6 Day Surf n' Yoga Package on Praia da Vale Figueiras, Aljezur, Portugal
Surf Camp in Portugal
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Surf and yoga - it's the best combination ever! Start the day energized and uplifted with morning yoga, or relax and stretch all the key-muscles after surfing. Surf and yoga classes will be for all levels.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 5 days' surf course from Monday to Friday (beginner, intermediate, and advanced)
- 5 days' surf material all day (surfboard, lycra, and wetsuit)
- Professional photo session
- Video analysis (one of the lessons)
- Ripcurl wetsuits and surfboards included
- 5 yoga sessions Monday to Friday
- 5 nights accommodation (shared or private)
- Full board (5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 or 5 dinners - depends on your dates)
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
- Bar
- Barbeque facilities
- Garden
- Multilingual staff
- Terrace
- Board rental
- Child care
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
Russo Surfcamp accommodates all guests at the Surf Resort - a huge and spacious villa situated in the middle of Natural Park Costa Vicentina, with a unique and absolutely stunning view over the ocean and forest. It's a unique paradise famous for its attractive landscape, colorful hills, hidden beaches, and wild habitant life.
A famous hiking track, Rota Vicentina, passes just behind the gates. At the same time, Russo Surfcamp isn’t too far away from civilization. Aljezur, a typical Portuguese town, is a 15-minute drive. Lagos and Sagres, famous touristic destinations, are only 25 minutes away.
The surf resort is just three kilometers from the beach of Vale Figueiras, one of the best beach breaks in Portugal. It is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, and feel the true surfing lifestyle.
Russo Surfcamp has a wooden yoga deck, a large green lawn in front of the resort, and a swimming pool with an ocean view. There is also a skate ramp with skates and protection. Hammocks and Balinese beds for a lazy afternoon are available as well.
The surf resort also has a huge dining room and living room, decorated in surf-style, with a wooden stove, which makes the place cozy in the winter nights. It has its own kitchen, so Russo Surfcamp provides delicious meals (breakfasts, lunches, and tasty dinners).
Program
Surf course program
Russo Surfcamp made up a special surf course program to help their 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 that the ocean provides on the day.
The lessons are structured with a warm-up, theoretical exercises on the beach, and a practical part in the water.
They suggest to start a surf course on Monday, so that you can enjoy the full course, adapting from the beginning. Surf courses are from Monday until Friday, with free surf on Saturday. Soft boards for beginners and hard boards for more intermediates / advanced surfers will be provided.
Russo Surfcamp offers surf courses for all levels. You will learn heaps as you will have much more attention from the instructor and a closer personal relation.
They offer surf lessons for ages starting six years old. They believe that this is the age when kids can listen and start to learn. Please note that from the age of six to 10, lessons are available, but Russo Surfcamp requires a parent or guardian to be in the water supervising and helping the children at all times, as their instructors will have other guests to attend to.
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
Russo Surfcamp is one of the first Algarve surf camps that appeared in Portugal, back in 2003. It was founded by Portuguese surf pioneer Rui Russo, called so for his unusual blond hair.
It's a unique and top-rated location that is in the middle of the Natural Park of Costa Vicentina. The famous village of Aljezur stays just 15 minute by car, and the stunning beach of Vale Figueiras is three kilometers away.
They recently became a host for many yoga retreats as well as surf and yoga retreats in Portugal. Learn how to surf, improve your surfing skills, and find inner peace with yoga. Russo Surfcamp is the most memorable surfcamp experience for individual travelers and for large groups.
Surf coaches
- Professional surf team - Local and international surf instructors with head coach Luis Marreiros, the most recognizable surf coach in the Algarve
- Passionate about surfing
- Experience of teaching surf
- Surf experience from an early age
- Attentive, positive, and hardworking
- Local knowledge of the area and of the ocean
- International qualifications of ISA
- Qualified ocean rescue certifications
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
For which levels do you provide the surfing courses? Do you have surf lessons for beginners / intermediates / advanced?
