Explore The Best Surf Schools In Spain

With approximately 4000 kilometers of coastline, Spain is probably the best European country for surfing. Three seas- the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Bay of Biscay wash the continent coast. For the community of surfers in Spain, it is not just a hobby but a way of life.

The Iberian Peninsula is unique in its own way as it has a distinct culture on every beach. They offer a place to enjoy the waves while indulging in personalized experiences according to your preferences. It is a world in itself with the variety of tourists, types of waves, and the surf schools it hosts. However, it is easy to feel frustrated while choosing the correct surf schools, if you don’t know where or what exactly to look for.

What Does A Good Surf School Look Like?

A good surf school has trained staff who are certified, professional, and can give proper coaching for every detail. You will get the ultimate environment to learn proper surfing etiquettes.

You get to go to the best waves for your level and stand up on a board at least once. Other facilities provided by a good school include proper equipment, ensured safety, tasty wholesome meals, and new people to meet. All in all, a great experience you can not forget.

Some of the schools have the surfing gears included in their packages. Nonetheless, here are some of the best surfboard travel bags, wetsuits, and booties you can get your hands on.

Listed below are some of the best schools you can find in Spain.

1. El Palmar

El Palmar is located in Andalusia, which lies in Costa de la Luz, a region to the south of Spain. The Arabic and Mediterranean cultures meet each other here and influence the surf camp. In addition to the lessons, El Palmar also provides accommodation in bed and breakfasts or surf houses. Their full packages also include authentic Spanish cuisine prepared by the native chefs.

2. Somo Surfhouse Surf Camp

This is located on Somo beach which is in a tiny village on the north coast of Spain. It lies in the Cantabria region with excellent conditions for surfing all year long, beginner-friendly waves on a four-mile stretch of fine sand. It offers a variety of surf camps and bodyguard camps from Easter to October. They also have an option for accommodation.

3. Hopupu Surf Camp

Situated in Tarifa, Spain, Hopupu Surf Camp is a well-known spot very famous among windsurfers and kite surfers. It offers beautiful panoramic views of Morocco behind you when the wind blows in the right direction and speed, which is something none of the other camps have.

They own many locations all over Cadiz and do not hesitate to move to look for the perfect conditions, if necessary. Hopupu also has several other activities to offer, like SUP, cycling, windsurfing, and hiking.

4. Lanzasurf Surf Camp

The LanzaSurf camp is situated in the little islands left of Morocco, off the coast of Portugal also called the “European Hawaii”. It is officially recognized by the Canary Surf Association. You can choose from three locations- Canary Islands, Lanzarote, and Famara Beach.

You get accommodation by the beach, yoga classes, Spanish classes, massages, fitness and training classes, and of course, surf lessons. The most unique thing about the courses in this school are the individual packages which you can customize on your own, they are also known as the “a la carte” section.

5. Escuela Cantabra de Surf

This school is one of the first surf schools in Spain located in Cantabria on Somo Beach. With over 23 years of experience, they are one of the most prestigious and recognized schools in Europe. La Escuela Cantabra de Surf Quicksilver & Roxy is run by surfing-lovers and has courses for beginners to amateurs to professionals.

They offer infinite possibilities of flexibility in schedules for all age groups. They are very professional in their approach even in small groups. You can maximize your lessons from day one with their full-fledged equipment set and new boardwalks.

6. North Shore Surfcamp Zarautz

Situated on the coast of Guipuzcoa in a tourist village called Zarautz, the North Shore surf camp provides everything you might need for a comfortable time there. The beach at Zarautz is one of the longest beaches in the Bay of Biscay and therefore is also known as the “Queen of Beaches”.

The school offers surf lessons for all levels, every day of the week for individuals or groups. They have a qualified staff of coordinators and instructors who make the experience fun as well as safe. All the important equipment needed is provided by the school itself along with theory-based classes to familiarize yourself with the equipment. The courses are personalized according to your progress after every week so that you learn at your own pace.

North Shore is not just all work and no play. You can enjoy the beach between classes, with leisure activities like sunbathing or something more active like volleyball or frisbee. There are many top-notch restaurants and gaming areas after which you can indulge in the lively parties and barbeques at the end of the day.

7. Mundaka Surf Shop And School

An Australian in search of wave swilling arrived in Mundaka and fell in love with the people and the place. So he decided to stay and set up one of the oldest Euskadi surf stores. Craig Sage Cotter started the shop, solving the nuisance travelers faced in having to bring along their surfing equipment. After the shop gained popularity, the Mundaka Surf School started in the late 90s led by the man himself and a bunch of other professional surfers and has been a success since then.

The school, qualified by the EHSF, teaches everything from the basics of surfing to pro techniques for rougher waves. Even the waves at Mundaka are some of the best in the world with great speed and strength, challenging the pros. Moreover, they also hand out diplomas at the end of the courses. The preferable visiting season to Mundaka is the summer and also around September when there is a mild wind.