Xtreme Gap Year UK » Morocco https://xtremegapyear.co.uk Gap Year Travel & Career Breaks with a Shot of Adrenaline Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:42:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2 The Xtreme Passport – The Ultimate European Summer https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/xtreme-passport/ https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/xtreme-passport/#comments Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:59:25 +0000 https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/?p=17390 Time to party your pants off with the best of them at some of Europe's top festivals and have an epic summer that you will probably forget. The Xtreme passport is your ticket to an incredible European summer choose from up to 21 festivals (more will be added soon) and let us know one week prior to arrival that you wish to attend and your space will be reserved.

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The Xtreme passport takes you to some of the best parties, Surf camps and events all over Europe and we promise you will have an amazing time meeting with new and exciting (and probably fairly drunken) people in the process. Perfect combine the low-cost airline tickets or European hop on hop off passes. Fully flexible and you can decide where you want to go with anyone weeks notice. With the Xtreme passport it’s shaping up to be the best European summer ever.

 

 

 

 

The Xtreme Passport

Time to party your pants off with the best of them at some of Europe’s top festivals and have an epic summer that you will probably forget. The Xtreme passport is your ticket to an incredible European summer choose from up to 21 festivals (more will be added soon) and let us know one week prior to arrival that you wish to attend and your space will be reserved.

This is the perfect option to make the most of your summer and is super flexible meaning you can fit it in between working and hopping over to somewhere new every couple of weeks.

At some of the events there can be up to 8000 people so you can be pretty sure you’re going to meet lots of people from all over the world and have an incredible time.

Highlights:

You can choose from the following festivals:

  • Barcelona ConneXion
  • BBK Live Music Fest – Bilbao, Spain (Basque Country)
  • Ibiza Weekender - Spain
  • Van Surfari – Spain and France
  • Yacht Surfari – Spain and France
  • San Juan Festival- Barcelona, Spain
  • Sonar Festival – Barcelona, Spain
  • Fringe Fest – Edinburgh, Scotland
  • La Tomatina – Valencia, Spain
  • Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
  • Morocco Surf Palace – Agadir/ Taghazoute, Morocco
  • Rolling Circus – 3 nights on bus around Europe

Photos

Full Details

Travelling is amazing, but getting from destination to party to festival to tour can be a big pain in the Schengen*. Welcome to the Xtreme Passport that doesn´t shuffle you around like a herd of cattle, but allows you to experience travel your way.

The Xtreme Passport is an unforgettable pass to international times. You choose from any of 21 destinations or festivals and receive an all-inclusive 3 nights at any of your chosen festivals, camps or event trips. The passport gives you a hefty discount on normal prices plus free unlimited beer and sangria at all of the festivals!

All that you have to do after purchase is tell us one week in advance of your desired arrival date to any of the festivals. We’re the type of people who hate rules. We get bored with itineraries.  We’re more about the infinities. We’re all about the bare footed, unzipped options, endless times and boundless boundaries. The Xtreme passport shamelessly encourages unrestricted fun. With unlimited booze thrown in (and at) any new passport holder, what are you going to do?

*(If you’re not from Australia or South Africa you can have no idea what that means  but if you book this pass I’m sure you will find someone who is who will willingly explain it to you over a few beers.)

The Events:

The Wine Fight (San Vino) – Haro, Spain

The Wine Fight (San Vino)

Every year rather large amount of people head up the mountain in the Rioja region to throw a lot of wine at each other. If you like wine this is a rather good idea.

San Vino, as we call it, La Batalla del Vino de Haro, as the locals call it, is a full on war path in the middle of the vineyard and we own it. All’s fair in love and wine battles. We take a bus from Barcelona or San Sebastián to the small town of Haro, we party in our campsite and have dinner together to plan strategies for the battle.

We then pay last regards and walk into a town with your classic Spanish street festival. If you’ve never been to a Spanish street festival, holy vineyard… this is the one. Bands everywhere, open drinking in the streets and in the morning we all go throw wine on each other. In the vineyard, as the sun rises.

Farmers versus public servants, women versus serfs, tourists versus that tree that was lookin’ at you funny. It’s a no-holds-barred rootin’ tootin’ red wine drinkin’ beautyfest.

At the filthy end you can choose to swim down the creek back home, drop in on a farmers truck to come back, swim in the pool at our campsite, all the while discarding wine at your feet like some hoboriffic wino Hansel and Gretel. We spend another night in the idyllic, mountainous town partying up a storm and running riot, and then we all dust off, drink a bit more and head back to Barcelona or San Sebastian. Because that’s just how it’s going to happen.

“San Vino is a vicious and outrageous war and you would naïve if you thought you could avoid ruining every item of clothing you’re wearing, dying your entire body purple for a few days or if you thought it was possible to find some sort of escape from the madness amongst the vines.”
“My childhood was filled with Xtreme moments. From the minute I busted forth from fruitful and dampened loins, to the minute I leapt from the top of the swing, landed on the playground and made that uppercut movement and was like, “yeah”, I have always been in search of a new place I can shower myself in new juices. So when I visited San Vino last year it was like I’d come full circle, and was also the fourth time I’ve been able to do that. The second and third time being when I spilt Fanta on myself and bent over to lick it up.”

  • When: 29th June
  • Where: Fly in and out of Barcelona.
  • Good to combine with: San Sebastian surf camp and Barcelona ConneXion
San Sebastian Surf Camp

San Sebastian Surf Camp

Some of the best Surf breaks in Spain. Good time surfing, meeting new people and having a laugh (the Unlimited beer and sangria helps!)

San Sebastian, the Basque Country and we bask really hard here! For those of who know it (and I mean really know it that way we know it) you know what I’m talking about. For those of you who don’t, let us show you and we promise you’ll probably never want to leave.

Your itinerary for the day looks like this: wake up, eat, surf, drink beer, nap, drink beer, tan, have a beer, socialize, swim, eat, drink sangria, party at a club and then wake up by the beach surrounded by the clearest waters, the most beautiful and chilled out people you’ll ever meet and the Pyrenees mountains. And then probably grab another beer.

