Vodka. Before getting in the cold waters of Russia, sip a small shot of Russian vodka, and you're ready to dive into a unique surfing experience. Yes, the largest country in the world has great waves on offer.
There are only three valid keys to open the secrets of surfing in Russia.
The land of matryoshka dolls and caviar will pump perfect waves in the Sochi, Kamchatka Peninsula, and Vladivostok.
Always expect low water temperatures, between 5-10 ºC.
Surfing in Russian is an adventure and requires a previously planned surf trip.
The usual checklist should include special gear and tools for extreme natural events and conditions.
The Kamchatka Peninsula
The most famous surf spots in Russia are located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, a 1,250-kilometer (780 miles) peninsula in the Russian Far East.
It is bordered by the Sea of Okhotsk, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea. It is a volcanic region.
Tom Curren has already explored the former Soviet Republic in Rip Curl's Project Red.
Amazing natural scenes, flawless waves, uncrowded peaks, and black sand. The three-time world surfing champion had a surf banquet.
"It's definitely remote, and I was really kind of nervous that it was going to be really, really cold," reveals Curren.
"Of course, it is pretty cold, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be. We saw a volcano when we were camping at the first beach."
"That was pretty exciting. I've never seen a volcano erupting before."
"It's definitely rewarding to go to a new place that you don't know anything about and actually get good surf."
"And it's even more interesting to see wave riding developed in places like this where there's potential for a surfing culture to develop".
Primorsky Krai, Reineke, Popov Islands, and Sochi
But there's one more surf spot in the Russian Far East that should be explored.
Vladivostok and its sunny summer days invite anyone who loves surfing to a regional surf trip.
Although a favorable swell is rare, you can ride great waves in Primorsky Krai or, alternatively, rent a boat to the near Reineke and Popov islands.
On the opposite side of Russia - 9,780 kilometers by road - the Black Sea has one Russian surf spot for you.
That is Sochi, a medium city with mild weather and great conditions for board sports.
Surfing in Russia means having waves just for yourself. Grab a good thick wetsuit, cold water wax, a credit card, and a waterproof camera.
The "perestroika" of surfing is underway.