4 Day Surf Camp Experience at an Amazing Surf Resort in Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal
Breathtaking Surf Camp in Portugal
Russo Surf Resort - Vale Figueiras is a unique destination where you will be surrounded by pure nature. Stay in a breathtaking location with views over the ocean and a natural park.
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Highlights
- 3 days of activities
- 9 hours of lessons
- 3 days' use of surf equipment all day (except Sunday)
- Professional photo and video sessions
- Transportation to the beach included
- Sunset DJ and live music
- 3 nights accommodation
- Daily delicious meals with BBQ on Friday
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Faro Airport (US$ 139 per person)
Lisbon Portela Airport (US$ 311 per person)
Accommodation
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
- Bar
- Barbeque facilities
- Garden
- Multilingual staff
- Terrace
- Board rental
- Child care
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
The resort is a huge modern Portuguese country house situated in the middle of a natural park, with a stunning view of the ocean and forest. There is a huge green lawn with a swimming pool, a skate ramp, and a trampoline.
Almost all the rooms, including the shared rooms, have doors to terraces outside with a view. There is a large bar area with free Wi-Fi Internet, satellite television, and a snooker table. Chill out inside the house or outside at the awesome place for barbecue and hammocks.
- Large rooms with high ceilings and king-size double beds
- Capacity of surf camp - 42 persons
- Wi-Fi
- Computer for the use of guests
- Massage therapist
- Swimming pool
- Skate ramp
- Trampoline
- Barbecue area and plenty of areas to chill
- Bar with snooker table, ping pong, and mini football
- Satellite TV and cinema projector
- Thousands of movies and surf videos
- Balance boards
- Hammocks
- Bed linen and bath towels are provided
- Special care for babies and kids
- Animal-friendly
Program
Russo Surf Resort - Vale Figueiras is a unique destination, where you will be surrounded by pure nature. Stay in a breathtaking location with a view over the ocean and a natural park.
The resort is run by the local surf pioneers, with surf schools that have existed since 2003. International and local surf coaches create a professional team, famous for their skill in teaching high-quality lessons for beginners, intermediates, and upper-intermediate levels.
A special step-by-step surf course program is created by Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras to help students learn the right technique, improve, and progress at a faster rate. Surf resort facilities will also allow you to fully concentrate on surfing, with good company, helpful staff, healthy food, and some relaxing extras. Do not miss it.
They pay the most attention to providing high-quality lessons, so apart from having fun, you will be able to learn properly. Beginners, who start from zero, and beginners-intermediates, who need to improve their technique, will be taught on the white water. For intermediates and upper intermediates, the lessons will be on the green waves.
Surf coaches are going to correct all your little mistakes, position the body and weight the right way, teach you about the tides, waves, and conditions, and make you try to do your best and catch the great surf moments. Intermediates should be prepared to push the limits and achieve theit goals.
The surf camp includes three hours of lessons per day, divided into two sessions of one and a half hours. The right time to start lessons will depend on the conditions that the ocean will provide on the day.
Lessons are structured with warm-ups, theoretical exercises on the beach, and a practical part in the water. Vale Figueiras Surf Camp suggests starting a surf course on Monday (arriving on Sunday) so you can enjoy the full course, adapting from the beginning. Surf courses are available from Monday until Friday, with a free surf on Saturday.
Soft boards for beginners and hard boards for more intermediate or advanced surfers are available. Russo Surf Camp offers surf courses for all levels.
The best way to learn how to surf is to see yourself from the outside. One day of the week, Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras shoots the waves of their students.
In the evening, the surf instructors come over for the video presentation, wherein they point out the mistakes and help students improve their technique. Phone-made videos are available to download afterwards from their webpage.
Camera-made / waterproof camera-made videos with high resolution are available to purchase from a photographer. The usual price is about 25 EUR - 40 EUR for the package (depending on the camera used), and it will be sent to you via a link.
The photo presentation will take place by the end of the week on Saturday, and usually, it's just a great moment to sit altogether, have some laughs, remember those moments, and feel the progression you gained during the week of surf lessons!
Beginners
Lessons for beginners are given on the whitewater (foam of the wave). When your technique reaches the right level, you move on to the next step - practice on the green waves.
