Readers' tips ... surfing in Europe
Each week we run a section in the Guardian newspaper's travel section, asking for readers to send in tips on a particular subject. The best tip - chosen by Tom Hall from Lonely Planet - wins a digital camera courtesy of Jessops. Find out more here
Winning tip
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Surf Atlantico, northern Spain
Posted by DavidBignell
What stands out about Surf Atlantico in Cantabria, is the mix between some cracking surf spots and Spanish culture. In an area of the travel game that seems to be becoming less concerned with a real 'surf experience' and more about how many Euros you can pack into the ocean, there is little more you can ask for from a genuine surf-tour.
The seven days booked covered about 1,000km of Spain's stunning northern coastline starting in the Cider soaked region of Asturias, passing through the bear-inhabited Picos mountains and coming to a close in the endlessly hospitable Basque region. With plenty of stop offs along the way, you cant help but fall in love with what is Spain's 'road less travelled'. Food, music, scenery. It has it all.
Oh, are the experienced surfers wondering whether there's much in it for them? A quick nod to the SA boy's and a de-tour to legendary breaks like Rodiles, Los Locos (and if you're lucky), a working Mundaka will satisfy even the most ardent of board riders.
Finally, for the cynics, the answer's no. I don't work for S.A. I just cant help wishing I did.
www.surf-atlantico.com
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Surfing beach, Mullion, Cornwall, UK
Posted by Vikivix
Poldhu beach, near Mullion on The Lizard in Cornwall is a little known surfers paradise because it is one of the very few beaches to face directly West, from the Lizard peninsula. This means that as well as benefiting from the swells generated out in the Atlantic, there are often offshore breezes holding up the face of the waves making them smooth and glassy - perfect for surfing.
The long sweep of sand, free parking spots at the edge of the beach and beach cafe, plus the fact that this has now got an official life guard station as of last year make it the place to go for local surfers in the know.
Poldhu beach is near Mullion, between Mullion village and Cury in Cornwall on the Lizard peninsula
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The Kings Head pub, Llangennith, Wales
Posted by Huge
Rhossili Beach is beautiful, it gets a good wave as it picks up similar swells to North Devon. Though it lacks the power of many beaches in Cornwall or Devon it is by far easier to get to and has a very relaxed vibe.
But what I really like in Llangeneth is the Kings Head pub. It has good beer, great food - the dragons breath curry is fantastic after a day on the water - and order the crumble early as they make it in enormous quantities and it still sells out nightly. But the best thing about it is the whisky collection behind the bar. Single malts three deep the length of the bar on two shelves. They certainly help for the wobble back to the campsite, even if they don't help you get up for the dawn surf the next day.
www.kingsheadgower.co.uk
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Shifting Sands Surf Camp, Hossegor, France
Posted by Matelda
Great place called Shifting Sands Surf Camp near Hossegor in France. Hossegor itself is a really famous surf break with lots of people in the water, but Shifting Sands really rises above all the posing. It's set in a wooded area back from the beach which is incredibly peaceful as you can hear the waves from the terrace. Paul, who runs the place is totally into surfing and you can either come down for a few days and pick up some lessons in the morning or you can come out for a whole week of taught surfing, yoga, whatever you want. I went out on my own as a beginner surfer and came away relaxed, tanned and a complete convert to the lifestyle.
www.shiftingsandssurfcamp.com
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Surfing in Lacanau
Posted by KatherineBennett20
Lacanau is a hidden gem on the North Atlantic coast of France - a fantastically laid-back town with great scenery, good facilities and most importantly, amazing surf! After surfing for years in Cornwall, San Sebastian and Biarritz, we decided to try a different spot and, on a recommendation, visited Lacanau. It’s not too far from Bordeaux airport and is a real find. There are six surfing beaches to choose from – North Beach is the most popular and is home to the Lacanau surf club, but head further south to ‘Plage Sud’ and you will find some of the best waves in this region. There’s also a surfing tournament ‘The Lacanau Pro’ which takes place every August. We found Lacanau to be less busy than other European surfing spots, but it still has excellent surf schools and facilities for all abilities. We stayed at the P&V Lacanau Holiday Village, as it’s only 2km from the sea but surrounded by forests and sand dunes.