At our surf-camp you’re fully accommodated for: tents are erected, beers are chilled, food is served and parties are organized. Even if you don’t surf or swim, you’re guaranteed a great time tanning, drinking and mingling with our fully diverse and international staff. Learn a few new international phrases, a few more drinking games and make some memories that you’ll probably never remember with friends that you won’t forget.

The basic package includes camping accommodation in a twin share and hearty breakfast in the morning. Add-ons: meals, surfboard hire and surf lessons.

For 5€ a day get unlimited beer, wine and sangria all day long!

Check out our full package: All-inclusive for only 60€ a day. Have it all with three meals a day, surf hire and surf lessons.
Your life will never be the same again. This is what heaven is like. Our little slice of paradise, and we’re sharing our cake with you.

  • Where: Fly into San Sebastian or Bilbao
  • When: All year round
  • Good to combine with: San Sebastian surf camp and Barcelona ConneXion
Benicassim Festival

Includes

  • 4 day full Benicassim festival pass
  • Private return transport from Barcelona (the cheapest airport in Europe!)
  • Camping accommodation at the festival, and 5 minutes from the beach
  • Breakfasts every morning
  • Unlimited beer and sangria in our own festival within the actual festival
  • Experienced (eg. previously partied) guides

Benicassim is one of those festivals we love just because it really doesn’t matter who plays. The Bingy bongys? The sha la lalaylas? The wingy dingy who-nows? Whatever. The town becomes a beautiful festival in itself.
Don’t get us wrong, it’s an awesome lineup every year, and it’s organised so well that you can’t go to the loo without someone helping you out to where you need to go and how you need to do it. It’s in the middle of a desert, for 4 days, next to a beach, in a sleepy town with fountains and public libraries and municipal facilities that let you do whatever you want for those four precious, special little days. It started as the little festival that could, and became the big festival that did.
It’s everything you want, and not much more. But why would you need more? It’s everything you want. So stop asking.
When we go, we rock the shit out of it.
Everyone moves to our set and learns to our grooves, and once again we get reminded why our friends and us get proclaimed the monarchy of dance, every single night.
Self-proclaimed. But still. Jealousy it seems, takes many forms.
One of the best festivals is always the one where you needn’t worry for showering, taking naps, snaps and chicken wraps because you can do all that at the beach tomorrow, and then head on back to the festival that night.
Year after year this tiny Spanish town takes us in with our blowup Lilo mattresses in the town fountains, in the beaches, on the hills, on top of crowds, the limit is with your imagination, my new friends.
The festival has a stellar lineup every time and an excellent Spanish reputation for making you sweat out your sleep from about 5 am til 9am, and then it’s straight down the beach til the music starts again at 4pm. I’m telling you, Benicassim is raw and it’s great and for €350 all included? You’d be stupid not to.

Sitges Carnival - Barcelona
Kind of like the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro except it’s near Barcelona in Spain’s gay capital. It doesn’t matter which way you sway it’s a hell of a spectacle and a lot of fun Please check the dates but it is always between the months of February and March.
Las Fallas Festival – Valencia, Spain

The Festival of fire

Las Fallas is a five-day party in Valencia. It is quite a spectacle with people creating huge statues which all eventually get burnt. Expect crazy costumes, thousands of people and well fire everywhere.

Spring Beer-Fest – Munich, Germany

Spring beer fest, much like Octoberfest but in spring. That means better weather & who does not want to get smashed in the sunshine?

Kings Day – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
By far the biggest party event in the Dutch calendar. Hit Amsterdam with us staying on our houseboat and take a cruise through the canals as this massive orange party kicks off! Kings day is every April usually on the 27th but on the 26th if the 27th is a Sunday. Read more about it here.
Running of the Bulls (San Fermin) – Pamplona, Spain
The Running of the Bulls is the quintessential Spanish festival, spoken of across the world, in hushed tones and braggart bar yells. The Running of the Bulls is famous, and revered amongst travelers who enjoy running, bulls, and articles and prepositions.

Let me tell you how it works…

The Running of the Bulls is part of a festival in Northern Spain in a place called Pamplona, a town famous for allowing Napoleon to invade them armed only with snowballs, and since that embarrassment not taking any shit from any of you Frenchies, tourists, or bulls.

It is an eight day festival of which the Bulls are only a part. At night there are world famous fireworks competitions, hedonistic street parades with multiple live bands, reveling and drinking, dancing, all with the knowledge that tomorrow you may be running with a beast who could kill you with but a flick of the head. And if you’re scared/slow/anti/not bothered, you do not need to run with the bulls – to watch them at 8am is a once in a lifetime event in itself.
When we facilitate a festival where you run on the horns of massive beasts and we say we make it more Xtreme, you know we mean it.

We have our own festival outside the festival at our legendary campsite in Zarautz with buses running back and forth all day. You can stay with us as long as you like. If you choose to go into the bulls in the morning, good luck to you and Godspeed, if you choose to stay in our site and chill on the beach, or go for a surf, we can help you out with that too. Every night is a party, and every night we have some new stuff going on, whether it’s a DJ, carnival, live band, sacrificial burning at the stake, political drunken debate, who knows? We decide on the day. One thing we can be sure of though, is you will most certainly be a part of it and it will be the experience of a lifetime.

Les Fetes de Bayonne Festival - Bayonne, France
The fêtes de Bayonne is a feria consisting in a series of festivals in the Northern Basque Country in the town of Bayonne, France. The festivals last 5 days and always starts the Wednesday before the first Sunday of August. They are the largest festivals in France. In the eighties, participants started to dress in white with a red scarf and a red belt after the colors of the city of Pamplona. Some rare purists prefer to wear blue and white, colors of the city of Bayonne.
Semana Grande Festival – San Sebastian, Spain Basque Country
The literary translation is a big week and this is one of the top events in the Basque country’s calendar. If you’re heading through northern Spain around this time of year, you sure not to miss it a huge international fireworks competition, live acts and one big melting pot of the party.
BBK Live Music Fest – Bilbao, Spain
Bilbao´s Top music festival has an incredible lineup of artists every year. You can check out the lineup for the next one here.
Ibiza Weekender - Spain
There are a few places in the world more legendary than Ibiza. The beloved white Isle home to some of the best super clubs and parties in the world. Come join us for a legendary weekend of partying all throughout the summer season.
Van Surfari - Spain and France
Please contact us the details on this one.
Yacht Surfari – Spain and France
Please contact us the details on this one.
San Juan Festival- Barcelona, Spain
24th of June-the Summer solstice. This always remains a big date in the Spanish calendar, and they lay on a massive party He warned it goes on all night!. Come celebrate it with us in San Sebastian
Sonar Festival – Barcelona, Spain
Sonar is one of the coolest events in the entire Spanish festival calendar.

