Catch the Waves: a Surf Lesson in Siouville

Nothing quite compares to the thrill of surfing with friends! This morning, I rounded up Alexis, Yann-Mathis, Astrid, and Romane for a beginner’s surf session at Siouville, a hidden gem and one of Normandy’s premier surf spots. Guided by William, our expert instructor from the Cotentin Surf Club, we spent the morning mastering the waves, laughing through wipeouts, and celebrating our first successful rides.

William, Surf Instructor

William is a passionate surfer who guides beginners through their first waves with expert advice, ensuring they ride with ease and safety.

Preparing before hitting the water

We arrive at Cotentin Surf Club at 10am to make the most of the excellent morning surf conditions: sunshine, gentle waves, and a light breeze. After meeting Guillaume, the manager, William, our surf instructor, and a few other beginners, we wriggle into our wetsuits — the first test of our balance and flexibility! In the distance, we spot a few local surfers cruising on the waves with flair and flow, hoping we’ll soon be doing the same…

Essential Tips Before Hitting the Waves

After descending the dune path that leads to the beach, William gives a brief introduction to the surf spot and goes over the safety rules. In a semi-circle on the sand, we practice the basic surfing techniques: how to position ourselves on the board while paddling, foot placement for standing, and how to pop up—transitioning from lying flat to standing, known as the take-off. After a few successful attempts, it’s time for the most awaited part, the practical session in the water.

Surfing our first waves

Turning theory into practice can be a bit tricky. After getting comfortable lying on our surfboards and paddling, it’s time to get up on our feet. At first, our attempts are hesitant, wobbly, and unsteady, but with William’s guidance, we start finding our balance as we jump up and “pop” into the right position. We’re surfing! Our first attempts might not be as graceful as we imagined, but the excitement is real. To be honest, everyone takes a tumble and ends up with some water up their nose, it’s all part of the learning process. But we keep going, fueled by resilience and determination.

After all, there’s a saying that “the best surfer out there is the one having the most fun.” And that’s exactly what surfing is all about, enjoying the time spent in the ocean and having fun! After an hour and a half, we head back to the beach, exhausted but thrilled, carrying that profound sense of exhilaration and the pure joy that surfing brings.

Surf’s Up: A Wave of Achievement!

After returning the equipment, we take a well-deserved break and treat ourselves to delicious ice creams at the nearby artisan parlour, Croquez-Moi. Sitting on the beach, we savor our ice creams in peaceful silence, simply gazing out to sea. With the treat enjoyed and a brief team debrief, we all agree that our first surf lesson was incredibly rewarding. The thrill of conquering our fears and the euphoria of catching our first waves leave us buzzing with excitement—we’re already eager to return and ride bigger and faster waves. One thing’s for sure: we’ll be back for more!

Useful Information

A unique spot

Siouville-Hague

Nestled in the heart of the Biville dune massif, Siouville-Hague is renowned for its fine sandy beaches and excellent surf spot. It’s the perfect place to get started with water sports while enjoying the stunning Normandy coastline.