HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING I surf and am willing to host. {PLEASE NOTE: Here are important things to consider before you reach out: 1) Have a verified profile. I realize this takes $$ so here's what works for me; post your Facebook or LinkedIn profile so I can see how and who you are. 2) I prefer a two-night MAXIMUM stay. If you ask for more without acknowledging this, there's a good chance you didn't read my profile. :) There might be a few exceptions but it's pretty rare. 3) My current "couch" options are: 1) a private bedroom; 2) an air mattress in the living room (and or bonus room). If that doesn't work for you, send a friend request instead :) 4) While CS can be a way to find "free" lodging, the spirit is cultural/ideological exchange. Plan to hang a bit so it can feel like we all made a new friend or two. COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE My CS experience is limited but it has been enjoyable. Tried CS during my trip to the Masters Track & Field Championships and stayed with two very cool hosts. [update 04/22/13] Enjoyed surfing in France (summer 2012). Met wonderful people and our experience was greatly enriched because of the local experience. [update 08/01/14] We decided to begin to open our home to surfers and are expecting our first surfers soon. When you request, we tend to start at 2 days and see where it goes from there. [update 12/15/14] We have been very surprised at the variety, quantity and quality of surfers we've had the chance to host. We've hosting a couple from the Canary Islands, a researcher from German, a French professor and some musicians. CS is very cool far.

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