France Surf Camp and Surf School

It is a brand new surf camp and surf school in southwestern France. Tucked away in the quaint seaside town of Andernos les Bains, you can learn to surf on the beautiful beaches near Cap Ferret and Lacanau on the 200-kilometre stretch of Atlantic coast that is famous for its surf. Situated just 1.5 hours north of Biarritz and Hossegor, it has the same great surf, but is a hidden gem!

Their surf lodge caters for all ranges of surfers - it’s perfect for families with kids, or parties of friends looking for some fun in the sun. All equipment is provided - including surfboards and wetsuits. All you need to bring is your bathers and some determination! You will be excellently supported during the course whether you’re a first-timer or keen to hit the big waves.

The surf camp offers 2 types of holiday: Firstly, learning to surf holiday: perfect for those looking to learn to surf; and secondly, surf guiding holidays: perfect for competent surfers who are looking to sample different surf spots and pick up some tips from the experienced surf instructor.

More importantly, their friendly and fully qualified ‘Fédération Française de Surf’ instructor who has more than 10 years teaching experience, including life-saving and life-guard qualifications, will teach you about the waves and currents so you'll feel confident and independent in the water.

A typical day at the surf camp: Surfers head to the beach in the morning, each day choosing a different beach depending on the waves, wind and weather. The surf camp 2-3 hours of tuition each day and there are never more than six surfers in the group. After a picnic lunch on the beach and some relaxing, it’s time to return to the waves to perfect your surf. In the afternoon you are accompanied in the water by the surf instructor, giving you freedom to master the waves, but with the security of knowing that guidance is never very far away. Late afternoon, you can take the bikes for a ride down to the shops and bars, and get an ice cream on the pier. In evening, you can cook at the surfcamp, enjoying the outdoor terrace and barbeque, or head into Andernos to sample some local seafood and maybe even the 'boite de nuit'!

The surf lodge is based in the town of Andernos les Bains, a small town bordering the Bassin Arcachon, and is 15 minutes from the best surf spots in Lège-Cap-Ferret, 35 minutes from Bordeaux airport, and 1-2 hours north of Hossegor and Biarritz.

The Arcachon Bay is a protected area of endless beaches and beautiful natural scenery, famous for the Pyla Dune, the highest sand dune in Europe. At the heart of the bay lies the Île aux Oiseaux (Island of Birds) with its characteristic wooden huts built on stilts and acres of oyster beds. On shore, you can explore the architectural splendours of this quaint seaside town, sampling the local oysters, crabs and grilled fish at the picturesque oyster harbour huts, as you go.

The surf camp is based in a tranquil wooden house that sleeps 6-8 people in 3 double rooms (twin or double beds available) in Andernos les Bains.

The house has:

• a spacious open-plan dining room/lounge,
  
• new kitchen,
  
• large Italian bathroom (including bath and wet room shower),
  
• toilet,
  
• utility room,
• outside terrace with a lounge and
  
• dining area including BBQ.

Surfing

World class beach breaks. Great consistent surf. Warm sunshine and long wild stretches of beach. Sounds tempting? Sitting directly south of England on the west coast of Europe, France gets lots of consistent swells from the low pressures tracking across the Atlantic. The quality of the waves there is so good due to the funnel shape of the Bay of Biscay, and the Atlantic-facing west coast of France receives the best swells. This is where the action is, this is where everyone wanting top notch waves should head.

Also known as the Silver Coast, Cap Ferret and the surrounding 200km of coast has surf spot after surf spot after surf spot. If the swell is good the entire coast lights up. The long wild expanses of beach at Cap Ferret are fenced off by the pine forest giving you the feeling that you are a million miles away from the world and its worries. With the ever changing sandbanks, there is always a perfect spot for beginners to practise standing up for the first time where the foam breaks gently on the beach. While the beaches are certainly busier in July and August, they are not as packed as the more well-known beaches in Hossegor and Biarritz, 150km down the coast.

Home to the origins of surf in Europe, France has some of the best beach breaks in the world and a lot of various spots. You just can’t say that you surf if you haven’t tried the west coast of France.

Other Activities

Other local water sports available include kitesurfing, bodyboarding, sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle surfing. You can also play tennis and golf, or use the nearby skate-park, football pitches and boules lawn.

They also offer beach cruiser bikes to rent directly from the surf camp through its partnership with Westside in Cap Ferret.

If you think there is more to life than surfing, you have the choice between the best Atlantic surf spots or calm lagoon waters. And just 30 minutes away from some of Bordeaux’s best vineyards, you are in the European centre for oysters, so there are plenty of gastronomic delights to be had.

• Bordeaux Airport transfers.
• 7 nights accommodation.
• breakfast.
• lunch.
• travel to beach & guiding.
• wifi internet connection.
  

• Bordeaux Airport transfers.
  
• 7 nights accommodation.
• breakfast.
• lunch.
• travel to beach & surf course.
• equipment hire.
• wifi internet connection.

• Bordeaux Airport transfers.
  
• 7 nights accommodation.
• breakfast.
• lunch.
• travel to beach & surf course or guiding.
• equipment hire.
• wifi internet connection.

Disclaimer - This surf trip is an independent surf operator and is not part of or in partnership with The Perfect Wave Travel Co. The Perfect Wave acts as an agent only. We sell various travel related products on behalf of numerous transport, accommodation and other service providers, such as airlines, land based accommodation and boat charter operators. The Perfect Waves' obligation is to make travel bookings on your behalf and to arrange relevant contracts between you and travel service providers. The Perfect Wave has no responsibility for these services nor do we make or give any warranty of representation regarding their standards. All bookings are made subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by these service providers.

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