More on the Sonar Festival:

The Sonar Festival is an amazing experience to be enjoyed in Barcelona, Spain. There’s nothing like it and its authenticity and creative spark drive the increasing popularity from year to year. It was founded in 1994 as a festival for advanced music and multimedia art and was modestly attended with media coverage from the first event. The hype after the shows closed continued across the next two years as it expanded and sent some notable performers into the global music scene. In fact, the Sonar Festival is part of the reason that electronic music has continued to evolve and gain traction over the last 20 years.
The festival takes place in the city center of Barcelona every June when it is flooded with approximately 80,000 visitors. The electronic music rumbles through the streets from gigantic venues and the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement across crowds of hip, exciting music fans. Famous performers rub elbows with festival attendees and Barcelona happily opens their doors to everyone.

However, the festival is more than just an opportunity to bring great, new music to adoring fans. The Sonar Festival, since its emergence two decades ago, is dedicated to living up to its name as a festival for advanced music and multimedia art. Offering conferences, film screenings, demos, online content, and exhibitions are just some of the ways that they meet these goals of supporting the artistic communities. One of the extra special features of the festival is its intentional design as an open laboratory, rather than a traditional fair format. Technology enthusiasts can experience hands-on workshops and demos with professionals in the industry. It really is more than just a cut-and-dry music festival, it’s an experience that lives up to the hype as one of the biggest events on the European calendar.

Fringe Fest – Edinburgh, Scotland
Showcasing the best of comedy, performance arts and Theatre the Scottish capital comes alive during the fringe Festival. It’s a great excuse to head up to glorious Scotland and come party with us.
La Tomatina – Valencia, Spain
Every year thousands of people head to a very sleepy Spanish pueblo not far from Valencia. Over four hour period hundreds of tons of tomatoes are thrown in every direction and it is a massive party. Come join us and get your five a day Xtreme Gap style!
Oktoberfest - Munich, Germany

You may be wondering why Oktoberfest is held in such high regard by your previously well travelled friends. “What’s the big deal?” You say, “it’s just old fat drunk men singing unintelligible songs on tables and hugging each other.” Sounds like your best nightmare, or your worst high school sleepover, right? To you I contend that it is both, and much more, and also not quite that.
No camaraderie is as strong and breaks as many barriers as that of beer, that destroys whatever divides a drunken German man from singing with a proud androgynous teenaged adult. Welcome to the rainbow of the human condition, amplified by ridiculous rides, slurring, good mateship and, I really just can’t emphasise this enough, singing on tables with beers while thousands watch you in good spirits. Lo, this be the good times.

The Book Of Oktoberfest

In the beginning there was a wedding. And lo, this wedding, it was between Prince Ludwig and Princess Theresa. And they made a festival to celebrate and the festival happened in Theresa’s Field. And lo, did they bang in the field. Probably. And then, so it was. And on the next day there was an agricultural fair and they added some fair rides and beer stands… And lo, did Ludwig say, let there be beer and there was beer. And they said “lo damn. There be a lot of beer.” And they looked upon their work and they saw that it was good, and it was good. And lo, Ludwig sayeth, “Let this henceforth be the Oktoberfest”, though it’s day not be in Oktober and they were in September but they had drunk more than a few good German beers. “And let it be the party where the fat old drunk men are lo, the coolest guys in the party.” And then they brought in some more beer tents… And lo, there be much more beer now. And on the seventh day they rested because they were pretty hungover. And now it’s the biggest festival in the world and more than 6 million people go. Lo, goddamn.
Be afraid, Bavaria-fraid of our favourite Xtreme festival and the most favourite public festival in the world. In Munich you arrive at the exact time beers will be served! When we arrive you can soak in the glory of our beautiful campsite for a few moments but then it’s time to get to business. Here’s the details:

Morocco Surf Palace – Agadir/ Taghazoute, Morocco
Rolling Circus - 3 nights on bus around Europe
Find me a kid who didn’t dream of running off and joining the circus and I’ll find you a kid aware of the various social taboos, limited economic potential and inevitable mental scarring of getting a job working for an entertainment company that’s in the business of torturing animals for the attention of the baying hounds that they call customers.

That’s a clever kid. When you meet this poor child, hug him.

But I digress.

Our rolling circus does away with these ethical issues and makes it a circus just about you! You and our other mates and our Europe! We roll, we glide, we hip hop dippity slide to our favourite cities in Europe, making the party as we go, and bringing more people on our trip as we can fit. We hit all the best festivals, we take live bands, there are no rules, and our driver is my best friend, you’ll meet him soon and you’ll love him like I do.

The world’s biggest food fight with tomatoes in Spain? Yeah we do that. Oktoberfest? We end there! Paris, Belgium, Prague, Budapest, a whole shitload of Spain. That’s a tick. It’s the best way to see the coolest cities, and we make our own parties in every city we go! We just invite everyone we meet along the way!

