Some addresses need no introduction. Thirty years on the Grande Plage in Biarritz speaks for itself. Tropical Euskadi is as much a part of the Biarritz surf scene as the waves rolling in along the boulevard Charles de Gaulle — and it’s right there, at the foot of the casino, that the school has set up camp since the early 1990s.
A school founded by a former French national team member
Behind Tropical Euskadi is a name: Patrice Giraud-Vinet. Former member of the French surf team, he is also one of the founders of the French surf instructor qualification — the diploma that certifies professional instructors in France. When he talks pedagogy, he knows what he’s talking about.
This background gives the school a credibility that few others can claim on the Basque Coast. It’s not a franchise set up to sell boards — it’s a school founded by a surfer who helped build the foundations of surf instruction in France.
The Grande Plage: Biarritz’s most accessible spot
The choice of the Grande Plage is no coincidence. It’s Biarritz’s most central beach, walkable from the town centre, and its waves — regular, well-formed, without the strong currents of the Côte des Basques — make it the ideal spot for learning. The school sets up at 68 boulevard Charles de Gaulle, right on the beach.
What the school offers
- Group lessons — 18 students maximum with 2 instructors, equipment included, all levels
- Private lessons — for fast progress or working on a specific technical point
- Week-long courses — 5 consecutive days, ideal for surf trips
Wetsuits and boards are provided — high-quality equipment, in line with the partnership with Quiksilver, one of the world’s historic surf brands that chooses Tropical Euskadi as its official partner school in Biarritz.
State-certified instructors, an atmosphere that keeps everyone smiling
All instructors hold their state certification. In-water supervision is provided throughout every lesson. Reviews consistently highlight one thing: the atmosphere. “Great team and brilliant lessons”, “Everyone’s smiling”, “The spot and the lesson area are perfect” — that’s the general tone of TripAdvisor feedback.
Practical information
Tropical Euskadi Quiksilver Surf School
Grande Plage — 68 boulevard Charles de Gaulle, 64200 Biarritz
☎ +33 6 08 74 51 28 · pat.tropicaleuskadi.surfschool@gmail.com
Open 7 days a week, 8am to 7:30pm, year-round
Booking recommended in high season and during school holidays — slots fill up fast on the Grande Plage.