Surf & Yoga Holiday Camps in Spain, France and the Canary Islands

The day usually starts early with breakfast at the camp, then a beach transfer or a short walk down to the sand. Morning surf lessons run for around two hours with a break, and the coaches split groups by ability on the first day so beginners aren't sitting in the same lineup as people who can already turn. Boards, wetsuits and rash vests are provided at every camp, so you turn up with a swimsuit, sunscreen and a towel and that's it. Afternoon sessions follow for most camps, then there's yoga in the late afternoon — usually five classes across the week, held on a deck, in a studio or on the beach depending on where you are.

Evenings are dinner at the camp (full board at most of the Spanish and French camps, breakfast and dinner at the Fuerteventura house) and then whatever the location offers — a beach bar in Vieux-Boucau, the historic centre of a Cantabrian town, or the skatepark and bars near the Fuerteventura surf house. Free time activities include trips, beach volleyball, skate sessions and surf contests between camps, plus plenty of chances to just lie on the sand.

The difference here is that these are the operator's own camps, not a booking platform's. They describe themselves as the first European travel agency specialising in surfing that only operates its own surf camps and surf schools, which means the people teaching you are on their payroll and have been vetted by them. Several instructors have surfed for the German national team or still do, and most have competed and travelled widely chasing waves. Before anyone is hired they have to prove both surfing ability and teaching ability.

Locations are spread across three countries. In France there are camps at Le Pin Sec (Bordeaux region glamping), Vieux-Boucau (15 minutes from Hossegor) and Moliets. In Spain there's a junior camp and a Cantabria camp, both right on or near the beach. Fuerteventura has a surf house and apartments close to the ocean, skatepark, shops, restaurants and bars, open 365 days a year. There are also surf apartments and surf vans in Tenerife, plus camps in Portugal, Bali, Morocco and Indonesia.

Most camps run from late June through to late September or early October, with the Fuerteventura house open year round. Two-week options exist at Cantabria (14 nights, 22 surf lessons, 10 yoga classes). Prices start around 300 EUR per person per week for the Spain Cantabria camp and go up to 600 EUR for the junior camp with its 22-lesson programme, with a two-week Cantabria stay at around 920 EUR.

What's included

- 7 nights' accommodation (14 nights on the two-week option) - Full board at most Spanish and French camps - Breakfast and dinner at the Fuerteventura surf house - Surf lessons (5 days at Fuerteventura, 12 at French camps, 22 at the junior camp) - Surf equipment: boards, wetsuits, rash vests - Beach transfer at the Fuerteventura camp - 5 yoga classes per week (10 on the two-week option) - Fun activities: trips, beach volleyball, skate sessions, surf contests - Trained, certified, lifeguard-qualified surf instructors

What's not included

- Flights to and from the camp - Travel insurance - Lunches at the Fuerteventura surf house - Personal expenses - Airport transfers unless included at your specific camp - Surf equipment hire outside lesson hours at camps where not stated as 7-day access - Optional excursions and extras