Aljezur with Martin Dunn

Our surf coaching week with focus on technique training for surfers with the level intermediate or advanced.
Intensive surf coaching & video analysis with Australia’s top coach Martin Dunn, surf skating with Vasco Rodrigues and surf mental training & breathwork with Kim Chareonbood.
When?
Training 1: Tue, 1.10. – Sat, 5.10. (Intermediate)
Training 2: Sun, 6.10. – Thu, 10.10. (Advanced)
Training 3: Fri, 11.10. – Tue, 15.10. (Pro)

Want to be one of the lucky few who accelerate their surf skills under the guidance of Australia’s longest-serving surf coach? Now’s your chance! Martin Dunn has coached superstars such as Connor O’Leary and Nathan Hedge in his illustrious 35-year career. And he (literally) wrote the International Surfing Association’s Level 2 Surf Coaching book.

Needless to say, he’s got more surf knowledge in his brain than most of us can hope to learn in one lifetime. And for the dates below, he’s in Aljezur to teach you how to carry speed from take-off to kick out, stop bogging rails and ultimately become a surfer that turns heads!

If you’re an ambitious intermediate or advanced surfer who wants to learn new manoeuvres, refine your style and remove the barriers that stop you from having the best session of your life every time you hit the water, Martin is your guy! Seriously, every real surfer knows that this is the experience we all dream about – the ability to learn in person from a “coach’s coach” who knows all the secrets to unlock your full surf potential. So what’s holding you back? He has coached and mentored World Championship Tour pros and most of Australia’s top coaches! Martin is known for his ability to identify the key problem at a glance and communicate it in a way that is easy to implement and understand. With him as your coach your learnings will be priceless!

Don’t miss the opportunity to train with Martin in Europe in 2024. We can hardly wait for October ourselves!

Who are these training weeks for? For all recreational surfers who want to train with a top professional coach. You must have an Intermediate or Advanced level. For professional surfers we are planning a separate week with special training for competition preparation.

Martin Dunn Surfcoaching Retreat - How it works

What you train is what you get! As you may have heard: “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!

Online-preparation from home

Participate in our one-month online mental training to unlock your full potential. This begins four weeks before your retreat. You will receive access to the online members area with videos on the basic techniques and weekly exercises to practice. You will also get one personal online mental coaching with Kim Chareonbood to work on your personal mental surf topics.

Surf Coaching & Analysis, Surf Skating

On the surf skate, you will fine-tune your surfing technique. What doesn’t work on land won’t work in the water. You will dive deep into the details of movement – and see that it’s often the small changes that have a big impact! And of course, we go SURFING twice a day and discuss your performance and what to improve in the following video analysis. Video analysis is a game changer for sure!

A guide to becoming a confident surfer

We will help you manage fear, build confidence and courage, create your own optimal mental warm-up for yourself, and train your BREATH. You will also get to apply what you have learned in the online mental preparation in the retreat. Kim will be there to offer inputs with personal mini mental coaching sessions to develop deep confidence in your surfing.

Your Surf Level: INTERMEDIATE OR ADVANCED

You surf a shortboard or a mid-length. You can duck dive.

As an intermediate surfer, you mainly want to improve your take-offs, your bottom and top turns, and how you generate speed. Why? Because you still wipe out often when the waves get bigger and steeper. Or, you often lose speed after the take-off and ride the wave slower than you want to.

As intermediate-advanced surfer: Your take-offs as well as your bottom and top turns are solid. You want to improve or learn maneuvers like cutbacks, snaps, etc.

As an advanced surfer you want to work intensively on your surfing technique, or learn a new maneuver, and better use the wave’s potential.

Regardless of your level, you want to improve your wave selection and positioning.

You don’t need any experience for the surfskate. We will form the groups according to everyone’s surfskate level.

What you want to achieve

When it gets bigger or steeper, you either pull out of the wave or hesitate. You want to work on committing 100% – whether for the take-off or a maneuver.

You know your technique could improve and you know that the magic lies in the details. You want professional and intensive movement training to push your surfing to the next level.

You know that the better the waves are, the harder it is to get your share of the waves. That’s why you want to learn how to navigate a busy line-up.

The waves are different in every session. You want to learn how to better use the full potential of the wave.

What you want to achieve

When it gets bigger or steeper, you either pull out of the wave or hesitate. You want to work on committing 100% – whether for the take-off or a maneuver.

You know your technique could improve and you know that the magic lies in the details. You want professional and intensive movement training to push your surfing to the next level.

You know that the better the waves are, the harder it is to get your share of the waves. That’s why you want to learn how to navigate a busy line-up.

The waves are different in every session. You want to learn how to better use the full potential of the wave.

