I surf Portugal (Porto,Portugal)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

LOCATION AND SURF CONDITIONS

The surf camp is located in the town center of a beach town a few minutes walk to the beach. It is close to great surf spots to learn and improve your surfing or even enjoy great surfing conditions if you are an advanced surfer. Ofir and Azurara are great beaches on the Atlantic North coast of Portugal to learn and improve your surfing, they are sandy beaches with beach breaks. Póvoa de Varzim and Aguçadoura are amazing for advanced surfers and are famous surfing spots for their left waves.

CAMP CHARACTER

The camp is setup in a great Guest House/Hostel just refurbished. It is for adults only (18+) but the groups coming in are usually between 20 and 35. The surf camp groups are small groups of 8/10 people which makes it better to learn to surf and to make friends. The surf camp is pretty relaxed so you can chill, read, listen to music, watch surf videos or even do some yoga. There are also great bars nearby to party if you feel like it. The main language at the surf camp is English, but we have people from everywhere. This surf camp is for young adults only, no families or pets are allowed.

CAMP OPERATOR

I surf Portugal is a new project brought to life by Jorge who has spent his life in different countries (France, England and Australia) and decided to use his experience to set up a surf school and surf camp in Porto, Portugal where he is originally from. I surf Portugal has partnered with a new Guest House/Hostel with the same young and adventurous spirit to setup this surf camp with all the ingredients to make a great holiday. Miguel is the head surf instructor with over 15 years’ experience surfing and teaching, he is a qualified Physical Education teacher and swimming instructor. Kim is our logistics expert making sure that your stay and holiday will be the best it can. Ana is your host, she will ensure the accommodation at the camp is top.  

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

ACCOMMODATION TYPES

I surf Portugal Surf Camp is based in a Guest House. You will be sleeping in new bunk beds in a shared room just for the surf camp. All bed linens and towels are provided, the bathroom is also shared. There is a fully-equipped kitchen that you can use to keep food and cook. The surf camp has a TV where you will see your surfing videos of the week and free Wi-Fi. There is a patio where you can smoke, chill with a beer or do some yoga. It is based in the center of the beach town with lots of cafés, shops, entertainment and of course, the beach.

CATERING

As part of the packages included in the price we provide continental breakfast every day, we also provide food so you can make sandwiches for lunch. There is a welcome BBQ also included in the price. All other dinners are not included but there are a lot of very affordable restaurants around the camp and Portugal is famous for having very tasty and fresh food at a reasonable price. There are also supermarkets nearby and a kitchen for self-catering if you feel like cooking. We offer alternative meals for vegetarians and people with food allergies, just let us know when you book.

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

SURF COURSE DETAILS

The surf lessons are organized to make sure you learn all the skills to become a real surfer. You will understand all the basics of surfing and will be able to stand on the board and do some turns by the end of the week. You will have 5 surf lessons in the water plus theory lessons in between where you will learn surf etiquette, how to read waves, the best beaches to practice, etc. Surf lessons are 2 hours each and you will be in groups of 8 max with 2 instructors to ensure you progress quickly. We choose the best time of day to have the lessons depending on the wave conditions and tides. Lessons are mainly taught in English but we can also translate in French and Spanish when needed.

The surf program is made for beginners and intermediate but advanced surfers can also join and make the most of our local knowledge. If you want to join a friend but don’t want the surf course we also offer packages with accommodation and the same activities but without surfing.

SURF MATERIALS

All surfing material is provided: wetsuits, soft top surfboards for beginners and intermediate and fiberglass surfboards for advanced. Everything is organized so you have a quick progression. You can also use the material outside of the lessons if you want to practice on your own.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

There is one day organized tour of Porto during the week included in the price. You will discover this amazing UNESCO world heritage city that won European best destination of 2017, and try tasty Portuguese food specialties.

On another day and also included in the price, we visit a traditional and famous Portuguese surfboard shaper (name given to surfboard makers). You will learn from one of the big characters of the Portuguese surfing history.

There are many other activities in our surf camp, you will have time to sunbathe at the beach or relax reading a book at the camp. We have volleyball, football, frisbees, beach rackets, or even board games and card games if you wish to stay in.

We have a Yoga package for a little extra with an awesome Yoga teacher.

There is also the opportunity to try SUP (Stand Up Paddle) on the river at an extra cost.

There are many bars and clubs around the surf camp if you feel like partying.

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

Main surfing beach is 200 m from the surf camp, lots of great spots around to surf. We take you to the best spot on a daily basis. All beaches for beginner and intermediate are sandy beaches with no rocks nor reef, very safe to learn.  

Seasonal conditions

In Portugal, the weather is great all year round and especially from May to October, when it is sunny and a deep blue sky and around 25oC on average. The water temperature is around 17-18 oC in the summer, you will feel warm in the water with the neoprene wetsuit. Bring a jacket for the nights as it can sometimes be a little bit windy as we are on the coast.

Crowd factor and local people

Portuguese people are very friendly and the locals are great, everyone is happy to show this beautiful country and share the waves. The beach where we teach you in not crowded and you will have the waves for yourselves most of the times.

SURROUNDINGS / REGION

Characterization of surroundings/region

The camp is based in a small beach city 30 mins from Porto. It is big enough to have everything one needs to have a great holiday but small enough to keep the traditional Portuguese charm.

