When it comes to finding the perfect surfing school for our needs, often it can seem like a pretty big challenge.  There are so many different ones all around the world, honestly, and trying to pick just one spot for surfing is a struggle.  However, for those of us interested in traveling to Europe, Portugal really seems like the place to be for this sport and/or hobby right now!

Why is that?  Well, admittedly, a lot of folks probably think of somewhere like Hawaii when they hear about surfing thanks to how it’s portrayed in movies, television, and other parts of pop culture.  However, in the real world, this sport goes far beyond the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

There are lots of great spots in the Atlantic especially, and the location of Portugal makes it perfect because of that and the warm weather.  While there is definitely a market for surfing in the cold, it’s just something that doesn’t appeal to everyone.  While learning, especially, it’s a lot nicer to get to enjoy the niceness of a sunny and bright day.

Obviously, there are some practical reasons for this preference as well.  The biggest one is that in warmer weather, the waves tend to be a lot more temperate.  If you’re not sure why that matters, you might want to check out this resource: https://www.surf-forecast.com/.  It can be helpful in figuring out when it’s safe to go out versus when it’s not.

Why Portugal?

Admittedly, this was already somewhat covered above.  However, there are a few more reasons to share, so make sure to follow along.  Perhaps the biggest reason is the fact that it’s warm there, but the fact that it is a smaller country and has more general access to Lisbon is another!

Wherever you are there, the chances that you’re at least somewhat close to the biggest city there is pretty high.  Lisbon has a lot to offer in terms of places to explore, but it’s also got an airport and lots of places to shop and get groceries.  So, if you’re planning on making a vacation or getaway out of your lessons, it’s a great location for that.

What to Look for Out of a Surfing School

Once you’ve settled on a place that you want to go, the next, and arguably harder part is to pick what school you want to attend.  Of course, something to keep in mind is that you don’t need to look at this as a “school” like you might consider elementary or primary courses, or something like that.  It’s still something fun and enjoyable, you’ll just be learning in the process.

Let’s face it, surfing is a skill that isn’t easy to pick up just like that.  It requires a lot of training to do so safely, especially in waters that are choppy or in huge waves.  Going out there with little-to-no preparation can even be dangerous.  So, picking the perfect school is a pretty big deal.

What sorts of qualities should we be looking for, then?  Most importantly is the quality of the lessons themselves.  It can be hard to tell this sort of thing from a website, of course.  You can always check out reviews from customers and/or former students to determine how helpful the lessons are.

For example, if you look at the buzz surrounding TIKA Surfcamp, most of the reviews are positive.  Something like that is a green flag of sorts, especially if you are just looking online to make your pick.  Obviously, though, there are some other aspects that you might want to look for as well.

Making a Proper Vacation Out of it

It’s safe to say that for most of us, we’re probably not going to go out and get surfing lessons on an everyday basis.  Instead, it’s more of a special occasion sort of thing, right?  So, when we are going to get them, why not do our best to make a vacation or getaway out of it?

This can be achieved easier than you might expect, thankfully.  Depending on where you decide to take your lessons, you’ll probably get to enjoy a wide variety of amenities.  An example of that might be getting a lunch provided a few times a week, or even breakfast on the daily.

Closeness to Lisbon is would really matter since there is a lot to do in the city.  Spending the day on the beach is a great way to relax and enjoy yourself in between the courses.  The warm relaxing weather in Portugal year-round is awesome for sunbathing or just wading around in the water.

Really, when you’re scheduling your classes, just think about all of the stuff that makes a vacation good for you.  Do you want access to a ton of grocery stores because you enjoy cooking, and using new ingredients would be fun?  Consider that.  If you’re more of an eating at a restaurant kind of person, take that into account instead!

The great thing about planning out this sort of thing is that we have complete control over where we go and how we handle it.  You don’t have to worry about rushing around if you don’t want to.  Pick the schedule of courses that you want and enjoy yourself throughout the entire trip.

Thankfully, it’s not like surfing lessons will feel like a chore or anything.  Sure, there is going to be an emphasis placed on technique and safety, but that’s all to help the students get the most out of their experience each time that they get on their surfboards.  It’s definitely not something to dread.

Whether you’re new to surfing or have some experience under your belt already, there’s plenty to enjoy if you decide to take some lessons here in Portugal.  The scenery is beautiful, and you’ll have a lot of opportunities to go exploring, meet new people and make connections, and spend time with your loved ones.