Russo Surfcamp splits up the surf levels by these categories:
- Beginner “fresh meat” (you have never tried to surf or have tried one to three times)
- Beginner - Intermediate (you've surfed for one to two weeks, you have consistent pop-up and can control the board)
- Intermediate (you've surfed more than two weeks in total, at least one year ago last time and you have surfed your first green waves)
- Advanced (you are confident riding green waves, you are learning to ride left and right, you can make bottom turns and cutbacks)
Russo Surfcamp has different programs, depending on your experience. On the first day, you will be evaluated and your surf coach will figure out which points to work on with you.
You will be able to move to the next level if you are ready. If you have any technical mistakes, you will be able to join the previous level (in the white water) for correction. You will be with your surf coach every time, close by to take care of your progression and evaluation.
Russo Surfcamp's surf coaches take it seriously, and the idea is to make a confident and independent surfer out of their students. Their goal is not to have fun catching waves all together (that's as well part of the game), but to improve your surfing skills, revealing the problematic points and working progressively on the details.
What is the average age for people to go to your surf camp? What are the countries where most of the guys come from? Do you have solo travelers?
The usual age for the guests is 24 to 40 years old. Maybe mid-30s is the middle age. Russo Surfcamp has more young people or families coming during June / July / August as well.
Usually, they have a lot of solo travelers, sometimes couples or a group of friends, but in the end, everyone gets along together as one big group. Their guests are mostly from Europe, but can also be Canadians, Americans, Asians, Australians, etc. as well.
They love their guests coming with the same kind of interest - people who love nature and love spending time actively, with friends, and with a good ambiance!
I am a total beginner. Are the waves okay for me in October / November / December / etc.?
Yes, the waves are always okay out there. The trick is to find the right spot (beach) for the right level.
For the beginners, they start the lessons on the white water, so-called the foam, which appears after the wave breaks. The waves shouldn't be that small if you want them to provide a good, powerful foam that you can ride on.
If it is a big day with big waves, Russo Surfcamp will drive to a protected bay or south coast and find a good suitable spot for the beginners. Never will you be thrown in the rough conditions with no chance to survive.
I am an experienced surfer; what do you have to offer me?
Russo Surfcamp offers intermediate and advanced surf lessons. They have a great coach from the Algarve. They say that he is the most recognizable, and it is true that all the other surf schools know his name - Luis Marreiros from Vale Figueiras.
He works with detail on the mistakes, pushes students' limits, inspires the students, and is always attentive and in control of the situation. Many students return just to have classes with him. Russo Surfcamp also films the lessons and checks the mistakes back home!
Do you cancel the surf lessons for the reason of rain / bad weather / stormy or dangerous conditions? What happens if the lessons are cancelled?
There are almost no rainy days during summer season in Algarve, but some storms can happen (usually in March / April, and late October / November).
Russo Surfcamp does not cancel the surf lessons in case of bad weather only. If it rains, you'll still go to the water, as you're gonna get wet anyway. They can make a little break in between the lessons or make one long session, so that their guests don't get cold on the beach.
Russo Surfcamp holds the right to cancel the surf lessons in case of dangerous conditions (storms, lightning, huge waves, strong winds), with potential risk to the lives of guests. Even if it's hard to find a place to go, they try their best to search for the waves / beach that is more protected.
In the last-resort case, Russo Surfcamp offers to make a tour around to see the big waves touristic spots (see Aljezur castle, see Sagres lighthouse, make some shopping in souvenir shops, etc.).
There is no refund in case of a surf lesson cancellation for the dangerous weather conditions.
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.
Location
Surfing in the Algarve
The Algarve is a year-round surf destination, famous for its constant swells, uncrowded beaches, crystal clear water, and sunny weather. It has a great range of surf spots - from beach breaks to reefs - for all levels of surfers.
For many riders, the Algarve has become Europe’s favorite secret spot, since the southwestern corner provides a great alternative. Both coasts, south and west, produce waves of any size of swell. Reached less than a 30-minute drive from each other, both coasts have different touristic aspects while still maintaining a genuine taste of the surfing lifestyle.