- 1st day: Adaptation to the water environment, explanation of safety rules, learning how to slide onto the waves, and explanation of surf equipment; then, introduction to surfboarding inside the water
- 2nd day: Learning how to position the feet correctly on the board in a low-balance position; practicing on the beach and inside the water
- 3rd day: Exercises of take-off with extension of legs and recovering balance; correcting the position on the sand and practicing inside the water
- 4th day: Continuing practice of previous exercises; improvement of technique and introduction to walking exercises on the board
- 5th day: Learn the techniques of turning the surfboard front and backside
- Free surf: Free surf day while supervised by the surf coaches; put into practice all that you have learned during the week
Intermediates
- Evaluation of each person to know which level he or she is and which points to work on; exercises mainly on soft boards
- Part 1: Paddling, sitting on the board, turning direction while sitting, positioning, and explosive paddling
- Part 2: Paddle to the outside, techniques to pass the waves while paddling out (Eskimo roll, etc.)
- Part 3: Catching green waves with the help of the coach, pushing, timing, and reading of waves to know in which direction to paddle and when to get up
- Part 4: Surf green waves going left, surf green waves going right, and video analysis
Advanced
The coach will be video recording and correcting you with an analysis on the beach and also at the surf camp.
- Evaluation of each person to know exactly which level he or she is and which points to work on; introduction to short boards
- Part 1: Duck dives, bottom turns, and turns on the top of the wave
- Part 2: Trimming, cutbacks, and re-entries
- Part 3: Tides, currents, and introduction to reefs; getting in and out of the water
- Part 4: Reading swell charts
Daily schedule
- 07:45 - 08:45 Yoga session
- 08:30 - 09:30 Breakfast
- 09:45 - 10:15 Leaving for the beach
- 11:00 - 12:30 1st surf session
- 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch time at the beach
- 14:00 - 15:30 2nd surf session
- 16:00 - 17:00 Getting ready and coming back from the beach
- 17:00 - 20:00 Free time, shower time, beer time, massage time
- 19:30 - 21:00 Dinner
- 21:00 - 22:00 Photo / video presentations (on scheduled days)
- 21:00 - 23:00 Chill time, bar time, etc.
Please note that the exact starting time of each surf session varies depending on ocean conditions. The surf coaches prefer to choose the best conditions for the students, which depend on tides, winds, swell, and on some days, it will be worth it to wait a little bit. Usually, it takes time before and after surf lessons to change, to get boards in the truck, undo the tents, etc.
Weekly schedule
Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras advises guests to come on Sundays to get the most out of the program that they prepared!
- Sunday: Arrival or departure day, check-in or out, welcome meeting
- Monday: Receiving the materials, surf, and yoga lessons
- Tuesday: Surf and yoga lessons, video presentation
- Wednesday: Surf and yoga lessons, free evening
- Thursday: Surf and yoga lessons, dinner out night
- Friday: Surf and yoga lessons, barbecue, and live music party
- Saturday: Free beach day, free surf, hike to the hidden lake, photo presentation
Please note that the photo and video shooting and presentation days can be switched depending on surf conditions and availability of photographers!
Included excursions
A live music event takes place every Friday with the Portuguese band from Portimao, Sticky Fingers. This starts after the barbecue, at about 21:00, and finishes at about midnight, 01:00, or 02:00.
This happens with a minimum of 10 guests at the resort. Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras also includes the photo and video sessions, which they usually provide on Tuesday and Thursday, with a presentation in the evening.
Instructors
Egor Volkov
Egor is a young, but oh gosh experienced surfer and ISA-qualified surf coach! English, Russian, and Portuguese speaker. Egor is constantly training by himself with best coaches of the world, so he knows many tricks and valuable advice, and teaches intermediates and beginners too. By the way, Egor is a member of the Russian National Team, 2nd in Russian National competitions, participant in championships in Europe and ISA World Surfing Championship. He started to surf when he was 10 years old and was one of the first guests of the summer Teenage surf camps, which have been organized since 2009.
Location
The camp will take place in Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal. The resort is situated on the west coast of the southern region of Portugal - the Algarve - the warmest place in the whole of Europe, in the middle of National Park Costa Vicentina.
