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Coast Surfing Beaches
Did you know surfing arrived in Spain through the Basque Country? We were pioneers and today the Basque coast is recognised as one of the top surfing destinations anywhere in Europe. With more than 50 breaks, we have waves to suit all levels.
If you're thinking of trying surfing for the first time, the Basque Country is the place for you. You can find lots of surfing schools on our different beaches, with qualified instructors, top-quality gear and courses for all levels and all kinds of people. Most of these schools are part of the Surfing Euskadi club.
Here are the best beaches to ride your first waves.
Between Sopela and Getxo is Barinatxe beach, also known as La Salvaje (which means "wild"). It's a broad, sandy beach surrounded by beautiful cliffs, and you'll find an amazing surfing scene there. It's very well connected, as you can easily get there by public transport.
The beach has highly variable depths of water, resulting in great waves with different peaks. The best known of these is the Triangular, over a rocky bottom, with a long break that can be quite big.
La Salvaje has a multi-purpose building with changing rooms and showers, which is the home of the local surfing schools: Acero Surf Eskola, La Salbaje Surf Eskola, Aloka surf&sup and Berasaluce Surf Eskola.
Sopela also has the beaches of Arriatera and Atxabiribil, the epicentre of surfing in this area. They host major sports events, all with a great atmosphere. Arrietara also has several surfing schools: Peña Txuri Surf Eskola and Gorka Yarritu Surf Eskola.
Bakio beach is perfect for beginner surfers, an open beach with constant waves all year round. It has several different areas, with waves peaking to both right and left and an unparalleled backdrop to enjoy some spectacular views of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe as you take the waves.
Beside the promenade, this surfing spot offers a full range of facilities. It has three surfing schools: Bakio Rip Surf Eskola, Lokal Surf Bakio and Uretan Basque Surf Center.
With 2,500 metres of fine golden sand, Zarautz is the longest beach on the whole Basque coast. It's open to the sea and a favourite with surfers from all over the world, ideal for beginners because of the many surfing schools right by the beach: Axi Muniain Surf Eskola, Essus Surf Eskola, Moor Surf Eskola Zarautz, Pukas Surf Eskola Zarautz, Shelter Surf Eskola by Aritz Aranburu, Good People Surf and North Shore Surf eskola.
It hosts several international competitions over the year.
This city beach is in the Gros district of San Sebastián, beside the Kursaal conference centre and auditorium. It's the top surfing beach in the city, with constant, high-quality waves throughout the year.
It gets a lot of sea and works well with all tides. Major international events are held at Zurriola.
The beach has three surfing schools that are members of Surfing Euskadi, making it ideal for trying the sport for the first time: Free Surf Eskola Donostia, Pukas Surf Eskola San Sebastián and Zurriola Surf Eskola.
Whether on one of these or on some other beach along our coastline (Laga or Itzurun, for example), the best way to start out safely in the world of surfing, or to improve your technique, is to go to a surfing school. Here you can learn with top professionals.
Enjoy our waves, and click here to find out more about surfing in the Basque Country.
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