Who's the week for
If you can pop up and ride unbroken waves without being guided, you’re ready for this course. Build your water confidence, read surf forecasts well, understand trimming, and learn your first proper turns and cutbacks. Greenwave weeks are all about progressing and learning new skills to help you get the most out of surfing.
High level coaching
Coaching is broken down into easy to digest detailed chunks. Learning and progression are the goals, and you can expect a variety of teaching methods, including theory lessons, carving skate sessions, muscle memory exercises, in water instruction, and a large chunk of video coaching.
Teaching methods
- 1:4 coach to student ratio
- A personalized program for each surfer’s requirements
- Surf theory classes
- In-water coaching
- Video coaching
- I-Pads for direct beach feedback
- Muscle memory training
- On land carving skate sessions
- Surf-inspired yoga sessions
Week objectives
- Get out back: How to spot and use channels and rips
- Paddling: Technique, posture, speed, and control
- Ride down the line: Angled take offs, going left and right
- Turns: Top and bottom turns, cutbacks
- Video coaching: Every day where possible
- Ocean knowledge: Reading conditions, catch more waves
- Surf forecasts: Reading surf reports
- Boards: Design, try a range of different hard boards
- Independence: Feel confident surfing on your own
Conditions and waves
Spring and autumn bring better swell, less wind, and quiet beaches in the Algarve, meaning great wave conditions. Tiny Whale Surf Lodge is located close to a large range of beaches on both the South Coast - with swell from the Gulf of Cádiz - and the South-West coast - with swell from the North Atlantic Ocean.
All of the above, combined with Tariq’s (our Head Surf Coach) intricate knowledge of local surf spots and his dedication to get you out at peak condition times each day mean that you will experience the best waves possible on your course.
Typical day
The tide is looking just right later in the day, so you will start with a leisurely breakfast before getting into theory sessions. Next, you will have a forecasting lesson and review the previous day’s video footage while Tariq dishes out advice and tips for the session ahead.
Then, you will be off to put your video feedback into practice. After making the most of the waves, you will go back to the lodge for warm showers and a healthy dinner before settling down for a well deserved drink by the fire.