The west coast of Algarve is the warmest and southernmost region of continental Portugal. It is well-known due to the hot weather, great surf condition all year round, as well as its wild and protected nature.
The west coast also receives swells from the north and northwest. With consistent waves all year round, breaking over sand breaks and a variety of point breaks. It’s a unique and protected stretch of coastline (Odemira to Sagres is all Natural Park).
The area is a major surfing destination for serious surfers around the world, as the powerful Atlantic swells form perfect waves. The quality of the waves can range from average to epic. During the winter, the wave size can reach up to four to five meters high. The best wind is from the south or no wind.
The south coast receives swells from the south and large swells from the west. The perfect time for waves is wintertime, when you can enjoy ideal surf conditions in the water and hot coffee on the beach.
Seasons
The summer season (from May to October) has smaller waves. All the west coast is working, and each day, the surf coaches will choose the right spot for beginners and experienced surfers. Often, it’s Russo Surfcamp's home spot, Vale Figueiras, due to its ability of picking up most of the swell.
Winter season (from November to April) brings bigger swells and makes the south coast pumping, opening up an entirely new dimension. This is the time for surfaris and the time to explore reef breaks and secret spots along the southern coast from Sagres until Lagos or Portimao. Many places are hard to reach without a 4x4 jeep and are difficult to find without surf guides.
Water temperature is at around 20 degrees in summer and 15 degrees in winter. Temperature stays low because of Atlantic ocean currents and the north winds, but can change unpredictably to warmer or colder, not depending on season.
Wearing a 3/2 wetsuit is enough for summer and a 4/3 for winter. If you’re afraid of the cold, take your boots and hood for the winter surf.
Nearby areas
Algarve's west coastline is kept to be one of the wildest and least explored protected territories within the Iberian peninsula, and is one of Europe’s most stunning coastlines.
The Vicentine Coast Natural Park (or Costa Vicentina in the Portuguese way) runs from the Alentejo region, connecting with Sudoeste Natinal Park on the north, all the way down to the southwestern point - Sagres.
In fact, there is no major city in sight; there are only small towns and tiny villages. The closest point of civilization to Russo Surfcamp is Aljezur. It is a pretty Portuguese town, with an old Moorish castle surrounded by a whitewashed village, just 15 km away on the north.
Bordeira village is cute with its lovely garden, while Carrapateira, which is on the south from Russo Surfcamp, provides gorgeous views to a large Bordeira beach and beautiful dunes.
The south coast of the Algarve is a famous touristic destination. It is formed by a long stretch of fabulous beaches with crystal clean water and impressive reddish cliffs. On the other hand, all those towns such as Lagos, Portimao, or Albufeira (which is called a mini-Ibiza), offer unforgettable nightlife.
Lagos is Algarve's party capital, with plenty of bars, and is inhabited by Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians, and Americans bar hopping. For those young travelers who want to attend the surf camp, do not worry. It is easy to get from the camp to Aljezur, Sagres, or Lagos to spend a legendary night.
Sagres lies at the western end of the Algarve, next to Cabo Sao Vicente. It was there that five centuries ago, Prince Henrique set up a school of navigation, which has played a crucial role in the Portuguese discoveries. Romans believed that the cape, the southwesternmost point of Europe, was the end of the world.
It is also worth a visit to the little town of Monchique and its famous thermal spa, nestling in the Serra de Monchique mountain range. The highest point of the mountain is at nearly 1,000 meters and offers splendid panoramic views across the Algarve to the Atlantic.
Surf spots
Vale Figueiras
This is Russo Surfcamp's home spot, and it picks up most of the swell. Some Portuguese people say, “If there are no waves in Portugal, it's time to get down to Vale Figueiras.”
If the sand banks are in the right place, they form the best beach break in the Algarve. It’s a wild beach and surfers have better access by 4x4. The best cakes, “Bolos de Berlim,” are sold there in the summertime.
Praia do Amado
This is a great beach break that is partly protected from the northern wind. It gets very crowded, especially in summertime, although you'll have nice snack bars with a pleasant view.
