Worldwide Surf Coaching & Surf Trips - Maldives, Madagascar &. Surf Camps in Portugal
INTRODUCTION
Take your surfing to the next level with private surf coaching from intermediate to elite level surfers! Founded by a Pro Surf Coach, this Surf Coaching Team offers surf coaching with video analysis, surf lessons, fitness plans and surf trips suiting every level of surfer from beginner, improver, intermediate to advanced & elite competition athletes. These surf coaching sessions and surf training camps are located in Algarve, Ericeira, Madagascar and on a ocean Catamaran surf boat trip cruising around the Maldives.
The Surf Coaching Team has designed surf trips that all include surf coaching and or surf guiding. The aim is to help surfers with their techniques, to maximise the surfing experience and to make them feel like they are joining a community for a unique shared experience. The Surf Coaching Team sees it of great importance to find uncrowded waves matching your ability of surfing.
The Team believes that it’s important with good coaching for all different kind of levels of surfing. The coaches take a logical and analytical approach with a step by step technique to improve specific body movements and to build together specific skill sets.
The Surf Coaching Team believe that progression of surfing is best achieved:
- in small exclusive groups with maximum 4 surfers per coach
- using expert knowledge of local surf spots
- providing individual focus
- clear learning objectives
- using video analysis techniques
- experienced & qualified coaching
- implementing strategies with feedback
- individual physical drills to promote muscle memory
Your next surf adventure starts here!
THE ACCOMMODATION
SURF DESTINATIONS
MADAGASCAR
About the Surf Resort
This Surf Coaching Trip goes to a Surf Resort in the Southwest of Madagascar with perfect uncrowded waves in between April to September
- Surf guiding
- Video analysis coaching
- Fitness training from pro surf coach
- Direct access to a private beach from the surf lodge
- Variety of waves only 5 minutes by boat that suit levels of surfing from improver to elite athletes
- Private bungalows with ocean and beach views, double bed and single bed en-suite
- Private terrace belonging to the private bungalows
- Meals designed by a professional nutritionist prepared with fresh local organic supplies by the Resort’s chef
- Restaurant with a bar and chill out area on top of a hill with an amazing 360 view of the beach including the surf line ups breaking on the reef
- Upon request the Resort can arrange visits for the guests to meet the local kids in a school project in a village close by
What is included in your stay?
- Three or four hours of surfing per day
- Pro surf coaching with video analysis sessions in the afternoon
- Private boat transportations to the best surf spots in the area
- Sunrise sessions
- All inclusive accommodation at the Resort
- Meals from a healthy food menu and soft drinks
- Transfer from Tulear Airport to the surf lodge
- Supermarket visits for any guest wanting any last minute personal supplies
What can I buy extra at the Resort?
- Alcohol which is served from the bar
- Day trips to the local nature parks around
- Overnight boat trips to other surf spots in the area
What should I bring?
- Reef boots, ding repair kits, wax, spare leashes, fins
- Shortie wetsuits for sunrise surf sessions
- Time slows down on the Island so bring books and download movies
- Recommended to fix a travel insurance before travelling
What is the surf like?
Madagascar is the 4th largest Island in the world with nearly 5000 km (3125 miles) of coastline.
There is a lot of potential there! Here is some information about the local surf spots:
- Five main exclusive surf spots suiting all levels of ability
- The spots have 270 degrees swell window
- Facing directly into the Southwest swells
- Mainly offshore conditions
- 700 km (438 miles) of coral reef waiting for you to be explored
- The Resort can also arrange to explore new and undiscovered surf spots for surfers with an adventurous spirit
When is the best time to go?
Swells arriving to Madagascar are created by low pressure systems moving East and away from South Africa, along The Mozambique Channel. The best time to go is from April to September, that’s when you can expect regular swells producing 4-12ft waves. Reefs that are facing Southwest can receive up to 12ft swells.
What is the weather like?
The Resort is located in the driest part of Madagascar and it’s located between the tropical West coast and the desert in the South. The dry season lasts around 9 months, from March to November. During the winter time, the temperature goes to around 28 degrees Celsius (84 Fahrenheit), but the water temperature almost never goes below 23 degrees Celsius (75 Fahrenheit).
Is there something in the area that I can’t miss?
