South Coast Surf School & Camp (El Palmar, Spain)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

We are based at El Palmar beach in Cádiz province on the Costa de la Luz (the “Coast of Light”). Our bungalows are in a natural location, close to La Breña natural park and the historic white villages of Vejer de la Frontera (11km) and Conil de la Frontera (6km), in a privileged location some 850m from the first line of the beach.

We aim to provide accommodation that is sustainable and respectful of its natural surroundings, and promote awareness of the local ecology to our customers.

We admit all ages over 18 years. Capacity up to 16 people, relax, surf, barbecues, speak Spanish, English and German. Children with parents are welcome, no pets.

Santiago Freundt- Founder and Director of the School and Kontiki Bungalows.

Born in Peru, a country world renowned for its waves, he has over 20 years surfing and is passionated about the sport. His main motivation is that students feel this passion and enjoy learning to surf. Monitor graduated of the Spanish Federation of Surf and has a degree in Leisure and Tourism. He speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese.
He arrived in the area by chance and was impressed by its beauty, its beaches and its people.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

There are 4 bungalows available–Arena, Mar, Sol y Cielo (‘sand’, ‘sea’, ‘sun’ and ‘sky’)–which cater to distinct groups, such as families, couples or groups of friends. All bungalows are well equipped with a cooker, fridge, kitchen utensils, TV, etc.

Shared facilities include a BBQ area, chill-out terrace, WiFi, lawned gardens with sun-loungers, and private parking for 3 cars. There is also the free use of bicycles (subject to availability).

The camp is supplied with solar panels, we try to menthalise people with the responsible use of electricity and low voltage electronic devices..
Smoking is allowed only in the garden.

Surf camp: Self catering; each bungalow has well equipped kitchen.
Near the camp there are grocery stores, bars and restaurants offering local produce or another option are the Ventas, restaurants where typical Andalusian home cooking at affordable price is offered.

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

We offer courses for all ages and abilities, for individuals or in groups, with each class lasting around 2 hours. Groups are organised so that you will always be learning with people of a similar level. There is always one monitor for every 5 students for a more personal experience.

Languages: Spanish, English, and German.

Classes include all of the materials such as surf boards and wetsuits needed.

Typically the first 30 minutes of a class are spent on the beach, with the rest of time spent in the water.

In each class the level progresses according to the ability, physical condition and motivation of each of the students.

At South Coast you will find a wide range of surfboard types–fibreglass, epoxy, softboards–wetsuits and rashies, body boards, flippers, SUP paddle boards, skateboards & longboards, bicycles and more.

Accessories
We can also provide a full-range of surfing accessories, such as flippers, leashes, fins and fin guards, grips, and surf wax, everything you need for your surf session.

2 hours €Consult
4 hours €Consult
8 hours €Consult

Surfboards
Shortboards, funboards, intermediates, mini-malibus, fishboards, longboards.
From 5 feet to 11 feet.

2 hours €10
4 hours €15
8 hours €20

Bodyboards
We have a range of sizes of bodyboards, for adults and children.

2 hours €8
4 hours €10
8 hours €15

SUP - Paddle Boards
From 9 feet to 11 feet.
Aluminium or carbon paddles.

2 hours €15
4 hours €25
8 hours €35

Wetsuits
We supply wetsuits for summer and winter, with different weights, cuts, and length.
Our brands include Onda Wetsuits, Manual Boards, BZ, NSP, and more.

2 hours €5
4 hours €8
8 hours €10

El Palmar is one of the most beautiful beaches of Cádiz and one of the few unspoiled stretches of coastline in the province. Here at South Coast one of the main attractions of El Palmar is undoubtedly the surf, which, thanks to the local wind and wave conditions, make it one of the top surf destinations in Spain.

But it’s not just about the surf. The area’s great for a variety of outdoor activities, from just walking or jogging along the beach of fine golden sand, to biking or hiking through the Natural Park of La Breña with its clifftop paths through umbrella pines with beautiful views across the sea towards Morocco. Nature lovers might like guided birdwatching tours or to visit the marshes of Barbate or the wonderful cape of Trafalgar.

And for the more active, there are adventure sports such as paragliding, kite-surfing, canyoning and rock-climbing, horseriding, or treat yourself and rent a yacht for trips along the coast of Cádiz.

The province of Cádiz has a rich culture and history, and was populated even in pre-Roman times by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, while the area marked the frontier in the battle between Moors and Christians which gave local villages such as Vejer de la Frontera and Conil de la Frontera their names–and their distinctive “pueblo blanco” architecture.

Cádiz city itself is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in Europe, and although the old town is compact, it has bags of character and is an artistic and cultural delight.

Their are extensive–and impressive–ruins of the ancient Roman city Baelo Claudia at Bolonia, which, with its sweeping bay ending in an enormous sand dune, is one of the highlights of the Costa de la Luz.

