Myth n°1: "Surfing is only for thrill-seekers".
In reality, surfing is for everyone. According to the French Surfing Federation, over 80% of surfers ride waves of less than two meters. Surf schools, which are widespread along the Atlantic coast, offer training on wide, stablelongboards, ideal for novices. In Biarritz, for example, a renowned surf school offers courses where 95% of students manage to stand up from the very first hour. You can start with**"softboards**", which are gentle and less intimidating for newcomers.
Finally, when you feel a little more at ease, you can move on to shortboards, which are smaller and more maneuverable for tricks or surfing bigger waves.
Myth n°2: "You have to be young to start surfing".
Age is absolutely no barrier to surfing. Just look at famous shaper Gary Linden, who is still surfing even though he's over 60! The French Surfing Federation notes that 30% of surfers are over 35, and this category is even represented in competition.
Programs dedicated to seniors exist in Brittany, using surfing as a tool for physical rehabilitation and mental well-being. This is known as "surf therapy" and has been around for some twenty years now in the USA, where programs such as "Operation Surf" were set up to help war veterans overcome the traumas associated with their military service.
These programs offer veterans the opportunity to take part in intensive surf camps, often in picturesque coastal destinations, where they can **reconnect with nature **and benefit from peer support.
These initiatives show that surfing is clearly an intergenerational sport.
Myth no. 3: "You have to be very muscular to surf".
In reality, you don't need to be very muscular to surf. The most important qualities are not strength, but rather agility, coordination, flexibility and the ability to read the aquatic environment.
Coordination is essential for synchronizing rowing movements, board position transitions and turns. This enables you to follow the rhythm of the wave and adjust your trajectory accordingly.
As for flexibility, it's an often underestimated but crucial aspect of surfing. In fact, to successfully paddle, stand up on the board and make tight turns, surfers need to have good **amplitude of movement **in the joints, particularly the shoulders, hips and ankles.
So, of course, if you want to practice regularly and become a crack surfer, you'll need to work on these two elements as well as endurance, as you often have to stay in the water for long hours and repeat the same gestures. But in the final analysis, these are not very demanding criteria to start with, and everything can be learned if you have the right support. Remember to take at least a few surfing lessons with a professional to learn all the right moves and make rapid progress!
Myth 4: "You can only surf in the south-west".
Surfing in France is not exclusive to the south-west. There are surf spots all along the Atlantic coast, such as La Torche, near Penmarc'h, renowned for their varied surfing conditions, suitable for all levels. The beaches of Quiberon and Crozon also offer quality waves, and are often less crowded than in the south-west! The same goes for Les Sables d'Olonne and La Tranche-sur-Mer in Vendée!
In Normandy, despite the cool temperatures, you can also surf on the beaches of Étretat and Siouville-Hague.
We don't always think about it, but the Mediterranean coast, if it has east swells in winter, can also be a great place to surf.
Places like Antibes, near Nice, and La Ciotat, near Marseille, offer quality waves for southern surfers looking for something different.
Of course, these spots are less consistent than on the Atlantic coast, but they're well worth a visit for their picturesque setting and sunny atmosphere!
Myth n°5: "Surfboards cost a fortune".
It's true, some high-performance surfboards are expensive, ranging from 150 to 600 euros on average. But there are more affordable alternatives. According to a market survey by Surf Session Magazine, the average price of a used board in France is 280 euros.
You can find them on the following sites
Leboncoin: You can filter ads by location and board type to find the one that suits your needs.
Surfing Swap: This online platform is dedicated to buying and selling used surf equipment. You'll find a wide variety of boards, from shortboards to longboards, offered by private individuals and professionals.
You'll also find surf stores and depots selling their surplus stock.
Alltroc: Europe's leading surfing depot based in Hossegor in the Landes region of France.
Waimea in Anglet, on the Basque Coast
You can also rent a board from a surf shop or surf school, at a cost of between 10 and 20 euros per day.
Surfboard rental allows surfers to try out different types of boards without any initial financial investment, and offers flexibility to suit changing weather conditions, avoiding the logistical hassle of transport and maintenance.
By opting for rental, surfers can enjoy regularly maintained and renewed boards, without worrying about maintenance or storage.
