Brittany: Surf & Swell
Dates
Duration
Price
Ratio
Coach
Course dates
- October 11, 2026 - October 18, 2026
Take your skills to where the action is: The natural classroom of the Crozon Peninsula
Take your sea kayaking to where the action is. This course is designed to build your confidence and help you master the dynamic side of the ocean.
Our mission is to broaden your comfort zone by progressively increasing your exposure to challenging environments in a safe, supportive way. We begin by refining your technique in calm water before heading out to put those skills into practice amidst wind, waves, and surf.
With a guaranteed small group ratio of 1:4, you’ll receive personalized coaching tailored to your specific goals. Under the expert guidance of Performance Sea Kayak Coach Dave Storey, you’ll gain the "tips and tricks" necessary to navigate advanced conditions with ease.
Throughout the week, we utilize the stunning coastline of the Crozon Peninsula—a world-class location offering a diverse range of conditions.
The Surf: We start on long, sandy beaches with friendly, small waves to build your technique and timing.
The Open Sea: As the week progresses, we venture to more exposed locations to focus on tactics for wind and waves, rock hopping, and environmental awareness.
By the end of the week, you won’t just feel more comfortable in the seat—you’ll be thirsty for your next Atlantic adventure.
Course Goal
Master the elements and expand your horizons. Our primary objectives for this course are:
- Skill Mastery in Dynamic Water: Develop the technical proficiency required to paddle confidently in moderate conditions, including wind, open-sea waves, and surf zones.
- Environmental Assessment: Learn to accurately read and assess the day's conditions, allowing you to make informed, safe decisions on the water.
- Expansion of the Comfort Zone: Progressively build your confidence through structured exposure to more demanding environments, ensuring you feel at home in the seat when conditions pick up.
Course Details
From technical mastery to rock hopping, this course covers the essential skills for dynamic sea paddling:
Wave & Surface Handling: Master the techniques for managing beam seas (waves from the side) both in the surf zone and on the open ocean.
Surf Zone Mastery: Learn fundamental surf skills, including timed launching, controlled landing, and essential surf-specific safety and rescue protocols.
Navigation & Agility: Refine your turning and maneuvering techniques in wind and swell to maintain control in any direction.
The Rock Environment: Experience the thrill of rock hopping in moderate conditions, supported by specialized safety and rescue training for rocky coastlines.
Swell & Exposure: Gain practical experience in open-water swell, developing the "ocean eye" needed to read and react to the sea’s rhythm.
Before You Book
This course is designed for ambitious sea paddlers who are ready to move beyond flat water and embrace the energy of the Atlantic. If you are looking for a mix of technical coaching, coastal adventure, and the thrill of the surf in a small, supportive group, this is your course.
To ensure you get the most out of this adventure, you should meet the following requirements:
- Sea Kayaking Experience: You have previous experience on the ocean and feel comfortable paddling in moderate conditions with winds up to Beaufort 4.
- Fitness & Confidence: You are prepared for a dynamic environment and have the physical fitness for several hours of active paddling.
If you want to maximize your progress during the trip, we recommend a "tune-up" session. Joining one of our Fine-Tuning courses or booking a private coaching session is the perfect way to refine your technique beforehand. This allows you to focus entirely on the Atlantic conditions once we arrive and ensures you get the absolute most out of your time on the water.
Sustained
This course involves higher-intensity activities such as rescues, surf, and rock hopping, where distances can cover up to 20km in a day. Moderate conditions include winds up to Bft 4 and 1m surf or swell. These are full days out with lunches taken during the journey.
- Day 1: Arrival & Welcome Briefing (Meet at 19:00)
- Day 2: Course Day 1 – Skills & Assessment
- Day 3: Course Day 2 – Surf & Wave Progression
- Day 4: Course Day 3 – Exploring the Coastline
- Day 5: Flexible Rest Day or Weather Buffer
- Day 6: Course Day 4 – Advanced Tactics & Exposure
- Day 7: Course Day 5 – Expedition & Skill Consolidation
- Day 8: Departure (Course finishes at 07:00)
Please note that accommodation is not included in the course fee.