- Famous Cave Sarodrano with wild ringtail lemurs
- Local clubs in Tulear and dane Minotsobe
- Bird watching in Anakao
- Forest hikes around Ifaty
- Dive sites
About availability and booking
A maximum of 8 surfers for group bookings. It’s recommended to book in advance in order to get the best flight prices possible. Bookings are only confirmed with full payment.
OCEAN CATAMARAN IN THE MALDIVES
About the surf trip
The air-conditioned Ocean Catamaran offers 8 limited spots on board for surf trips with surf coaching and video analysis from February to September. The trips are suitable for improver surfers to advanced and elite level surfers. Besides surfing, you can experience fishing, snorkelling, board games and evening BBQ’s on coral Islands.
Since the time is limited on a surf trip, it’s a priority to the Team to find uncrowded and to create a feeling of adventure and discover. This is a surf trip of a lifetime for surfers with a shared sense of adventure, off the beaten track!
When is the best time to go?
The most consistent swell season is between March to October with 2-6ft waves on the breaks that are the most exposed to swells. There are also some 6-10ft swells. The most perfect time of the year is from February to April and September to October with clean and sunny conditions. From December to January the Southern Atolls of the Maldives suffers a flat spell.
What should I bring?
- Plenty of sun protection in form of long loose clothing
- Zink, creams, sunnies and hats
- T-shirt/lycra and boardies for surfing
- Shortie is rarely required since the water temperatures are around 28-30 degrees Celsius (82-86 Fahrenheit)
What is the weather like?
The Southern atolls of the Maldives is located in a tropical monsoon climate with two definite seasons. During December to March the temperatures get hot with high humidity. The Southwest monsoon brings many storms so during May to October there are winds and regular rainfall.
ALGARVE
About surf coaching and guiding
Algarve is a place along the Portuguese coast that provides warm weather, long and beautiful beaches, amazing food and exciting nightlife. You will get good value out of a surf trip to Algarve compared to the rest of Europe. Surf coaching courses in Algarve are designed to suit all levels from beginner to elite level surfers with maximum 4 surfers in a session.
If you are interested and motivated to practice your surfing and develop your skills, then you should get surf coaching here. This place in Portugal is perfect for surfers wanting to escape the cold winters in the Northern parts of Europe.
There is also availability of only getting surf guiding and transportation to the spots in Algarve.
The Surf Coaching Team offers theory lessons about the aspects of surfing. This includes surfing technique, how to read the swell forecast, how to analyse a spot, influences of the tide, surfboard design, etiquette of surfing, paddle technique, how to duck dive, different breathing techniques and how to turtle roll.
What is the surf like?
Algarve was the last major European surf region the be found. Even though it doesn’t have the classic reefs that the central of Portugal has, the potential is still high for uncrowded and good waves. The city of Lagos is located with the advantage of receiving the widest swell window of the country, where the West coasts meets the South. The city has regular off shores and Southeast winds create swells that make the beaches receive pumping waves.
Available surf trips
- Private group coaching
- Individual days coaching
- Multiple day trips
- Surf guiding
Guided by a coach you will achieve:
- Improved positioning in the line up
- Better selection of waves
- Surf etiquette
- Correct techniques
- Individual technical coaching objectives
- Greater knowledge of the ocean
What is included?
- Three hours of surfing every day (depending on surf conditions)
- Pro surf coaching with video analysis where it’s appropriate
- 4×4 Transportation to the best and uncrowded surf spots in the area
- Equipment if necessary
- Sunset and sunrise surf sessions
Accommodation and optional extras
Whether you want to stay in a surf camp, a family villa or a private apartment with your own swimming pool, the Surf Coaching Team can organise it according to your budget and personal preferences. Accommodation is provided in Lagos.
Optional extras:
- Airport transfers from Faro
- Try multiple new top brand surfboards from a test centre for only €25 per day
- 6 weeks training plan before the surf trip
When is the best time to go?
Algarve is a destination where you can go all year round to find waves, but the best surfing period is from autumn to spring.
Are you interested in striking and MMA?
There is a MMA gym in Lagos with a great location and excellent coaching that you can go to if you are interested.
ERICEIRA
About surf coaching and surf guiding
In Ericeira you can get surf coaching courses, surf trips and surf guiding to the famous spots, reefs and point breaks, located only 30 minutes from Lisbon Airport. The trips, coaching lessons and surf guiding here are designed for high intermediate surfers to advanced and elite surfers looking for improvement of their skills. You should plan your next surf trip here if you require a surf guide or surf coaching to the best surf spots around the area.
