The first Irish surf school in France takes place this summer in Hendaye, a half hour’s drive south of Biarritz. Starting on June 1st, the school will offer three 10-day programmes of surf instruction, along with Leaving Cert tuition in French, until July 1st. It is the brainchild of Alec Barrett, a hockey player, part-time surfer and UCD sports management graduate, and is aimed at students going into transition, fifth and sixth year.
Accommodation is in tent bungalows (sleeping four to a tent) with wooden floors and electricity, about two minutes’ drive from Hondaye’s famous surf beach. It’s a rare opportunity for students to get first-rate tuition from surfers with years of experience, along with French lessons (with a pupil teacher ratio of one to eight) from respected tutors Dr Veronique Gaultier, who has worked with the Institute of Education in Ireland, and Carolyne Dobbyn from Blackrock College. Places are limited and the cost of the 10-day programme is €989, which includes everything except flights and transfers. Further information from Alec at 087-6689856 or e-mail alec@frenchandsurf.com.
