“Connect with nature, disconnect from routine”
8 Day Surf Camp and Yoga Holiday at a Dream Destination in Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal
Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras, Malhada da Serva, Aljezur, Faro District, Algarve, Portugal
Amazing Yoga and Surf Camp Portugal
All difficulty levels
Instruction in English
Maximum 40 participants
All meals included
Airport transfer available
During this holiday, you will discover a unique destination in Portugal where you will be surrounded by pure nature. Surf and yoga are the best combination ever! The activities provided in this program are designed for individuals who are primarily interested in surfing, with a secondary emphasis on yoga as a complement to enhance physical performance and flexibility.
Meet the instructors
Luis, Lauren, & Egor
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Highlights
- 5 days of surf lessons for all levels
- 5 days of yoga classes
- Free use of surf equipment for 5 days (except on Saturday)
- Professional photo and video analysis
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily delicious meals
- Transportation to the beach
- Transfers pick up / drop off to local bus stop on weekdays, Aljezur on weekends
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
6 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
Group size: 5-40 participants
Airport transfer available:
Faro Airport (US$ 132 per person)
Faro Airport (US$ 132 per person)
Airport transfer available:
Lisbon Portela Airport (US$ 338 per person)
Lisbon Portela Airport (US$ 338 per person)
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
16:00
Check-out Time:
11:00
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. 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 is 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 facilities of the accommodation are as follows:
- Large rooms with high ceilings and king-size double beds
- Capacity of surf camp - 40 people
- 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
Stay in a breathtaking location with a view over the ocean and a natural park. Learn to surf or progress faster, as well as learn the right techniques. Choose a deep stretching or "surf yoga flow" during yoga sessions. Connect with yourself while enjoying your surroundings. Start the day energized and uplifted with morning yoga or relax and stretch all the key muscles after surfing. Yoga classes are available for all levels.
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 is 8:00 a.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Surfing
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 provided 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 or advanced surfers are available. Vale Figueiras Surf Camp offers surf courses for all levels.
1. Beginners
Lessons for beginners are given on the whitewater (foam of the wave). When the 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 the 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: Techniques of turning the surfboard front and backside
- Free surf: Free surf day while supervised by the surf coaches. Put into practice all you have learned during the week
2. Intermediates
Evaluation of each person to know which level he or she has 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 outside and learn 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
3. Advanced
Evaluation of each person to know exactly which level he or she has and which points to work on. Introduction to short boards. The coach will be video recording and will correct you with an analysis at the beach and also at the surf camp.
- 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
The best way to learn how to surf is to see yourself from the outside. One day of the week, they shoot the waves of students. On the evening, the surf instructors come over for the video presentation, where they point for the mistakes and help the students to 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 the photographer. Usual price is about 25 EUR - 40 EUR for the package (depend on camera), and it would be send to you via a link.
The photo presentation takes place by the end of the week, on Saturday, and usually it's just a great moment to sit all together have some laugh, remember those moments and feel a progression you gain during the week of surf lessons! You will be able to buy the photos from the photographer. Usual price is about 25 EUR for the whole package, and it would be send to you via a link.
Daily schedule
- 07:45 - 08:45 Yoga session
- 08:30 - 09:30 Breakfast
- 09:45 - 10:15 Get ready for the beach (receive your lunch bag at the kitchen and get your wetsuit from the surf coach)
- 11:00 - 12:30 First surf session
- 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch time at the beach
- 14:00 - 15:30 Second surf session
- 16:00 - 17:00 Getting ready and coming back from the beach
- 17:00 - 20:00 Free time, shower time, extra activity 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. Presentations / live music
Please note that the exact starting time of each surf session varies depending on ocean conditions. Their surf coaches prefer to choose the best conditions for the students, which depend on tides, winds, swell, and some days it is worth 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
- 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
- Friday: Surf and yoga lessons, barbecue, live music party
- Saturday: Free surf, free beach day, hike to the hidden lake, photo presentation
Please, note, the photo and video shooting and presentation days can be switch depend on surf conditions and availability of photographers!
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.
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.
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
1 Certificate
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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
The camp is situated on the west coast of the southern region of Algarve, Portugal: the warmest place in the whole of Europe. It is located in the middle of National Park Costa Vicentina. 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.