It is a unique paradise, famous for its attractive landscape, colorful hills, hidden beaches, and wildlife. The famous hiking track - Rota Vicentina - passes just behind the gates of the surf camp. It is a route that runs along the Atlantic coast and includes 400 kilometers of walking trails.
The closest beach - Praia da Vale Figueiras (just two kilometers away) - one of the wildest and uncrowded beaches in the area, provides great conditions for surfing. Aljezur, 15 kilometers and 15 minutes' drive away, is the closest point of civilization: a pretty Portuguese town with an old Moorish castle surrounded by a whitewashed village.
The south coast of the Algarve is a famous tourist destination. It is formed by a long stretch of fabulous beaches with crystal clear and clean water, as well as impressive reddish cliffs.
On the other hand, all the towns (Lagos, Portimao, and Albufeira - which is called a Mini-Ibiza) offer unforgettable nightlife. Lagos is the Algarve's party capital with plenty of bars, inhabited by Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians, and Americans going bar hopping.
For those young travelers who want to attend the surf camp, do not worry as it is easy to get from the camp to Aljezur, Sagres, or Lagos to spend a legendary night.
Distances
- Praia da Vale Figueiras beach, 2 kilometers
- Aljezur, 15 kilometers - 15 minutes
- Lagos, 30 kilometers - 25 minutes
- Sagres, 30 kilometers - 25 minutes
Surf conditions
Surf spot:
Aljezur
Monthly wave size
Monthly water temperature
Features
Activities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
General
- Bar
- Barbeque facilities
- Garden
- Multilingual staff
- Terrace
Services
- Board rental
- Child care
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
Food
You will be served four home-baked breakfast buffets, three individual lunch packages for the beach, and three or four tasty dinners from the professional grandma-chef, and a welcome drink, included in the price.
If your dates include Thursday, there will be no dinner at the camp, but a dinner out instead (the cost of the dinner is not included). There will also be a Friday evening BBQ and live music night.
Russo Surf Camp - Vale Figueiras prepares healthy and good quality food for their guests. Vegetarians and pescatarians are very welcome. They offer a gluten-free menu for an extra 30 EUR (they charge extra for the gluten-free products such as bread, cereals, pasta, cookies, etc., which are very expensive in their region). Alternatively, you can also bring your products with you.
Unfortunately, Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras does not offer vegan meals in general, as their plates for dinner can include cheese (like Bechamel in lasagna) or eggs (like in Legumes à Brás) - just on request!
- Homemade bread
- Fresh orange juice every morning
- Tea and coffee during the day
- Traditional homemade desserts
- Local fruits and vegetables
- Homemade “Medronho” - strong alcohol made from the local Medronho fruit
- Barbecue night
- Gluten-free menu available
Breakfast
This can include bread straight from the oven, croissants, bacon and scrambled eggs, fresh orange juice, healthy cereals and mueslis, different kinds of hams, salamis, sausages, salads, cheeses, jams, yogurts, coffee, and tea.
- Nice special extras: different milks (soy milk, oat milk), dried fruits (cashews, raisins, walnuts, etc.)
- Big basket of fruits and seasonal watermelons, grapes, etc.
Lunch
Before leaving for the beach, each guest will be given an individual lunch bag with two sandwiches or one sandwich and other kinds of food (salads, pasta, etc.), fruit, water, juice, and snacks.
Dinner
Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras has their own kitchen and chef-cook, preparing healthy and tasty food for the guests. Their usual dinners are famous Portuguese squids, traditional cataplana, and tasty meat and fish dishes. Once a week, their chef cooks lasagna, which all the guests ask for.
The staff often also goes fishing and collects seafood, so get ready for tasty dinners.
There will also be legendary BBQ on Fridays with live music to celebrate the week! They reckon that half of returning guests come back because of their Friday BBQ! It is one of the favorite parts of the week for everyone, when guests, surf coaches, and the rest of the staff chill together.
Grilled meat, grilled veggies, vegetarian pasta, turkey baked in the oven, bruchetta bread, salads, and soup - yes, yes, yes - all of it is waiting for you. Ah, and there will also be fresh icy sangria to celebrate the end of the week!
