The Confident Surfer – Learn to surf

A surf training week made just for women who dream of learning to surf — or who are still in the whitewater and finally want to ride their first green waves.
If you’re not into the typical surf camp vibe and instead crave a small, supportive group where you can train with real focus and individual guidance — this is for you. You’ll combine surf coaching with mental training, helping you learn faster, feel safer in the water, and build deep self-confidence — for surfing AND for life!
When?
May 16 – 23, 2026 (Aljezur, Portugal)
Sept 12 – 19, 2026 (Costa da Caparica, Portugal)

 

Tell me more

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of courage to start something new, and the right place to do it. This week is your invitation to make the ocean your happy place, to train with focus, and to share the joy of learning to surf with a group of inspiring women. If you’ve always dreamed of learning to surf — maybe this is your moment.

Surfcoaching Portugal mental training at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal group arriving at the beach
Surfcoaching Camp Portugal Surfboard with a sticker
Surfcoaching Portugal video analysis
Surfcoaching Portugal group at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal mental warm-up at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal group walking on the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal group at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal participants having fun at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal breath training
Surfcoaching Portugal technique training in the pool
Surfcoaching Portugal mental training reflection
Surfcoaching Portigal group posing for a group photo at the cliffs
Surfcoaching Portugal Group watching sunset over the cliffs
Surfcoaching Portugal mental training at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal group arriving at the beach
Surfcoaching Camp Portugal Surfboard with a sticker
Surfcoaching Portugal video analysis
Surfcoaching Portugal group at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal mental warm-up at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal group walking on the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal group at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal participants having fun at the beach
Surfcoaching Portugal breath training
Surfcoaching Portugal technique training in the pool
Surfcoaching Portugal mental training reflection
Surfcoaching Portigal group posing for a group photo at the cliffs
Surfcoaching Portugal Group watching sunset over the cliffs

The training - your key to more waves!

What you train is what you get! What you train is what you get! This saying couldn’t be more true: what you train for will show in your surfing performance. That’s why it’s so important to train with a coach. Your coach will help you learn the RIGHT technique. Whether it’s a movement or a thought pattern, your coach can help you make real progress. We believe that this is what is often missing in classic surf camps. In our retreat you get: focused, professional and efficient surf coaching and mental training. Surf, train, REPEAT!

Surf goals:
Learn the basics of surfing, feel safe on your board, catch and ride your first waves, and (depending on progress) transition from whitewater to unbroken green waves.

Mental goals:
Step out of your comfort zone, build self-trust, overcome fear, and grow mental strength — in the water and beyond.

Challenges:
You’ve always wanted to surf but never dared to try — or you’ve taken a few lessons and want to feel more confident in the whitewater and catch your first green waves.

Learn to surf

You’ll start on the beach, practicing your pop-up and applying the correct technique in the water. With close personal guidance from our surf coaches, you’ll build your skills from the ground up. Every session is filmed, because video analysis is one of the most powerful tools to understand movement and improve faster.

Achieve Mental Power

Surfing challenges both body and mind. In our mental training sessions, you’ll learn how to build confidence, stay calm under pressure, and shift from overthinking to flow. You’ll strengthen your focus, transform negative thoughts into helpful ones, and grow emotionally resilient — in the ocean and in life.

Surf Knowledge

Surfing is more than standing on a board. You’ll learn everything you need to know: about surfboards & wetsuits, wave and weather patterns, currents, and surf etiquette and more. This knowledge is important for safety and gives you clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection with the sea.

Your Surf Level:

Never Surfed Before:

You’ve never stood on a surfboard and want to start from the very beginning.

Step up Beginner:

You’ve already done a surf course or two. You’re practicing in the whitewater and starting to stand up consistently. You want to feel more confident in the ocean — and maybe even start catching your first green waves.

To the registration form

Never try, never know! It’s time for a new adventure!

 

The location - Aljezur

April / May: You’ll stay at the beautiful Utopia Guesthouse in Aljezur — in a cozy single room with private bathroom and balcony.

A large outdoor pool and garden offer plenty of space to relax and chill out. We have plenty of space for our training sessions. Optional yoga and massage sessions are available.

