Joseph Richard Francis
Introducing… me
The Surf Atlas co-founder and Main Content Lead
Hello. I’m Joseph Richard Francis but please just call me Rich. (or Joe is fine).
I’ve been surfing for nearly 20 years but I’m not really all that good. I consider myself a casual surfer; more drawn to the surf-travel. I value the
Born and bred in Swansea, South Wales (the current base of The Surf Atlas), I’m a travel writer with completed publications in the surf-travel and adventure-travel sphere for major publications like the Lonely Planet and The Culture Trip.
I started surfing in my home: The Gower Peninsula, a place that’s pretty much evenly spread between sloppy mush and nice groundswell days, though there’s loads to explore – both surfing and hiking – on the north and west sides of the peninsular.
Since then, I’ve traveled and surfed on six continents and in countless destinations, from the sweeping bays of the eastern Canary Islands, to the Bahia de Banderas in Mexico, to the remoter parts of North Island, New Zealand.
The Surf Atlas story
I remember where I was when I came up with the idea of a surf-travel blog.
I was in a little whitewashed cottage beside Famara beach in Lanzarote. I’d spent the morning surfing and was about to spend the whole day working on travel guides for various clients at my laptop.
I guess I couldn’t get the surf out of my head because that day I put the first content plan together for the site you see today.
The first guide I published was on Sagres in Portugal — a rugged little town on the edge of Europe that I still think is one of the best places to surf on the continent.
Then came guides to Lanzarote and Mexico.
Slowly, I built out a collection of honest, practical surf destination articles based on first-hand experience, all with one goal: to help other surfers plan better trips.
What set The Surf Atlas apart, even in the early days, was the focus on specifics. I wanted answers to the questions I could never find when planning my own trips: Is that a sand-bottom beach break or a reef? Is it good for intermediates? Can I stay right next to the wave? Are the people here going to punch you for surfing “thier” break?
Apparently, other people wanted the same answers — because even during the Covid lockdowns, when nobody could even travel, the site was pulling in 50,000 readers a month. Two years later, we’d tripled that and become a leading resource in the surf travel space.
I’d like to think that’s where we still are today.
Since launching, I’ve been invited to write surf-travel features for Lonely Planet, including a chunk of their official Sri Lanka guide (I covered the east coast, including Arugam Bay — you should grab a copy if you’re heading that way).
I’ve now contributed surf and adventure writing to numerous travel outlets, but The Surf Atlas remains my home for all the knowledge, mistakes, and magic that come with chasing waves around the globe.
My own travel style is pretty laid-back. I’m not into strike missions. I’d rather post up somewhere for a while, watch the coast, and sniff out the waves that other people might overlook. I’ve got a soft spot for small wave surfing and love both cold water and the tropics in equal measure.
This site is here to help you find your waves — the ones that suit your level, your vibe, your kind of trip.
Welcome to The Surf Atlas.
You can read more of my surf-travel guides elsewhere:
Check out…
- The best surf spots in Sri Lanka [Lonely Planet] – A rundown of Sri Lanka’s seasonal split, from Arugam Bay to Hikkaduwa
- The best surf spots in Portugal’s Algarve [Lonely Planet] – From the heavy waves of Nazaré to mellow rollers in the Algarve.
- The best places to surf in Indonesia [Lonely Planet] – Indo’s one of the best out there. This piece showcased why, exactly.
Get in touch
Links to more words. How to get in touch
Got a question about a surf destination? Want to collaborate or commission a piece? I’m always happy to chat.
Email: [email protected]
Follow & connect:
- 📸 Instagram — behind-the-scenes travel, surf shots, and project updates
- 📝 Muck Rack — latest freelance articles and features
- 💼 LinkedIn — professional background and writing work
- 💼 Joseph Richard Francis — A link to my personal portfolio. Work with me ;)!
Whether you’re a surfer, a reader, or a travel brand, drop me a line — I’d love to hear from you.
