You are wondering…
The questions everyone asks
These answers are Annelies’s own, the way she explains it on the phone. If your question is not here, just write to us.
Before you start
Do you need to be able to swim to take a surf lesson?+
As an adult, yes: you need to be able to swim. For very young children, from 5 to 9, it is not necessary — at that age we stay in the whitewater close to shore and we never go into deep water anyway.
From what age can children join a lesson?+
From about 5 or 6, depending on how keen the child is to join in and on how they are developing. Every child is different.
Am I too old to learn to surf?+
You are never too old to learn to surf. Many of my students start after 40 or 50 and have the time of their lives. Do not hesitate: with the right coaching we have an enormous amount of fun. It is not about being the best, it is about enjoying yourself — as we say, the best surfer is the one having the most fun. Surfers from 5 to 120 welcome.
How can I prepare for my surf lessons?+
The fitter you are, the easier learning to surf becomes. You can prepare by training in a gym with a personal coach beforehand, or simply by swimming regularly before you come.
Your lesson
How many lessons before I can stand up on a wave?+
We recommend a minimum of 3 lessons to get standing up in the whitewater reliably, and a 5-day course if you really want to master it — with, at the end of the course, the chance to surf your first unbroken wave.
What should I bring to a surf lesson?+
Your swimsuit or boardshorts, sun cream, water and your good vibes. The board and the wetsuit are provided.
What happens if the weather is bad or the sea is too rough?+
In bad weather lessons go ahead: you are going to get wet anyway, and rain is not a problem. If the waves are too big — red flag — the lesson is moved to another day, or refunded if moving it is not possible.
Where and when
What is the best time of year to learn to surf in the Landes?+
The summer months are the warmest, with nice small waves and warm water. May, June and September are very good too. In April and November you can certainly still surf, but the water is cooler and the temperatures are less predictable.
When is the surf school open?+
We teach from April through November, every day of the week. Times depend on the tide, the ocean conditions and your level, so they are agreed with you when you book.
Why is Les Bourdaines in Seignosse so good for beginners?+
Les Bourdaines is a beach with a gentle sandbank and long whitewater waves — exactly what you need to learn to surf safely. For your first waves you go no deeper than hip height, and there are no rocks. It is also an excellent beach for experienced surfers: there is something for everyone.
What is the difference between Hossegor and Seignosse for a beginner?+
Seignosse has more beaches, so there is often more room to surf. Hossegor is excellent on days when the waves in Seignosse are too big: one of its beaches takes smaller waves on those days, and that is where we arrange to meet. That is the advantage of being a mobile surf school.
Another question? Send us a message — we always reply.
Book a lesson