Onaka

Onaka is a surf school and board-sports shop at 12 Av. des Mimosas in Hendaye, on the Basque coast near Biarritz. Its main focus is surf instruction on Hendaye beach, with lessons designed for children from the age of seven, teenagers and adults, from first attempts through to further progression.

The school uses Hendaye’s broad sandy beach as a teaching environment. The beach has a flat seabed and generally gentle waves, conditions that support an accessible introduction to surfing. Group classes run for an hour and a half and are suitable for beginners as well as surfers looking to consolidate their technique. Private sessions are also available for individuals or small groups, allowing instruction to be adapted to the participants’ level and aims.

Onaka’s teaching is delivered by state-qualified instructors, with a focus on understanding the waves, developing technique and building confidence in the water. The school’s courses accommodate different formats, including single discovery sessions and multi-session programmes for a more structured progression. Group tuition is kept to a limited number of participants per instructor, while private lessons provide a more focused alternative for individuals, couples, families or friends.

Surf equipment is included with the lessons, making the school practical for visitors arriving without their own board or wetsuit. Insurance is also included in the course arrangements. Onaka operates as a Fédération Française de Surf quality-labelled school, reflecting an emphasis on reception, teaching and safety.

Alongside instruction, Onaka has a shop dedicated to surfing and other board sports. The selection includes surfboards, wetsuits, skate equipment, clothing and accessories in a streetwear and surfwear style. This makes the venue useful both for visitors booking a first lesson and for experienced surfers looking for equipment or casual coastal clothing.

The setting suits active holidays, family trips and small groups of friends who want to learn or practise surfing together. Hendaye’s accessible beach offers a straightforward base for lessons, while the shop adds a practical retail element to the school. Onaka is best approached as a place for surf education, equipment and board-sports culture rather than as a café, restaurant or general leisure venue.