Surfing in Ericeira at São Lourenço is fine for all on most days. However, it’s known as Ericeira’s big wave surf spot (and Ericeira is known as one of Portugal’s big-wave locations). This beach has lifeguard vigilance over the summer season. Moreover, also has a blue flag, which means it’s protected and a symbol of environmental quality.
São Lourenço beach is located in the nothern part of Ericeira.In fact, it’s a calm beach, due to its prime location in a sheltered bay. It has a lot of infrastructures around the beach such as restaurants and excellent conditions to practise surfing. It is a wide white sand break. Also, it features has a small reef break area in the corner at the beach.
Running along the northern side of the beach is the mouth of the Safarujo river. Naturally, this river forms a large lagoon of brackish water.
The beach also has other services such as showers and a parking lot. Additionally, you can also rent parasols or awnings so you can be protected from Portugal’s bright sun! The water temperature is around 18º in summer, and you will see most surfers with a wetsuit!
For more experienced surfers the immediate area around the village of Ericeira is home to a cluster of world-class surf spots with many perfect left and right-hand reef breaks and tubes to ride. Including, of course, Ribeira d’Ilhas, a regular feature on the ASP World Tour Surf Championship.
Running along the northern side of the beach is the mouth of the Safarujo river. Also, this river forms a large lagoon of brackish water.
In addition, the beach also has other services such as showers and a parking lot. Additionally, you can also rent parasols or awnings so you can be protected from Portugal’s bright sun! Moreover, the water temperature is around 18º in summer, and you will see most surfers with a wetsuit!
The beginner category is for those who have never surfed before. Also, for those who haven’t surfed in a while and want to go through the basics one more time. Also, it is a great fit for all people who are refining their techniques and gaining confidence. We’ll give you a fun introduction to surfing. We will also share the stoke when you catch your very first waves. We’ll make sure that you develop your skills in line with your level. Additionally, we will make sure you’ll catch as many waves as possible while having fun with the other surfers.
A significant part of our guests at all camps are complete beginners, that’s why we offer lessons for complete beginners from Mondays to Saturdays and as you progress during your time at camp, so does the instruction you receive. Trust us, within your stay you might already be riding green waves with the help of our patient and experienced instructors and you will meet a new surfing family at camp that may stay friends for life.
Your first surf lesson begins with an instructor teaching you the basics on how to handle a surfboard, paddle out, catch a wave and get to your feet.
Here are some fundamental steps you will start with at our camp:
• Safety intro and beach awareness
• Surf equipment explained
• Paddling technique
• Catching a wave
• Standing up on your board
• Surfboard control
• How to ride a wave towards the shore
• Improving your stance
• Surf awareness
• Improving your technique
The main difference between beginner and intermediate surfers is their autonomy in the water. To be suitable for the intermediate group you should be able to get up on waves on your own, have a very strong paddling ability and be comfortable in the water in general. If this is still a challenge for you, you will benefit more from the beginner course instead.
Our instructors will help you to improve your skills, you will learn how to read the water, where to position yourself and how to turn on waves.
This module is focused on getting to the outside (lineup) in waist-high waves. We’ll teach you to catch green waves and ride the face of the wave instead of going straight in the white water. Our instructors will identify the important changes you can bring to your technique that will end up making a huge difference in your surfing style!
You will get personalised tips on how you surf and about what to improve as the quality of the waves you pick, the speed you are able to generate, your agility on the wave, Our team will teach you how to use rip currents and as well refine your timing while picking up the waves to surf etc. All these factors can truly make a difference in your learning path. The more you train, the better you surf and the more you’ll end up loving it.
Other important things you will learn with us in the Intermediate course:
To be suitable for the advanced group you need to be able to drop in confidently on 3ft+ waves, be comfortable surfing at low tide, and you should also have experience in doing top/bottom turns.
Other requirements for the advanced module are the ability to surf shortboards as well as the ability to duck dive, so if you’re not yet confident in head high or higher waves on your own we suggest trying to stick to the intermediate group for a while until you are ready for a bigger challenge. Our intermediate and advanced coaches work together very closely. They communicate their students’ progress with each other, so you might start in an intermediate course and be suitable for our advanced sessions after a few days already.
We’ll give you the knowledge you need to feel confident in surfing most breaks, focusing on entry and exit from the break and we will help you decide which peak is the best for your level of surfing.
Other important things you will do and learn with us in the Advanced course:
Our instructors know the best spots according to each individual’s skill level and have a combined experience of 30 years surfing, they know many of the globe’s top surf locations and are extremely familiar with Portugal’s – and especially Ericeira’s – best break. They will take you to the best spot for your level depending on tides and weather conditions. Each of them is an expert in judging surf conditions, such as time and location, and all have a European license for surfing standards.
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or seasoned expert, our instructors strive to provide you with a stress-free, fun, and enjoyable learning environment where you can advance your skills. We are serious about teaching surfing techniques and knowledge, helping to choose the proper equipment, getting you to the right surf spots for your specific skill level and taste.
If you are taking surf lessons, our instructors will first teach you the basics in surf theory class. Afterwards, they will advise you on which break suits your skill level. They’ll show you how to pop up onto the board for the first time or how to improve your existing skills and get from riding to ripping.
