A typical day revolves around two 2-hour surf lessons, each with a warm-up and stretching. Beginners learn the basics, along with safety and the rules of the water. Advanced surfers work on turns and get feedback on their maneuvers, including video analysis of the morning session. Everyone is grouped with people of a similar age and level, so a 10-year-old first-timer won't be paddling out with a 17-year-old who already surfs well.

Berria is a big part of the appeal. It has more than 2km of white sand and long, easy waves, and it picks up swell all year, which is why it's among the more consistent beaches on Spain's north coast. One camper described the summer wave as easy and slow, which gives beginners time to correct their position. Reviewers also mention the view: the beach sits between two mountains, with a prison on it, which is not something you see at most surf spots.

What sets this camp apart from a similar teen surf week is how much surf gear and surf knowledge kids get access to. There are more than 150 boards to try, including epoxy boards and soft boards, plus bodyboards, SUP gear and O'Neill wetsuits. Campers visit the Full & Cas surfboard factory to see shaper Hugo Lopez at work, attend meteorology workshops, and learn how currents and waves form. They also learn surf etiquette, so they can paddle out at other beaches knowing how to behave in the lineup.

The instructors are licensed by the Federación Española de Surf (F.E.S.), trained in lifesaving, and have at least a decade of surfing behind them. A pro surfer visits during each camp, and past guests have included Rob Machado, Kepa Acero and Manu Portet. Monitors run the afternoon activities and stay with the kids throughout the day.

Afternoons and evenings fill up with functional training for surfing, Pilates ball work, balance training on Indoboards, yoga, beach volleyball, bowls championships and ping-pong tournaments. Outings include environmental walks in the Santoña nature reserve and a forest park near Santander, where the zip lines cost extra. Parties include beach barbecues, DJ nights and jam sessions.

The camp has 2,200 square meters of facilities, and Santoña is a 5-minute drive away for supermarkets, banks and restaurants. Santander is about 30 minutes by car and Bilbao about an hour. Reviews average 4.8 out of 5 from 26 ratings, with instructors and monitors praised most often. Not every review is glowing, though. One camper found the instructors disorganized and wasn't keen on the food, and another mentioned a mix-up at the airport on arrival.

What's included

- 6 nights of accommodation in shared rooms separated by gender - Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) - Daily surf course with 2 lessons of 2 hours each - Surfboard and wetsuit during lessons - Stretching and warm-up sessions - Progression plan and custom training - Video analysis of the morning session - Yoga, volleyball, skate and long-skate sessions - Meteorology workshop - Ping-pong and surf video screenings - Environmental walks through the Santoña nature reserve - Beach games with monitors - 24-hour supervision - Insurance - Television and wifi

What's not included

- Flights - Airport and station transfers from Bilbao or Santander (available at extra cost) - English lessons (available at extra cost) - Zip lines at the forest park - Pocket money for snacks, drinks and personal purchases