THE WOODWINGS GUIDE
Questions might arrive when preparing for your future trip. This guide will hopefully answer all of your questions instantly! Answer not found? Please fill in the contact form and we will be happy to get in touch with you!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What level should I have to participate?
I have no longboard experience, is this for me?
What is the average age of the participants?
My English is... not that bueno
Can I secure my spot now, but pay later?
What can I do in the surroundings?
I didn't receive a booking confirmation
Can I buy longboard gear during the camp?
Is there WIFI / cell phone reception?
Can I book separate accommodation and only join longboard activities?
ABOUT WOODWINGS
Woodwings is a Belgian travel agency specialized in the organization of longboard trips. All our trips are accompanied by ourselves, a motivated and internally trained team, and globally recognized and sponsored pro-riders. Sharing our passion for longboarding with you, that’s our mission. In recent years Woodwings has grown into a leading international downhill longboard trips provider, recognized by the International Downhill Federation. With over 30 nationalities and counting, you can safely say that Woodwings is the international hotspot for everyone where the words 'downhill longboarding' make the heart beat faster.
WHAT LEVEL SHOULD I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE?
We have mostly first-timers and beginners as well as intermediate riders. Woodwings is the best place to start and progress. Our coaching program, which is included in your package, is divided into 3 categories. This way we can adjust our coaching to your abilities, whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced downhill skateboarder.
I HAVE NO LONGBOARD EXPERIENCE, IS THIS FOR ME?
Definitely! Woodwings has emerged from the idea of getting people familiar with longboarding and our passion for downhill longboarding. Our longboard trips offer the perfect setting in which you can start with your first steps, in a safe environment and surrounded by professional instructors. Next to the daily courses, your instructor will tell you more about the dos and don’ts, safety, unwritten rules of longboarding and will answer all your questions about your (future) gear.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE PARTICIPANTS?
In the last seasons the average age was 27 years. The minimum age for participating is 18 years*. The oldest participant to date was - hold on - 52 years! You are only as old as you feel!
* If you're traveling with your parent(s), you can participate if you're 14 or older!
CAN I JOIN WITH MY KID?
For legal reasons, the minimum age for participating is 18 years. However, if you are an adult traveling with a minor, then it is possible for your kid to join us.
ABOUT MT. MARGERIAZ!
The road - 4,4 kilometers, 4 wide hairpins, several S-curves, 400 meters difference in altitude. Needless to say more, the numbers tell the whole story. Even beginning downhillers will feel very comfortable here because the road and the curves are enormously wide so you can safely slide to slow down at all times. The road received new asphalt in 2016, 2019 and 2021.
The platform – We will kick off the basic longboard lessons on a gigantic platform on top of the mountain. On the slightly sloping platform, you can learn your new tricks & slides in all peace and safety while enjoying a phenomenal view and refreshing mountain air.
The road is CLOSED for traffic, for which we received the authorizations from the local authorities and the Savoie department. Our crew is connected and equipped with walkie-talkies.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
You can find a detailed description here.
CAN I COME ALONE?
Of course! The majority of our participants join us individually! It is not for nothing that we re-emphasize our mission - Come as strangers, leave as friends, return as family -. Being an international longboard travel provider, with over 30 different nationalities attending, the group atmosphere is extremely important to us. And you will notice that from the first second you arrive.
MY ENGLISH IS... NOT THAT BUENO
Don’t ya worry amigo! English is the main language of communication. We know - from experience - that this is no problem at all; and not even for those who can barely speak English. Every briefing is given in English and French. Most of our crew & instructors are also multilingual, so if you have questions, you can always ask them in your language of choice. We try to motivate everyone to talk as much English as possible so that you can work on your English (and even French-speaking) skills in a great environment, all in addition to longboarding.
CAN I SECURE MY SPOT NOW, BUT PAY LATER?
We request an advance payment of 20% at the moment of your booking. The remaining balance must only be paid 45 days before your arrival. Fair deal? 🫡💛
Our online payment platform accepts Bank transfers, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, PayPal, Sofort, Bancontact & iDEAL.
WHO WILL BE MY COACH?
Your longboard lessons are given by a team that got selected by us and send out by our partners. Team riders who are riding for the world’s best longboard brands, and sponsored athletes who participate in international events & competitions. They dispose of inexhaustible know-how and experience, which they are only too happy to share with you. We will announce your coaches on our social channels as we get closer to your upcoming longboard trip.
Ps.: you don't necessarily have to be a fanboy to get insanely stoked by this unique opportunity.
WHAT CAN I DO IN THE SURROUNDINGS?
Destination France: In the close surroundings of the basecamp, plenty of activities such as mountaineering, hiking tours and mountain biking are offered and organized by local companies.
About 20km from our camp, you will find the idyllic lake of Annecy, the third largest lake in France. It is known as ‘Europe's cleanest lake’ and it is a popular tourist destination known for its swimming and water sports. On the shores of the lake is also Annecy's famous skate park with the snake run and a great skate bowl. During the week we organize a day trip to Annecy - the Venice of the French Alps - where you can enjoy some dips in the beautiful lake, cruise on the boulevard and have amazing Savoyard food.
But most important: you’ll be situated in one of the most beautiful areas of the Alps. Just being there and doing nothing should be on your bucket list. Slow down. Unwind, chill, and be at peace under the stars. You’ll return home feeling rejuvenated « to make young or youthful again - to restore to an original or new state ».
I DIDN'T RECEIVE A BOOKING CONFIRMATION
Immediately after you made your booking, we will send you a confirmation email. If you haven’t received this email, please follow these steps:
1. Check your junk/ad inbox. Some spam filters might see our emails as email spam or advertising.
2. You entered the wrong email address. That can always happen. Please contact us by email or phone.
3. Due to an update of the system or a capacity problem, we haven’t got the time to process your booking request. Please wait an extra 24 hours for our confirmation. Still haven’t received anything yet? Get in contact with us right away.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Stoke stoke & more stoke. Imagine: you just got out of exams or work and you still have to get all of your stuff together. F*** me! Sounds familiar, right? You will receive a comprehensive packing list 6 weeks prior to your stay. Just in case. We are all skaters, not packing heroes. We've got your back(pack).
CAN I BUY LONGBOARD GEAR DURING THE CAMP?
We have a small amount of replacement parts in store. However, we cannot guarantee any items in stock, so feel free to send us a message to check with us!
IS THERE WIFI / CELL PHONE RECEPTION?
We have good mobile network coverage in our chalets & on the road. The chalets have free wifi for our guests that is strong enough for general internet browsing, messaging and emails.
CAN I BOOK SEPARATE ACCOMMODATION AND ONLY JOIN LONGBOARD ACTIVITIES?
We wouldn't recommend it, but it is possible if that's more of your vibe! Just stay as close to the basecamp as possible. Woodwings is more than just longboarding. You will soon discover what we mean by that!
DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS / STAFF?
Should there be a vacancy, we will announce it on our channels. As for working with us, we do not have any open positions at this moment.
ARE THERE LOTS OF TINDER USERS?
No.
Ok, that’s enough questions now, you probably need a holiday!