 

Accommodation

Accommodation differs from Festival to Festival but in general it is based in tents or hostel accommodation. Please check each individual Festival for details.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Xtreme passport work?
  • This is all open dated and the passport is valid for one year. You can choose from any one of our  21 festivals (with more to come!)
  • The pass includes 3 nights All-Inclusive at any of your chosen festivals.
  • Inform us by phone or email only 7 days before your desired arrival to guarantee your place.
  • Holders of the pass are entitled to free unlimited beer and sangria at any of the festivals and trips (excluding morocco and Ibiza).
  • Some festivals can go on for longer than three days so you can specify your own start date providing you give us at least one weeks notice.
  • Valid for one year from date of purchase Non-refundable or transferable
  • You can choose the start date of your passport and it will be valid for 12 months from your starting date.
How do I get to the events?
Fly, walk, hitchhike or ride by beer scooter. Well that is up to you, as some people will be travelling throughout Europe hopping from event to event and others will be heading home and then back out to different destinations throughout the summer months.

We would recommend either booking a European hop on hop off pass or checking sky scanner for low-cost airlines on easyJet and Ryanair. A detailed predeparture pack is issued once you book which will tell you where you need to get to and when and you can always ask our reservations team for assistance.

Please note if you are including any of the trips in the Balearic’s like Ibiza you will need to make your own way there. Ryanair and Vueling have great low-cost flight options or you can get a ferry from Barcelona or Denia (80Km south of Valencia).

How much spending money will I need?
Not that much, about £50 per day will do it. Remember also you can fit this in between working as well. Remember though you will need to budget extra for your flights or transport costs to the festivals.
Your rap tune is damn catchy can I download it on MP3?

Hell Yea Dawg. You do that and you be trippin!

Free Download Xtreme Gap Rap YOLO Europe Baby

 

Price

  • The hobo pass The two festivals (2 nights at 2 festivals) – £360
  • The nomad pass three festivals (3 nights at 3 festivals) – £540
  • The Gypsy pass (3 nights at 6 Festivals) –  £900
  • The Xtreme summer pass 3 nights at 10 festivals) – £1440

Included

  • The number of festivals included depends on pass you pick we have options that covered 2, 3, 6 or 10 festivals included
  • Detailed guidance on how to get there and when
  • Trip leaders and guidance at each festival
  • All accommodation (tents)
  • Some meals included
  • Unlimited booze at many of the festivals (optional)
  • Detailed predeparture pack and assistance from our bookings teams.

Excluded

  • Transport to the festivals
  • Spending money
  • Travel insurance

Dates

The Xtreme passport is open dated and valid from one year from the start date of your passport. The key dates for the festivals and events are as follows. You do not have to do it all in one go, which means you can combine it with working and travelling to different locations or perhaps using a hop on hop off pass to get you between events.

  • Sitges Carnival – Barcelona, Spain
  • Las Fallas Festival – Valencia, Spain
  • Carnival Brazil – Salvador, Brazil
  • Spring Beer-Fest – Munich, Germany
  • Kings Day – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • The Wine Fight (San Vino) – Haro, Spain – 28th – 29th – 30th of June
  • Running of the Bulls (San Fermin) – Pamplona, Spain
  • Surf Camp Spain – San Sebastian, Spain (Basque Country)
  • Les Fetes de Bayonne Festival – Bayonne, France.
  • Semana Grande Festival – San Sebastian, Spain (Basque Country)
  • BBK Live Music Fest – Bilbao, Spain (Basque Country)
  • Ibiza Weekender – Spain Every weekend in the summer
  • Van Surfari – Spain and France Contact us For date
  • Yacht Surfari – Spain and France Contact us for dates
  • San Juan Festival- Barcelona, Spain 24th of June
  • Sonar Festival – Barcelona, Spain 12th -13th 14th June
  • Fringe Fest – Edinburgh, Scotland
  • La Tomatina – Valencia, Spain Last Wednesday of August
  • Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
  • Morocco Surf Palace – Agadir/ Taghazoute, Morocco
  • Rolling Circus – 3 nights on bus around Europe

 

 

See more Details, Photos, Dates & Prices

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Surf Instructor Course Morocco https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/surf-instructor-course-morocco/ https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/surf-instructor-course-morocco/#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 20:10:51 +0000 https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/?p=4486 The Surf Instructor Course in Morocco is an exciting way to learn something new, experience a fantastic culture, feel part of a community, and make a difference. Throughout the 12 week course in Taghazout, you will become a fully qualified surf instructor, learn Arabic, teach English in local school, spend some time in a local Berber family and live a stones throw away from the beach in one of the most sociable settings possible! Roof top parties, camp fires, heaps of friends from all over the world. You name it, we got it.

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The Surf Instructor Course in Morocco is an awesome experience learning to surf and having the time of your life. Throughout the 12 week course in Taghazout, you will become a fully qualified surf instructor, learn Arabic, teach English in local school, spend some time in a local Berber family and live a stones throw away from the beach in one of the most sociable settings possible! Roof top parties, camp fires, heaps of friends from all over the world.

 

Surf Instructor Course Morocco

Discover why Morocco is fast becoming this season’s hottest surf destination. A cool eclectic blend of culture and world-class waves make the Xtreme Gap surf instructor camp in Morocco the ideal bolthole to spend a 12 weeks training to become a surf instructor with the best of them.

Morocco surf camp highlights include:

  • Surf everyday for 12 weeks and become a fully qualified surf instructor by the end of it
  • Accommodation, food, assessments, equipment rental is all included hassle free!
  • Living in a surf camp about 2 metres from the waves with a constant turn over of guests of all nationalities and backgrounds
  • Learn a Arabic, help the community and have an unforgettable 3 months
  • Hanging 10 on some the best beach breaks in Africa
  • Riding camels and riding waves with guaranteed blue skies and good surf
  • Open to all levels

 

Photos

Full Details

Once the exclusive territory of Berber fishermen, wandering hippies and seasoned wave riders spying the next rare break, thanks to some determined local surfers with a passion for sharing the swell with everyone, the Moroccan south coast is fast becoming a haven for anyone looking to conquer some waves while exploring the mosaic of desert, mountain, beach and bustle that this country – a gateway to the African continent – offers.

Shrouded by the mountains that stretch deep into Morocco’s heart, perched perfectly on the warm swell of the West African Atlantic, the fishing town of Taghazout has become home to the Xtreme Gap surf instructor camp. Devoted riders themselves, these guys are passionate about everything surf and dedicated ambassadors of the waves.

