In this section I will describe the places I have been. My opinion is based on the search for a safe easy place to learn for a 55+ new bee . If you have any questions about the places I went to, or related to surfing, you are welcome to drop me a line at tomandersen59@yahoo.com  
  

Denmark Løkken  Map, is a holiday resort situated in North Jylland in Jammerbugten.   Løkken is one of the larger resorts in the area. Popular with younger people, and the town becomes quite crowded in the July high season. There are many shops, restaurants, bars, cafe's and some discothèques.

What I liked most , is the easy access to the beach. The surf spot is just North of the breakwater. There is a surf school here http://surf-skolen.dk/ They are only having courses when enough people are signed on. Call them for more info.

If you have a camper you can take it to the beach during the daytime. During the night you are supposed to use camping. There is a quick camping fee several places High season is 1 st July to mid August.

The camping I stayed on was more for family. Some of them had never seen a surfer before, or so it looked. I prop went to the wrong one. There are several to choose from.

I did see quite a bit of kites. They were North from the breakwater as well.  The photo shows the breakwater in Loekken and some surfers.

I stayed at http://www.loekkenklit.dk. They had free internet. 20 channel cable TV, a place with a lot of comfort. However I had to take the car and drive a few kilometres to the beach. That counts for all the camping in the area. The surf spot is a drive away.
 

Denmark Klitmøller Map, is situated at the West coast of Jylland. It is a village type place. There are 2 camp sites. The one I used, and the one most of the surfers use http://nystrupcamping.dk The camping site is open from 1/3 to 1/11, However if you are very fond of surfing and absolutely has to surf new years eve, then try to give them a call. I am sure they have a solution..

The photo  shows the surfer parking in Klitmoeller. There is a big sign " Only for surfers and their equipment."

What many do is they spend the daytime at the parking along the bay in front of the inn or the smaller one dedicated for surfers further towards West. Then they spend the night at the camping site or at the quick camping parking outside, it is  cheaper
 
There is a surf shop in town. They have equipment for all types of surfing. They also sell have a surf school. Again they teach all types of surf.

In Klitmoeller there is surfing all year. Especially the windsurfers like the periods of high winds during the winter. For that reason the place is also named "Cold Hawaii"

10 km from South Klitmoeller you find the place Vorupoer. Very popular, however I found it to crowded for a beginner. It is the best place once you get some experience.
 

France Atlantic coast   Amelie Syr Mer Map is situated 6 Km South of Soulac Syr Mer along the . I was on the www.camping-amelie-plage.com camping site. Right on the beach. There is a surf camp operating from the camping, so now and gain it is a bit crowded.

There is a small town nearby 4 K,  for shopping and sight seeing. I liked the place so much that I was planning to stay the whole summer of 2008. The camping is open from 1 March to 1 December, and you can get a flat fee for the whole period. If you stay there 6 month you will be able to surf, never mind what age. Unfortunately I could not take time off, but I will def consider this in the future.

The camping is busy July August. The rest of the year I would classify it a quiet.  When the surf camp is in operation, there is plenty to look at. It is mainly young people, and they are fearless and very eager to learn.

Further down the coast there is one beach after the other. Well known such as Lacanou Ocen and Soorts Hossegor. However at Amelie there is some protection from large waves, and that is what I as a beginner surfer like.
 

 Along the North coast of Spain towards the Bay of Biscay, you will find many places to surf. I was visiting the area during a September trip. The weather was pleasant, however you must expect some rain in this area. Also the nights start to get chilly.

I was staying 3 weeks in the area called Oyambre. There is a camping site named La Playa, part of it with direct access to the beach. You can sit outside your tent and check the waves. http://www.guiacampingfecc.com/cantabria/la.playa.oyambre/

There are 2 more camping nearby, but then you need your car to go to the beach.

Most of the days started with windless mornings. Then during the afternoon you would get a North East wind, which often destroyed the surfing on this beach. You could then drive to an other beach towards San Vicente, some 5 Km. away and find shelter from the wind there.

Often mobile homes and vans were hanging out at the beach parking. That seem to work for a while, until somebody got the idea to use the facilities from the camping without asking.

At San Vicente there is a camping site as well. Shops just across the road. Walking distance from the bech. Besides there is more town. Problem is the town is at he other side of the river, say half hour walk. http://www.campingelrosal.com/

Mid way on the beach by San Vicente, there is a quiet parking. Here you often saw surfers parked.

An other place I went, was Loredo beach in the bay of Santander. There is a place called Laredo as well further down the coast. Don't mix up the places, as I did.

Anyway. There is a parking near the beach. I saw some vans here that looked as if they stayed the night as well. Month was September .

Just next to the parking there is a camping. Walking distance from beach.

The waves are les in this area in front of the camping, and you are protected from North East winds. perfect spot for a learner. However expect crowds during July August. In September it was actually very pleasant , only few people.

A surf school is operating from the camp site. It looked as if you could rent everything. Tents, boards, wet suits, even if you wanted just to surf by yourself. The camp site has cabins as well for rent.  Try to contact the camping for info. http://www.campingderbyloredo.com/  The camping is open all year. 2 or 3 schools are operating in this area.

Another beach in this bay is Somo beach. From here there is a ferry across to Santander.
Cantabria is the best place I have been so far. Waves every day. At least during September, while I was there. Protected beaches for the learner. Many camping sites.

Spain, Mallorca
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3crjD3Cvzb8  If you are there long enough you can get a good day or two.

The locals have their spots and after a while you will find them. The window for good surfing waves is however very narrow.

Portugal, Sagres
I was in Sagres on two occations during 2009. In November and December. Luckey me I had a lot of experience already because this time a year you get some big waves here. However there are more sheltered places nearby as well. I stayed with www.sagresnatura.com  I am going back this spring.  This is the first time i stayed in a surf house. It vas a positive experience. Very few people during the month I was there. Expect everything to be busy during summer peak season.

For the total new surfer, better go there during the summer or late spring early autumn.

I was told that the surf house would be busy during the x-mas period. Sagres has many spots for aftersurfing. You vill see many surfers coming there with RV`s . At least during the off season you can find many places to park for the night. There is a camping as well opened all year.

Home