I’m moving to Santander, Spain (Northern Coast) this spring/summer and I’m trying to find a bit of work in the surfing world over there. I have been managing a surf/skate shop for a few years and done surf instruction, editorial writing for some surf magazines and also worked on a few surf videos. Does anyone have any good info on the area, as in good surf shops, good places to eat, and possible work? Any tips or help would be much appreciated.
Good places to eat? It’s Europe, man!
where are you moving from?
Moving from the East Coast…yeah I know the food is going to be good, I’m almost as excited about that as I am about surfing over there.
im definately going to spain one pf these days. When do you leave?
hopefully by late spring, putting the house on the market in spring so it’s a matter of when it sells…can’t wait to get out of here though.
have fun dude
I lived on the south Atlantic coast of Spain for three years. We never surfed up in Santender but surfed the heck out of Portugal for the whole time, it’s like California without all the people. I know there is great surf all over in the area your going and the people are really nice as far as I’ve heard. But if you get the chance, just north of Lisbon Potugal there is a town named Ericiera you need to visit. There is a former Californian there I think he’s been there for 30 years or so now his name is Nick Uricchio he’s the owner and lead shaper for Semente surfboards, I’m sure you can find their website and drop Nick a line he’s a great guy and knows that whole region from an American Ex-Pat point of view. I’m sure he would be a great resource. His shop is located just down the street from a break called Coxos pronounced CO-shows. It is a world class right hand point that closely resembles J-Bay. The area 20 miles south of Ericiera to 50+ miles north of the city is packed with breaks that go off all winter long. We used to go up there and check into the tourist office and pick a house on the beach fully furnished and pay about 17 dollars a day rent. Their tourism off season is during all the swells. If you ever have any questions feel free to ask me.
Wow, that will definitely help, thanks very much. I have been doing alot of research and trying to plot my course, but I just need to get there and I’m sure things will begin to unfold. I’m stoked to be able to explore some breaks all over southern Europe and surf somewhat uncrowded waves. I will look into that shop…
Hi. I’m from the SW of England and I’m doing the same thing as you in the New Year. I’m putting my property on the market in the spring and then making the move when its all wrapped up. I’ll be hunting for property between Biarritz and Santander. I’m a carpenter and general construction worker here in the UK, but when I move to the Basque country I’ll be getting back into the workshop and making furniture, sculpture, glassworking and making my own boards again!! Thats probably the main reason I want to head over there. I’ll be able to afford to build a nice big studio and workshop!!!
I’ll probably end up a couple of miles inland and up a mountain, most probably just inside the French border. I’m a bit cautious of Spanish properties as property law there is a little…well…weird if you ask me!! There’s this thing called “land grab” that a lot of big civil and private developers use to just take land from you if your property borders their developments. Also the Spanish government is a bit reluctant to side on the foreign property owner’s sides when this happens. I’m not sure how much this sort of thing happens in Northern Spain, especially in the Euskadi Region. The area around Santander is mainly all Basque, which in its own right is a really good reason to move to the area… The Basques are a very honest, upfront and unflinching people, and have such a wonderful culture and history!!! Although I don’t much like the Bull killing type stuff they do???
As for the surf industry in the area. I think you’ll find most of the big European HQ’s are based around Biarritz, Anglet and Hossegor, just inside the French border from Spain. There’s a lot of industry, and a lot of media all dotted around this strip of coast. I was told, the most important thing you must have to open doors, is an ability to speak the language to a reasonable level and be as straight up and no bullshit kind of person.
If you want a good heads up on the surf in the area, i’d advise getting either the “Stormrider Guide to Europe” or “Surf Europe” by Footprint. Both have comprehensive guides to all the surf along these coasts (the stormrider probably a little more detailed) and have lists of surf shops etc…
Good luck with the sale of your property and maybe bump into you in the lineup at Mundaka one day… Cheers
Hola,
My name is Carlos Restegui and I live in Santander, if there is anything I can do for you e-mail me. This is really a nice place for living, there are not much work opportunities here in the world of surfing, but I know some guys who have a surfshops and a surf school. And some guys from California living here full time.
my e-mail is I can give you my phone number if need it.
Check this site is really good in terms of wheather conditions… has a coment praticaly daily wheere Jesus (writer) coments where has been surfing and with who…, a good webcam (refresh each 5 sec), looking to Sardinero Beach.
You might have some better luck in Donostia, worth a visit anyhow, go for pinchos in the old town!
Agurr!!