I've spent many a day watching people on these surf camps teach surfing, and had the "pleasure" to go surfing with some people that have been thought by these surf camps.
I think there are pro's and cons!
Pro:
- You will get thought the basics, even if it is not always 100% correct!
- There will be someone there with the responsibility to look after you, so if things go pear shaped they should come to your assistance!
- You will be surfing with other people of about the same skill level, and can compare notes and help each other along.
Con:
- The level of teaching that I have observed has been poor, they usually teach a failry ass ways method of standing up that has very little bearing on what you do on the board.
- The level of background knowledge they give is appalling. I have met people that could not tell where the channels are, where the currents run, or where a decent spot to take off is even after a few months at certain camps.
I think that learning how to stand on the board is only half of learning how to surf, you have to be safe also, and this requires learning the background knowledge to know what to do when you are faced with certain situations.
Personally if I were you I would not go to a camp but try to go on a surf holiday with a friend that already knows how to surf. The atlantic coast of Europe has some amazing surf sports and you should not have problems convincing someone to go with you.
I would recommend the area around
Crozon in France, nice waves and enough of a bend in the coast that if you get a really big day you can surf the bays that get a smaller wave wrapping in.
Biaritz/Anglet/San Sebastian region of France/Spain. I was there last year and there is so much choice for spots of different difficulty. The spots around here are very crowded so its probably not wise to go in hight season, but the waves are better away from high season anyway.
The area around
Lisbon in Portugal, there is so much to choose from here, we surfed, so many beaches down there last year, and again everything available from easy beach breaks to kicking reef breaks. The one thing I would say about Portugal, is that most of the beach breaks I saw can pack a fairly heavy shore dump at certain tide states, but generally the place is really beautiful, the ocean is reasonably warm and the surf is a whole lot of fun. If you are a beginner I would recommend the area around Peniche which has some pretty mellow waves, and if your confidence increases you can travel a little up and down the coast to check out other spots like Ericera, Praya Grande or Guincho.
Also don't forget
Ireland which has some of the best conditions in the world, even if it is a little cold!!!
It might be worth getting the "Storm Riders Guide to Europe" which has surf spots all over Europe with descriptions and some information about the locality.
If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
seriously, in san sebastian you can go to the PUKAS surf eskola at the playa central, they have very experienced instructors. along the bask coast there is plenty of good sand bottom breaks and a lot of them are very consistent during the summer, there is even a world class wave at mundaka, where a wct contest take place. aside that the bask country is home of the best gastronomy in europe, no joke.
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