Organising a family holiday can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it comes to balancing everyone’s different preferences. How can you provide your children with stimulating activities whilst ensuring you get a chance to really relax and enjoy yourselves?
Surf camps are increasingly establishing themselves as the ideal solution, combining sport, nature and socialising.
However, not all courses are the same, and teaching children to surf requires a suitable environment to ensure both safety and enjoyment.
At Surf & Yoga Hossegor, we regularly welcome families to our Surf Villa in Seignosse. Here, we offer a comprehensive guide to ensuring your family surfing holiday is a success, finding out at what age your children can start, and understanding why our ‘Mind & Body’ approach appeals so much to parents seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Contenus de la page
At what age can your child start learning to surf?
You’re probably wondering at what age your child can start surfing. Generally speaking, surf schools accept children from the ages of 6 to 8. However, age isn’t the only factor to consider: your child’s comfort in the water is essential to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience.
Before enrolling your child on a course, please ensure that they meet three essential criteria. Firstly, they must
-
- be comfortable in the water: be able to swim at least 25 metres unaided, and not panic when your head is under water – this confidence is essential for swimming calmly in the ocean.
- Furthermore, the ability to listen to and understand the instructor’s instructions is essential, as surfing requires strict adherence to safety rules and appropriate behaviour in the water.
- Finally, the desire to surf must come from the child themselves. The ocean can be intimidating, or even frightening; it is therefore essential never to force your child to take part, so that surfing remains, above all, a game and a source of enjoyment.
For younger children, particularly those under 12, learning takes place exclusively in the ‘foam’: these are the waves that have already broken, near the shore where children can always touch the bottom. Thanks to foam boards specially adapted to their body shape, you’ll often find that children have a natural sense of balance that enables them to stand up more quickly than adults. This gradual approach builds their confidence and ensures they enjoy themselves right from the start.
Why is the learning environment so important for children?
Whilst a suitable environment is important for an adult beginner, it is even more crucial for a child. Sending your child to an overcrowded surf school in the middle of a packed beach can not only spoil their enjoyment, but also instil a lasting fear of the ocean. That is why we have carefully chosen Les Casernes beach in Seignosse as the venue for our family sessions.
| Why Casernes Beach is ideal for families |
|---|
| Space and tranquillity: Away from the crowds, you can enjoy a peaceful environment with less risk of collisions. |
| Gentle sandbanks: The waves build gradually here and do not crash violently onto the shore, which puts children and parents at ease. |
| Large foam play areas: Spacious areas where children can play safely, with their feet firmly on the ground at all times, even for long periods. |
Furthermore, our policy of keeping groups small – limited to a maximum of 5 to 8 children – enables the instructor to keep a close eye on each child. This approach ensures maximum safety and personalised feedback, thereby guaranteeing that your child makes progress in a caring and safe environment.
The Hossegor Surf & Yoga Experience for families
Our Surf Villa is different from traditional kids’ clubs. It is not just a place for activities, but a genuine living space designed for adults and families who share a common philosophy: combining sport, nature, healthy eating and tranquillity for a well-rounded holiday.
