The best waves in Rio happen in the winter. Ipanema is no exception to the rule. This is actually quite convenient, as in the summer the sea can be so crowded that surfers would have to zig-zag their way through.

While Prainha in Barra consistently has the best waves, Arpoador is usually where you find the best surfing on the South Side. When the proper Southwest wind blows, though, there's good surfing all the way from Ipanema to Leblon. The sequences of photos on this page were shot in Ipanema, on a sunny winter day.

If you're a novice, you make take surfing lessons in Barra. Rico, one of the pioneering surfers in Brazil, has one of the best schools. Bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and skimboarding are also popular in Ipanema. Hang loose!

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