Take Off École de Surf

Take Off is a family surf school at the Allassins beach, between the Vert-Bois and Grand-Village beaches, on the island of Oléron. Its story starts in 1989, when Poulou, Volo's father, and friends created the Take Off Surf Club hut; in 2009, Volo opened the school in place of the hut. He has held the state diploma (Brevet d'État 1st degree) since 2008, was ten times regional champion and ranked in the French top fifteen, and works alongside Maxence and Marie. The website publishes blog articles from May 2026.

Group lessons last 1.5 hours, in small groups and for all levels, from April to October; private or improvement lessons, 1.5 hours including 1 hour in the water for a maximum of 2 students, are not offered in July-August. The school also organises courses of 2 to 10 days, groups and seminars on quote, and family lessons; children are accepted from age 5-6 if they are comfortable in the waves. Swimming ability is required. Equipment is provided: Hurley full 3/2 mm or shorty 2 mm wetsuits and boards suited to size and conditions.

Instructors hold the state surf diploma. The school was the first business to join the "Oléron qualité Littoral" charter and is a partner of Hurley, Nautisme Responsable and Famille Plus. The site is in a classified and protected area; the hut is about 1 km from the car park at 21 route du Jard.

Open from Easter to All Saints. Times vary with tides and waves. Private lessons: not in July-August.