture and to boogie.
Travel has immensely inspired Alex’s creative mindset. He’s been fortunate enough to immerse himself in different cultures, experiencing different ways of life and coming across unfamiliar environments—all of which stimulate imagination.
I feel like you cannot grow or adapt without change. Whether it's spending two weeks in Bali or three months volunteering in Peru, immersing yourself in new experiences allows you to discover more about yourself and nurture your creativity.
Alex actually comes from a content creation background, but as he’s transitioned to business consulting, his gear bag has shrunk a little. But he still keeps his camera close wherever he goes:
Canon R6—always joins me on a journey.
I never leave without my nifty fifty mm lens—and the diverse range of the 25 to 75mm R lens is essential for any outdoor adventure.
Additionally, I always have my DJI drone on hand to capture unique perspectives.
Because I almost always stop at a cafe between travelling/adventures, my Mac laptop needs to follow me in order to get some work done.
For apps and tools that go beyond editing (like Adobe Creative Suite) and storing media (Google Drive), Alex uses Notion. I don’t think I’ve professed my love for Notion here before, but, similar to me, Alex uses it to help plan and and manage the content he creates, as well as for work and project tasks, tracking personal life, and to organise travels.
I have actually started to curate a library of specialised Notion templates and travel guides for the modern nomad. Having traveled full time for several years, and being a huge Notion nerd, I have been testing and trialing ways to use Notion as a tool for those always on the move.
This has led to creating template Travel Trackers, Finance and Budget Trackers, City Specific Guides, Country Tour Databases, Travel Journals, and more—all built natively into Notion so it is easily accessible from my phone while I am on the move.
I also have to give props to AllTrails, the best app for planning hikes and finding remote shoot locations.
I, obviously, had to ask Alex for his dream surf trip, having travelled as far and beyond he has. His answer? Iceland.
Rugged coastlines, dramatic landscapes, and uncrowded waves, it's a dream destination for any surfer seeking a different kind of surf adventure. The combination of the scenery, the raw landscape and the unique environment would make for an unforgettable experience.
You also have the opportunity to surf under the Northern Lights! Come on, that is unreal! Cold, but so worth it. Plus, the opportunity to explore Iceland's rich culture and natural wonders adds an extra layer of excitement.
If you want to see more of Alex’s travels, take a look at his Instagram. Warning: you might end up feeling a little bit of wanderlust and booking a flight somewhere. 👀
That’s all from me this week—if you enjoyed this newsletter issue and haven’t subscribed yet, you can click the button below. I’d love to have you here! Hopefully, catch you next week.✨