When the call of the sea is felt, you only dream of one thing: bring your board and go on an adventure on the ocean ! However, the practice of Aquatic sliding sports , Whether it is surfing, kite or paddle, is supervised by certain regulations guaranteeing your safety and that of others. We answered the four main questions to help you ride the waves without danger.

1. What material to use? 2. Where can I practice my activity? 3. By what time can we surf?
4. Am I responsible in the event of an accident?

which material to use?


Taming the tumultuous swell, it cannot be improvised! First of all, it is essential to ensure quality and good functioning of your equipment , especially if you use your own board and your own accessories. Here is a short list of what is essential to you:

  • A good quality board : it may seem obvious, but the use of a damaged or too worn board increases your risk of falling.

  • Remember to use a leash : During any surf or stand-up paddle excursion, the leash allows you to keep control of your board if you fall. Attached around the foot, the leash guarantees that your longboard will not drift and will not injure your neighbors.

  • Depending on the temperature, we recommend that you equip yourself with a combination to protect yourself from the cold.

  • Do not forget your sunscreen ! Most aquatic sliding activities are carried out in good weather: if we often think of technical security, many of us do not use protection and expose themselves to skin damage caused by UV radiation.


If you want to practice kitesurfing, additional equipment will be necessary, made up of a harness, a helmet, a cord safety and a light benchmark to point out to other kitesurfers. The same goes for windsurfing.


Once equipped, let's go for a kitesurf session

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Where can I practice my activity?


Surf zone or swimming area?


Most surf spots are also beaches where swimming is authorized, even monitored. In order for bathers and surfers to coexist, coastal rescuers use flags to divide the coast into different activity zones . These flames identifying the different delimitations on the beaches changed in March 2022:

  • The blue flame identifying the swimming areas has been replaced by a red and yellow horizontal flag . It is strictly forbidden for surfers and veliplanchists to practice gliding between these two flags.

  • aquatic activities can only be practiced between and beyond black and white checkered flags , which replaced the old green flag with a red circle. This avoids any collision with bathers due to a surfrequents of the bathing space or the loss of control of your board.

How far can I go with my surf or my windsurfing?


A limits of 300 meters beyond the coast has been defined so that you can practice safely. It is also recommended not to venture less than four meters from a shelter , a coastal construction, or a dike, to avoid collision. If you want to practice offshore, beware of the boats and remember to find out about the geographic characteristics of the area: it may be reefs or rocks bother your progress.

Our little advice: keep a fixed mark on shore, such as a house, a flag or your belongings on the beach. Quite simply, this allows you to realize if you derive and prevents you from heading to obstacles or swimming areas inadverters.


surf lessons in an area reserved for Hendaye

What time can we surf?


Can I practice in a prohibited swimming situation?


This is quite possible . In theory, swimming is prohibited by a red flag signaling dangerous waves or a purple flag synonymous with marine pollution. Although these rules cannot be extended to anyone using sliding equipment, we recommend that you be vigilant. If experienced surfers know how to identify the danger and in particular the baïnes, these currents which take you offshore, beginners could find themselves trapped.

What is the weather to avoid?


If they are neglected, weather conditions can be accidents, especially because of wind and swell for . In stormy weather, it is strongly not recommended to be at sea aboard any type of board or boat.

If you practice a wind -sensitive activity (kitesurfing for example), beware of earth wind, also called offshore wind ! If it inflates the waves and makes the ocean particularly attractive for a session rich in sensations, it also tends to take you very easily offshore.


Remember to get away from the cliffs with your board!


Am I responsible in the event of an accident?


When any collision leads to material or physical damage, you are entirely responsible for the situation : hence the interest of being vigilant! Be sure to respect the rules of distancing and conviviality in water and to share the waves with the other surfers, so as to minimize the risk of damaging the equipment or injuring someone else.

We remind you that in the event of a collision with a rental board, you are also responsible for rented equipment and damage that can be caused for the duration of the rental. So remember to inquire with your insurance in terms of civil liability, especially if you Surf abroad .