Posted: 2010-04-05 00:54:55 UTC+02.

I went to Nomad Surfers' surfcamp in Corralejo in Fuerteventura, only 4 days, 3 days with surf instruction. I cannot recommend this surfcamp, read on to learn why.

Location

The hostel is located centrally in Corralejo, while this is great for night life, it is very far from the beach. I was told 30-45 minutes walk, but truth is more than one hour, and that's without surf equipment. Any surfcamp in Corralejo suffers from this problem, there are no surfcamps near the beach. It is really misleading to call this a surfcamp as long as the place don't run a beach shuttle service as surf equipment is not allowed on the local busses.

Surf hostel

The hostel is not staffed, a lady prepares breakfast and a lunchpack in the morning, but otherwise you have to call the manager. He didn't tell his phone number or where to find it, but this was posted on the wall. There is no information available, maps and information about events, surfspots, transport etc. Comfort is basic but ok. If your flight is late afternoon you will have to pay 2 euros extra to leave your luggage and use facilities, and there is no safe storage for luggage.

Surf classes

Classes are either in the morning or in the afternoon, 4 hours officially, but reality is that you will have more close to 2 hours on the board, transport back and forth, pickup etc. takes a lot of time, but even inclouding this I don't know a class that actually had 4 hours total. On the first day, I could not stay for the afternoon and practice on my own because equipment was needed by the next class and there wouldn't be room for me for going back, another day they had no class in the afternoon so there was no transport back if I stayed.

The instructor normally stayed for the entire lesson on the beach which is ok for beginners, but he should get out in the water even then. There was no instruction on how to paddle, sit or turn on the board, reading waves etc. No safety instructions except to cover your head when you fall, no note about board recoil. Once the instructer disappeared without a notice and went out surfing on his own before the class ended while there were still people out there. I did once get instructions in the lineup when the class was over and the instructor went out to enjoy some waves while I were out there on my own.

Extra instructors were hired if the group was more than 8 people, according to who was not hungover. These did not seem qualified for assisting instruction, while they may have the required training in safety and rescue.

Suposedly there would be video correction, I never saw the instructer with more than a useless compact camera, for photos. Except for those surfing on the sand people would be little more than a dot on these photos. I never saw the photos.

The surf

The surf is ok, waves are generally good for beginners of all levels, although waves at high tide could get very big. The beach is sandy with a sandy reef in one end and rocks in the other. Currents are not too strong. You might get bruised but not cuts if falling close to the sandy reef. Beginners will surf very close to the beach on shallow waters, don't fall head first!

Staff

Since the hostel was not staffed, any issues where normally resolved in the morning, when the surf instructors came to pickup gear and people. The surf instructors appeared to be from a surf school contracted by the manager and so stuck to what they had agreed rather than helping you to a pleasant stay.

The day I didn't have classes I could not go with the others to the beach and equipment was not available, I was told find a taxi and rent some on the beach. Generally I found that staff would provide for what was in the program and little helpful in resolving any issues beyond that.

Conclusion: Not recommended

A good surf camp would give 2 hours actual instruction in the morning and another 2 hours in the afternoon, with time to rest or go out practice on your own, and provide equimpent for your whole stay. If the beach is far away they would also offer transport to the beach at set times.

This surfcamp failed to provide for the basic needs of a surfer and I cannot recommend it.