Accommodation

Check-in Time:

16:00

Check-out Time:

11:00

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. The bungalow area consists of cozy wooden bungalows with private shady terraces. Bungalows are located in the yard with a swimming pool and a beautiful garden.

There's a large bar area with free Wi-Fi internet, satellite TV, and a mini-football table. Chill out inside the house or outside, the awesome place for barbeque. The bar provides snacks and soft drinks, and a souvenir shop is available in the surf resort. In case of any needs, the staff is happy to bring the necessary item.

Amazing open terrace, with the main chill-out zone and BBQ. Most of the rooms have private terraces with access from the rooms. Waterproof poufs, hammocks and exotic Balinese beds for sunbathing or resting outside. Large green lawn in front of the resort and swimming pool with the ocean view.

The facilities of the accommodation are as follows:

Large rooms with high ceilings and king-size double beds
Capacity of surf camp - 40 persons
Wi-Fi
Computer for use of guests
Wooden Yoga deck
Massage therapist
Swimming pool
BBQ 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

Yoga

Yoga classes are taken on the wooden yoga deck with an amazing view over the natural park and the ocean. Yoga sessions are a thoughtfully handcrafted collection of asanas (postures), connecting the body with the breath in a creative flow.

A morning flow will awaken and stretch the body creating power for surf, and an evening flow will soothe and nourish your salty souls. Meditation and pranayama (breathing work) will also be part of your practice. The usual time for yoga: 8 am / or 18:30 pm.

Surf

Russo-Vale Figueiras Surf Camp made up a special surf course program to help students learn the right technique and progress at a faster rate. It includes three hours of lessons per day, divided into two sessions of one and a half hours. This will all depend on the conditions the ocean provides on the day. Lessons are structured with warm-ups, theoretical exercises on the beach and a practical part in the water.

Russo-Vale Figueiras Surf Camp suggests starting the surf course on Monday, so you can enjoy the full course, adapting from the beginning. Surf courses are from Monday until Friday and free surf on Saturday. Soft boards for beginners and hard boards for more intermediates / advanced surfers are available. Vale Figueiras Surf Camp offers surf courses for all levels.

Beginners

Monday: 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
Tuesday: Learning how to position the feet correctly on the board in a low-balance position. Practicing on the beach and inside the water
Wednesday: Exercises of take off with extension of legs and recovering the balance. Correcting the position on the sand and practicing inside the water
Thursday: Continuing practice of previous exercises. Improvement of technique and introduction to walking exercises on the board
Friday: Techniques of turning the surfboard front and backside
Saturday: Free surf day while supervised by the surf coaches. Put into practice all you have learned during the week

Intermediates

Monday: Paddling, sitting on the board, turning direction while sitting, positioning, and explosive paddling
Tuesday: Paddle to the outside and learn techniques to pass the waves while paddling out
Wednesday: 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
Thursday: Surf green waves going left, surf green waves going right, and video analysis

Advanced

Monday: Duck dives, bottom turns, and turns on the top of the wave
Tuesday: Trimming, cutbacks, and re-entries
Wednesday: Tides, currents, and introduction to reefs
Thursday: Getting in and out of the water
Friday: Reading swell charts
Saturday: Surfaris to secret spots

Daily schedule

08:30 - 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 - 10:00 Get ready for the beach (receive your lunch bag at the kitchen and get your wetsuit from the surf coach)
10:00 - Leave for the beach
11:00 - 12:30 First surf session
12:30 - 14:00 Lunch time at the beach
14:00 - 15:30 Second surf session
16:30 - 17:00 Coming back from the beach
17:00 - 18:00 Free time, shower time
18:00 - 19:00 Yoga session
20:00 - 21:00 Dinner
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.

Weekly schedule

Sunday: Arrival or departure day, check-in or out, welcome meeting
Monday: Surf, and yoga lessons
Tuesday: Surf and yoga lessons
Wednesday: Surf and yoga lessons, video presentation
Thursday: Surf and yoga lessons, BBQ and Live music
Friday: Surf and yoga lessons, barbecue, dinner out
Saturday: Free surf / Hike to the hidden lake, photo presentation

Included excursions

Live music event takes place every week, with the Portuguese band. Live music starts after the barbecue, about 9:00 p.m., and finishes about midnight, 1:00 a.m. Live music event happens with a minimum of 10 guests at the resort. Photo and video sessions usually done on Tuesday and Thursday, with a presentation in the evening.

