GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD VIBRA TIONS

Portugal is seen as Europe’s very own California, and the Greater Lisbon area is definitely its surfing paragon. It is close to the sea, has a high number of sunshine hours per year and swells are epic. Ready to take the drop?

1 CARCAVELOS ACADEMIA PROFISSIONAL DE SURF

Together, Nuno Telmo and

David Raimundo sound like a Brazilian country music duo. Well, they’re not, though their reputation and success in the surf scene are undeniable. They have done a lot to bring athletes into – and continuously support them in – the world of highlevel competition. Longtime friends and former competitors themselves, they opened APS (Academia Profissional de Surf) and have been offering lessons for all levels and ages for a long while now. → Praia de Carcavelos,

Edifício O Veleiro, floor -1. +351 966 159 009. www.academiaprofissionaldesurf.com. Prices: €50 (group lesson, 2 hours), €100 (private lesson, 2 hours).

BOOGIE CHICKS

When the sea is still largely taken over by men and surfboards, difference ought to be praised. The Boogie Chicks project emerged following the joint work carried out by athletes

Dora Gomes and Catarina Sousa, between 1993 and 1997, in promoting and developing the female bodyboarding scene. Catarina was the first female surfer to win at one of the stages of the world bodyboard championship. In 2005, she decided to carry the deed further and founded the school. → Praia de Carcavelos and Guincho. +351 919 537 764. Prices: €40 (group lesson), €70 (private lesson).

CARCAVELOS SURF SCHOOL

We couldn’t possibly ignore one of the most popular surfer beaches near Cascais, Praia de Carcavelos, with its long sand strip and waves that are almost always perfect. Carcavelos Surf School is one of the oldest and most well-known schools there. It offers surfing lessons for all ages. The school also organises holiday surf camps and birthday parties for children aged 6 and above, so they can get all they need to start learning from an early age.

→ Avenida Marginal, Praia de Carcavelos.

+351 962 850 497/ +351 966 131 203. Prices: €40 (group lesson), 4 lessons pack €120.

2 CASCAIS MOANA SURF SCHOOL

Moana Surf School has a team of multilingual teachers who get people of all ages riding waves,

from those who have never set foot on a board before to advanced learners. The school presents itself as a great family with many talents: besides surf lessons (private, group, family, corporate, all formats), you can also learn how to kitesurf or book fishing boat trips, among other options. → Estrada do Abano, Praia do Guincho. +351 964 449 436. www. moanasurfschool.com. Prices: €40 (group lesson), €80 (private lesson).

3 COSTA DA CAPARICA SEARCH SCHOOL

Former competitor (juniors and masters national champion) David Luís decided to open Search School as soon as he left the road and championships behind. Sponsored by Rip Curl, one of the oldest surf brands, the school provides all the necessary material for you to learn to surf, like wetsuits, boards and wax. Lessons are always in groups of a maximum number of five students per instructor – all of whom are experienced and certified – and they last about 2 hours. → Pé Nu Beach Club, São João da Caparica. +351 916 090 230. Prices: €30 (group lesson), 5 lessons pack €100.

4 ERICEIRA TIAGO PIRES SURF SCHOOL

The school opened for business on August 10, 2011 and has since been a driving force in training new Portuguese surf talent. It borrowed its name from

Tiago Pires, the greatest Portuguese surfer at that time and the first to qualify for the world circuit, in which he remained for 7 years. He works with a strong team of instructors, all certified by Federação Portuguesa de Surf (the local surfing authority), who ensure the best results, no matter your age or experience.à Avenida São Sebastião, 36 A. +351 962 549 851. www.tiagopiressurfschool.com. Prices: €50 (group lesson), €120 (private lesson).

5 SINTRA SURF ACADEMIA

When it comes to giant waves, João Macedo is probably this surf sub-modality’s best and most suicidal Portuguese ambassador. But besides hunting down scary waves, “Massas”, as he is known as, also teaches in Praia Grande, where he started surfing at 7 years old. Founded in 2000, the school has already trained many renowned Portuguese surfers, among which stands the Luso-Germanic and fellow big-wave rider Nic von Rupp. → Rua João Paulo Pires, Casa Nossa Senhora da Praia, Praia das Maçãs. +351 926 422 254. www.surfacademia.com. Prices: €30 (group lesson), €70 (private lesson).