And if you are done whale-watching in Tarifa, tasting the freshest tuna in Zahara de los Atunes, or sea-kayaking at Sancti Petri, try heading inland to go trekking in the mountainous Sierra de Grazalema or marvel at how historic Arcos de la Frontera perches on the edge of an enormous cliff.

Nightlife
El Palmar has lots of restaurants and bars open throughout the year, but is really buzzing in the summer with many chill-out bars filled with crowds that gather to watch the sunset.

Chill Out:
El Dorado
El Cortijo el Cartero
La Torre

Restaurants:
Casa Francisco
Casa Juan
Dolce Vita
Venta Piñero

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

Thanks to its situation and the local climate the province of Cádiz provides a privileged location for surfing. There are many suitable spots up and down the coast, but, without doubt, El Palmar and los Caños de Meca are the best known thanks to their consistently good conditions throughout most of the year with a variety of waves with beach- and point-breaks.

The waves break over a rocky bottom to the right and have the longest travel in Andalucía–even the whole of Spain.

El Palmar
The best known spot for surfing, and the place that we call home. It is said to have the most consistent waves of the whole of Andalucía, with waves breaking both left and right onto a sandy beach.

Los Caños de Meca
Los Caños itself features a variety of different spots with unique waves, such as “La pequeña Lulú”, the Pirate, the lighthouse, and, best known of all, the wave of the apartments.

This is a classic point break that breaks left over a bed of rock with waves of an average length ranging from 100-300 meters.

Playa La Fontanilla
Located in Conil de la Frontera, without a specific type of break, whose waves break against the sandy beach. Best in winter.

Playa Hierbabuena
The waves break over a rocky bottom to the right and have the longest travel in Andalucía–even the whole of Spain.

Roche
Fun waves that break both left and right, anywhere from half a metre to 3 metres high.

Seasonal conditions

General conditions for the season- winter water temperature of 14 ° to 18 ° and 20 ° to 24 ° summer

Crowd factor and local people

Andalucia is known for its quiet and welcoming people, not much localism

Characterization of surroundings/region

**please replace suggestions with your info**- general information about region (situation, distance to bigger towns, sights, etc.)- culture, local people, customs- helpful language skills- currency and cost of living- health (vaccinations required, medical care, insurance, etc.)

Activities and facilities

-Yoga
-Mountain biking and hiking
-Horse riding
-Paragliding
-Spanish Classes
-Culinary and Cultural Tours
-Windsurfing
-Kitesurfing
-Kid’s Playground at El Dorado

Ways to get to the camp

South Coast team and Kontiki Bungalows offer a collection and transfer service for those that need it. Costs depend upon destination and number of travellers, please ask for details.

By plane:
The closest airports are Jerez de la Frontera (XRY) at approx. 78km, Gibraltar (GIB) at approx. 104km, Sevilla (SVQ) at approx. 169km, and Málaga (MAL) at approx 203km.

By train:
The closest station is at San Fernando Bahía Sur–one stop before Cádiz city–where local and long-distance trains stop. www.renfe.es

By bus:
The closest stops are at Conil de la Frontera, Vejer de la Frontera, and–depending on the time of year–El Palmar itself. The local bus company is Transportes COMES. www.tgcomes.es

By car:
The main highway to this area is the A-48 from the North (head towards Algeciras if coming from Sevilla/Madrid) or the N-340 from the South (head towards Cádiz if coming from Málaga direction). See map.

PACKAGES & PRICES

This package includes:

-2 nights accommodation Kontiki Bungalows
-2 surf classes (equipment included)
Free use of boards, wetsuits, SUP and bodyboards, skates, etc
Photos & videos of your surf sessions

Low season
€120 / person
High season
€220 / person

This package includes:

-5 nights accommodation Kontiki Bungalows
-4 surf classes (equipment included)
Free use of boards, wetsuits, SUP and bodyboards, skates, etc
Photos & videos of your surf sessions

Low season
€230 / person
High  season
€330 / person

This package includes:

-7 nights accommodation Kontiki Bungalows
-6 surf classes (equipment included)
Free use of boards, wetsuits, SUP and bodyboards, skates, etc
Photos & videos of your surf sessions

Low season
€290 / person
High season
€390 / person

Surf Course A - 1 Day
-2 hours
-Basic exercises
-Paddling
-Balance

-Groups 2+ - from €30 per person
-Individual from €40


Surf Course B - 3 Days
-2 hours/day
-Getting upright
-Body control
-Balance exercises

-Groups 2+ - from €75 per person
-Individual - from €40 / day

Surf Course C - 5 Days
-2 hours / day
-Warm-up & stretching
-Paddling
-Getting upright
-Choosing a wave
-Timing

-Groups 2+ - from €120 per person
-Individual - from €40 / day