1. What equipment should I use?
2. Where can I practise my activity?
3. What weather conditions are suitable for surfing?
4. Am I liable in case of an accident?
What equipment should I use?
Taming turbulent waves isn’t something you can improvise! First and foremost, it’s essential to ensure the quality and proper functioning of your equipment, especially if you’re using your own board and gear. Here’s a quick list of essentials:
A high-quality board: This might seem obvious, but using a damaged or overly worn board increases your risk of falling.
Always use a leash: For any surfing or stand-up paddleboarding session, a leash keeps your board under control if you fall. Attached to your ankle, it ensures your longboard won’t drift away or injure others.
Depending on the temperature, we recommend wearing a wetsuit to protect yourself from the cold.
Don’t forget your sunscreen! Most water-based board sports are practised in sunny weather: while we often think about technical safety, many neglect UV protection, risking skin damage.
If you’re into kitesurfing, additional gear is necessary, including a harness, helmet, safety line, and a light beacon to signal your presence to other kitesurfers. The same applies to windsurfing.
Where can I practise my activity?
Surf zone or swimming area?
Most surf spots are also beaches where swimming is permitted, sometimes even supervised. To ensure swimmers and surfers coexist, lifeguards use flags to divide the shoreline into different activity zones. These beach demarcation flags were updated in March 2022:
The blue flag marking swimming zones has been replaced by a red and yellow horizontally striped flag. Surfing and windsurfing are strictly prohibited between these two flags.
Water sports can only be practised between or beyond the black and white chequered flags, which replaced the old green flag with a red circle. This prevents collisions with swimmers due to overcrowding or loss of board control.
How far out can I go with my surfboard or windsurf board?
A 300-metre limit from the shoreline has been set for safe practice. It’s also advised to stay at least four metres away from shelters, coastal structures, or seawalls to avoid collisions. If venturing further out, watch for boats and research the area’s geography—reefs or rocks might obstruct your path.
Pro tip: Keep a fixed landmark on shore, like a house, flag, or your belongings on the beach. This helps you notice if you’re drifting and avoids accidental entry into swimming zones or obstacles.
What weather conditions are suitable for surfing?
Can I surf when swimming is prohibited?
Absolutely. In theory, swimming is banned under a red flag (dangerous waves) or purple flag (marine pollution). While these rules don’t strictly apply to board sports, caution is advised. Experienced surfers can spot hazards like rip currents, but beginners might get trapped.
Which weather should I avoid?
Ignored weather conditions can lead to accidents, particularly due to strong winds and swells. During thunderstorms, avoid being at sea on any type of board or craft.
For wind-sensitive activities (e.g., kitesurfing), beware of offshore winds! While they amplify waves for an adrenaline-packed session, they can also sweep you out to sea effortlessly.
Am I liable in case of an accident?
In any collision causing material or physical harm, you’re fully liable—hence the need for vigilance! Respect distancing and etiquette in the water, sharing waves to minimise risks of damage or injury.
Note that if you collide with a rental board, you’re also liable for damages during the rental period. Check your travel insurance for civil liability coverage, especially when surfing abroad.