The surf instructor course packages have been developed to maximise riding time and surfer development, while the opportunity to participate in a wholly immersive experience, with salt-spray waves in the day and spiced up tagine at night, is what’s given these guys their great local reputation.

About the surf Academy

We run the ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) level 1 course in conjunction with the SLS (Surf Lifesavers Qualification). The ASI is the worlds leading surfing accreditation and training organisation. It is a globally recognised qualification which can lead to real paid jobs as a surf instructor all over the world. At the Xtreme Gap surf instructor course we put both qualifications together in a nice hassle free course!

Itinerary

Morning:

We have an all local team of chefs and boy can they cook! All your food is included in the price of the course to make it completely hassle free. Breakfast is served at our beach front café over looking the waves – an absolutely perfect way to start a days surfing.

Depending on the waves…

Lunch is usually served at the beach as sandwiches, rice, salad, BBQ etc.

In the afternoon

Dinners are served on our beautiful roof top terrace overlooking Taghazout at sunset. Big hearty meals for surfers is on the menu with a mix of traditional Berber cuisine such as couscous and Tajines on some nights, and big BBQ’s of fish, kebabs and homemade burgers on other nights.

A typical itinerary might be as follows:
  • 8:00-9:00: Breakfast in our beach front cafe. Consisting of Croissants, coffee, tea, cereals, fruit, bread, spreads, eggs, yoghurt, fruit juice
  • 9:00 – leave for the surf
  • 9:30 – 11:30 – surf lessons.
  • 12:00 – lunch. consisting of sandwiches, fruit, snacks, drinks
  • 13:00 – 17:00. More surfing! Also in the afternoons there will be the community projects and Arabic lessons (Arabic only firts 4 weeks).
  • 17:00 – 19:30. Chill time. Explore the town, chill with the other surf campers, get a sunset surf in, do some yoga etc
  • 19:30: Dinner and relax!
The Instruction

The instructor course is heavily focused on safety in the water. Safety is of paramount importance when teaching someone to learn to surf and the ASI’s safety in the water is internationally known as one of the best! During the course you will learn how to spot rips and currents, discuss the nature of dynamic risk assessments and learn beach lifeguard techniques.

Reasonable levels of fitness are required. We ask that you can swim 25 metres before you start the course, but over the 12 weeks your fitness will improve naturally so don’t worry if you’re a bit out of shape!

When you’re Not Surfing
Odd as it may sound, we realise that surf camps aren’t always about surfing. They’re about riding waves and discovering different places too, and we don’t want anyone to leave us without their fair share of Morocco – from the dust clad foothills and mountain vistas of the anti-Atlas mountains that shroud Taghazout from behind, to the babel of local fishing village life, the hubbub of Agadir’s bazaars, and the sporadic countryside forests nestled in the aptly named and nearby Paradise Valley.

So, if you or the surf is ever feeling flat, just quiz one of the team, and we’ll point you in the right direction for any activity that takes your fancy. Whether you want to sustain the adrenaline of the waves dune biking in nearby Massa game park, get traditional with a camel ride, raise some sand galloping your way across Taghazout’s surrounding beaches, or soothe those out-surfed muscles with a local Moroccan argan oil massage, we’ve got it all!

There’s also the opportunity to unwind with top quality yoga instructors, who take classes for as low as £12 in local currency in some of the most panoramic spots in the area. You can stretch those aches and pains out, while the sea spray rises from Anchor point below and the Moroccan sun drops behind the horizon.

Finally, if you just want to chill, drop into the Hash Point Café where you can watch the Atlantic waves break over the rocks with a fragrant Tagine, some freshly caught fish, or – if you’re feeling less adventurous – one of the Café’s famous bacon double cheeseburgers. (There’s also a wealth of surf gear available for rent in the Café, and the manager Rachid is always happy to talk surf, food and local culture).

Learn Arabic and Teach English and get in touch with the locals:
  • For the first 4 weeks a local teacher will come to the camp twice a week to teach everyone basic Arabic. By the end of the 4 weeks, we hope that all the everyone will be armed with enough knowledge of the language that you can then use your phrase book to chat to the guys at the camp and in town.

    Over 80% of our staff are Moroccan, and they absolutely love it when tourists speak their local language with them. After the 4th week, official Arabic lessons stop (as we’ll be really focusing on the surfing!) but if anyone really wants to continue, we can arrange weekly classes for you.

  • ‘Aftas Association’ was co-founded by our partner in Morocco a few years back to help out the local schools with books and classroom equipment. During your 12 weeks in Taghazout you’ll work with ‘Aftas’ to teach English at the ‘Taghazout Ecole Superiere’ to children of the age ranges 11-16. To start with you’ll be one of the teaching assistants until you have the confidence to take your own class. Each week you’ll spend the afternoon at the school helping the local children study towards their baccalaureate in English!
  • Live with a local berber family: The Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa. A very friendly group, always willing to accommodate and welcome you into their homes, you’ll spend a weekend in the hills with one of the families that we have grown very fond of and close to over the years. See how a traditional household is run, cook traditional berber food, help out on the farm and experience the simple life for just a weekend (longer if you’d like of course!)
Extra activities in the area:

During those rare occasions when Poseidon and Neptune don’t smile upon us and the waves cease to exist we are not left twiddling our thumbs and practicing our Eskimo rolls. We can take you off to Immouzer or as the locals call it – Paradise Valley. There is only one road in the village. The friendly inhabitants and the simple houses make it clear you are well off the beaten track. Chill out in tranquility and seclusion of the waterfalls. Take a plunge in the rock pools, or trek through the forests – something of a rarity in Morocco.

If you need a break from the physical demands of the surf, relax and treat yourself to a four handed massage at the local hammam! Want to get a few gifts for back home? We’ll take you to the Agadir Souks or if you want to see the local countryside a little more jump on a camel. Why not go for a horse ride along the beach at full gallop! We organise quad biking excursions through the dunes of the Massa game park for the petrolheads out there as well. When you arrive at the surf camp, just ask the manager for information on all of these options and we will set you on your way for your action packed surf holiday.