Guided by a coach you will achieve:
- Improved positioning in the line up
- Better selection of waves
- Surf etiquette
- Correct techniques
- Individual technical coaching objectives
- Greater knowledge of the ocean
What is included?
- Three hours of surfing every day (depending on surf conditions)
- Pro surf coaching with video analysis where it’s appropriate
- 4×4 Transportation to the best and uncrowded surf spots in the area
Accommodation and optional extras
Whether you want to stay in a surf camp, a family villa or a private apartment with your own swimming pool, the Surf Coaching Team can organise it according to your budget and personal preferences.
Optional extras:
- Airport transfers
- Physical training plans before the surf trip
THE ACTIVITIES
LEVELS OF SURF COACHING
BEGINNER AND IMPROVER
This is a first step on a surfing path that could change your life forever! Algarve, located in Portugal, is the perfect place to learn how to surf with amazing beaches and lots of fun in the water. The Surf Coaching Team’s surf school partner will take you to a beach that has safe surf conditions for your surfing level and provide you with surfboard, wetsuit and guidance from a highly experience surf instructor for up to three hours per day. The surf school partner organises pick up from your accommodation in Algarve.
What will you practise?
- Beach safety & awareness
- Dangers & annoyances
- Equipment management
- Water entry
- Body surfing
- Breath hold
- White or broken wave catching prone or lying down
- Managing speed & nose to tail & rail to rail
- 1, 2, 3 stand up technique
- Correct stance
- Foot movement for speed
- Hip movement for speed
- Body compression
- Where to look
- Paddling techniques
- Front side turn white water
- Back side turn white water
- Angle take off white water
- Getting on the surfboard from the water
- Sitting on a surfboard
- Spinning from seated position
INTERMEDIATE
Being an intermediate surfer can mean anything from a few weeks of surfing to a few decades. At this level you should be able to stand on the board comfortably, focus on catching green or unbroken waves, visualise specific wave selection, know how to confidently and safely deal with your surfboard in situations that might be critical, and have a basic understanding of etiquette. At this stage you may not have perfect skills of paddling, positioning or selection of waves, but that’s what the surf coach is there to give you along with greater confidence on the peak in more critical situations.
To improve your surfing skills, each progressive step requires perfecting and the coaching will be adapted according to what you need to work on. Repeating a method correctly over and over again will create a muscle memory and a familiarity with that method.
When your surfing ability classifies as “later intermediate” you are able to consistently catch head high waves without any form of assistance, turn on the face of the wave and to generate speed. When you arrive to this stage, the coaching includes the use of a video camera with feedback sessions allowing you to learn more about how you are acting on the face an how your body dynamics are working through manoeuvres.
Where can I get coaching as an intermediate surfer?
You can join a coaching trip with The Surf Coaching Team in Madagascar, Algarve, Ericeira or on a luxury Catamaran cruising around the Maldives in 2019.
What will you learn?
- Paddling technique; endurance & power
- Ocean knowledge & surf forecasting/prediction
- Surf spot analysis & wave prediction
- Efficient, agile stand up technique
- Compression
- Line ups, positioning, priorities, rules & etiquette
- Generating speed, drawing different lines in different conditions
- Dropping the wave; angle take offs, bottom turns, mid face turns
- Trimming, re-entry to bottom turns, vertical top turns and cut backs
What is included in the coaching programs?
- Transport for each day to the best surf spot for this program
- Video analysis sessions to help you visualise technique issues
- Guidance from one of the highest qualified coaches in Algarve
- Surfboard & wetsuit
There is a custom surfboard test centre and a physical training plan for those interested.
ADVANCED TO ELITE LEVEL SURFERS
The Surf Coaching Team is offering to design the right coaching and training support for you if you are a free surfer and you want to improve your surfing, or if you are aiming to be a pro surfer and run the WQS. Pro Surfers from all over the world are benefiting full time coaching. The coaching strategy is a mix of technical surfing, physical training and competition tatics.
Where can I get coaching as an advanced/elite surfer?
You can join the surf trips to the training camp in Madagascar, the surf exploration surf Catamaran, Algarve or Ericeira.
What will you learn?
Guided by the coach you learn:
- Competition strategy
- Correct physical training specific to you
- WQS Strategy & logistics
- How to analyse video to help others improve their surfing
- Managing fear pushing boundaries
- How to clearly identify & implement technique changes
What is included in the coaching programs?