Distances
- Lagos, 30 kilometers
- Sagres, 30 kilometers
Surf conditions
Surf spot:
Aljezur
Monthly wave size
Monthly water temperature
Features
Activities
- Horse riding
- Massage
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
General
- Bar
- Barbeque facilities
- Hammock
- Lounge
- Multilingual staff
- Special menu request
- Terrace
- Pet friendly
Services
- Board rental
- Child care
- Free bicycle
- Free Wi-Fi
Food
You will be served seven home-baked breakfast buffets, six individual lunch packages for the beach, six tasty dinners from Grandma-chef, and a welcome drink included in the price. Russo Surf Camp - Vale Figueiras prepares healthy and good quality food for their guests. Vegetarians and pescatarians are very welcome.
- 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
- Barbecue 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. Nice special extras: different milks (soy milk, oat milk), dried fruits (cashews, raisins, walnuts, etc.). Big basket of fruits and seasonally watermelons, grapes, etc.
Lunch
Before leaving for the beach, each guest is 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 Surf Resort and Yoga Retreat - Vale Figueiras has its own kitchen and the chef cook, preparing healthy and tasty food for the guests. Their usual dinners are: famous Portuguese Squids, traditional Cataplana, tasty meat and fish dishes. Once a week, their chef cooks lasagna, that all the guests ask for. The staff often goes fishing and collects seafood, so get ready for tasty dinners. There's also a legendary BBQ on Fridays with live music to celebrate the week!
They reckon that half of returned guests of Russo Surfcamp - Vale Figueiras 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, vegetarian pasta, 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!
They offer a gluten-free menu for extra 50 EUR. They charge extra for the gluten-free products, as bread, cereals, pasta, cookies, etc., which are very expensive in their region. Alternatively, you can also bring your products with you.
Unfortunately, they do 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).
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)
Massage therapy
If you have any muscle tenses or just feel for a good relaxing massage, it is 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, and legs. It is all dependent on your need and wishes. The massage always leaves you relaxed, rejuvenated, and well.
Other extra activities
- Bicycle riding
- Friday pizza party night on Monchique
- Hiking in the natural park
- Horseback riding lessons
- Nightlife in Sagres, Lagos, and Aljezur
- Paragliding
What's included
- 5 days of yoga classes
- Surf course with the team of Luis Marreiros
- 5 days surf course from Monday to Friday (all levels)
- 5 days of surf material all day (surfboard, lycra, and wetsuit)
- 2 90-minute sessions per day, free surf in between the lessons
- Professional photo session
- Video analysis (one of the lessons)
- Ripcurl wetsuits and surfboards
- Free surf on Saturday or optionally
- Hiking track to the hidden lake (on Saturday or Sunday)
- Friday evening barbecue and live music night
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners
- Welcome drink
- Transport to the beach
- Local bus transfers on weekdays and Aljezur on weekends
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Transfers from Lagos on weekends (20 EUR)
- Private yoga lesson supplement fee (10 EUR per day) if you are the only yogi attending the class
- Equipment rentals and transfers to the beach on Saturday for free surf (20 EUR)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
FAO
Faro Airport
81 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 132 per person
LIS
Lisbon Portela Airport
164 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 338 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 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 320 EUR for a maximum of four people.
Alternatively, you can get from Faro by bus or train to Lagos or Aljezur and from Lisbon by bus to Aljezur or train to Lagos. At 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 bus approximate cost of 8 to 20 EUR. On a weekday, 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 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 7:15 p.m. (from Lagos), and 11:04 a.m. (to Lagos). Let them know about the time of your arrival, they offer free pick up at 6:20 p.m. or at 7:15 p.m.
Please also let them know if you are confused about the times, and they will help you to find the right bus. Russo Surfcamp-Vale Figueiras surf camp provides transfers to 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: 7:00 p.m.
- Pick up time in Aljezur: 7:40 p.m.
- Drop off time to Aljezur (leaving from the surf camp): 11:00 a.m.
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 is 7 to 10 EUR. From Lisbon, the train timetable is available at an approximate cost of 24 EUR.
Airport: Faro Airport
Airport transfer available:
Faro Airport (US$ 132 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$ 338 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.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookSurfCamps.com. All major credit cards supported.
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