Family surf lessons in Portugal- visiting the Algarve region with kid
Why Portugal Is Perfect for Family Surf Lessons
Portugal has over 600 km (400 miles) of beaches, so there are endless opportunities for beach excursions. While the west coast of Portugal has the cities of Lisbon and Porto and the epic surfing that would thrill (and terrify) even the most experienced surfer, the south coast, the Algarve region, has quieter waves and some more relaxed beaches. This is where we attempted our first surf lesson with our 6-year-old daughter.
We visited Portugal in late June and early July, which felt like the perfect time to be in Portugal. While Lisbon was quite warm, the Algarve was perfect.
What Age Can Kids Start Surfing in Portugal?
The family surf school we chose started at age 6; I would say that you want to have a kid who is a strong swimmer and is used to being smashed around by the waves before you sign-up for surf school. Our daughter spends a lot of time in bays and the beaches on our side of the Atlantic (Delaware, New Jersey, and Maine) are less intense than those in Portugal.
When we got to the Algarve, we spent a day at praia do Porto de Mós playing the waves and practicing how to get up after being knocked down, how to go under waves, how to tell when a wave is going to break, and what to do if she starts to get pulled in a current. I would make sure your kiddo is comfortable, because group surf lessons will not allow for children to be supervised 100% of the time; the instructor’s attention will be divided.
Because our daughter was the smallest one there, I also opted to NOT participate in the surf school. I put on a suit and stayed in the water nearby in case she needed me.
Choosing the Right Family-Friendly Surf School
We booked with Algarve Sea Adventures for our family surf lesson. This allowed my husband and daughter to surf together during their lesson and meant that we did not have to pack anything for our trip except for bathing suits. Algarve Sea Adventures allowed for 1 day lesson and it always has accommodations for people who want to stay a week and fully immerse themselves in the surf life.
Here’s what’s included in a 1 day lesson:
about 2 hours of water time
fully qualified and friendly surf coaches + nanny
1 instructor – 4 kids
free transportation to surfing beaches on the south and west coast
pick up and drop off at Climb & Surf Camp Quinta Formosinho
surfboard, wetsuit & lycra
What to Expect from Kids’ Surf Lessons in Portugal
Since we opted for group lessons for our family, we spent a lot of time in the “getting there and getting ready” stages. This worked well enough for one fun day and to try out the sport; however, if I was really hoping to be a master surfer, then I would choose to instead take a couple private lessons.
For our group lessons, once everyone arrived at the beach, there was time to warm up and review skills (or learn basic skills) on the beach and then move.
Groups were divided up based on who had surfed before and who was brand new. Adults were in one area, children in another.
The ratio of an adult to child was 1 to 4, which worked well enough; however, if your goal is to have a strong surfer, one-on-one lessons would be more ideal than this set-up.
If you just want to see if your kids like surfing, then this is a great introduction.
Safety Tips for Surfing in Portugal with Children
Before you take your child for a surf lesson, make sure:
They can swim the length of a pool with ease.
They know how to hold their breath underwater.
They have experience with jumping waves, pulling themselves up after being knocked down by a wave, and understanding how waves move.
Where to Stay Near Portugal’s Best Beaches
We stayed at Belmar Spa & Beach Resort near Lagos during our time in Portugal.
There are lots of hotel options that you could visit, and Algarve Sea Adventures also offers accommodations on site, which can cut down on travel time if you are invested in surf lessons for multiple days.
Want to travel more in Europe with your family? We spend every year abroad and hope to inspire other families to travel with their children.
Read all about our other adventures.
