How to practice foreign languages while enjoying the best surf camps around the world? Discover our practical guide!
If surfing is one of the most popular sports in the world, it is no coincidence: there are often what are called surf camps , places dedicated to the practice of surfing around particularly suitable spots! This is an opportunity to spend a stay, to meet surfers from all over the world, who have come to discover a new spot, and a new region! And therefore the perfect opportunity to practice a new language!
Let’s first go back to the origins of the word “surf”. In French, the term surfing is an abbreviation of the English term of the Best surf camps: surfing which designates the waves , and riding , from the verb ride , to mount .
Surfing is not a new sport: it is estimated that it was born a long time ago in Hawaii. However, it is only since the 20th century that this sport has begun to gain momentum, and especially in recent years. In France alone, the FFS (French Surfing Federation) – itself created in 1964 – estimates that there would be 680,000 practitioners in 2020.
What is a surf spot ? Which spot to choose?
A spot is simply a place where you can practice surfing! In France alone, surfing enthusiasts are already spoiled for choice: from Brittany to the Basque Country , via Normandy and the Pays de la Loire. Our metropolis already allows you to test surfing whatever your level. And that’s not to mention the West Indies , especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe!
Surfing Vocabulary
Surfing has its own vocabulary, which is not difficult to appropriate. Speaking English will be of great help to you, wherever you are in the world since the majority of the words used by surfers come from English-speaking countries.
The first step will be to get a board and a surf suit. The board rental companies will help you choose, depending on your level and the weather conditions. Because there is a choice: fish, shortboard, hybrid, gun, funboard, longboard… ! Not to be confused with bodyboards which are smaller foam boards allowing you to take the waves not standing up, but lying down. That said, it allows you to learn about the feeling of gliding when you are a beginner!
Once your board has been chosen, you can put a little wax on it, which is a paraffin to spread on your board for better grip: to limit your risk of slipping. In French, wax literally means wax.
On your board, there are four parts to identify:
first, the fin : it is a fin placed under the board, and whose objective is to give more stability and control in maneuvers, while generating speed more easily
the leash , then: literally, the leash. Attached to one of your feet, it is the leash that will allow you not to lose your board in the event of a fall in the waves: essential!
the nose, which means the nose: and as the name suggests, it is the front of the board.
While The Back Is Called: The Tail
You may also come across the term, foil , which is also found when it comes to boats. It is a kind of horizontal fin on the board which raises the board above the surface of the water to allow the Legendary Surf Camps to gain more speed. For beginners, it is better to wait a bit!
Some useful expressions for beginner surfers
The first step will be to apply the duck technique: yes, yes! The idea is to go with your board under the waves to pass the bar .
The idea is to reach the peak (the peak of the wave: the braking zone of the wave) to find the wave on which you will attempt a take off . The take off (lit. take off) is when you manage to get up on the board!
But before you start, remember two very important rules:
- The first is to find out about the conditions of the spot. Is there a swell ? Is the wind more onshore (offshore wind, not great for surfing) or offshore (land wind)? Is the tide high ( high tide ) or low ( low tide )?
- the second is to respect the rules of the game in the water. As in skiing, there are a few rules of conduct to know. In particular, we avoid taxing , that is to say stealing priority from a surfer already on the wave.
- A world tour of surf camps
Which surf camp to choose?
There are many different criteria for choosing a spot:
- The country in question: it’s now or never to discover a new country and a new culture
- The language you are learning: if you are learning a new language, you might as well combine business with pleasure!
- Your level of surfing: beginners and experts are not necessarily looking for the same waves. So do not hesitate to inquire beforehand so that the spot corresponds to your level.
- The season: depending on the time of year, some spots will be more pleasant, with conditions more suited to surfing!
- Where to surf in Europe?
- On a European scale, there is already a lot to do! Many coasts are a delight for surfers, with surf camps flourishing more and more. It’s a guaranteed change of scenery!
Want to put your Spanish lessons into practice?
Then we recommend Galicia! Galicia is not the most famous region of Spain but it is nevertheless magnificent! The coast offers both cliffs dominated by eucalyptus forests, or raw beaches, surrounded by turquoise waters. If we call it the Other Finistère, it’s because it looks almost Celtic! But Galicia is above all 1300 km of coastline with strong exposure to the swell, which gives a multitude of small spots perfect for surfers.
