Happy, happy birthday, FreshSurf!
We look back on 8 wonderful years and are grateful for countless waves surfed, beaming faces, lovely evenings together, sunny hours on the beach, new friendships and so much more… and all of it thanks to you! Without you, FreshSurf wouldn’t have become what it is today. And we want to thank you for that!
To mark the occasion, Toby, founder and managing director of FreshSurf, told us once more how it all actually began. We’ve also collected a few birthday wishes from some lovely FreshSurfers.
Happy birthday, FreshSurf!
Another year older and a bit more grown up – FreshSurf left its baby shoes behind long ago. Last year saw the arrival of the Surfvilla, longboard and carver courses, DrySurf, lots of new guests and at least as many returning ones who, like me, are excited to watch how FreshSurf develops. And it’s just as lovely to see that some things haven’t changed in all these years: Toby, Jordi, Angie and Cri, who are simply the heart of the camp. An office full of “rubias” (blondes). A family feel and a great atmosphere.
FreshSurf, stay just the way you are! I can’t wait to see what happens when you finally hit 10 ?!
Wer steckt hinter FreshSurf?
Behind FreshSurf are a few guys from Germany for whom life without surfing is unimaginable. Eight years ago we decided to set up a surf company that puts quality and service first. We want to share our passion for this beautiful sport of kings and pass it on to others – whatever their age, level or fitness.
Behind FreshSurf there is also a team of great people with unique personalities, without whom FreshSurf couldn’t exist.
What does FreshSurf stand for?
FreshSurf stands for freshness, the “lightness of being”, great accommodation, very tasty, healthy food and the chance to shape your surf holiday yourself.
Whether it’s all kinds of accommodation, a wide range of activities or the smallest details – our team tries to support you in every way.
That’s exactly why FreshSurf also stands for teamwork. Without the people working hand in hand with us, a company like this wouldn’t be possible. From our office team, which has seen a thing or two when it comes to organisation, to our surf team, which motivates itself and our guests every single day to make the best of themselves and the conditions, to our cleaning team and our cook, who always care about cleanliness, freshness and good taste. FreshSurf would be nothing without the people pulling the strings behind the scenes, working on the website from Germany or looking after the booking system.
FreshSurf also stands for current trends, which are picked up and offered here in the form of yoga, DrySurf, carver and longboard courses. FreshSurf stands for attention to detail, for the desire to keep getting better and to keep developing.
How did FreshSurf come about, and how did you come up with the idea of founding a surf school here in the north?
FreshSurf came about on a drive from the south of Fuerteventura to the north, where Steff and I wanted to surf in El Cotillo and on the North Shore while we were working as surf instructors at a surf school in the south. On that drive, the question “Why don’t we just open our own surf school?” set off a chain reaction. We had always liked the north better than the south, and El Cotillo was a natural gem for us, a little treasure where in 2008 there was no local surf school yet. On the way back to La Pared the name was born, and over the following six months we developed the basic concept for our surf school – which we then completely overturned once we were on the island!
A scouting trip in November 2008, and the starting signal for FreshSurf had been given. On 1 May 2009 we landed on the island and on 2 May 2009 we started setting up our first surf school office. From that moment on, we breathed more and more life into FreshSurf. Our little baby from back then has now become a teenager on the verge of adulthood, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far.
What happened next?
What happened after 2009? Over the years, and with the help of many partners, a mini surf school with an attached apartment surf camp grew into a surf company. At the beginning we lived together with our guests in one apartment. Then we added a second apartment, and finally, thanks to our cooperation with the former hostel “Marea Viva” and the help of Tom Wangemann, we were able to set up our surf camp here. This was followed by building up our apartment partnerships, from classic and high-class to deluxe apartments, and the cooperation with the Cotillo Beach Hotel. In 2012 we opened our own Surfhouse, our surf camp on Fuerteventura, and the following year we extended our office with the Surf Lounge to create our own theory area & decided to put our shop there. In 2014 we added our own yoga studio, where you can also enjoy massages. In 2015 DrySurf was added as an activity in the yoga studio, carver sessions were added to our surf courses , and we opened our surf flatshare as an addition to the Surfhouse. In December 2016 we opened our Surfvilla, which rounds off our portfolio of beautiful accommodation for now.
More on this topic: Monthly recap May 2026 · Christmas greetings from Fuerteventura · FreshSurf is back!
The trailer fills up with boards, decorations… and with Steff
After their long journey from Germany, Toby and Steff arrive in El Cotillo.
