How to choose the best surf schools in Spain

Recently, the Spanish coast has been consolidating as one of the ideal destinations for surfing all over Europe. Its extensive coastline, full of spots with high quality waves, is visited every year by thousands of surfers of all levels, from different parts of the world.

Thanks to this, the number of surf schools has grown exponentially in this part of the continent, with options for all tastes, ranging from super-intensive courses lasting just a few hours to camps lasting several days, with accommodation and food included, all set in an authentic surfing environment. 

The amount of proposals in this country is very wide, so it is possible that the decision about which is the best alternative to choose is a little complicated; that is why we have prepared this article, with the elementary aspects that must be taken into account to choose the best surf schools in Spain.

Important factors to consider before choosing a surf school

In principle, the choice of a suitable surf school should consider some important factors, such as the years of experience of the school in question, the prestige of the instructors in charge, the infrastructure they have and the proposal of courses they offer, among other relevant issues.

However, it is essential to be clear about one’s expectations regarding what is expected from the course. Many times, people want to learn only the very basic things about surfing, since they take advantage of a holiday trip to take a practical course of a few hours. Their expectation is more oriented towards living the experience of surfing while doing various tourist and leisure activities in the area.

Others, on the other hand, want to know all the secrets of surfing, so they spend much more time and resources to receive a more complete learning experience. In these cases they opt for a more comprehensive approach, such as multi-day surf camps, which usually include complementary activities, accommodation and full board.     

Therefore, it is important to first analyze the time available to dedicate to the course, if the interested party travels alone or in company, the budget available and what is their level of knowledge of surfing, if they are still very basic or if they are already at an advanced level and only want to perfect their technique. With this analysis, we will be able to start reviewing the existing proposals for learning to surf in our country.  

Tips for choosing the best surf schools

Once the initial points have been defined, we are now in a position to evaluate each of the existing proposals on Spanish beaches. The options are varied, so we need to determine some elementary aspects that should not be overlooked.

Although it is not an exclusive factor, the years of experience that the surf school has may represent a point in favour of the choice. In general, a school with many years of teaching brings with it a successful record of satisfied graduates who recommend it.

Surf schools in Spain that have been teaching this sport for many years usually have the best comments on social networks, so it is advisable to do an Internet search for the opinions of those who have attended their courses, this will give us some insight into what we can find.  

Another issue to take into account when choosing the best surf school is the range of courses it offers. Here the important thing is that you have proposals for all levels, from beginners to advanced, as it will allow us to advance in learning without having to change schools and instructors.

In this way, we will have the possibility of returning on other opportunities to complement our learning, with the certainty that we will be progressing gradually with the same team of professionals, which will strengthen our confidence.  

The importance of personalised teaching

A monitor committed to the learning of their students is the best guarantee of quality service. To this end, the monitor is always at the side of the participants. In other words, the monitor who is committed enters the water, pushes you to make it easier for you to catch the wave, corrects your posture, encourages you to keep going and does not get tired until you have achieved the objective that the student is seeking by standing up on the waves. An easy way to detect an unmotivated monitor is their attitude, in general they do not enter the water, they only enter up to ankle height and with their hands behind them “typical waiter’s posture” due to their distance from the student, he explains to you by means of signs. Hence the importance of small groups for each course.

The number of places offered by each instructor is very important when determining a good surf school. Usually, a maximum of 6 or 8 students per instructor is recommended, in order to guarantee a closer and more personalized teaching, which allows the instructor to be aware of the progress of each participant.

Some surf schools in Spain tend to form very large groups for each monitor, which depersonalises the teaching, making it more deficient and ineffective, as well as representing a latent risk to the safety of the students.

On the other hand, it is necessary to make sure that the surf school has qualified instructors, with proven experience not only in surfing but also in teaching. Sometimes, it is the case that a monitor is an excellent surfer, but lacks the necessary conditions and skills to teach surfing.

Therefore, it is essential that the school complies with the current legislation, having qualified instructors and the necessary certification to teach the sport. Remember that it’s not just technique; instruction must also include risk control and be by your side to ensure that objectives are met.

Other aspects to consider when choosing the best school

Good equipment can make the difference between a good and bad surfing experience. This is why the school must have good equipment to offer its students, in perfect condition and which can be renewed at regular intervals.

The vast majority of surfing schools in Spain offer classes every day of the year, so the material usually suffers a lot of wear and tear. Both the boards and the wetsuits have a limited lifespan and it is advisable that they are changed at least once a year.

On the other hand, surfing schools with a certain prestige gained over the years grant the corresponding certification for completing the course, which accredits the level reached. This document represents an incentive to continue learning this sport, so we recommend considering those organizations that accredit what you have learned with the corresponding certification.

Last but not least, it is advisable to check the infrastructure of the surf school, especially if you are going to choose a course that includes accommodation for several days. Schools that offer surf houses are usually the most chosen option because it’s much more convenient to stay by the sea, to avoid wasting time with transportation.

Surf camps also give us the chance to meet people from different parts of the world who share the same passion for surfing; with them you can share good moments, practice other languages and socialize during your whole stay. The packages that include this type of accommodation are usually more convenient in terms of economy.   

Additional services that make a difference

Other factors to take into account are the services that are included in the price, such as access to the wifi network, quantity of meals, transport to the beach, etc. Many schools differ from others precisely because of the completeness of their proposals, which makes them more attractive.

The quality of the waves is also a critical factor that can condition learning. Although surfing schools are usually located in areas with good spots, it is important to ensure that the teaching is where there is a high probability of finding good waves.

By following these tips, it is possible to choose the best surf schools in Spain without any problems. You will have noticed that it is not just a matter of choosing the cheapest or the one that offers the best deals; bargains are not always the best option as they may not include some services for a minimal difference in price.

Once you have chosen your ideal surf school, remember to follow your instructor’s recommendations closely regarding warm-up exercises before entering the water and the care you should take in the water, especially if you are just taking your first steps in this sport.