Surfer girl on a wave in the tropics and it's about surfing without fear

Achieve Mental Power

No matter your level, you will surf better if you strengthen and develop your mental skills. We look at your individual mental development potential. Topics could be, for example:

 

  • Overcoming fear, building courage & self-confidence
  • Strengthening focus & concentration
  • Getting into the flow faster
  • Keeping thoughts under control
  • Better connection between body and mind (so the movements will flow better)
  • Be able to manage your frustration better
Female surfer frontside on a beautiful wave

Flow happens in the present moment!

 

The Location

You will stay in one of the comfortably furnished single rooms with a private bathroom and balcony in the beautifully located Utopia Guesthouse in Aljezur.

There will be a large outdoor pool and a garden that offers plenty of space to relax, chill out and use for our training. Additionally, you can book massage and yoga classes.

Breakfast is included.

Different surf spots like Arrifana, Monte Clérigo and Amoreira are only a short drive away.

The Location

You will stay in one of the comfortably furnished single rooms with a private bathroom and balcony in the beautifully located Utopia Guesthouse in Aljezur.

There will be a large outdoor pool and a garden that offers plenty of space to relax, chill out and use for our training. Additionally, you can book massage and yoga classes.

Breakfast is included.

Different surf spots like Arrifana, Monte Clérigo and Amoreira are only a short drive away.

Price & Services

When:
Training 1: Tue, 1.10. – Sat, 5.10. (Intermediate)
Training 2: Sun, 6.10. – Thu, 10.10. (Advanced)
Training 3: Fri, 11.10. – Tue, 15.10. (Pro)

Minimum number of participants: 7

Application deadline: June 30, 2024

Preis per person incl. Accommodation in a single room for 5 days / 4 nights: EUR 1’350.-
Price per person WITHOUT accommodation for 5 days / 4 nights: EUR 1’115.-

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Accommodation (single room with a bathroom and balcony or twin room if you share with a friend) It is possible to book the training without accommodation.
  • Breakfast (if booked with accommodation)
  • Surf coaching incl. video analysis if weather / conditions permit a recording
  • Surfskate training
  • Performance mental training & surf specific breathwork
  • Welcome- and farewell dinner
  • 4-week online mental preparation (basic mental training as videos)

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF FOR YOURSELF:

  • Arrival Flight (to Lisbon or Faro) and the transfer to Aljezur
  • Board and wetsuit (you can rent a board if you don’t bring your own, approx. EUR 15-25 per day, wetsuits are free if you need one)
  • Lunch, dinner (except for the welcome & farewell dinner)
  • Insurances (illness, accident, travel insurance)

COVID:

  • Full refund if Portugal closes the borders, introduces quarantine on entry or imposes other rules that make the retreat impossible.
  • Currently there are no entry restrictions.
  • On your own responsibility: flight bookings and covid regulations issued by your country of origin. We cannot accept any liability here.

Your Surf Coach

Martin Dunn is Australia’s most successful coach. He has coached over 25 surfers up to WTC level, was coach of the Australian National Team from 2011 – 2013 (5 x Junior World Title, several gold, silver and bronze medals) and won gold with the Peruvian National Team in the World Surfing Games in 2014. Despite his extraordinary success, Martin Dunn has remained a down-to-earth person who is passionate about coaching surfers, whether beginner, intermediate, advanced, weekend surfer, young talent, or professional. His success is based on his excellent “critical eye” – he sees exactly where a surfer has to improve to get to the next level – and his talent in breaking it down in an easy understandable way.

Martin Dunn coaching professional surfer Tristan Guilbaud at Old Bar Beach in Australia

Your Surf Coach

Martin Dunn is Australia’s most successful coach. He has coached over 25 surfers up to WTC level, was coach of the Australian National Team from 2011 – 2013 (5 x Junior World Title, several gold, silver and bronze medals) and won gold with the Peruvian National Team in the World Surfing Games in 2014. Despite his extraordinary success, Martin Dunn has remained a down-to-earth person who is passionate about coaching surfers, whether beginner, intermediate, advanced, weekend surfer, young talent, or professional. His success is based on his excellent “critical eye” – he sees exactly where a surfer has to improve to get to the next level – and his talent in breaking it down in an easy understandable way.

Your Surf Skate Coach

Vasco is Portuguese and grew up by the sea. He is an experienced surf- & surfskate coach, and a personal trainer who has coached, among others, the Portuguese longboard champion Kat Barrigão. Check out his impressive credentials.

  • 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 Surf Skate Coach

Vasco is Portuguese and grew up by the sea. He is an experienced surf- & surfskate coach, personal trainer and has coached, among others, the Portuguese longboard champion Kat Barrigão.

  • 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

Kim is half Swiss half Thai and grew up in Switzerland. Exploring the secrets of the mind, surfing and travelling are her big passions. After working as a life coach, sports mental trainer & hypnotherapist for over 7 years in her own practice in Zurich, she decided in 2018 to focus on the mental challenges of surfers. Ever since, she has coached surfers worldwide to overcome fear, build up self-confidence in the line-up and have more fun in the waves!

