Hossegor is one of the best-known surf towns in France. It sits on a stretch of Atlantic coastline with endless sandy beaches and beach breaks that work for every level. Nomad Surf Camps bases its teen programme here, on a lakefront site that's a five-minute trip from the sand.

A typical day pairs time in the ocean with French practice. Surf sessions are split by level, so beginners learn to paddle and pop up on soft boards in the whitewater, while more experienced teens work on short-board surfing in the bigger waves further out. The aim for the stronger surfers is to improve fast, and the coaching is set up for that.

French lessons give the stay a second purpose beyond surfing. The language gets used right away too, in bakeries, at crêpe stands and around town on the bike rides that fill some afternoons.

The camp is small, capped at 18 campers. Teens from across Europe and North America share the site, and the common language ends up being a mix of English, French and surfing slang.

Nomad Surfers say they have run surf trips since 1995. The listing does not name the individual instructors, so parents should ask the operator directly about coaching qualifications, the ratio of staff to campers and how supervision works on and off the beach.

Compared with the many teen language camps along the French coast, this one puts surfing first. French lessons are part of the week, but the reason to pick it is the time spent in the water at Hossegor.

What's included

- Accommodation at the lakefront camp in shared rooms - Surf lessons for all levels - Surfboard use during lessons - French lessons - Bike rides - On-site supervision

What's not included

- Flights to France - Travel insurance - Pocket money and personal spending - Extra activities not in the programme