Anyone who has ever watched a surfing longboarder knows this magical image: Flowing movements that resemble a dance on a flying carpet. Longboarders and waves merge into a harmonious interplay that makes you dream.
Classic surfing on a longboard
Classic longboard surfing has a long tradition, especially in Australia and Hawaii, but also enjoys an ever-growing surf community in Europe.
As easy and relaxed as it may look, longboarding is not suitable for complete surfing beginners. That’s why we have longboard softboards for beginners in our surf school. Due to their size and high volume, longboard surfboards are much more stable and have a lot of buoyancy, but they are much more difficult to manoeuvre than small surfboards. The surfboards in our surf school are usually two metres long. A longboard is at least 9 feet (approx. 3 m) long and therefore a real whopper to handle!
Some of the classic surfing manoeuvres on the longboard are:
Why longboard surfing
- Thanks to their large volume, longboards have a higher buoyancy and therefore work in very small waves of only 1 – 2 feet (1/2 metre), but can also be surfed in larger waves. A huge plus, especially in the summer months when the waves tend to be smaller in our area.
- With the larger wave selection, we no longer have to rely on looking for a spot at the peak in crowded lineups and can simply take the smaller waves a little further on.
- Once you have set it in motion with a few powerful paddle strokes, the longboard quickly gains speed due to its good gliding ability. The wave can be taken early and you have plenty of time for a comfortable take-off.
- Thanks to these characteristics, even untrained surfers who only get into the water on holiday can get lots of waves and have fun right from the start.
- Its high stability in the water makes the longboard a real playground! With the so-called cross-step, you can walk forward on it onto the nose and try tricks like hang-five or hang-ten, where you grip the tip of the nose with the toes of one (hang-five) or even both (hang-ten) feet.
- When it comes to tricks, there are no limits to creativity in longboarding. You can stand, lie down, kneel and even stand on your head – the main thing is that it’s fun!
Differences between longboard surf course and “normal” surf course
Our private longboard lessons, unlike our surf group lessons, are exclusively for 1 to a maximum of 2 participants. Alternatively, we offer intensive longboard group lessons with a maximum of 4 participants per surf teacher. Video analysis is already included from the 3-day course onwards.
Learning to longboard generally involves surfing smaller, gentler waves. Paddling technique and take-off work differently on longboards than on smaller surfboards. While surfing the wave, you can walk forwards and backwards on the board and maybe even try a trick or two. There are no limits to your imagination! Our longboard surf coach Tina will support you with every new step.
Longboard surfing experiences of our guests:
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Frauke
“The longboard course with Tina was super relaxed and at the same time I learned and internalised so much in the three days.
Even without a longboard, I cross-stepped through everyday life and am still reaping the benefits of the good times! With Tina you have the most fun even in the smallest waves! “
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Finn
“The longboard course with Tina was an absolutely exceptional and unique experience.
Tina is extremely knowledgeable on the subject, an expert in longboarding and she exceeds any expectations by far with her caring, loving and professional demeanour.
Not only did she take our surfing skills to a new level, she created a very special atmosphere with lots of room for personal and sporting growth. Absolutely recommend!”
Why learn to longboard with us?
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If you want to learn longboard surfing with us, we offer you two options: Private lessons or an intensive weekly course. We support you on your way to becoming a single-fin surfer!
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- Intensive week courses (max. 4 participants): include theory sessions and video analysis.
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- Longboarding works in almost all summer surf conditions, unless there are really big waves.
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- Surfing conditions are less intimidating due to the smaller waves and surfing technique plays a more important role than physical fitness.
Book a longboard surf course
In contrast to normal surfing, the movements in longboarding are slower and more fluid. The focus is more on technique and surfing style than on power and energy, which is often an advantage for holiday surfers.
Thanks to the high stability of the longboard, you can move freely on it as if you were dancing on the water.
Longboard surfing works in a wide range of wave conditions, especially in small summer waves, which are much more difficult to paddle with a normal surfboard.
Goal of the course | Beginners: take-off and green wave launch Advanced: Longboard surf manoeuvres |
Services | Theoretical and practical lessons, surf equipment, spot transfer, video analysis*. |
Start day | Sunday |
Intensive Surf Week | Surf camp participants: 100€ surcharge in the carefree package Participants with own accommodation: 5 days course 359€ 439€ with surf equipment outside the surf course times |
Private lessons | Price 1st pers. 139 €/3h 299 €/9h (3 days)* 2nd pers. (max.) 99 €/3h 279 €/9h (3 days)* |
Book a longboard surf course
In contrast to normal surfing, the movements in longboarding are slower and more fluid. The focus is more on technique and surfing style than on power and energy, which is often an advantage for holiday surfers.
Thanks to the high stability of the longboard, you can move freely on it as if you were dancing on the water.
Longboard surfing works in a wide range of wave conditions, especially in small summer waves, which are much more difficult to paddle with a normal surfboard.
Beginners: take-off and green wave launch
Advanced: Longboard surf manoeuvres
Theoretical and practical lessons, surf equipment, spot transfer, video analysis*.
Sunnday
Surf camp participants:
100€ surcharge in the carefree package
Participants with own accommodation:
5 days course 399€
Price 1st pers.
139 €/3h
299 €/9h (3 days)*
2nd pers. (max.)
99 €/3h
279 €/9h (3 days)*
Longboards for the surf course
The longboards you get for surf lessons are (as the name suggests) longer than normal surfboards and also differ in shape. Beginners get special soft longboards with single-fin from Ocean & Earth. Advanced surfers can also rent original longboards from Rubén Fuente (longboard with amigos).
The surf in Oyambre offers first class longboard waves in both big and small swells!
The different sections of our beaches are always named differently by locals and visitors, but in general there are three major beaches in the vicinity.
The main beach of San Vicente de la Barqueras is called Playa de Meron. In the same bay, a little further west, is Playa de Gerra. If you continue over the cape from there, you will come to the next cove, where the third beach, Playa de Oyambre, stretches out.
WHICH LONGBOARD SURF SPOT TO CHOOSE?
Depending on the swell and wind, there are fine longboard waves at several spots along these beaches. The great thing about this area is that no matter what the swell, you can almost always find some peaks with nice waves for longboarding!
The most important spots are at Playa de Meron and Playa de Oyambre. In general, Meron offers better waves with smaller swells. If the swell is too big and strong for Meron, it almost always works in the more sheltered bay of Oyambre.
Details on the individual spots below:
1. Playa de Meron
Due to its north-westerly orientation, the swell at Playa de Meron is very consistent and you can find long rights and lefts with a nice longboard shape at several spots. In general, this beach break needs less water when the swell is smaller and more water when it is bigger to produce smoother waves. In summer, Meron is a popular holiday beach!
2. Playa de Gerra
Very small swells, for which both Meron and Oyambre are too sheltered, are most likely to be taken from the most exposed part of the beach – Playa de Gerra. However, before entering the water here, you should first do a spot check at low tide or check with the lifeguards to locate the position of rocks.
3. Playa de Oyambre
Playa de Oyambre is better protected during larger swells and generally offers smaller, gentler waves than Playa de Meron. There are nice left and right longboard waves here, especially on the western part of the beach. The eastern section is more exposed and therefore less suitable for longboarding. Near the mouth of the river at the eastern end, you also have to expect strong currents.
Our Longboard Beaches
The beaches in the San Vicente de la Barquera area are a dream for longboarders, especially in summer. The multitude of peaks with long, gentle left and right waves is like a playground for surfers in a natural paradise!
Our surf shop and event location is right next to the beach and only a few minutes’ walk from one of the best longboard peaks this area has to offer.