How about a yoga session after a long day’s surf? Our professional instructors takes sessions at the luxury apartment complex overlooking Killer Point. The gardens have views that overlook both Anchor Point and Killer Point and the sunset sessions provide the perfect way to stretch down those aching muscles. All payments for Yoga lessons are made locally to your yoga instructor for the day. Normally the lessons start at roughly £12 in the local currency and to book in just ask the surf camp manager, it could not be easier!

Accommodation

Living at a surf camp:

The surf camp is one of the nicest and most sociable surf camps in the whole European and North African area. The camp itself is situated just 2 metres from the water’s edge (in big swell and high tides you have to time your exit so you don’t get wet!) and we have a beautiful roof terrace that over looks the whole of Taghazout!

At the surf camp you really will live and sleep by the waves. The camp duck-dives the swell all night; sitting literally on the shoreline, you will never be too far from the action, and whether you’re dusting off a tagine on our dinner-time roof terrace or chilling out with some surf vid action in our lounge, we guarantee that reassuring sound of a crashing wave will never be too far away.

Your accommodation will be shared, in apartments close to the Xtreme Gap camp, nestled in the square roofed, sun baked buildings of Taghazout, just a stone’s throw from some of Morocco’s greatest breaks.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Check in Arrival & Departure

Arrival

Let us know in advance an estimated arrival time and we’ll be ready to check you in. If you arrive early it’s no trouble, you can surf your way through the day or hang out in our cafe while we prepare your room, which should be ready by the afternoon. We also offer a taxi service which is a good idea for late arrivals, and can save you a trek through Taghazout’s labyrinthine streets at night.

Money matters
The currency in Morocco is a Moroccan Dirham, it is possible to exchange your pounds or euros at the airport and the nearest cash machine to the surf camp is in Agadir. It is possible to take a taxi to withdraw money should you require.
I have never surfed before can I join?
Yes absolutely, Morocco is a great place to learn and are surf instructors are some of the best in the country. And you do not need to be a world class surfer in the end either, you do need to be a world class instructor though!
What do we do in the weekends?
We go on a few over night trips to Marrakech, Essaouira, Immsoune and Tifnit so that you get so see some more of this amazing country. Morocco is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world and it would be a shame if you didn’t get to see as much as possible of it!
When can I join?
We have 2 programs running throughout the year. One starting 8th September 2012 and another one starting 12th January 2013
Helping with finding work:
With our large network of contacts in the surf school industry, we can offer assistance in finding a job in all sorts of locations around the world! Previous guests of the programme have found work in Morocco, UK, Norway, Costa Rica and most recently the Dominican Republic!

 

Price

Duration Shared Surf Apartment
12 weeks 4499

Short on time or lacking the funds to go the full 12 weeks? Don’t worry you can get a taster on our Morocco surf dude program instead. This is bookable by the week, and is a great surf and stay option without the instructor qualifications

Included

  • Pre departure information
  • All accommodation for 12 weeks
  • All meals Food for 12 weeks
  • All equipment rental, surfing tuition and surf guiding for 12 weeks
  • 4 weeks of Arabic lessons
  • ASI Level 1 instructor course
  • SLS lifeguard course
  • Return airport transfers to Agadir airport
  • Trips to Marrakesh, Essaouira, Immousne, Tifnit
  • Job search assistance on completion

Excluded

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa
  • Drinks

Dates

We have 2 programs running throughout the year in January and September:

  • 14 September 2014 to 07 December 2014
  • 11 January 2015 to 05 April 2015
  • 13 September 2015 to 06 December 2015

How

You have to fly in to Agadir. Return airport transfers to Agadir airport is included, just email us your flight details.

Visa Matters

Some nationalities do need a visa for Morocco. European countries do not. On arrival you are given a 90 day visa which can be extended should you wish. Please check with your embassy if you have any doubts.

“It was the ultimate gap year experience, combining amazing surf and a fulfilling cultural experience.
Eveline van L.
“The staff at both the surf camp and cafe were awesome and extremely helpful. The communal dinners were great and a great place to socialize. The rooms, restaurant and terraces are set in an amazing location!”
Jean D

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Morocco Surf Camp https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/morrocco-surf-camp/ https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/morrocco-surf-camp/#comments Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:12:56 +0000 https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/?p=3832 Discover why Morocco is fast becoming this season's hottest surf destination. A cool eclectic blend of culture and world-class waves make the Xtreme gap surf camp in Morocco the ideal bolthole to spend a week learning to surf with the best of them. Plenty to do in an out of the water you can become a surf dude Berbere style. One in two weeks surf trips whether you want to learn from scratch or you are a seasoned surfer.

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Discover why Morocco is fast becoming this season’s hottest surf destination. A cool eclectic blend of culture and world-class waves make the Xtreme Gap surf camp in Morocco the ideal bolthole to spend a week learning to surf with the best of them. Plenty to do in an out of the water you can become a surf dude Berbere style. One in two weeks surf trips whether you want to learn from scratch or you are a seasoned surfer.

 

Shrouded by the mountains that stretch deep into Morocco’s heart, perched perfectly on the warm swell of the West African Atlantic, the fishing town of Taghazout has become home to the Xtreme Gap Surf Camp. Devoted riders themselves, these guys are passionate about everything surf and dedicated ambassadors of the waves.

Morocco surf camp highlights:

  • One week in the eternal sunshine becoming a surf God.
  • Hanging 10 on some the best beach breaks in Africa
  • Devouring the mouth watering Tagine, was watching the gorgeous African sunset
  • Learning to surf with friendly Berber surf guides
  • Riding camels and riding waves with guaranteed blue skies and good surf
  • Stretch and relax with included yoga sessions (yoga option)
  • Haggling with the best of them in true Moroccan style

 

Photos

Xtreme TV

The Xtreme Gap Morrocco Surf Camp

The surf camp is one week seven days six nights.

