Frequently Asked Questions

From what age can i start surfing ?


There is no age restriction. Here, at Authentique we welcome children as Young as 6 years as they are for the most part mature enough to join in with group activities.


At what age should i stop surfing ?
Never.


Do i need to know how to swim ?
It’s not necessary to be the Olympic world champion for the 400 m to be able to surf. It’s of course, a good thing to feel confident in the water. Surfing could help improve your swimming as you will note all good surfers are also good swimmers.That said, beginner lessons are always conducted in shallow waters to start with.


I already skate, do inline skating, snowboard…will this help me ?
Doing a sport of any kind will of course help you learning to surf particularly of you already do a core board sport as you will already have good balance and coordination.The key factore is ocean-awareness. For this reason, Jo Bloggs could be as coud a benner as a snowboarding champion.


Is surfing is dangerous ?
All sports can be considered dangerous if one doesn’t respect certain rules. It is a sport which has low accident with respects to most other sports. Taking your first surflessons with a qualified instructor allows you to enjoy yourself and progress in a safe environment.

Are there some rules in the water ?
The increasing popularity of surfing has brought about an increase in the number of people in the waters. Rules naturally ensued as a result, allowing everyone to enjoy their time in the ocean.

Do people surf all year round ?
Yes, winter wetsuits are warm enough and flexible enough to allow you to surf in cold water. In France, and particularly in the southern Landes and Basque country, we are fortune enough to have waves all year-round and a large choice of surf spots suitable for all levels.


which season offers the best surf conditions?
Summer is by far the best season for beginners as the waters is warm, the waves are smaller - perfect- For the more confident surfer, Autumn is « the » season as the waves get bigger and conditions are perfect.Be warnest, the waters are very crowded in Autumn!For the more « extrem » surfers, winter is know as the European Hawai.



I How long before i can surf ?
It’s hard to give an accerate answer as it depends entirely on the individuel tour ocean awarness and how motivated you are.


Where can i surf ?
Anywhere where there is sea and waves. In Europe the best surf spots are in the southern Landes of France, the Basque country and Portugal.


Can i buy a surfboard and go out on my own ?
Of course but you must be carefull when choosing the right board for your level ( buying the same board as Kelly Slater because it looks cooler, is a bad idea ). It’s very commun for people to buy the wrong board because it’s look cooler than the board that most suits their level. Sales assistants offer good advice, but be care full not to be had. Starting out in a surf school remains the best way for choosing your first board.

Do i need to take surflessons ?
The essence of surfing is freedom. It goes without saying that you can teach yourself to surf, however the drawback is that it will take you much longer, and you will probably pick up some bad habits. At times calm, othertimes turbulent, the sea is a unique as it is complicated. All advanced surfers will tell you that a guiding hand is best when starting out, it is comforting and makes the learning curve much shorter.