The Confident Surfer – Intermediate

Our surf coaching week for intermediate surfers.

You’ve been surfing for a while, but you feel stuck in your progress, because your mind keeps getting in the way? Whether it’s fear of bigger waves or feeling tense in crowded line-ups, this immersive week will help you bring together technique, focus, and confidence — with targeted surf coaching and video analysis, professional mental training, surfskate sessions, and breathwork.

So surfing starts to feel fun, easy, and rewarding again — and your progress becomes visible.

When?

Sat, 11.4. – Sat, 18.4.2026

We at Fearless Surfer and Concrete Surfers specialize in creating a power combo of surf technique coaching, surf skating and mental training. We at Fearless Surfer and Concrete Surfers specialize in creating a power combo of surf technique coaching, surf skating and mental training. What we think influences our emotions, and how we feel in our body, in turn, impacts our thoughts!

In this intensive surf coaching week you will practice a specific maneuver that you want to improve or learn (bottom turn, top turn, cutback, snap, speed generating, etc.). You will also practice to better use the potential of the wave. Mentally, it’s about sharpening your focus and preparing yourself mentally for more challenging waves. We will of course also dive into topics such as fear, courage and self-confidence.

And last but not least: we spend a lot of time in and out of the water to implement and practice what we have learned! Watch the video to see a typical day at our retreat.

It’s all about where the minds at! – Kelly Slater

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. 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!

Surfing goals:
Practice maneuvers and work intensively on your surfing technique, improve positioning and wave selection, use wave potential better

Mental goals:
Crystal clear focus, mental strategy, courage to make bigger waves, better manage crowds, flow, individual topics.

Challenges:
You’re doing pretty well, but you’re not really improving. You are not using the potential of the wave properly and your turns could have more power. You often pull back, especially when the waves get bigger and the line-up more crowded. It’s mentally difficult for you to assert yourself at the peak.

Online-preparation from home

To make sure you are as fit as possible for the surf coaching week, the retreat starts a month before, so to speak: 1 x a week live online workout with Vasco Rodrigues; surfskate videos with the basic maneuvers; 1 x a personal online mental coaching with Kim Chareonbood and online mental videos with the basic techniques.

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. Dive deep into the details of movement – it’s often the small changes that have a big effect! And of course, we go SURFING daily 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

Overcome fear, build confidence and gain courage. Learn how to stay composed and create your own ideal mental warm-up. Practice surf specific breath work. In the group and in personal 1:1 coachings, you will get to know the power of your thoughts. With lots of practical exercises in the water and on land.

Your surf level intermediate:

You surf a shortboard with little or a lot of volume or a mid-length. You can duckdive or do the turtle roll. You also manage to get into the line-up in more challenging conditions and you are ok with up to head-high waves. You mainly want to improve your take-off, because you still wipe-out a lot, especially when the waves get bigger and steeper. Regarding maneuvers, you want to improve bottom and top turn and maybe already learn the cutback. You want to improve your wave selection and positioning. Mentally, you want to work on staying focused, getting into your flow more easily and making the right decisions in challenging situations. Another topic will be overcoming fear and building confidence, especially regarding bigger waves or crowded line-ups. In any case, we coach you on your individual surf- and mental goals.

You don’t need any experience for the surfskate.

Prices & Services

Your Challenges

You feel uneasy with powerful bigger waves because you know the wipe-out and hold down could be rough.

You feel like you’re stuck at a certain level and not getting anywhere.

You feel like you lack confidence and courage sometimes.

You are very self-critical and quickly frustrated.

You had a bad experience once and fear is blocking you now.

Your Challenges

You feel uneasy with powerful bigger waves because you know the wipe-out and hold down could be rough.

You feel like you’re stuck at a certain level and not getting anywhere.

You feel like you lack confidence and courage sometimes.

You are very self-critical and quickly frustrated.

You had a bad experience once and fear is blocking you now.

What you want to achieve

You want to be able to maintain razor-sharp focus and stay composed in bigger and more challenging wave conditions, overcome your fear, and know how to use your breath more effectively (for example, if you’re stuck in the impact zone).

You want to use the potential of the wave better and draw more powerful turns. Refining your surfing technique has been on your list for a long time. It’s the details that make the big difference. It’s the details that make the big difference.

You finally want to make a big leap forward! And you know: For that, you need really focused training.

Fear starts in your mind. Courage as well!

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.

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

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.

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.

Price & Services

When?
Sat, 11.4. – Sat, 18.4.2026

EUR 1790 per person for 8 days / 7 nights in a single room with private bathroom and balcony, including a 4-week online preparation program

If you come with a friend and you want to share the room, you can book a double room. For a shared room a discount of EUR 115 per person applies.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Accommodation (single room with private bathroom and balcony; if you come with a friend it is possible to book a double room)
Breakfast
5 x surf coaching incl. video or photo analysis if weather / conditions permit a recording
5 x mental group session
Surfskate (if the weather allows), otherwise technique training & breathing training for surfers
2 x dinner
4-week online surf preparation (online workouts are live, with the possibility to watch them afterward; basic mental training as videos; personal 1:1 mental pre-coaching via Zoom or Skype; surf skate videos).

WHAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF FOR YOURSELF:

flights and airport transfer (flight to Lisbon or Faro, transfer to Aljezur; airport transfers can be arranged at extra cost).
Board and wetsuit (if you don’t bring your own material: board can be rented, EUR 15-18 per day, wetsuit can be provided for free)
Lunch, dinner (except for the welcome & farewell dinner)
Insurances (illness, accident, travel insurance)

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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

kim-chareonbood-surfmentaltraining-learn-to-surf-in-portugal

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 find it most beautiful when we hear about our participants‘ progress after a coaching session or joining one of our retreats. Bright eyes, the excitement in their voice, the joy of getting better. Read for yourself what others have experienced:

I was at the Intermediate Surf Retreat in Aljezur from 15 to 23.04.2023.
For me, it was the first time ever that I immersed myself so deeply into surf coaching and I have to say: it couldn’t have been better.
Everything I hoped for and expected was fulfilled/exceeded.

My primary challenge was managing my ambition and approaching surfing with a lighter attitude, allowing me to address my fear of steeper waves. The entire setup, Kim’s and the coaches’ relaxed approach, mental preparation, video analysis, and surfskate training, all contributed significantly. I’m truly delighted to have discovered and booked this retreat.

The accommodation was also delightful. I found the rooms wonderful, and the overall atmosphere was very suitable for the occasion. My only suggestion here is that the breakfast selection could be a bit larger and more varied.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Fearless Surfer Retreat to anyone looking to progress in surfing.

Nadine, Surftrainings-Retreat Aljezur April 2023 (Level: Intermediate)

Yoga teacher, Coach

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: experienced beginner)

Your results:

You have the confidence to surf faster and steeper waves.

You remain calm even in challenging situations. If fear or anxiety creeps up, you can calm down and regain composure.

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.

Because you are more confident, you can also start exploring new surf spots.

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 – for more powerful turns, more waves and more fun!

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