FreshSurf opens! The office is ready to rumble…
The office from the inside – hardly recognisable
What is now our Surf Lounge used to be the theory corner in the office.
Happy birthday, FreshSurf!
What a lovely reason to celebrate and look back. Almost exactly 8 years ago I was standing in the surf school and actually only wanted to rent a wetsuit from Toby. One thing led to another… Thank you, FreshSurf, for the absolutely amazing time. Here’s to the next 8 years!
Cheers!! 
What matters to you when it comes to learning to surf?
Having fun in and with nature should be the top priority. Feeling the power of the ocean and the waves and letting them carry you. Combined with a big portion of safety and minimising risk – that’s what matters to me when it comes to learning to surf.
A professional approach is also very important to me. The right theory sessions at the right time, the right individual tips with the correct exercises for fast progress. A team of professional surf instructors who are all trained in first aid and as lifeguards, who are experienced surfers and who, day after day, still love their job and do it with joy.
It’s important to me that our guests learn to surf with the best equipment. Good wetsuits, great boards and safe, well-maintained vehicles for the shuttle to the beach. A professional surf/training centre also includes the yogaand DrySurf studio to work on flexibility and balance. Massages are part of the offer too, to knead away sore muscles , as well as carver and longboard sessions. Tasty, healthy food is another part of learning to surf . A balanced diet to have enough energy for an action-packed day is just as important as a little tasty “treat” now and then!
What does surfing mean to you personally?
For me, surfing means being at the mercy of the elements, completely in the moment and on my own. Surfing gives me back spent energy, even though it’s often very exhausting in the water. But nothing beats feeling “surfed out” after a session and grinning from ear to ear because you’re so happy. For me, surfing means being able to switch off completely, and it helps me reduce stress so I can refocus. But surfing also means travelling – whether with my girlfriend, good friends or family. Surfing has already taken me to many wonderful places, and my travel destinations are usually chosen according to the waves. Surfing drives me out into the world, to new shores, new cultures, new acquaintances and new adventures. For me, surfing still means making the dream of living by the sea come true. Combining working and living by the sea with what I love – that’s what surfing means to me.
What do you wish for the future of FreshSurf?
For the future, I wish that we continue to work with so many great people and can give our guests an unforgettable time. I wish that each of our team members wants to make FreshSurf a little bit better and contributes even more of their own ideas to the company. I wish that our guests nudge us in the right direction with constructive feedback. I wish that we keep striving for quality and take small things and details even more to heart.
What do you wish FreshSurf for its birthday?
I wish FreshSurf all the very best for its birthday, always a bit more offshore wind and enough swell every single day. I wish FreshSurf happy, beaming faces. Tanned, cheerful people for whom FreshSurf and Fuerteventura are a “home by the sea”. I wish FreshSurf that today it can look back gratefully on 8 years and stay open to the future, whatever it may bring.
FreshSurf, it’s your birthday! Happy Birthday FreshSurf!
Unbelievable that FreshSurf turns 8 today – usually we always celebrate the 21st birthday. But here and today we’ll make an exception, because the 21st will come soon enough!
It’s a great feeling to have been part of the FreshSurf family for almost 4 years, and I wouldn’t want to miss it!
For me it’s the best surf school, and I’m happy it will keep going like this for many more years!
We surf fresh love – cheers and congratulations!
Happy birthday, FreshSurf!
Wow, another year has gone by in which FreshSurf has given many people not just a new sport but a whole new way of life. It’s lovely to be part of it and to see every year how FreshSurf, thanks to its great team, keeps developing to teach guests to surf in a dream setting. All the best for the new year – see you again in winter!
Aloha from France
Congratulations on 8 years of FreshSurf! That means 8 years of sunshine, fun and good vibes 365 days a year.
In 2014 I had my first holiday at the #ZuhauseAmMeer – and I’ve been more than happy to come back every year since. The wild west coast, the best service at the Surfhouse, very special hosts and perfect waves – for me, that’s what a surf holiday is all about. And at FreshSurf you get all of that with lots of love. For me – I only go into the waves on a stand-up board with a paddle in my hand these days – FreshSurf is the perfect base. All the top spots and other leisure options like longboard routes right on the doorstep. A sensational combination.
I’m already looking forward to my next trip to El Cotillo! I wish the whole FreshSurf team continued success and, of course: hang loose! See you soon 
Happy birthday to my second home by the sea! It’s great that you always give us such a wonderful time on the island… lovely to know I have a home by the sea.