Ride the waves on your gap year
A gap year is the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill or become a pro at a long-term hobby. What could be better than taking time out of study or work to follow your passions while exploring the world?
If surfing is one of those passions, you're in luck! We have a number of gap year surf programmes to suit all levels of experience - from beginner to pro.
And as gap year experts, we can combine your choice of surf camp with a wide range of additional travel experiences, from group adventure tours to diving courses, and more!
Surf Academy in Indonesia
If you're looking for the ultimate surf development journey, a surf academy is the one for you! Over the course of four weeks you'll go from novice to confident surfer with an immersive programme of classes that will improve your technical skills, ocean awareness, and fitness.
Enjoy five weekly surf lessons (2hrs each) across three different camps to hone your skills with a range of waves that work on slightly different tides, wind and swell directions. You'll also have one weekly surf theory lesson and two weekly fitness/yoga sessions.
The highly qualified and experienced instructors will also run you through a weekly photo and video analysis to help you better understand your specific areas of improvement.
Best of all, you'll be hanging out with other surf-mad travellers from around the world in a dedicated hostel with cool social areas and a swimming pool.
You can stay at the surf academy in Indonesia for up to three months. And if you opt for the 3-month academy, you'll be coached through various levels of your development to help transform you into a competent surf instructor. You'll have the option to achieve your ASI Level 1 Surf Coach certification (additional fee applies).
Quick Facts
- Location: Split across Canggu, Red Island and Nusa Lembongan
- Duration: One, two or three month options
- Accommodation: Mix of dorms, shared and private rooms
- Availability: starts first Sunday of every month
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival airport transfer, transfers between camps, surf equipment, daily breakfast, surf and theory lessons
Surf Academy in Australia
If you like the idea of combining a surf academy with a working holiday visa to make the most of your gap year, Australia is the place to be! You can spend up to three months learning how to surf or becoming a certified instructor, and continue your gap year working and travelling around Australia.
Even if you don't want to work Down Under or spend so long away from home, our surf academy on the east coast between Sydney and Brisbane is a fabulous place to learn the waves and enjoy the surfer way of life.
You'll have five 90-105 minute morning surf lessons a week with a weekly surf theory lesson, fitness/yoga sessions, plus video and photo analysis with world-class instructors.
The weekends are all yours! You can chill out, surf, hang out with friends at the camp or explore what the local area has to offer. This is also a good time to practice and hone those developing skills.
And surfers of all abilities can join this academy - whether you're a complete novice or an experienced surfer looking to elevate your skills to the next level.
Quick Facts
- Location: Spot X (Arrawarra) on the east coast of Australia
- Duration: One, two or three month options
- Accommodation: Dorm or teepee
- Availability: starts every Sunday
- Inclusions: Accommodation, return transport from Sydney or Brisbane, surf equipment, three meals a day, surf and theory lessons
Surf Camp in Sri Lanka
Looking for a shorter surf camp to kick off your gap year? Not so interested in becoming a certified surf instructor? In that case, we have a number of surf camps in top surf spots, including Sri Lanka.
Situated moments away from a palm-fringed beach on the southwest coast, you can combine surfing with fun excursions and day trips explore Sri Lanka's wildlife and breathtaking nature.
Depending on your surf ability, choose from three levels of classes - 1 for beginners, 2 for lower intermediates, and 3 for intermediates. With a maximum of four students per instructor, you'll gain a wealth of skill and experience, no matter your current level.
You can stay for up to three weeks, and there's also the option to upgrade to a surf + yoga package if you'd like to include a few weekly sessions of yoga to help with flexibility and mindfulness.
Quick Facts
- Location: Ahangama on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka
- Duration: One, two or three-week options
- Accommodation: Dorms, shared and private rooms available
- Availability: starts Monday every week
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival airport transfer, surf equipment, daily breakfast and most dinners, surf and theory lessons
Surf Camp in Costa Rica
Want to put your GSCE Spanish to use while learning to surf? Head to Costa Rica and enjoy the Pura Vida on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Our surf camp in Santa Teresa is surrounded by wild jungle with secluded beaches offering epic surf opportunities. Beginners and intermediates can enjoy the smaller waves during Costa Rica's dry season, though it's a great surf spot year-round.
You'll have 5 x 2hr surf lessons throughout the week, with six days of surf equipment - use the last day of the week to explore the local area or simply relax after a tiring week riding the waves.
If you want to end your day with a relaxing yoga session, there's also the option to upgrade to a surf and yoga package, which includes 6hrs of guided yoga lessons each week - great for improving core strength and balance.
Quick Facts
- Location: Santa Teresa on the northwest coast of Costa Rica
- Duration: One, two or three-week options
- Accommodation: Dorms, shared and private rooms available
- Availability: starts Monday every week
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival airport transfer, surf equipment, daily breakfast and most dinners, surf and theory lessons
Surf Camp in Portugal
Prefer to stay closer to home on your gap year? No problem! We have a surf camp for that too.