Your Mental Trainer

Kim is half Swiss half Thai and grew up in Switzerland. Exploring the secrets of the mind, surfing and travelling are her big passions. After working as a life coach, sports mental trainer & hypnotherapist for over 7 years in her own practice in Zurich, she decided in 2018 to focus on the mental challenges of surfers. Ever since, she has coached surfers worldwide to overcome fear, build up self-confidence in the line-up and have more fun in the waves!

Testimonials:

Here are some of the feedback from past and present top male and female surfers that Martin Dunn has coached and mentored throughout their careers.

“Martin has been the principal coach of both Nikki and Joe van Dijk. We have no doubt that without his input they would not have attained the successes they have achieved.

Martin possesses a comprehensive understanding of the developmental stages and strategies to improve surfing technique for surfers of all abilities and levels. His experience at diagnosing the physiological function of the surfer, corrective techniques and practises for progression are systematic and successful.

The key area of achievement in Martin’s repertoire is his communication skills. He is personable, clear, succinct, and non judgemental. He has the ability to elicit the optimal responses from his students. Martin is a surf coach of integrity with the highest professional standards.”

Van Dijk family / Nikki van Dijk

WCT Professional Surfer

“Martin Dunn is without doubt the premier coach in Australia. I love his mantra to share his enormous wealth of surf coaching knowledge with all who wish to improve their surfing and or surf coaching. My daughters and I have benefitted greatly after working with Martin, the girls in improving technique and competing and myself as a surf coach. I look forward to working more with Martin in the future and feel privileged to be in this position.”

Dave MacAulay

7 ASP WCT victories

“With Martin’s knowledge, dedication, and passion for coaching athletes, I am convinced he could improve the abilities of any Surfer. Martin emphasises technique as one of the most crucial components in surfing, which I believe has lead numerous competitive surfers to highly successful careers. I was coached by Martin throughout my professional surfing career and I have also had the privilege of coaching along side Martin. Coaching some the world’s best male and female Surfers with Martin, I have seen first hand the progression and results that come from his coaching techniques.”

Chelsea Hedges [Georgeson]

ASP World Women’s Professional Champion (2005), 2 x ISA World Champion (2002, 2010)

“I have known Martin Dunn for a very long time, at least 20 years.

We have worked together coaching kids, taken Australian teams internationally to compete at ISA World Games together and I’ve had the chance to see first hand what he is capable of and I have always been impressed. Martin is an extremely qualified and skillful coach and has more experience in the field than anyone that I can think of. He is conscientious and hard working at all times, very organized and professional in his execution and he has helped many many people to become better surfers over the years.

Martin’s time at the Surfing Australia Hurley High Performance Centre has been an invaluable contribution to Australia’s competitive future and Martin’s work in the area of correct technique and body positioning has become an international standard.

I have always enjoyed working with Martin because we both share a passion for the sport of surfing and a desire to see its participants evolve to the highest level and we love it.”

Barton Lynch

ASP Mens World Professional Champion (1988 )

“I started working with Martin at 13 years old and stayed with him for my entire professional. After travelling around the world and seeing what others are doing and how they are coached, I am convinced that Martin is the most advanced coach to date as well as being a pioneer of the art. While Martin has always been known for his technique training, I believe that his contest strategy and observations are also peerless. Martin’s coaching processes were as valid to me when I was no. 4 in the world to when I was first competing at 13 and I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone.

I have been coached under Martin as a member of the gold medal winning Australian team and I found him to be not only a great person to be able to discuss heat strategy with but also a calming influence before heats, which is almost as important. Martin’s meticulous eye for detail and observation during contest times prepares you for all scenarios and allows you to concentrate on your surfing first.”

Jessi Miley-Dyer

Past WCT competitor with many won titles, Deputy Commissioner of the WSL

Your results:

 

You have the confidence to surf faster and steeper waves.

Your surfing technique is getting noticeably better because you’ve been working on the important details all week. You notice that you surf the wave with more flow and you can use the potential of the wave better. Your turns have more precision and power.

You feel much more comfortable in a crowded line-up and can catch your waves more confidently.

You can concentrate on what’s important and keep your focus, no matter what! You know that as soon as the waves get a little more challenging, that’s one of the most important skills to have.

You have a positive mindset, and you can identify which surf conditions offer you the best opportunities and possibilities.

With every session, you’ll get more waves and have even more fun surfing!

And last, but not least — these techniques can also be used in your everyday life! That’s awesome, right? It’s not only about surfing, you are also learning how it applies in life! It’s not only about surfing, you are also learning for life!

Join us for our surf coaching retreat and enjoy a great week of training with like-minded surfers!