www.surflacanau.com
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Pointe de la Torche, France
Posted by petera3
Has to be the best surfing spot in Europe. When everywhere in Britain is dead flat Pointe de la Torche has delivered the most consistent surf day after day in mid summer. Great beach, no huge development, lots of sun and lifeguards.
www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/PointdelaTorche
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Surfing in Praia da Arrifana, Portugal
Posted by HughSmythe
When the summer wind blows out all the other surf breaks on the southwest coast of Portugal, the place to head for is Praia da Arrifana. Sheltered from the prevailing north-westerly by stunning, hundred metre high cliffs, Arrifana sucks in any swell the Atlantic has to offer. The beach will produce rideable waves at all stages of the tide and, depending on the swell size and direction, there is likely to be something to suit all abilities. While Arrifana can become quite crowded - especially during the summer months when it is the favoured destination for many of the Algarve surf schools - there remains a pleasantly easy going vibe in the water. As the swell hits two metres or more, a world-class, right-hand point wave starts to break beneath the cliffs at the north end of the bay. The ride here is long, extremely fast and definitely not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted. When it’s working, sit up on the cliff-top bar with a beer in hand and watch in awe as the experts (and lunatics) show us how it should be done. Visit www.surfcampalgarve.co.uk for information regarding lessons, board and wetsuit hire, accommodation etc.
Praia da Arrifana is 6km west of Aljezur in the western Algarve region of Portugal
www.surfcampalgarve.com
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Nomad Algarve Surfcamp, Carrapateira, Portugal
Posted by AlunEvans
The western Algarve is probably the top surfing destination in Europe, with warm water, a not-too-touristy vibe, and of course consistent pumping waves. The Algarve Surfcamp is based in Carrapateira, a small village about 30 minutes drive up the the west coast from Sagres. The camp offers lessons and accommodation pretty much right on a spectacular beach. It's perfect for beginners and intermediates, while more advanced surfers are ideally located to explore the endless quality breaks on this stretch of coast.
www.nomadsurfers.com
Winning tip
________________________________________________________________
Surf Atlantico, northern Spain
Posted by DavidBignell
What stands out about Surf Atlantico in Cantabria, is the mix between some cracking surf spots and Spanish culture. In an area of the travel game that seems to be becoming less concerned with a real 'surf experience' and more about how many Euros you can pack into the ocean, there is little more you can ask for from a genuine surf-tour.
The seven days booked covered about 1,000km of Spain's stunning northern coastline starting in the Cider soaked region of Asturias, passing through the bear-inhabited Picos mountains and coming to a close in the endlessly hospitable Basque region. With plenty of stop offs along the way, you cant help but fall in love with what is Spain's 'road less travelled'. Food, music, scenery. It has it all.
Oh, are the experienced surfers wondering whether there's much in it for them? A quick nod to the SA boy's and a de-tour to legendary breaks like Rodiles, Los Locos (and if you're lucky), a working Mundaka will satisfy even the most ardent of board riders.
Finally, for the cynics, the answer's no. I don't work for S.A. I just cant help wishing I did.
www.surf-atlantico.com
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Surfing beach, Mullion, Cornwall, UK
Posted by Vikivix
Poldhu beach, near Mullion on The Lizard in Cornwall is a little known surfers paradise because it is one of the very few beaches to face directly West, from the Lizard peninsula. This means that as well as benefiting from the swells generated out in the Atlantic, there are often offshore breezes holding up the face of the waves making them smooth and glassy - perfect for surfing.
The long sweep of sand, free parking spots at the edge of the beach and beach cafe, plus the fact that this has now got an official life guard station as of last year make it the place to go for local surfers in the know.
Poldhu beach is near Mullion, between Mullion village and Cury in Cornwall on the Lizard peninsula
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The Kings Head pub, Llangennith, Wales
Posted by Huge
Rhossili Beach is beautiful, it gets a good wave as it picks up similar swells to North Devon. Though it lacks the power of many beaches in Cornwall or Devon it is by far easier to get to and has a very relaxed vibe.
