Come and discover surfing!

Surfing involves catching a wave, sliding lying down, and then standing up on different types of waves such as the whitewater that breaks within the first 20-50 meters from the shore or the smooth, unbroken waves from the open sea.

Whitewater waves are the perfect playground for beginners and children because they are numerous, close to the shore, and break in shallow water. It’s great for quickly having fun and learning the basics!

The smooth waves from the open sea, harder to reach and catch, offer great sensations during courses, especially after a few weeks of practice.

Beginner or occasional surfers will aim to ride the longest waves possible, while experienced surfers will seek maximum speed to perform the best turns on the wave (tricks).

Surfing has been an ancient practice in the Hawaiian and Polynesian islands since the 15th century. It allowed tribal chiefs who challenged the sea to prove their power and superiority. This practice also had a religious aspect as it was used to honor the goddess of fertility.

The chiefs surfed large, very heavy wooden boards called 'Papa-he-nalu.' These were carved from a tree trunk according to an ancient ritual. The common people mostly surfed lying down on 'Paipo,' the ancestor of the modern bodyboard.

Surfing then became popular in California and other Anglo-Saxon countries at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to great names such as Olympic swimming champion Duke Kahanamoku, writer Jack London, and surfer Tom Blake, and thanks to inventions making it more accessible and easier (fins in 1930, resin, and foam blanks that lightened the boards from the 1950s onward).

In France, surfing appeared in 1957 in Biarritz and has since gained many enthusiasts. The first French surfers are now 80 years old and are called the 'Tontons Surfers.' Some of them still surf!

Because it’s a magical sport that is good for both the body and the mind!

It is both physical (but not traumatic), technical, and calls for our balance and adaptability (conditions change extremely every day). It also allows for a timeless moment, away from the worries and demands of modern life.

It also symbolizes notions of freedom and connection with nature, which we often need.

Finally, its popularity has exploded since the 2000s thanks to the advent of foam boards adapted for beginners and the family-friendly, highly accessible nature of surfing schools.

Contrary to popular belief, surfing is accessible to (almost) everyone!

Let's clarify: having fun and progressing in whitewater is possible for everyone, regardless of age, gender, and physical condition. The joy of gliding comes from the first moments, first lying down, then standing up!

To reach an intermediate level and be comfortable in the smooth waves of the open sea, physical fitness and years of regular practice become essential.

Like all sports in natural environments, it carries risks: surfboard injuries, cuts from the sometimes rocky seabed, currents, and sometimes aqua-stress. A free practitioner must always assess their comfort level compared to the conditions and know to stay on the beach or change locations in case of doubt.

But let’s reassure the anxious: in our surf school, we generally have between none and two injuries (ankle sprain, reawakening of an old injury, etc.) per year, for thousands of practitioners!

We do everything for your safety: practice on sandy beaches, safe foam boards, proper spot selection according to your level, safety rules, surf suits for protection, constant monitoring of our students...

Moreover, except in very small waves, our beginners and children only have water up to their waists, allowing them to have fun safely.

Most people think they lack balance when they get on a board for the first time. WRONG! We are all bipeds and have good basic balance.

But surfing is a mix of several things: good wave choice, proper positioning, sufficient speed, and balance while lying down. Then precision in foot placement, semi-bent posture, and muscle relaxation.

It usually takes between 2 and 6 hours to master this and glide like a pro to the shore!

Novice surfers are often surprised by their speed of progression during the first lessons. It usually takes between 2 and 10 hours of practice to surf long whitewater waves standing up to the shore.

Surfing in the open sea is more physical, technical, and the learning curve is steeper (but that's the challenge of surfing!). It takes between 6 and 12 hours to catch small smooth waves, 1 or 2 years to ride them sideways, and years before performing your first tricks on the wave!

A baby surfer can practice in mini waves with their dad or mom as soon as they can walk.

At Cocosurf, we accept children from the age of 7, as they need to understand and follow safety rules and be able to listen in a group of 8 surfers.

If you learned young and already know how to surf properly, you can practice until old age. For beginners, there is no age limit, it all depends on any health issues! Feel free to ask us for advice.

In general, men lose their flexibility from the age of 50, and women lose strength. So, you won't make a professional career past a certain age. But if you have kept your inner child, you are still fit to surf small waves!

No. For surf lessons, you just need to know how to float, put your head underwater, and swim a bit. If you're not comfortable with the ocean, you can practice in the small waves close to the shore without any problems.

However, a free practitioner who wants to progress must of course have a decent level in freestyle swimming.

It depends on the problem. There can be major contraindications (recent fracture or sprain, hemophilia, etc.), but many issues can be overcome with adaptations. Don’t hesitate to discuss it with the team before booking!

Surf spots are like mushroom spots, they are not revealed! Surfing is a journey, and every practitioner must do their own research. It’s a treasure hunt and this personal quest is part of its magic!

But some are already known and can be mentioned: the 17 km of Côte-Sauvage, of course, highly exposed to waves, it’s the perfect playground for small to medium swells. In the south, the beaches of Pays Royannais are great for getting started during medium to strong swells (high tide)! Finally, in the north, the spots of Vert-bois, Grand Village, and Saint Trojan are good spots for all levels, which capture the swell quite well, but be careful of overcrowding and the dangers it brings.

Of course! All board sports help you acquire a better sense of balance and proprioception to manage your board. However, this advantage only works once standing and won’t help you with reading the ocean and catching waves! But it’s a good start.

Of course! All surfers must follow safety rules: don't hit others, be careful when falling, stay in the surfing zone, don't go too far out if you're not skilled enough, etc. These are the fundamental rules we teach in our lessons.

For surfing in the open sea, in addition to beginner safety rules, you must also respect: