At the point of quitting my job simply to get out of London, my bosses had little option if they wanted to keep me, but they certainly made me aware that if it didn’t work out then, I was gone. Don’t get me wrong, London is one of my favourite cities in the world, but for visiting, not living. A lot about the London daily life got to me… the commute to work, the sombre week day faces, the loathing look received if you dare to smile at one of these sombre faces, the lack of sunshine, the lack of nature, having to go sit by the brown flow of the Thames to get my fix of natural water…. The list goes on.

I had heard that Star Surf Camps had a new deluxe campsite in their Moliets surf camp in France and, before you knew it, I was swapping a three story London house for a tent. I couldn’t believe how it all turned out, and neither could my bosses…

Despite hating the word ‘glamping’, it is an accurate word to be using when describing Star Surf Camps’ Surf Camp Moliets Deluxe, because this was some seriously glamorous camping. My large bell tent was all set up for me on arrival with an actual bed with a memory foam mattress, fresh sheets, pillows etc. There were fairy lights and lamps as well as power sockets to keep my phone and laptop charged. There was even pot plants in there!!

Wanting to keep my tent as my personal space, I looked for a place to work and found many. My favourite was sitting under one of the beautiful bamboo shelters, but there were many tables, chairs and hammocks to choose from also. In my London office, I had so many distraction from my colleagues and their terrible music to the traffic outside. But here, my concentration competed with nothing except the occasional singing bird.

It was such a peaceful place to work during the days because most of the surf holiday guests were down at the beach, and those left back at the surf camp were either reading a book or having a nap in a hammock. My measurable outputs increased dramatically and any concerns my bosses had of me working remotely were quickly dispelled.

I still had regular meetings in London and all around Europe, and every time I did, Start Surf Camps organised me a transfer to Biarritz or Bordeaux airport, which are both within driving distance.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all supplied at the Moliets surf camp and the meals were both healthy and tasty. Not having to shop for food or cook was a dream and gave me so much extra time, especially in the evenings. The evenings were the biggest change for me. In London, I would inevitably work late because the countless office distractions meant I didn’t get all of my work done by 5.30pm, then go to soulless gym full of those sombre-faced Londoners working on their beach body for that one week holiday they booked to Ibiza this summer. I would race home via Waitrose and cook a half assed meal because I lacked the energy for cooking anything elaborate. Then I would decide how to use the depressingly small amount of time left in my evening. Inevitably the weekday options were always a beer at the pub with my housemates or Netfix.

The contrast to my Moliets surf camp evenings at Star Surf Camps was dramatic. I’d finish work and if the waves were good, I would go surfing until sunset and if there were no waves, I would join the evening yoga class with the surf camp’s in-house yoga instructor. Then have a beautifully cooked meal made by the surf camp’s own chefs and eat with the other surf holiday guests who were always interesting people from all over the world. Then there was some form of evening entertainment put on by the surf camp team every night, such as live music or wine and cheese evenings in the surf camp, sunset volleyball session at the beach and, of course, a good ol’ knees-up every Friday night. Each and every surf camp day was fulfilling and, by then end of the summer, I was in sheer amazement that people could live any other way.

Last summer really put life into perspective and made me realise that, if we had more places like Star Surf Camp’s Deluxe Surf Camp and more bosses willing to take a chance with letting their staff work remotely, this world would be a much happier place!

The Moliets staff at Star Surf Camps certainly can’t go without mentioning. They are a huge part of making that place what it is. They are truly vibrant individuals who are extremely hard working, friendly, perpetually happy and they leave a lasting impression on every surf holiday guest that stays there!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE & SEE YOU THIS SUMMER at

Star Surf Camps’ Moliets DELUXE Surf Camp

Tim Kershaw