- A minimum of three hours of surf coaching per day
- Transport to the best & uncrowded surf spots in Algarve or Ericeira
- Coaching on the Ocean Catamaran
- Coaching in the surf resort in Madagascar
- Contest support
- Athlete & Sponsorship management
- Video analysis sessions
- Competition & heat video analysis
- Physical training sessions
TRAINING PLANS
The Surf Coaching Team offers coaching and plans for professional athletes and also for free surfers that are interested in improving their surfing skills. The Team is already working with Pro Surfers and WQS Athletes.
The Surf Coaching Team offers:
- Training camps
- Physical training schedules
- Technical coaching
- Competition strategy & support plan plans
The goals with these activities are that surfers will get:
- WCT Qualifications
- WSQ Rankings
- National League Rankings
- ISA Team Selection
LOCATION & GETTING HERE
Location
MADAGASCAR
Where is it located?
The Resort in Madagascar is located a few hours with a boat going from the Southern port of Toliara, also known as “City of the Sun”.
MALDIVES
Where is it located?
The Ocean Catamaran is cruising around the Southern Atolls of the Maldives and the start of the trip will be decided depending on the current location of the boat in that area.
ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
Where is it located?
All the coaching lessons for beginner and improver surfers are operated in Algarve, located in Portugal in the Southwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula with a mix of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences.
ERICEIRA, PORTUGAL
Where is it located?
Only half an hour drive away from the city of Lisbon you will find the famous reefs and point breaks of Ericeira.
Getting Here
MADAGASCAR
How do I get there?
To get to Madagascar you need to take two different flights. The Surf Coaching Team recommends that you fly directly with Air France to Antananarivo Airport from Paris CDG Airport, stay overnight in an accommodation there and then take a short internal fight the next morning to Tuleur Airport with Madagascar Air.
OCEAN CATAMARAN
How do I get there?
The Ocean Catamaran is cruising around the Southern Atolls of the Maldives and there are three different airports in the South where The Surf Coaching Team can meet arriving guests.
You can catch direct international flights to Gan International Airport that stop over in Colombo in Sri Lanka and India (meaning surfboards and luggage goes all the way from departure to final destination). Kaadedhdhoo Airport and Kooddoo Airport are serviced by domestic airlines via Malé. Most flights from Europe to Malé go via Dubai.
ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
How do I get there?
There are many airlines with tickets suiting your budget that fly everyday into the city of Faro from a lot of major cities all round Europe.
ERICEIRA, PORTUGAL
How do I get there?
Lisbon Airport is the closest airport, located 30 minutes down South from Ericeira. There are many flight companies flying there everyday with cheap prices from all over the Europe.
PRICES & PACKAGES
SURF COACHING
Algarve – Ericeira – Madagascar – Maldives
| Coaching/Guiding | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons |
| Day 1 | €125 | €160 | €240 | €320 |
| Day 2 | €250 | €320 | €480 | €640 |
| Day 3 | €375 | €480 | €720 | €960 |
| Day 4 | €500 | €640 | €960 | €1280 |
| Day 5 | €625 | €800 | €1200 | €1600 |
SURF RESORT IN MADAGASCAR
What is included in your stay?
- Three or four hours of surfing per day
- Pro surf coaching with video analysis sessions in the afternoon
- Private boat transportations to the best surf spots in the area
- Sunrise sessions
- All inclusive accommodation at the Resort
- Meals from a healthy food menu and soft drinks
- Transfer from Tulear Airport to the surf lodge
- Supermarket visits for any guest wanting any last minute personal supplies
| Private Bungalow | Price per night including food, accommodation and surf boat |
| 2 people sharing | €150 |
| Single | €100 |
| Family 2+1 sharing | €200 |
SURF BOAT TRIPS IN THE MALDIVES
| Shared double cabin | Price per night, including food, accommodation and transfer from airport |
| Per person/night | €225 |
SURF COACHING IN ALGARVE
What is included?
- Three hours of surfing every day (depending on surf conditions)
- Pro surf coaching with video analysis where it’s appropriate
- 4×4 Transportation to the best and uncrowded surf spots in the area
- Equipment if necessary
- Sunset and sunrise surf sessions
SURF COACHING IN ERICEIRA
What is included?
- Three hours of surfing every day (depending on surf conditions)
- Pro surf coaching with video analysis where it’s appropriate
- 4×4 Transportation to the best and uncrowded surf spots in the area