Videos, which are taken have some part of free videous (usually those are done with the phone or simple cam, with smaller resolution), and you will have a link, where you can download all those videos taken. And some part are videous done with high resolution camera, or water camera, and could be purchased from a photographer, price 25 - 40 EUR. Photos are 25 EUR per package, of your choice, if you wish to stay with them. The package includes all shots of you taken, edited pictures, and will be sent to you by email.

Instructors

Luis Marreiros

Luis Marreiros is the head chef of the surf team. He is the most respected and recognizable surf instructor of the whole Algarve coast. Have you seen that fearless intermediates in rough conditions? That might be Luis's students! Luis has a gift to balance the rigor and joke, inspire the students, push the limits, always being attentive and controlling the situation. Many guests come and return just to have classes with him. Luis is a local from Vale Figueiras beach area, and started to give surf classes since the very opening of the surf school in 2003. Certified with ISA.

Hannah Massie

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Hannah is a surf instructor at Russo surf camp already over 8 years. She grew up on the west coast of Australia. She has been surfing for 17 years and competed for 5 years. She was the captain of the Western Australian junior surfing team in 2012. She is the right hand of Luis and one of the most trusted instructors and her classes are well-structured and fun for beginners and beginners-intermediates. To her, surfing is an activity that presents challenges no matter where you go or the size of the waves. It gives freedom to do what she wants in such a big and unpredictable place as the ocean!

Lauren Hill

Lauren is a Yoga instructor, RYT 500 Yoga Alliance. Her crush on yoga began over half her lifetime ago (22 yo, been practicing and teaching for 14). She travels the world to study and learn from great teachers. From Hawaii, California, London, Europe to India. she specializes in Surf Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Therapeutic, Yin Yoga, Prenatal and SUP yoga, Surf Flow Yoga. Every class is a thoughtfully handcrafted collection of asanas (postures). Connecting the body with the breath in a creative flow. All levels are oh so very welcome.

Egor Volkov

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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

Surf Camp is situated on the west coast of the southern region of Algarve, Portugal: the warmest place in the whole of Europe. Surf Camp is located in the middle of National Park Costa Vicentina. When you book, Russo-Vale Figueiras Surf Camp will send you the exact directions of how to get to the Surf Camp plus the GPS coordinates.

This is a unique paradise with an attractive landscape, hidden beaches, and wild habitant life. The Algarve is a year-round surf destination, famous for its constant swells, uncrowded beaches, crystal-clear water, and sunny weather.

They aren’t too far away from the civilization: Just 15 minutes drive from Aljezur - typical Portuguese town. Lagos and Sagres - famous touristic destinations are only 25 minutes away. Surf Resort is just 3 kilometers from the beach Vale Figueiras – one of the best beach breaks in Portugal. It is great place to relax, enjoy nature, and feel the true surfing lifestyle.

Distances

Monte Novo, 1 kilometer
Vale Figueiras beach, 3 kilometers
Aljezur, 15 kilometers - 15 minutes
Lagos, 30 kilometers - 25 minutes
Sagres, 30 kilometers - 25 minutes

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Surf conditions

Surf spot:

Aljezur

Monthly wave size

Best months for beginner surfers

Best months for intermediate surfers

Best months for advanced surfers

Monthly water temperature

Monthly recommended wetsuit

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

Russo Surf Camp - Vale Figueiras prepares healthy and good quality food for their guests. Vegetarians and pescatarians are very welcomed.

Professional chef
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
BBQ night
Gluten-free menu available

Breakfast

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.

Lunch

Before leaving for the beach, each guest is given an individual lunch bag with two sandwiches or one sandwich and other kind of food (salads / pasta / etc.), fruit, water, juice, and snacks.

Dinner

Russo Surf Resort and Yoga Retreat - Vale Figueiras has its own kitchen and the chef cook, preparing healthy and tasty food for the guests. The staff often go fishing and collecting seafood. Three-course dinners, entrees, soup, main course, wine, and sangria.

Friday BBQ

Legendary BBQ! They reckon that half of their returned guests come back because of their Friday barbecue! It is one of the favorite part of the week for everyone, when guests and surf coaches and the rest of the staff chill together.

