Surfing and Spanish is a wicked combination if you are heading out on a South America Gap Year. No boring classrooms, but learning Spanish on the beach. You will be staying in Montanita, a funky beach town and the capital of surfing in Ecuador. You become a great surfer as you will be taught by worlds best competitive surfing champions. No surf experience is needed.
Spanish And Surfing In Ecuador
- Learn Spanish at an award winning language school
- Learn to surf from world known surf professionals
- You do not need to have experience in surfing or Spanish
- Stay in the most popular surf spot in Ecuador, Montanita
- Surf trips down the coast when your skills are well developed
- Very social seen: surfing, activities etc. are organized in groups
- Great trip to make new friends and travel onwards with them
- Perfect start for your South America Gap Year Experience
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Full Details Spanish and Surf Ecuador
Award winning Spanish language school
Imagine hearing the crash of the Pacific ocean as the waves hit the beach, while you grasp the basics of Spanish. Besides that learning the language is essential if you plan to take a gap year in South America. So what better way to prepare yourself or improve your Spanish, than by doing it is a fun environment?
Our partner Spanish School in Ecuador, is one of the most original and exciting Spanish academies in South America. They are winner of numerous awards, including the language star awards (being nominated as one of the top 5 language academies in the world).
We particularly love this language school as it is the way the classes are delivered that adds a little spice to the whole learning process. When you add this to the fact that the language school is based in Montanita, one of the most popular backpacking beach towns in Ecuador it is a great chilled out place to hang out learn Spanish and get into the South American swing.
Intensive Spanish
The Spanish School provides small mini-group Spanish. We pride ourselves on the quality of these courses. You can expect to receive plenty of help with your Spanish with 4 lessons per day, 5 days per week. With 6 different ability groups you will be with others also keen to learn, at the same level. The levels follow the standard European Educational system of A1 to C2. By having others in your class it is an excellent way to stay motivated, practice what you are learning and to meet other students, many of whom travel onwards after the course.
Classes consist of 2 hours of largely Grammar based learning. We make it fun! Then there is 2 hours of more conversational or activity based Spanish, to put into practice what you have learned. We have found this approach to be extremely effective.
Small groups for effective learning
The groups are very small, normally 2-6 persons. So you will get lots of attention, and your learning needs are catered for. Occasionally we will not meet our minimum numbers per class in your ability group. In this case your lessons will be replaced with 15 hours of private one on one lessons.
The amazing surf lessons
Every day (from Monday to Friday) you will have 1.5 hours surf classes. You will practice in small group so you learn to surf quickly. The quality of the surf instructors teaching you how to surf are amazing! Instructors and surfers from Montanita are (comprise half of the Ecuadorian National team) placed in the TOP 10 in Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2011 in Panama! And you get learn to surf with these guys! Unbelievable! So then once your surf skills are a little more established, we will hit the road: Every second weekend we load up the surf truck and make a short surf trip up or down the coast. This is the perfect occasion to practice those new moves you have been learning in class and explore some of the more secret surf spots which are usually guarded as local knowledge.
No experience needed
Most people on this programme are in the same boat. Montanita is perfect for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The waves at low tide are a little more relaxed for beginners. When you are feeling confident, grab your surf board and get out there at high tide, where the biggest waves are waiting to challenge your new surf skills. You will certainly gain some impressive surfing ability, with one of Ecuador’s top instructors who came an impressive 17th in the World Championships on hand to get you moving through the water like a surf crazed torpedo!
Extra programme activities
It’s not just surfing you could combine with Spanish, there are other options available locally to add some more thrills or chills to your language course.
- learn salsa
- learn yoga
- learn kitesurfing
- or do the surf and scuba combo!
Accommodation
Our accommodation is a perfect combination of location, quietness and luxury! The accommodation will be shared with maximum 4 other travellers. You will stay with four other in a dorm or you can upgrade to a Cabana. This all is located in a stunning Eco Resort.
About the Eco Resort
Eco Resort means, recycled water to feed our large and growing garden (please bring biodegradable soap and shampoo if possible), solar powered outside lighting, rainwater collection for the large and tempting swimming pool (and Jacuzzi – a life saver to soothe the aching muscles – the ones you never knew you had – after an afternoon surfing), and a recycling system. Do you wish to see more picture? Please visit our blog with this link.
Trip Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to go
I am travelling alone. Will I be lonely?
What if you have never surfed before?
Are the surf instructors that good?
Can you tell me more about the Spanish classes?
Are Spanish crash courses also available?
What is Montanita like?
Are there more things we can do there?
Why should I join this programme?
If you are not convinced by now… Here are some more reason why you should join this programme:
- People do not generally speak English in South America. Spanish is required.
- Learn Spanish at an award winning language school.
- Montanita is one of the coolest surf towns in South America.
- You will have lots of fun and learn a language at the same time.
- You have surf lessons world pro surfers and you live in a cool place!
- You spend your gap year constructively! Learning a language and a new skill (surfing).
Why is this programme perfect for the start of my South America Gap Year?
How much money do I need for meals?
What do flights costs to Ecuador?
I already speak Spanish. Can I do the programme without the Spanish lessons?
Are there any cash machines?
Are there any extra costs involved?
I am a vegetarian. Is there any good food for me?
Is surf equipment available outside of the scheduled lessons?
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Included
- Pre departure information before you leave
- Surfing lessons (Monday to Friday and 1.5 hours per day)
- Spanish lessons in an open air environment (Monday to Friday and 4 hours per day)
- Accommodation
- All Spanish course materials
- Other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
Excluded
- Flights
- Internal flight from Quito to Guayaquil (30 minutes and around €38)
- Meals and drinks
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Transfers to Montanita (private pick up can be arranged for a £80 fee)
Dates
Start dates are the first Monday of the month. Bespoke dates available on request. Please contact us for flexible start dates.
“Yeah its been great thanks. The trip to Montanita was absolutely incredible, without a doubt two of the greatest weeks of my life. More reviews here.”Matt, UK
“Thank you for everything that I have learned here: the stories, expressions, grammar, vocabulary, verbs, the delicious coffees. the ambiance, interesting conversations, photos, songs, jokes, and everything else”. More reviews here.Roos van Pinxteren