The Moroccan south coast is fast becoming a haven for anyone looking to conquer some waves while exploring the mosaic of desert, mountain, beach and bustle that this country – a gateway to the African continent – offers.

Quality not quantity is the name of the game here, in terms of both waves and experience. The surf camp packages have been developed to maximise riding time and surfer development, while the opportunity to participate in a wholly immersive experience, with salt-spray waves in the day and spiced up tagine at night, is what’s given these guys their great local reputation.

The Xtreme Team

Being dedicated surf instructor means knowing your sport, and we’re really passionate about making the best surfers out of all our campers. All our instructors are qualified by the Moroccan Surfing Federation or the French Surfing Federation, have passed Nick Thorn’s BSA, and have grown up surfing these beaches, so they really know the local swells and turns.

We structure our beginner lessons to encourage surfing development over a week, while more advanced surfers can get detailed technique advice – from choosing the right waves to technical maneuvering.

We’re the only surf school in Morocco that will get you riding with the locals, which means that you’re right in the thick of Taghazout’s surf culture from the get go, with that all important insider knowledge that will help you get the best breaks and longest rides.

The Surf

Our instructors are hounds in the hunt for the most pristine waves, and we can guarantee they will get you surfing the breaks that suit your level and style. Whether it’s the points’ right peelers, the reef breaks in Mysteries and Boilers or the beginner’s beach breaks at Devil’s point, you’ll be sure to find something worthy of your ride here.

When you’re Not Surfing

Odd as it may sound, we realise that surf camps aren’t always about surfing. They’re about riding waves and discovering different places too, and we don’t want anyone to leave us without their fair share of Morocco – from the dust clad foothills and mountain vistas of the anti-Atlas mountains that shroud Taghazout from behind, to the babel of local fishing village life, the hubbub of Agadir’s bazaars, and the sporadic countryside forests nestled in the aptly named and nearby Paradise Valley.

So, if you or the surf is ever feeling flat, just quiz one of the team, and we’ll point you in the right direction for any activity that takes your fancy. Whether you want to sustain the adrenaline of the waves dune biking in nearby Massa game park, get traditional with a camel ride, raise some sand galloping your way across Taghazout’s surrounding beaches, or soothe those out-surfed muscles with a local Moroccan argan oil massage, we’ve got it all!

There’s also the opportunity to unwind with top quality yoga instructors, who take classes for as low as £12 in local currency in some of the most panoramic spots in the area. You can stretch those aches and pains out, while the sea spray rises from Anchor point below and the Moroccan sun drops behind the horizon.

Finally, if you just want to chill, drop into the Hash Point Café where you can watch the Atlantic waves break over the rocks with a fragrant Tagine, some freshly caught fish, or – if you’re feeling less adventurous – one of the Café’s famous bacon double cheeseburgers. (There’s also a wealth of surf gear available for rent in the Café, and the manager Rachid is always happy to talk surf, food and local culture).

Accommodation

At the surf camp you really will live and sleep by the waves. The camp duck-dives the swell all night; sitting literally on the shoreline, you will never be too far from the action, and whether you’re dusting off a tagine on our dinner-time roof terrace or chilling out with some surf vid action in our lounge, we guarantee that reassuring sound of a crashing wave will never be too far away.

Your accommodation will be shared, in apartments close to the Xtreme Gap camp, nestled in the square roofed, sun baked buildings of Taghazout, just a stone’s throw from some of Morocco’s greatest breaks.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

When can I join?
You can join all year round, most people join starting on Sunday until the following Sunday although not all flights match up to this from certain destinations. Checked low-cost airlines on sky scanner.net you will be surprised to find incredibly good value flights into Morocco. After booking you are free to book your flights please let us know your flight details and we will have you picked up from the airport on arrival.
Check in Arrival & Departure

Arrival and Departure

We offer a pickup service from Agadir just let us know your flight number prior to departure. If you want to make your own way, let us know in advance an estimated arrival time and we’ll be ready to check you in. If you arrive early it’s no trouble, you can surf your way through the day while we prepare your room, which should be ready by the afternoon. We also offer a taxi service which is a good idea for late arrivals, and can save you a trek through Taghazout’s labyrinthine streets at night.

On departure, we ask you leave your room by 11am so we can prepare the camp for new arrivals, but if you have a late flight, even better, just leave your stuff with us and think of it as an excuse for another day on the waves!

Money matters
The currency in Morocco is a Moroccan Dirham, it is possible to exchange your pounds or euros at the airport and the nearest cash machine to the surf camp is in Agadir, so we recommend you bring enough money with you to cover your spending money as there is no ATMs located near the surf school. It is possible to take a taxi to withdraw money should you require.
I have never surf before can I join?
Yes absolutely, Morocco is a great place to learn and are surf instructors are some of the best in the country.
Do I have to book from sunday to Sunday
NO. The reasons we encourage a week long stay with a weekend arrival and departure is so that you get the absolute maximum out of your experience. We can structure our surf lessons to suit you best, we can show you as many spots as possible, and we can take you on trips to explore the area. But it’s no problem at all if you can’t make the whole week or a weekend to weekend trip – we are 100% flexible and we can still guarantee you’ll have an awesome time!

Price

  • £569 – One week surf option
  • £1138-two weeks surf option
  • £1699 – Three weeks surf option
  • £2199-four weeks surf option

 

To add on yoga add-on an additional £99 per week.

Included

  • Airport pick up
  • Shared dorm accommodation (upgrades to double possible) six nights
  • Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
  • Transport to various breaks depending on wave conditions
  • Wetsuit hire
  • Rental of all types of surf boards
  • Five surf lessons per week
  • five yoga sessions (yoga option only)

Excluded

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Return airport drop off (bookable locally)
  • Excursions to local attractions on non-surf days

Dates

Which Airport?
Getting to us is really easy, we are 45 minutes away from Agadir airport. We recommend you fly with EasyJet or British Airways as they are normally cheapest and actually the Royal Air Maroc flights seem to lose the luggage quite often. If the flights to Agadir are a bit more expensive, you can fly to Marrakesh with Ryanair and a bus down is only 10 euros!