Grilled Meat, grilled veggies, special pasta with prawns, turkey baked in the oven, Bruschetta bread, salads, and soup. Yes, Yes, Yes - all of it is waiting for you! Ah, and freshy icy Sangria to celebrate the end of the week!

Thursday night dinner

On Thursday, their kitchen is off. They offer their guests to choose a restaurant in the area. For those guests that wish to explore other places or wish to choose the menu by themselves, they are happy to provide with the list of recommended restaurants. The closest restaurant is 800 meters. And they have a lot of good places for every taste.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

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

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)

Horseback riding lessons
Paragliding
Nightlife in Sagres, Lagos, and Aljezur
Friday pizza party night on Monchique
Bicycle riding
Hiking in natural park
Massage therapist

Trip to Aljezur or Lagos

Russo Surfcamp-Vale Figueiras surf camp provides transfers to Aljezur (free transfer) and Lagos (20 EUR per person per ride) on weekends. Pick-ups and drop-offs time for transfers from Lagos and Aljezur:

Pick-up time in Lagos: 7 pm
Pick up time in Aljezur: 7:40 pm
Drop off time (leaving from the surf camp): 11:00 am

During the high season months (June to September), pick up and drop off for Lagos and Aljezur are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Spa treatments

If you have any muscle tenses or just feel for a good relaxing massage - it's time for professional massage therapists! 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. Solving any ailments possible by giving strengthening and/or stretching exercises plus muscular treatment.

Jesper will, with your explanation and his experience, 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, legs. It's all dependent on your need and wishes. The massage always leaves you relaxed, rejuvenated, and well. The massage is not included in the price of the package.

What's included

3 surf days, 2 sessions each day (one and a half hours each)
Surf course from Monday to Friday (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
3 yoga sessions (yoga sessions in the afternoon)
3 days of surf material all day (surfboards, rashguards, and wetsuits)
Free surf in between the surf lessons
Professional photo session / presentation
Video sessions of surf lessons
BBQ, live music night on open-air every week
4 nights accommodation
Home-baked huge breakfast buffet, individual lunch packages for the beach, tasty dinners from Grandma-chef
Welcome drink
Wooden deck at the heart of the National park
Ripcurl wetsuits and surfboards
Transport to the beach
Surf course with the team of Luis Marreiros - the most recognizable surf coach of Algarve
Surfing insurance
An incredible view from Surf Resort all night, all days
Lagos, Aljezur, or local bus stop pick-up / drop-off (bus or train station)

What's not included

Airport transport
Cost of dinner on Thursday night
Private yoga lesson supplement (10 EUR per lesson) to appear if you are the only yogi, attending the class (you will be able to get a refund in case you don't want to be a unique yogi in the class)
Material rentals and transfer on Saturday (extra cost of 20 EUR)
Horse back riding
Massage

How to get there

Recommended Airports

FAO

Faro Airport

81 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 131 per person

LIS

Lisbon Portela Airport

173 km

Transfer available for additional US$ 294 per person

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 115 EUR one-way for 1 - 3 persons, and 155 EUR for 4 - 7 persons. A one-way transfer from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) costs 350 EUR for a maximum of four persons.

Arrival by bus or train

Alternatively, you can get from Faro via bus or train till Lagos. From Lisbon, take a bus till Aljezur or train to Lagos. At Aljezur and Lagos, the Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueira team can pick you up, you can get a bus, or you can get a taxi or Uber.

From Faro, the bus timetable is available at the eva bus webpage (approximate cost is 7-15 EUR), while the train timetable is available at the cp webpage (approximate cost is 7-10 EUR). From Lisbon, the bus timetable is available at rede expressos webpage (approximate cost is 16 EUR), train timetable is available at the cp webpage (approximate cost is 24 EUR).

On weekdays, the Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueira team provides free transfer to / from local bus stop “Monte Novo, Vale Figueiras, Cha Bouco” timetable via eva-bus webpage. The bus stop is on the way between Lagos – Aljezur (Odeceixe), and the bus stop named "Monte Ruivo".

Monday to Friday usual schedule: 12:35, 13:45, 16:40, 18:20, 19:15 (from Lagos), 11:04 (to Lagos). Let the Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueira team know about the time of your arrival and they will help you to find the right bus!

Airport: Faro Airport Airport transfer available: Faro Airport (US$ 131 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Airport: Lisbon Portela Airport Airport transfer available: Lisbon Portela Airport (US$ 294 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

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.

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