The Independent: Surfers notoriously travel all over the world to ride the perfect wave. But while even beginners know the big go-to beaches, there’s an increasing movement of people looking for undiscovered surfing spots where they can shred the waves without the crowds. Here are five surf destinations that might surprise you – from land-locked cities to remote coastlines.

Iran: Sistan and Baluchistan province

Surfing isn’t exactly big in Iran, but in the village of Ramin, in the country’s south-east Sistan and Baluchistan province, a surfing school with a growing reputation is set on changing all that. We Surf In Iran not only teaches men, women and children how to surf, but also how to craft their own surfboards, and educates about marine life and water safety. The school’s efforts were documented in last year’s film Into the Sea, which showed how Irish pro surfer Easkey Britton, along with Iranian pro snowboarder Mona Seraji and Iranian diver Shahla Yasini, began introducing surfing to the area’s local women. Find out more about surfing exchanges to Iran at Cross Culture Surf >>>