Start dates

You can start every Sunday of the year. Sunday is the arrival day, time to chill and check in. However if you have got other plans we can arrange for you to start any other day of the week.

We also get large numbers of big groups inquiring for stag, hen, university surf club parties etc. and we are more than happy to work out a group discount to make it more affordable for big team packages.

 

“The staff at both the surf camp and cafe were awesome and extremely helpful. The communal dinners were great and a great place to socialize. The rooms, restaurant and terraces are set in an amazing location! more reviews here.”
Jean D

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Xtreme Reporter – With Work Experience https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/xtreme-reporter/ https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/trip/xtreme-reporter/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:50:48 +0000 https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/?p=19212 Learn, earn and travel by reporting. One accessible online course from any destination while you´re discovering. Investigate new places and learn how to creatively tell the world. Get the opportunity of the lifetime to get advice from a professional mind. No qualifications required yet experience gained. Travel and writing... what more do you need?

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Learn, earn and travel by reporting. One accessible online course from any destination while you´re discovering. Investigate new places and learn how to creatively tell the world. Get the opportunity of the lifetime to get advice from a professional mind. No qualifications required yet experience gained. Travel and writing… what more do you need?

 

 

 Start A New Career As A Travel Correspondent

How would you like to get a diploma, spend four weeks travelling somewhere exotic with the possibility to get paid for your efforts at the end of it. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t.

 

Not only can you do all that, you will get mentored by one of the top journalists in the country Beci Wood who spent 10 years at the biggest newspaper in the UK. Get assistance publishing your piece and sending out through news channels with the aim of it being picked up as newsworthy. This will give you an amazing exposure and a genuine opportunity to try out and launch a new career in journalism.

  • Diploma in Journalism
  • Four weeks of adventure in a beautiful setting
  • Spend time abroad researching and perfecting your piece
  • Mentoring from a top UK Journalist
  • Help publishing your work
  • Amazing opportunity to start a journalism career
  • Go freelance and get paid to produce work for magazines and newspapers, or go digital online.

All for less than the price of going to university for one month!

PHOTOS

 

Become a Journalist & Travel

On this program you can either undertake the diploma only and use it to boost your qualifications whilst you undertake any of our gap year programs, or you can involve yourself On our Xtreme journalism assignments. Set in 2 locations where you can study and learn more about journalism.

For the assignments, you can choose either Thailand, or Mexico and you have four weeks to complete the course and we throw in some adventure activities along the way. What they are depends on the time of year, we do not keep it set so we can react to any newsworthy stories or events.

The course involves quite a bit of coursework, so where better to undertake some investigative journalism, or get inspired than abroad by paradise beaches.

You have full backup and support of our UK-based tutors, who have considerable experience in the industry. You can actually study anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection and a laptop.

Once you have completed the course and have written your final piece we will assist you in sending this out to our media houses who may or may not pick up on the story. If you do get published you will receive 60 percent of your royalty fees which could be enough to cover the cost of the entire course.

What you report on is up to you, but you will have the full back up and support and guidance of professional journalists (including the head mentor on the programme – Beci Wood with 10 years experience on staff at the UK´s biggest newspaper).

Not only is journalism and exciting career, it’s something you can take with you to your next stage after travelling, whether that be a part-time job at University, or something you do on the side or launch phone into as a career.

 So whether you want to do something genuinely rewarding while you travel, or want to have something that not only looks amazing – really is amazing on your CV then the Xtreme reporter as you.

THAILAND OPTION INCLUDES WORK EXPERIENCE

On the Thailand option we have a completely unique and very exciting work experience attachment to this program.  You will work in a genuine media Company that produces monthly magazines all over Asia.  Working from their offices in Phuket, you will put your newfound skills to use: tasked With writing articles and uncovering stories as a reporter.  You will go out develop and write stories and make a valued contribution to the magazine and online websites. Working under the CEO and his media team this is a genuinely unique opportunity to gain work experience and do a really fun job which will build your resume and give you an insight into an exciting industry as you travel.

The company is called think media and is American run running various different franchises of popular magazines, what’s on guides and delivers local news and features in and around Phuket.

The work experience option can either last two weeks or four weeks, depending on your preference and includes all accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION

In Mexico you will stay in Playa del Carmen, a short walk from the beach at our base the Bendito Rancho. This is based on a dormitory (shared accommodation).

In Thailand you will stay in Phuket where you will also be involved in a work experience module with think media. You will stay on a bungalow either your own or shared with one other person the same sex.  The bungalow is located close to the officers.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Areas of specialism

Journalism needs specialists. People with knowledge and passion for their subject. We provide a range of courses in specialist subjects ranging from health to the environment through to investigative and travel journalism.

Journalism courses currently available:

  • Business journalism course
  • Motoring journalism course
  • Digital journalism course
  • Music journalism course
  • Environmental journalism course
  • News reporting course
  • Financial journalism course
  • Political journalism course
  • Freelance journalism course
  • Radio journalism course
  • Freelance photojournalism course
  • Science journalism course
  • Health journalism course
  • Sports journalism course
  • Investigative journalism course
  • Video journalism course
Are the courses accredited

Yes our courses are accredited by third party organisations

 

  1. Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC)
  2. ABCC
What qualification will I get?

CTJT diploma

Our diploma is widely recognised in the UK and overseas. It is a vocational award, equivalent to an NVQ level 1 or 2.

The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) and the ABCC validate it.

 

PRICE

  • Course only £279
  • Four-week assignment Mexico £899
  • Four Week assignment Thailand £999

INCLUDED

  • Journalism diploma
  • Full backup and support of our UK-based tutors
  • Questions and e-mails answered five days a week usually two hour response time also with live chat option
  • Help monetising your articles and pieces
  • All accommodation with Thailand and Mexico options
  • Transfer and one night in Bangkok hotel on the Thailand option

EXCLUDED

  • Laptop
  • Wi-Fi connection fees if working remotely
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals

DATES

  •  You can start the diploma at any time even prior to travelling.
  •  Mexico and Thailand journalism diplomas start first Monday of the month

 

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