Breakfast is included.

And surf spots like Arrifana, Monte Clérigo, and Amoreira are just minutes away.

The location - Costa da Caparica

September: The description of the accommodation will follow soon.

The location - Aljezur

April / May: You’ll stay at the beautiful Utopia Guesthouse in Aljezur — in a cozy single room with private bathroom and balcony.

A large outdoor pool and garden offer plenty of space to relax and chill out. We have plenty of space for our training sessions. Optional yoga and massage sessions are available.

Breakfast is included.

And surf spots like Arrifana, Monte Clérigo, and Amoreira are just a short drive away.

The location - Costa da Caparica

September: The description of the accommodation will follow soon.

Fearless Surfer - Our Team

Price & Services

When

May 16 – 23, 2026 (Aljezur, Portugal)
Sept 12 – 19, 2026 (Costa da Caparica, Portugal)

Price:

May: EUR 1890 per person // September: EUR (price will be published soon)

for 8 days / 7 nights in a single room in Aljezur or in a shared room in Costa da Caparica

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Accommodation (single room with balcony and private bathroom in Aljezur; shared room for 2 people in Costa da Caparica)
  • Breakfast
  • 5 x surf coaching incl. video analysis & theory (transfers & material included)
  • 5 x mental group session
  • Surfset-Balance Pop-up Training, technique training in the pool, 1 x intro surfskate session (optional)
  • 2 x dinner

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF FOR YOURSELF:

  • Arrival (flight to Lisbon or Faro, transfer to Aljezur or Costa da Caparica)
  • Lunch, dinner (except for the welcome & farewell dinner)
  • Insurance (illness, accident, travel insurance
To the registration form

Dein Surf- & Skatecoach

Vasco is Portuguese and grew up by the sea. He is an experienced surf coach and has trained the Portuguese longboard champion Kat Barrigão and the European longboard champion, among others.

  • Certified Surf Coach Level I – FPS
  • Surfskate Coach Level II – FPP
  • Bachelor Sports Science
  • Master Degree High Performance Training – FMH
  • Master Trainer Carver Skateboards
  • Master Trainer Surfset Fitness
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach

Your Mental Trainer

I’ve been a passionate surfer myself for over 18 years and I’ve seenc especially in women that fear ruins their joy of surfing. I want to change that. After all, it often only takes a few mental coaching sessions to make a big impact.

  • I have over six years of coaching, hypnosis and sports mental training with my own practice in Zurich.
  • Hypnosis certificate NGH with Gabriel Palacios, Bern and Certificate course Integral Coach ECA (life coaching) at Living Sense, Zurich
  • Diploma course Sportmentalcoach with Roger Erni at the Sportmental Academy in Zurich
Surfskate Coach Vasco Rodrigues from Concrete Surfers Portugal on a surf skate.

Your Surf- & Surfskate Coach

Vasco is Portuguese and grew up by the sea. He is an experienced surf coach and has trained the Portuguese longboard champion Kat Barrigão and the European longboard champion, among others.

  • Certified Surf Coach Level I – FPS
  • Surfskate Coach Level II – FPP
  • Bachelor Sports Science
  • Master Degree High Performance Training – FMH
  • Master Trainer Carver Skateboards
  • Master Trainer Surfset Fitness
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach

Your Mental Trainer

I’ve been a passionate surfer myself for over 18 years and I see, especially with women, that they can’t live up to their surfing potential because they get in their own way. She wants to change that. Because it often only takes a few mental coaching sessions to take a huge step forward.

  • I have over six years of coaching, hypnosis and sports mental training with my own practice in Zurich.
  • Hypnosis certificate NGH with Gabriel Palacios, Bern
  • Diploma course Sportmentalcoach with Roger Erni at the Sportmental Academy in Zurich
  • Certificate course Integral Coach ECA (life coaching) at Living Sense in Zurich

Women only Retreat from September ’21 in Aljezur. It was great! Check out a recap here.

Women only retreat from June ’21 in Aljezur with a really cool group of like-minded people!