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
Massage and spa treatments
If you have any muscle tensions or just a feeling for a good, relaxing massage, it is time for a professional massage therapy. Please book in advance, especially in high season.
Jesper is an educated body therapist and masseur. He originally started as a relaxation therapist in Denmark, working with ergonomic analyses of people's physical body problems. He tried solving any ailment possible by giving strengthening and stretching exercises, plus muscular treatment.
Jesper will talk about your explanation and his experience so
that you will quickly know which specific treatment you need to resolve any muscle or ligament pain, strain, or tiredness.
The treatment can be a full-body massage - either deep tissue, sports, or relaxing massage. If necessary, it can also be a shorter massage concentrated on a specific body area, i.e., back, shoulder, and legs.
It will all be dependent on your needs and wishes. The massage will always leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and well. The massage is not included in the price of the package.
Other extra activities
- Yoga lessons
- Horseback riding lessons
- Paragliding
- Experiencing nightlife in Sagres, Lagos, Aljezur
- Friday pizza party night on Monchique
- Bicycle riding
- Hiking in the natural park
What's included
- 3 days of surf course from Monday to Friday
- 2 surf lessons per day (1.5 hours each) and free surf in between the lessons
- Surf on Saturday with materials rent and transfers
- Professional photo session on Thursday
- Video analysis of surf lesson (usually on Tuesday)
- 3 days of surf material all day (surfboards, rashguards, and wetsuits)
- Surfboards and Ripcurl wetsuits
- 3 nights accommodation
- Home-baked huge breakfast buffet (x3), individual lunch packages for the beach (x3), and tasty dinners from grandma-chef (x2 or x3)
- Welcome drink, Friday BBQ, and live music night
- Transport to the beach
- Surf insurance
- Aljezur transfers on weekends or local bus stop pick-up or drop-off on weekdays
- An incredible view from the surf resort on all nights and all days
What's not included
- Flights
- Pick up and drop off in Lagos during the weekend (20 EUR)
- Yoga sessions (extra 90 EUR for five lessons)
- Extra activities
- Equipment rentals on Sunday for free surf (20 EUR)
- Cost of dinner out (on Thursday night)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Faro Airport
81 km
Transfer not provided
Lisbon Portela Airport
173 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Faro Airport (FAO) or Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Transfers from these airports are available upon request.
Transfers from Faro Airport (FAO) have a cost of 125 EUR, one-way, for one to three people, and 165 EUR for four to five people. A one-way transfer from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) costs 280 EUR for a maximum of four people.
Alternatively, you can get from Faro and Lisbon by bus to Aljezur or by bus or train to Lagos. In Aljezur and Lagos, Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras can pick you up or you can get a bus, a taxi, or an Uber.
Arrival by bus
From Faro, the bus is available from the center of Faro or from Faro Airport, at an approximate cost of 7 to 15 EUR. From Lisbon, the approximate cost of a bus ride is 8 to 20 EUR.
On working days, Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras provides free transfer to or from the local bus stop (“Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, and Cha Bouco” timetable). The bus stop is on the way from Lagos to Aljezur (Odeceixe), a bus stop named "Monte Ruivo."
Monday to Friday's usual schedule:
- 12:35
- 13:45
- 16:40
- 18:20
- 19:15 (from Lagos)
- 11:04 (to Lagos)
Let Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras know about the time of your arrival. They offer free pick-up at 18:20 or at 19:15. Also let them know if you are confused about the times and they will help you find the right bus.
Russo Surfcamp-Vale Figueiras surf camp also provides transfers to and from Aljezur (free transfer) and Lagos (20 EUR per person per ride) on weekends.
Pick-up and drop-off times for transfers from Lagos and Aljezur:
- Pick-up time in Lagos: 19:00
- Pick up time in Aljezur: 19:40
- Drop off time to Aljezur (leaving from the surf camp): 11:00
During the high season months (June to September), pick up and drop off for Lagos and Aljezur are available on Sundays.
Arrival by train
From Faro, the train timetable is available at an approximate cost of 7 to 10 EUR. From Lisbon, the train timetable is available at an approximate cost of 24 EUR.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookSurfCamps.com. All major credit cards supported.