Far-flung destinations like Hawaii aren't the only surfing holiday options - it's just as easy to catch a break on the Basque coast.

Biarritz has been a popular spot for the watersport since the 1950s thanks to weather depressions in the North Atlantic generating regular swells that funnel into the Gulf de Gascogne.

Among the best beaches to catch the waves are Cote de Basque, where the relatively small swell and rocky headland protection makes it popular with less experienced surfers.

Just around the corner, the Grande Plage offers temperamental beachbreaks favoured by Biarritz locals.

For beginners, there are plenty of schools accredited by the French Surf Federation offering a variety of group and private longboard lessons.

To see the experts strutting their stuff in the sea, visit Biarritz in July for its annual surf festival. The event lasts one week and uses all the town's beachfronts. Viewing is free and there are no strict time schedules.