Our primary basecamp is the Camping Municipal in Camaret-sur-Mer. This location offers the perfect balance of convenience and coastal atmosphere. You have the following options:
- Camping: Standard pitches for tents and vans.
- Bungalows: On-site rentals are available for those seeking more comfort.
- Local Options: There is also a variety of guesthouses and hotels available nearby in the village.
Join us in reducing our environmental footprint by choosing sustainable travel options.
- By Train: There are excellent railway connections to Quimper. From Basel, the journey takes approximately 8 hours. To make your journey even easier, we can arrange a pick-up from the station.
- By Car: Driving from the Interlaken area takes about 12 hours. We strongly encourage car sharing—if you are looking for a ride or can offer one, please let us know.
- Equipment & Boat Transport: We can assist with the transport of boats and equipment to the region—contact us for details.
- Elite Coaching Ratio: 5 days of expert coaching with a guaranteed maximum ratio of 1:4 for personalized attention.
- Bonus Experience: One "Leadership Assessment" day—an opportunity to paddle and observe leadership skills in action.
- Expert Guidance: Fully led by a British Canoeing (BC) Advanced Sea and Performance Coach.
- Equipment: Use of all necessary technical equipment (where required).
- Local Logistics: All transport during the course days once we are on-site.
- Flexibility: One planned rest day to ensure you stay fresh and energized throughout the week.
On the Water: Base Layers
- For Under a Drysuit: * Thermal base layers (top and bottom).
- Thin fleece or lightweight sweaters (layering is key).
- Warm socks.
- For Under a Wetsuit: * Swimwear or quick-drying underwear.
- Rashguard or UV-protection shirt.
- Headwear: A warm beanie for cold sessions and a peaked cap/hat for sunny days.
Technical Gear & Accessories
- Footwear: Closed-toe shoes for use on the water (e.g., neoprene boots or water shoes).
- Dry Storage: Personal dry bags (Pro tip: "double-bag" anything that absolutely must stay dry).
- Electronics: Mobile phone and a dedicated waterproof phone case/dry bag.
- Lighting: A headlamp (essential for evenings or early starts).
Lunch & Hydration
- Water Bottle: Reusable bottle for daily hydration.
- Lunch Box: A sturdy Tupperware-style box (this keeps your lunch dry and prevents it from being crushed in the kayak).
- Cutlery: A fork or spoon (if you plan on having anything other than sandwiches).
- Snacks: Your favorite energy snacks (bars, nuts, or fruit).
Personal Care & Clothing
- Shore Wear: Casual clothing, including shorts and T-shirts for warm weather.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen and sunglasses (ideally with a retention strap).
Ready to pack? Click here for the full Packing List (PDF)
3. Cancellation by the customer
The withdrawal must be in writing and cancellation fees will be calculated as follows:
The Percentage refers to the cancellation fee from the total course or tour fee. For all our activities we recommend purchasing cancellation insurance at the time of booking.
3.3 Courses and Tours Abroad
- Up to 180 days before course start: 100% refund of the course fees.
- 179 - 90 days before course start: 75% refund of the course fees.
- 89 - 60 days before course start: 50% refund of the course fees.
- from 59 days to course start: 0% refund.
Directions to Cameret-sur-Mer
Meet The Team
Jolien Gekiere
Become a part of the Hightide Outdoor & Paddle Community
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Coaching Philosophy
At Hightide, we believe in coaching the individual. Our courses start from where you are and guide you toward your personal paddling goals.
For some, this means building confidence to paddle and enjoy nature. For others, it’s about improving efficiency for expeditions or long-distance paddling. It could also involve developing the skills to venture onto the sea or mastering techniques for rivers, rock gardens, and surf.
Whatever your aim, our extensive experience on the ocean and deep understanding of sea kayaking will help you move forward. All our coaches come from a sea kayaking background, hold professional qualifications, and are passionate not just about paddling but also about coaching. We’ve spent years refining what truly makes a difference in the sport and are committed to delivering it in the most effective way—by making you feel the learning.
When you join a Hightide course, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to keep improving and a structured way to retain what you've learned. We see our role as creating the right conditions for learning, so your progress continues long after the course ends.