Surf Lessons at Razo Beach, in Carballo

Razo is the long, open sandy beach of Carballo, at the northern end of the Costa da Morte. Raz Surfcamp has worked here since 1991, presenting itself as the first surf camp in Europe, and gives two-hour lessons every day from 15 June to 15 September: the first costs €45, the following ones €35 and the five-day pass €175, with board, wetsuit and insurance.

What a lesson is like

Each lesson lasts two hours, in a morning or afternoon session. Groups are of six students at most per instructor and are formed by age and level, so that a beginner does not share the water with someone already catching green waves. There are lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced. The price includes the board, a 4/3 or 3/2 wetsuit and accident and public liability insurance. They are given in Spanish, Galician, Catalan and English.

If you are a couple or a family who prefer to go at your own pace, the private lesson costs €65 for one person and goes down per head if there are more of you, up to five with one instructor. If you already know how to surf, the school rents boards from €10 an hour or €30 a day.

Ages, dates and bookings

In a group you can join from age 8; children aged 9 to 12 go with others their own age. Under-8s can only take a private lesson. From 15 June to 15 September there are lessons every day; outside those dates ask beforehand, because the school doesn't always operate. Book on the website and, for the same or next day, by phone or WhatsApp on 659 381 300, from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:15. If the sea doesn't allow a safe lesson, the school changes the day or suggests another activity, and refunds the part you haven't used.

For a whole week, Raz Surfcamp also has camps with accommodation facing the beach and full board, for minors and for adults aged 18 to 35.

If you are on the south of the coast

Razo is a good hour from Fisterra. If you sleep in Fisterra or Muxía, the nearby surf beach is Nemiña, sheltered by Cape Touriñán, where Atlantis Aventura, the same company as the O Ézaro kayak, gives small-group lessons for €45 with equipment. From Razo, the Dombate dolmen is half an hour by car inland and is a good way to end the morning.