SURFING IN PORTUGAL
Are you looking for the perfect place to learn surfing in Portugal?
We offer tailor made programs for surf leaners and guiding sessions for the advanced.
It’s one of the most consistent places to surf in the world. Our west coast picks up most swells, which means that during the winter months, it gets big sometimes. That’s the perfect season for advanced surfers. From mid-May to October, temperatures are warmer and the waves smaller, but there will always be a spot on for every level.
LIMITED GROUP NUMBERS
CERTIFIED SURF COACHES
PERSONALIZED TEACHING
TOP OF THE RANGE EQUIPMENT
BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
Our surf programs are comprehensive in that it not only includes plenty of time in the surf. Each surfing session is progressive and goal-oriented for each of the participants, during the surf session, your coach will be discussing with you how you progressed learning that new skill.
We are careful not to mix ability levels. Therefore there will be a maximum of 5:1 student-instructor ratio at all times. This will also mean that you will never have to wait for others to keep up or feel left behind.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
- Surf coaching (1,5 hours)
- Insurance (3rd party)
- Transfers to / from the camp
- All equipment (Surfboard, wetsuit, lycra, leash, booties)
FIND YOUR LEVEL
LEVEL 1.1 : Total beginners
You have never tried surfing, but able to swim.
At this stage our focus is on teaching you the fundamentals of surfing which includes a dry session on the beach focusing on:
– Introduction to the surf board and equipment
– Correct position on the board
– Paddling technique
– How to protect yourself, board and others in the water
– Surf etiquette
– Passing the white water
– Correct pop up
– Correct stance
LEVEL 1.2 : Beginner who has tried surfing a couple of times before
This is a challenging stage for both – you and our coaches – because in some surf schools you had before, the techniques used differ from the ones that we use. Therefore, we stick with the ISA method of teaching.
At this stage, we focus on:
– Reviewing the basics with you and comparing it with the methods you learned before (level 1.1)
– Working on your stance for more balance and improving on your pop up and paddling technique
– Teaching you on the basic stages of a wave and the shape of a wave at the particular beach
– Talk about positioning in the line up to catch unbroken waves
– How to do the angle take off and get into an unbroken wave to the left or right
– Learning how to slow down or accelerate according to the section of the wave
– Correct stance
LEVEL 1.3 : Advanced beginner
You have surfed more than a couple of days by now and understand the wave and board mechanics and you feel comfortable in the water most of the time.
You have more control on catching the waves and your stance, but only able to go straight.
At this stage we focus on:
– Reviewing the basics of level 1.1 & 1.2
– Working on wave reading and positioning in the line up
– Improving on the angle take off and stance
– Learning the basics of trimming on a wave
LEVEL 2.1 : Beginner intermediate surfer
At this stage, you have pretty good control over your paddling, are able to go out the back and catch unbroken waves and go left or right. You also understand about the waves, surfing and ocean conditions.
– Generating speed on the wave
– Improving on the wave reading ability
– Duck-diving
– Improving the stance for more mobility
– Bottom turn & top turn fundamentals
LEVEL 2.2 : Advanced intermediate surfer
At this stage, you have very good control over your board, are able to make turns to change the direction. You are also riding a short board or a mini-mal surf board.
We will focus on:
– Surfing & Speeding down the line on different type of waves
– Correct positioning to catch different types of waves
– Learning to cutback
– Technical analysis of your top turn and bottom turn
– Small floaters to pass the sections
– Duck dive improvement
If you aren’t sure what level you are, have no fear! Our instructors will assess your level once you arrive and alocate you to the correct group.
"Surfing soothes me. It's always been a kind of Zen experience for me. The ocean is so magnificent, peaceful, and awesome. The rest of the world disappears for me when I'm on a wave."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The lesson time is usually fixed the night before, making it easier for the planning. The timing depends on the best surf conditions for your level.
Usually for the Level 1 surfers, we use the soft tops for the first days, before we can call yourself an advanced beginner and the instructor decides for you the hard tops. For level 2 sand above, there is a range of hard tops which we can select from.
If you’re having your first go at surfing or have had a lesson or two in the past, we will start from the basics.
The basics include introduction to the surf board, the surfing spot, a warm up, a dry session on the beach explaining the basics of the pop up and safety techniques, and then going to catch the first waves in our sub-tropical waters.
Our home spots are Arrifana, Monte Clerigo and Amoreira. Surf is always depending on your level, wave & wind conditions. According to that, the surf instructor will check conditions and accordingly bring you to the best spot for you. There is the possibility in choosing going to spots further away, covering the transport to there.
Your instructor brings you to the surf spot which brings the best conditions. After an effective warm up your surf coach will show you teach you and help you to improve your techniques. Have the time of your life! After approx. 2-2,5 hours (driving included) the surf session is over. You collect your board and the equipment and leave the beach together with your group to go back to the Surf & Yoga Camp.
You definitely have a special connection with your own board, therefore if it’s convenient for you, we suggest that you bring your own board.
Yes, the surf board is included in the lesson for the duration of the surf class. We also provide you with the wet suit.
Ready for Surfing in Portugal with us?
YOGA
Yoga complements surfing in many ways. It strengthens three main skills any beginner surfer should aim to develop in the medium run.
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