Arrifana
This is one of the loveliest beaches in the area, with a scenic view from the cliff over the ocean and a whitewashed village settled on the slope. The beach break is in the bay, and when the swell is over 1.5 meters, Arrifana also produces a smaller, fun wave (protected from north winds).
Park your car at the top to avoid issues with the police and climb down or take a shuttle, who will drive you for 1 EUR (in summertime).
Bordeira
This is a beach break sheltered from the eastern and southern winds. On the right day, it can provide a very good left-hander. The wide beach area, with the dunes and the river, attracts many kitesurfers. There is a beach bar in the middle of the dunes, parking is on the cliff, and access to the beach is across the river.
Sagres and south coastline
Europe’s southwestern peninsula, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, has different beaches to surf in, according to swell and wind conditions. Tunnel, Beliche, Mareta - choose one of them, or if it’s not to suit, make your way toward Lagos or Portimao.
There are great spots all along the south coast, but it will be better if you know which place you'll be going to, so you don’t end up driving the whole day.
Surf conditions
Surf spot:
Aljezur
Monthly wave size
Monthly water temperature
Food
Russo Surfcamp prepares healthy and good quality food for theirr guests, including a huge breakfast, tasty lunch, and a three-course dinner.
- Professional chef
- Homemade bread
- Fresh orange juice every morning
- Tea during the day
- Portuguese seafood cataplana
- Meat and fish dishes, squids
- Traditional desserts
- Local fruits and vegetables
- Wine during the dinners, sangria on Fridays
- Vegetarian menu
Breakfast
- Russo Surfcamp's famous huge buffet breakfast with the best bread straight from the oven, croissants, bacon, and crumbled eggs
- Fresh orange juice that they squeeze every day
- 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. Russo Surfcamp combines the lunch bag with two sandwiches or with one sandwich and another kind of food (salads / pasta / etc.), fruit, water, juice, and snacks. If you feel like you want an extra sandwich, let them know and they will prepare it for you!
They prepare the lunches before guests go to the beach, by 10:00 - 10:15.
Dinner
The surf resort has its own kitchen and professional chef. You'll be served three-course dinners, entrees, soup, main course, wine, and fresh desserts.
Russo Surfcamp's usual dinners are famous Portuguese squids, traditional cataplana, and tasty meat and fish dishes. Once a week, their chef cooks lasagne, which all the guests ask for. The staff often go fishing and collecting seafood, so get ready for tasty dinners. They serve dinner at 20:00.
Friday legendary BBQ!
Russo Surfcamp reckons that half of their returned guests come back because of their Friday barbecue! 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, special pasta with prawns, turkey baked in the oven, bruchetta bread, salads, and soup - yes, all of these are waiting for you. Ah, and fresh icy sangria to celebrate the end of the week!
Thursday night dinner
On Thursday, Russo Surfcamp's kitchen is off. They offer their guests to choose a restaurant in the area.
For those guests who wish to explore other places or wish to choose the menu by themselves, Russo Surfcamp will be happy to provide a list of recommended restaurants. The closest restaurant to them is 800 meters away. And, they have a lot of good places for every taste.
Russo Surfcamp offers the following options of menu:
- Regular (you eat everything)
- Pescetarian (you don’t eat meat; you do eat fish)
- Vegetarian (you don’t eat meat; you don’t eat fish)
- Gluten-free diet (you are intolerant to gluten)
If you're vegetarian, gluten-free, or you have food allergies, Russo Surfcamp asks that you let them know in advance.
They offer a gluten-free menu for extra 50 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 does not offer vegan meals in general, as their plates for dinner can include cheese (like bechamel in lasagne) or eggs (like in legumes à brás).
