Few combinations work as well as the motorhome and surfing. Waking up parked in front of the beach, checking the state of the sea from your bed, and paddling out first thing, without queues or transfers, is any surfer's dream. The camper lets you follow the waves wherever they're breaking, with your home and your boards along for the ride. Here's the guide to living the surf life on wheels.
Why campers and surfing go so well together
Surfing depends on conditions (wind, tides, swell), and these change from one day to the next and from one beach to another. With a camper, you have the freedom to move wherever the waves are, stay put when a good swell comes in, and get up early without any effort because you're already there. It's total flexibility, exactly what surfing needs.
Spots for surfing from a camper
- Northern Spain: a paradise. Cantabria (Somo, Liencres), the Basque Country (Zarautz, Mundaka), Asturias and Galicia. Quality waves and surf culture.
- Andalusia: the Cádiz area (El Palmar, Conil) and the Strait for wind sports.
- Portugal: one of the best destinations in Europe, from Peniche to the wild Costa Vicentina (see routes through Portugal).
- France: Les Landes, with miles of beach breaks.
Organising your gear in the camper
- Boards: stored inside (protected) or on a roof rack/board carrier; make sure they're properly secured and don't get in the way.
- Wetsuits: the biggest challenge. You need somewhere to hang them so they can drip dry without soaking everything. An outdoor drying line or a designated "wet zone" helps.
- The outdoor shower: a surfer's luxury for rinsing off salt and sand; ideally with hot water (see water in the camper).
Practical tips
- Check swell and wind forecast apps to choose your spot.
- Respect the line-up and the locals: good etiquette both in and out of the water.
- Security: don't leave expensive gear on display (see security).
In summary
The motorhome is the perfect surfing companion: it gives you the freedom to follow the waves, sleep by the sea and get up early without effort, as long as you sort out your boards, wetsuits and shower properly. The step to take today: if you surf, sort out a spot in your camper for hanging wet wetsuits and an outdoor shower; they're the two details that make surf life on wheels most comfortable. For spots, check out the route through northern Spain.