But what I really like in Llangeneth is the Kings Head pub. It has good beer, great food - the dragons breath curry is fantastic after a day on the water - and order the crumble early as they make it in enormous quantities and it still sells out nightly. But the best thing about it is the whisky collection behind the bar. Single malts three deep the length of the bar on two shelves. They certainly help for the wobble back to the campsite, even if they don't help you get up for the dawn surf the next day.
www.kingsheadgower.co.uk
________________________________________________________________
Shifting Sands Surf Camp, Hossegor, France
Posted by Matelda
Great place called Shifting Sands Surf Camp near Hossegor in France. Hossegor itself is a really famous surf break with lots of people in the water, but Shifting Sands really rises above all the posing. It's set in a wooded area back from the beach which is incredibly peaceful as you can hear the waves from the terrace. Paul, who runs the place is totally into surfing and you can either come down for a few days and pick up some lessons in the morning or you can come out for a whole week of taught surfing, yoga, whatever you want. I went out on my own as a beginner surfer and came away relaxed, tanned and a complete convert to the lifestyle.
www.shiftingsandssurfcamp.com
________________________________________________________________
Surfing in Lacanau
Posted by KatherineBennett20
Lacanau is a hidden gem on the North Atlantic coast of France - a fantastically laid-back town with great scenery, good facilities and most importantly, amazing surf! After surfing for years in Cornwall, San Sebastian and Biarritz, we decided to try a different spot and, on a recommendation, visited Lacanau. It’s not too far from Bordeaux airport and is a real find. There are six surfing beaches to choose from – North Beach is the most popular and is home to the Lacanau surf club, but head further south to ‘Plage Sud’ and you will find some of the best waves in this region. There’s also a surfing tournament ‘The Lacanau Pro’ which takes place every August. We found Lacanau to be less busy than other European surfing spots, but it still has excellent surf schools and facilities for all abilities. We stayed at the P&V Lacanau Holiday Village, as it’s only 2km from the sea but surrounded by forests and sand dunes.
www.surflacanau.com
________________________________________________________________
Pointe de la Torche, France
Posted by petera3
Has to be the best surfing spot in Europe. When everywhere in Britain is dead flat Pointe de la Torche has delivered the most consistent surf day after day in mid summer. Great beach, no huge development, lots of sun and lifeguards.
www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/PointdelaTorche
________________________________________________________________
Surfing in Praia da Arrifana, Portugal
Posted by HughSmythe
When the summer wind blows out all the other surf breaks on the southwest coast of Portugal, the place to head for is Praia da Arrifana. Sheltered from the prevailing north-westerly by stunning, hundred metre high cliffs, Arrifana sucks in any swell the Atlantic has to offer. The beach will produce rideable waves at all stages of the tide and, depending on the swell size and direction, there is likely to be something to suit all abilities. While Arrifana can become quite crowded - especially during the summer months when it is the favoured destination for many of the Algarve surf schools - there remains a pleasantly easy going vibe in the water. As the swell hits two metres or more, a world-class, right-hand point wave starts to break beneath the cliffs at the north end of the bay. The ride here is long, extremely fast and definitely not for the inexperienced or faint-hearted. When it’s working, sit up on the cliff-top bar with a beer in hand and watch in awe as the experts (and lunatics) show us how it should be done. Visit www.surfcampalgarve.co.uk for information regarding lessons, board and wetsuit hire, accommodation etc.
Praia da Arrifana is 6km west of Aljezur in the western Algarve region of Portugal
www.surfcampalgarve.com
________________________________________________________________
Nomad Algarve Surfcamp, Carrapateira, Portugal
Posted by AlunEvans
The western Algarve is probably the top surfing destination in Europe, with warm water, a not-too-touristy vibe, and of course consistent pumping waves. The Algarve Surfcamp is based in Carrapateira, a small village about 30 minutes drive up the the west coast from Sagres. The camp offers lessons and accommodation pretty much right on a spectacular beach. It's perfect for beginners and intermediates, while more advanced surfers are ideally located to explore the endless quality breaks on this stretch of coast.
www.nomadsurfers.com