Family learn to surf holiday

Questions and answers for those needing help or advice when learning to surf, improving technique or just comparing notes.

Family learn to surf holiday

Postby Punkindrublic » Thu Feb 28, 2019 11:35 pm

I'm a recently single dad with two boys (ages 10 and 12) and we like the idea of learning to surf on our summer holiday. None of us can surf (I had a lesson once when passing through byron bay some 25 years ago...)

I live in England and can either drive to France, ferry to northern Spain, or fly to Portugal. Advantage of taking the car is that i can take bikes for cycling when we don't want to surf.

Is there a surf school that would be recommended that would have children of a similar age. Whilst I'm clearly a great dad, two weeks of my company maybe a little boring for the boys.


Cheers

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Re: Family learn to surf holiday

Postby dtc » Fri Mar 01, 2019 12:26 am

Are you looking for a school (ie rock up to the beach at 9am for 2 hours) or a camp (live in and have lessons etc)? Both have pluses and minuses. For example staying at a resort or caravan park during school holidays will generally produce hordes of kids, then you add surfing lessons on as needed, but flexibility if the weather is bad or people are tired. On the other hand, camps are more intensive learning wise and you also have similar minded people around

Have your kids surfed at all/comfortable with the ocean? My kids refuse to do surfing lessons at all...(I’m not a good parent); a week at a surf camp would be a nightmare for them
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Re: Family learn to surf holiday

Postby Punkindrublic » Fri Mar 01, 2019 6:40 am

The boys are very happy in the sea. We've spent days in Cornwall body boarding before and done lots of snorkelling.

I think a camp / resort is probably better. A school the other kids are likely to scatter after the lessons, but I'm happy with either.

Cheers

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Re: Family learn to surf holiday

Postby Oldie » Fri Mar 01, 2019 8:03 am

If you want your kids to engage with the other kids, try to find a english speaking camp. Most French and Spanish kids do not speak english. Even some French Surf coaches don't speak english.
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Re: Family learn to surf holiday

Postby Oldie » Sat Mar 02, 2019 12:33 am

Another short comment - if you are happy with a school, Kiwi Surf in Biscarosse Plage is great with kids, and if you ask for Mathieu as coach you will get a fun guy who speaks english and is great with kids and old men ;-)
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