Most commerce will speak English, being in the Euro zone the currency is the Euro with the cost of living being very affordable. We like to recommend having a full travel insurance with health cost covered just in case something happens.

Activities and facilities

Day trip to Porto

Yoga lessons

SUP (Stand up Paddle)

Visit a famous Portuguese surf board shaper legend

Beach games and indoor games

Lots of bars and discotheques and street events concerts

JOURNEY

Ways to get to the camp

The camp is about 20km from the airport but we pick you up from central Porto or from the airport at given times included in our package, so you don’t have to worry about it!

Important details

Pick up times from airport and Porto are on Saturday mornings depending on most people. Once you have booked your stay let us know what time you arrive in Porto.

PACKAGES & PRICES

PACKAGE A - WEEK SURFCAMP - June to September - €469/week

Week starts from Saturday to Saturday. Pick up on Saturday morning from central Porto or Airport and drop off again on Saturday morning the following week.

What´s included

5 surf lessons + theory lessons

Surfing material

7 nights accommodation (Saturday to Saturday) in bunk beds

7 Breakfast included, 6 sandwich lunch

1 Welcome BBQ dinner

Self-catering all equipped kitchen

Day trip to Porto

Transport from Porto or Airport and back + daily beach trips

Lots of other activities

Free Wi-Fi

What’s not included

6 Dinners (approx. 15 € each at local restaurants)

Return metro ticket for the day trip to Porto (approx. 5€ return)

Travel insurance, you should purchase it before departing your country of origin

SUP and other activities you decide to do outside the surf camp

PACKAGE B - WEEK YOGA SURFCAMP - June to September - €504/week

Week starts from Saturday to Saturday. Pick up on Saturday morning from central Porto or Airport and drop off again on Saturday morning the following week.

What’s included

5 surf lessons + theory lessons

Surfing material

3 Yoga classes + yoga mats

7 nights accommodation (Saturday to Saturday) in bunk beds

7 Breakfast included, 6 sandwich lunch

1 Welcome BBQ dinner

Self-catering all equipped kitchen

Day trip to Porto

Transport from Porto or Airport and back + daily beach trips

Lots of other activities

Free Wi-Fi

What’s not included

6 Dinners (approx. 15 € each at local restaurants)

Return metro ticket for the day trip to Porto (approx. 5€ return)

Travel insurance, you should purchase it before departing your country of origin

SUP and other activities you decide to do outside the surf camp

PACKAGE C - INTENSIVE WEEKEND SURFCAMP – October to May - €230/weekend

All-inclusive intensive surfing program with 3 surf lessons in one weekend. Pick up on Friday night from Porto or Airport and back on Sunday afternoon.

What’s included

3 surf lessons + 1 theory lesson

Surfing material

2 nights accommodation (Friday and Saturday night) in bunk beds

All meals included:

Breakfast

Lunch

BBQ dinner on Saturday

Saturday night party at a local bar

Transport from Porto or Airport and back + daily beach trips

Free Wi-Fi

What’s not included

Travel insurance, you should purchase it before departing your country of origin

Only Accommodation A - WEEK RETREAT (no surf) - June to September - €350/week

Perfect if you are joining a friend doing the surf course in our surf camp. Week starts from Saturday to Saturday. Pick up on Saturday morning from central Porto or Airport and drop off again on Saturday morning the following week.

What’s included

7 nights accommodation (Saturday to Saturday) in bunk beds

7 Breakfast included, 6 sandwich lunch

1 Welcome BBQ dinner

Self-catering all equipped kitchen

Day trip to Porto

Transport from Porto or Airport and back + daily beach trips

Lots of other activities

Free Wi-Fi

What’s not included

6 Dinners (approx. 15 € each at local restaurants)

Return metro ticket for the day trip to Porto (approx. 5€ return)

Travel insurance, you should purchase it before departing your country of origin

Surf lessons, SUP and other activities you decide to do outside the surf camp

Only Accommodation B - WEEK YOGA RETREAT (no surf) - June to September - €385/week

Perfect if you just are joining friends and only want to do Yoga. Week starts from Saturday to Saturday. Pick up on Saturday morning from central Porto or Airport and drop off again on Saturday morning the following week.

What’s included

3 Yoga classes + yoga mats

7 nights accommodation (Saturday to Saturday) in bunk beds

7 Breakfast included, 6 sandwich lunch

1 Welcome BBQ dinner

Self-catering all equipped kitchen

Day trip to Porto

Transport from Porto or Airport and back + daily beach trips

Lots of other activities

Free Wi-Fi

What’s not included

6 Dinners (approx. 15 € each at local restaurants)

Return metro ticket for the day trip to Porto (approx. 5€ return)

Travel insurance, you should purchase it before departing your country of origin

Surf lessons, SUP and other activities you decide to do outside the surf camp

Only Accommodation C - WEEKEND RETREAT (no surf) – October to May - €150/weekend

Ideal if you are joining friends doing the surf course in our surf camp . Pick up on Friday night from Porto or Airport and back on Sunday afternoon.

What’s included

2 nights accommodation (Friday and Saturday night) in bunk beds

All meals included:

Breakfast

Lunch

BBQ dinner on Saturday

Saturday night party at a local bar

Transport from Porto or Airport and back + daily beach trips

Free Wi-Fi

What’s not included

Travel insurance, you should purchase it before departing your country of origin

Surf lessons, SUP and other activities you decide to do outside the surf camp