What to bring Surfing – Information Pack
Firstly we would like to thank you for choosing Donegal Language School for your English and Surfing holiday. Please find below further information on your stay
Surfing
As much as we love our green country the weather can be unpredictable so we recommend the following items
- Waterproof jacket
- Two swimsuits/swimming trunks(some of the evening activities are waterbased so it is advisable to bring 2)
- One towel. Towels are provided but it is recommended to take an extra towel
- Warm clothes ie jumpers, jackets
For Class & School
- A copybook
- Pens
- Smartphone/notebook – some classes are digital so please bring
Insurance
It is compulsory to have a European Health Insurance Card/E1 11. This is free for all European countries and will cover any doctor or hospital appointments in the case of any medical issues. It is also compulsory for all clients to have travel insurance. For all non European Citizens please take out private medical and travel insurance. We can arrange for you if you like.
Transfers
If opting for collection from airport
Collection: On entrance of arrivals in Terminal 1 please make your way over to the right. You will see a sign saying Meeting point. Under or around this sign will be a Donegal Language School representative waiting to meet you with a Donegal Language School Sign(see below). If you are flying into Terminal 2 (Aer Lingus) please make your way to the right towards the Spar shop and one of our representatives will be there to meet you. They will have a sign showing the following:
If you are flying into Terminal 2 (Aer Lingus) please make your way to the right towards the Spar shop and one of our representatives will be there to meet you. They will have a sign showing the following:
Baggage:
Each airline has individual baggage weight restrictions. Please adhere to and leave room in your bag for presents going home. We have had experiences of students paying up to €100 for excess baggage and don’t wish to see this happening again. Excess baggage is the responsibility of the student
If opting for collection from Knock airport
Collection: Knock airport is small, the representative will be waiting for you on entrance of arrivals. They will have a sign with the above logo on it.
If you cannot see our representative
- Go straight to the ‘Information Desk’ and ask ‘Please can you ask the representative of Donegal English Language School meeting you (give your name) to come to the Information Desk’
- Wait at the Information Desk
- In an emergency, please ask the Information Desk to telephone 0870518592/0876008205, Donegal English Language School. NB Our representative will be there to meet you. This information is only included in the case of an unforeseen emergency.
Transfer Process
We are approximately 3 hours from Dublin airport so in order to offer affordable transfers to all clients we group collections/departures together. Students will have to wait for other clients to arrive/depart before the bus leaves the airport.
Contact
Students and group leaders can be contacted on 00353870518592. Students can be contacted from 6 – 7.30pm pm each evening (Irish time)
Residential Address: Donegal English Language School, Portbeg, West End, Bundoran, Co Donegal
Laundry
Laundry is included in the overall programme. We collect the laundry every Thursday/Friday and it is returned to the students every Friday/Saturday. The same applies to host family.
Internet Access
There is free WIFI at the school. We also have WIFI in some houses at the residential accommodation. Most families have internet access.
What happens on my first day?
Arrivals for students are generally on a Sunday. All students are welcomed, shown to their accommodation followed by a short introductory meeting. This meeting will go through the first day and any questions that may arise. On the first day of school, students take a test covering reading, writing, listening and speaking to ensure that they are placed in a level most suitable to them.
If the students have opted for one of the activity packages, their chosen sport takes place in the afternoon/morning depending on their age and level.
Student Coordinators are on hand to help and assist all students through their first day.
What to Expect – Surfing
Equipment
We provide all the surfboards, wetsuits and boots for your surf lesson. We have changing facilities with hot showers and we give you a hot drink afterwards. We also transport you from the surf school to the beach and back in our minibus. All you need is a towel and swimsuit.
We use 4/3mm suits in summer and 5/4/3mm suits in winter.
Boards
We have a range of different boards that you can try on the surf lessons. We have regular Swell foam boards that are ideal for your first few sessions, and then we have more advanced soft boards that you can try as your skills progress. We also have a range of hard boards that you can try, such as NSP, Circle One and Powersource.
Lessons
Lessons take approximately 3 hours. Time in the water is usually 1 ½ hours, the remainder being allocated for getting wetsuits, transport to and from the beach, and introduction to the equipment.
Beaches
We use several local beaches for our surf lessons. Tullan Strand in Bundoran is our main beach in the summer as it nearly always has waves. If Tullan is flat it is likely that all other beaches in the area are also flat. When the swell is big we somtimes use Rossnowlagh or Streedagh. Rossnowlagh has the most gentle waves but can be exposed to the wind. Streedagh has more powerful waves and offers good protection from W and SW winds. Both beaches like mid to high tides. On a really big swell we use Mullaghmore beach, which has good wind protection.
Instructors
All lessons, for all levels, are supervised by instructors that are qualified by the Irish Surfing Association. All our instructors are experienced surfers who know the local waves intimately. All instructors are qualified beach lifeguards.
Lesson Numbers
Groups are kept to a maximum of eight people to each instructor for beginner adult and kid surf lessons, and a maximum of 6 for improver and academy lessons
Please come and talk to your instructor if you need any help or advice.
Good Conduct
Students must not be disrespectful or act in a threatening manner to fellow students or staff of Donegal Language School. This includes raising their voices, swearing, gesturing, being argumentative or being disruptive in class. Discrimination based on sexual preference, race, religion, age or ethnicity is not tolerated. Smoking and chewing gum is not permitted in the school buildings. Food and drinks are not permitted in classrooms.
The student is responsible for any damage he or she may cause to buildings, furniture, fittings, individuals, host family property etc while registered with Donegal Language School. Should a student behave in an unseemly and/or inappropriate manner that may bring the school or its agent into disrepute or cause damage to its reputation or standing in any way, either real or imagined. If any of the rules are broken he/ she will be asked to leave the school immediately.
Going out in the Evening
Students are allowed to go to the town until 9.30 pm on a Friday evening only. Students are not allowed to go out alone and must go with other students. If you do not wish your son or daughter to go out please notify us in advance of their stay.
Host Family
Host families want you to be a member of the family. They will appreciate your efforts to integrate, your active participation in family life and activities. Your smile, your gratitude and enthusiasm will be the best reward for the host family efforts and encourage the success of your stay.
You must always pay your share during an extra-curricular activity with your family. Please use an international calling card when using the host family phone.
Parents hereby commit to undertaking full financial responsibilities if their son/daughter, is dismissed early from the programme in the event of bad behaviour.
Please come and talk to your instructor if you need any help or advice.