Head to Portugal (a short 3hr flight away from the UK) and learn to surf along the majestic coastline around Ericeira with the capital of Lisbon nearby for weekend city adventures. Considered the 'surf capital of Europe', Ericeira offers a variety of year-round waves that are suitable for beginners and advanced surfers alike.
The surf camp itself provides fantastic views of the Atlantic with a yoga shala and skate bowl to keep you active after your surf lessons. As with other surf camps, here it's possible to upgrade to a surf & yoga combo package.
Each week you'll enjoy 5 x 2hr lessons at your choice of level 1, 2 or 3, depending on your ability and experience. You'll also have the chance to try different boards.
Quick Facts
- Location: Ericeira on the coast
- Duration: One, two or three-week options
- Accommodation: Dorms, double rooms and suites available
- Availability: starts Sunday every week
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival airport transfer, surf equipment, daily breakfast, surf and theory lessons
Surf Camp in Mexico
Mexico is another great place to combine surf with Spanish. At our surf camp in Puerto Escondido, you can go "all inclusive" and spend your days practising the local lingo, riding the waves and getting bendy with an evening yoga sessions.
Prefer to keep it "light"? Stick to five days of surf lessons with the weekends free to practice independently or explore the local area. A few yoga sessions are thrown in to keep you flexible and balanced while getting to grips with the surf board.
Whichever option you choose, you'll be staying in the popular surf area of Punta Zicatela - a rustic spot with great nearby Mexican seafood restaurants and, of course, beaches!
There are lots of added extras too, like a salsa dancing lesson, a cooking class and a photo session by a professional photographer for a permanent memento of your gap year adventure.
Quick Facts
- Location: Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast
- Duration: One or two-week options
- Accommodation: Dorm or single rooms available
- Availability: starts Sunday every week
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival airport transfer, surf equipment, daily breakfast, surf and theory lessons
Combine surfing with volunteering
If you like the idea of giving back to local communities during the week and using your newly acquired surfing skills on the weekend, consider joining a volunteer project after your surf academy.
In Bali you can join a teaching or healthcare education project. You can help out at a local kindergarten or help with construction and renovation projects. If wildlife is more your thing, spend a few weeks at the turtle project instead.
Want to enjoy water below the waves too? After your surf academy at Spot X, head further north to Cairns to learn to dive and assist with marine conservation on the Great Barrier Reef. Whatever you decide, we're here to help you make the most of your gap year beyond the waves.
Surf Camp and Adventure Club Volunteer in South Africa
Join this 23-day programme and you'll learn to surf before volunteering with underprivileged youth through adventure sports and education in South Africa.
Spend six days on a comprehensive surf package in Coffee Bay's warm, idyllic waters. With gentle waves, safe conditions, and uncrowded beaches, it's the perfect spot to learn and level up your skills.
After a week of riding the waves, fly to Cape Town to enjoy a 2-day orientation tour before volunteering at the Adventure Club Project for two weeks. You'll gain experience working with children and groups while learning new outdoor activities such as swimming, boxing, ball sports and skateboarding.
You'll also have the opportunity to improve your surfing skills while teaching disadvantaged youth how to surf - nothing cements your own knowledge like passing it on to others!
As a volunteer, you'll be helping keep children occupied and off the streets after school, teaching them valuable life lessons through adventure activities, teamwork, educational classes and sports. It's the perfect combination of personal development, community giving and, most importantly, fun!
Quick Facts
- Location: Coffee Bay for surfing and Cape Town for volunteering in South Africa
- Duration: 23 days
- Accommodation: Choice of dorm, shared or private rooms
- Availability: on a Saturday every over week
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival transfer in Johannesburg, one-way flight from Mthatha to Cape Town, surf equipment, surf and theory lessons, most meals, 2-day Cape Town orientation
Surf with Impact in Portugal
Surfing meets purpose on this unique volunteer programme that combines surf lessons with social impact in the city of Porto in Portugal.
Learn to ride the waves on one of Porto's most beautiful beaches with four surf lessons each week catering to surfers of all levels - beginner, intermediate or advanced. And support social projects that aim to provide inclusive surf lessons to children and individuals with disabilities to foster personal growth, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
There will also be the opportunity to engage in meaningful conservation work by cleaning the beaches.
You'll be volunteering between 3-5 hours during the week, working either a morning, afternoon or evening shifts. The weekends are free for you to relax or explore the surrounding area independently.
Quick Facts
- Location: Porto on the northwest coast of Portugal
- Duration: Two to eight weeks
- Accommodation: Dormitory
- Availability: starts Sunday every week
- Inclusions: Accommodation, arrival airport transfer, three meals a day, four surf lessons each week, orientation on arrival including a city tour, five hours of volunteering each day