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Seafood
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
- 5% discount on the second week and 10% on the third week
What's included
- 5 days' surf course from Monday to Friday (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
- 5 days' surf material all day (surfboard, lycra, and wetsuit)
- 2 sessions per day - 1 hour and 30 minutes each, free surf in between the lessons
- 5 yoga sessions from Monday to Friday
- Professional photo session
- Video analysis (one of the lessons)
- Ripcurl wetsuits and surfboards
- Transport to the beach
- Hiking track to a hidden lake
- Transfers (pick-up / drop-off): Free at the local bus stop on weekdays, Aljezur on weekends
- 5 nights accommodation (shared or private)
- Full board (five breakfasts, five lunches, and four or five dinners - depends on your dates)
- Tasty dinners from grandma-chef
- Home-baked breakfast buffet - individual lunch packages for the beach
- Friday evening BBQ and live music night
- Welcome drink
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Lagos pick-up on weekends (20 EUR extra cost)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Seville Airport
261 km
Transfer not provided
Faro Airport
81 km
Transfer not provided
Lisbon Portela Airport
173 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by plane
Please book your flight to arrive at Faro Airport (FAO), Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), or Seville Airport (SVQ). You can check for flights that run by KLM, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, TAP Portugal, Iberia, Easyjet, Ryanair, Transavia, and Tui Fly.
Arrival by bus
On weekdays, Russo Surfcamp provides free transfer to / from the local bus stop “Monte Ruivo,” as they have a bus going on the route Lagos - Aljezur (Odeceixe) on Mondays to Fridays. The timetable is available online, route #79.
- Times for pick up at Monte Ruivo: 17:22, 17:55, 19:22
- Drop off time (leaving from the surf camp) to Monte Ruivo: 09:30 to catch a bus in the direction Aljezur / 10:30 to catch a bus in the direction of Lagos
On weekends, transfers are available from Aljezur (free transfer) or from Lagos (20 EUR per person per way) for the following pick up and drop off times:
- Pick up time in Aljezur: 19:40
- Pick up time in Lagos: 19:00
- Drop off time (leaving from the surfcamp) to Aljezur: 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 car
Russo Surfcamp can organize a private transfer at any time and from any location.
- Aljezur - 15 EUR / per car
- Lagos - 45 EUR / per car
- Faro - 125 EUR per car
Russo Surfcamp is on the way to the beach - Praia da Vale Figueiras. When you book, they will send you the exact directions on how to get to the surf camp, plus the GPS coordinates.
From Faro
- Option 1: Train - Take a shuttle bus from Faro airport to the train station and catch a train to Lagos (7 EUR)
- Option 2: Taxi, private transfer - Book a private airport transfer from Faro with Russo Surfcamp (125 EUR)
- Option 3: Bus - Take a bus from the Faro airport to Lagos (approximately 15 EUR); timetable is available online (route #56), or take a shuttle bus from Faro airport to the main bus station of Faro and catch a bus to Lagos (6 EUR); timetable is available online (route #57)
Notice that if you buy a return bus ticket, it will be cheaper. If you buy a return train ticket online one week before, it'll be a promotional price of up to 50% discount!
From Lisbon
- Option 1: Bus from Sete Rios - From Lisbon airport, you can take a shuttle bus (costs 3 EUR) or a taxi (cost about 15 EUR) to Sete Rios Bus Station and take a bus to Aljezur (17 EUR) or Lagos (20 EUR)
- Option 2: Train - From Lisbon airport, take a metro (metro station is just inside the airport) and get to Oriente station (it's the main train station), and from Oriente, take a train (23 EUR) to Lagos (all trains have a stop in Tunes, where you need to change the train)
- Option 3: Bus from Oriente
- (Especially for late travelers): Take the Renex bus to Lagos from Oriente Station; last one leaves at 01:00
- Option 4: Taxi, private transfer - Book a private airport transfer from Lisbon to Russo Surfcamp (special price for their guests - 260 EUR to 320 EUR)
From Spain
- From Sevilha: You can take an Alsa bus from Sevilha to Lagos (19 EUR to 23 EUR, depending on the day)
- From Madrid: Bus and bus - You can take a bus with Socibus Madrid - Sevilha, and then Alsa bus Sevilha - Lagos
- From Madrid: Train and bus - You can take the Ave train, which goes for two hours and 30 minutes until Sevilha, and then by bus Alsa Sevilha - Lagos
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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