As a relatively (but actually not so) new member of the Star Surf Camps team, my first visit to the surf camps has been a long anticipated adventure. In the office, I have heard many surfing tales recounted of golden beaches, beautiful people and endless fun… Finally, the time had come for me to pack a bikini and get out to the French coast for my very own surfing adventure!

Here’s a little bit about me before I begin: My name is Alice and I’m Brand Manager of Supersaturated Studios, the newest addition to the Star Surf Camps community. It’s my job to fulfil all of your custom club merch hopes and dreams, with brand quality personalised clothing and accessories. Supersaturated Studios teamed up with Star Surf Camps about 6 moths ago and we have never looked back! So, if you want some awesome merch for your club, whether it’s surfing, bowling, knitting, give me a shout anytime at: alice@supersaturated.co.uk to find out more, or check out what we’ve been up to lately on Instagram @supersaturatedstudios.

For my first surf trip, I chose the surf camp in Moliets. A lone traveler in my early-mid twenties, I was told this was a great choice for sun, surf, fun and sandy adventures. The journey from Plymouth, UK, went pretty smoothly (I slept the whole way! Sleeping is a talent I’m endlessly proud of.). I flew into Biarritz and was welcomed by a friendly group of fellow surfers who were headed to the Star Surf’s Moliets surf camp as well. After a short drive full of beach-related banter, we arrived in the forest by Moliets Plage. My new friends then led me through the trees along the winding sandy paths to the Star Surf Campsite, where a warm welcome, beer and BBQ awaited me.

The chilled surf camp atmosphere and good vibes instantly blew me away, I realised straight away that this was exactly where I wanted to be. The hammocks, half-pipe, ping pong tables and bamboo covered dining area all helped make that sandy little piece of surfing heaven feel like home. After some top notch food, I was introduced to the surf camp team. Just an FYI, the surf camp food was consistently delicious, healthy and fresh. I was a little concerned because of my gluten intolerance, but the team was very accommodating with my GF needs and not once did I feel left out. Cheers for that! Right from the beginning I could see that the surf camp staff were caring, enthusiastic and dedicated. They continued to keep the vibe high and make the surf camp a ton of fun for everybody. Seriously cool people. 

We shared a beer, had a look around the surf camp and I was shown to my tent. This year it’s brand new canvas bell tents with super comfy foam mattresses, so cool in the mornings and so much space! I was lucky enough to share mine with two amazing Spanish girls. At first I was apprehensive about sharing with strangers, but I quickly realised that this was an important part of the surf camp experience. They were soon close friends of mine and our morning gossip about the night before became a highlight of my surf trip.

If I were to tell you everything about my surfing holidays in Moliets, we’d be here forever, so these are a few of my favorite Moliets surf camp memories… Time for you to go there yourself and make surfing holiday memories. You won’t regret it. PROMISE!

– Sunset in San Sebastian. Tapas, beer and dancing!

– Making new friends every day. Stomach hurting from laughing. Meeting a new group on the beach while surfing and instantly bonding.

 – Sunbathing on the sand during surf lessons in perfect heat. Amazing weather nearly everyday. Actually getting a tan and not looking tired because of it!

– Getting out of your comfort zone. Trying a new sport and falling in love with surfing.

 – Enjoying a sense of freedom built from a welcoming surfing community. Where are your friends? It doesn’t matter, you can sit anywhere at the table, we’re all friends here.

– Dozing in the surf camp hammocks to the sound of music, happy chatter and the half-pipe.

– GF (gluten free) cheese toasties!

– Gossiping about love with my Spanish tent buddies (Heroes! Who the hell would want a tent to themselves anyway?!)

– Mixing with the other surf camps. Friendly rivalry. Getting super competitive at Flunkyball. Falling in love with your newly found teammates after they name you captain because you are “motivating as f**k”!!

– Meeting some seriously cool, beautiful people.

– Learning new skills, in and out of the water.

– Working online in the sun-dappled garden of a local bohemian Café with…wait for it… excellent Wi-Fi and power! The food was also incredible, Glob Trotter… Thank you!

– Yoga in the sand on the beach before going surfing.

– Getting sand in places you didn’t even know you had places and not minding at all.

– Making friends from different nationalities. Meeting on the street and teaching each other bad words in your native tongue. Picking up phrases and words in heaps of languages and feeling super cultural.

– Actually understanding some German since school and feeling awesome about it.

– Wanting to learn a new language.

– Getting a bit dressed up (by Moliets standards) and going out for mussels with your new friends.

– Wine on the beach at sunset.

– Telling people they are beautiful, inside and out.

– Sleeping on the beach and watching shooting stars. Remembering how to relax, re-igniting the urge to explore.

– Helping a girl you just met to find her tent in the rain at 5 am.

– Feeling a bit run down and jaded and having a local Café worker out of the blue completely turn the day around.

– Losing hours and finding peace surfing in the beautiful small learning waves on Moliets Plage.

– Dancing barefoot on the beach under the stars.

– Bonding with a stranger over your joint search for your lost flipflops on the beach in the dark. Both nearly losing your shit when you actually find your flipflops.

– Feeling blessed and inspired to have met so many talented beautiful travelers.

– A feeling of warmth when they don’t want you to leave.

Through the mellow vibes, great people and party atmosphere in the Moliets surf camp, I re-discovered how to relax and take life and myself a little less seriously. I will always remember how special it felt to be part of a big multinational group of young, beautiful surfers being wonderful to each other. No arguments, no egos, no a**holes. The best place to go alone and to feel at home wherever you are…

Until next time, stay beautiful, Moilets! Thank you for everything.

Love, Alice