Our first surf training retreat in Peniche in 2019.

Testimonials:

We love hearing how our participants transform — how their eyes light up, their confidence grows, and the ocean becomes their happy place again. Read for yourself what others have experienced:

 

I started surfing in 2018 and although I’ve always been a water rat and an extremely good swimmer, I realized that I have a great fear of currents and drowning when surfing. In addition, I always put myself under a lot of pressure to perform, which regularly led to mental blocks in the line-up. And then, of course, it was also about improving certain technical things, such as paddling into waves, correct take-off timing and becoming more confident in the line-up. I felt very comfortable at the retreat. The group was perfect with 8 participants, so it was easy to open up and share fears and challenges with the other women.
Kim as a person has a very emphatic and gentle yet challenging manner, which helped me to trust myself more and to approach surfing more intuitively. The coaching from Kim and Vasco and the week at the retreat enabled me to correctly analyze every spot I’ve been to since then and to assess on my own whether I can go into the water. I finally dared to go surfing on my own and paddle out to waves despite the high male quota and feel at home in the line-up. The reward came after almost 3 years of surfing: A beautiful green wave, for me and my longboard all by myself in Witsands (South Africa).
Lisa, Surftraining Retreat Aljezur (Level: experienced beginner)

Psychologist and yoga teacher, Founder of Circle Transitions

I was totally blown away from this retreat. The whole setting was so great, professional but really familiar as well. The daily Video analysis helped me to see what I have to change in the water. And on top of it learning the movements on the surfskate first and than try to make the transfer in the water really helped me to improve in just one week. The mental training put me in the right mindset and I learned more about me in general. Also I now know how I want to feel in the line up and how I can accomplish this with my mental warm up. This week gave me a lot of tools with which I can keep on working now and improve even more in the future.
I wished the week would never end.

Nicole, Surftraining Retreat Aljezur (Level: intermediate)

I’ve been surfing for quite some time now. Unfortunately, I’ve only been surfing occasionally for the last few years and my level has stagnated as a result… My enjoyment of surfing has therefore diminished dramatically and frustration has been my constant companion in the lineup. I also get distracted very quickly (in general) and have trouble focusing. On top of that, my duckdive wasn’t always clean and the flow wasn’t correct and after every “ridden” wave I had the feeling that my movements were too smooth and not correct – especially when it came to my upper body (arms).
With Kim’s help, I was able to change my mindset to a positive one in no time at all during the retreat. Since the intensive duck diving training in the pool, I’m now happy when a big, powerful wave rolls towards me. The video analysis while surfing has given me clarity about my mistakes. And I bought a surf skate to practise the movements in the “dry”.
Conclusion: This retreat is an insider tip in mental, sporting and social terms. Great! Merci <3
Roswitha, Surftraining Retreat Aljezur (Level: intermediate)

I was nervous when I arrived in Aljezur, assuming that in the following next days, I’d be forced to face anxieties and fears. But hello, this super warm welcome, the friendly atmosphere within the group made me calm down so fast, that I didn’t even remember what I was scared of. In contrary I was warmly invited to face what hold me back, never pushed or forced to go beyond my borders. Kim, Vasco and Marta’s kindness and caring attitude made this retreat unique. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to meet this beautiful souls and yes, on top of everything I even did progress in Surfing and Skating. Thank you so much for this amazing time. With love, Betül

Betül, Surftraining Retreat Aljezur (Level: Beginner)

Start your new adventure with us!

 

Wir trainieren nicht nur zusammen – wir lachen, weinen und feiern unsere Fortschritte und auch unsere Misserfolge gemeinsam.

We don’t just train together — we laugh, cry, and celebrate every step of the journey. Many friendships born here last for years and turn into surf trips that last and frequent meet ups.

Our mission: to give you an unforgettable week of learning, growth, and fun. Portugal is the perfect place for it: full of sun, soul, and saltwater.

The ocean is the best teacher — for surfing and for life. Because surfing isn’t just fun — it’s transformation.

Come train with us and discover how much more is in you.

Click the button below to save your spot — we can’t wait to meet you

To the registration form