The west coast of Portugal is one of the world’s top surf destinations and considered a “surfer’s paradise” for its beautiful beaches with the most perfect waves and facilities for water sports. Close by our Camp location is the town of Nazare, where several international surf competitions take place and the world record biggest wave was surfed during the winter months.
The local Surf School, has over a decade of specialist experience in the Santa Cruz area. They constantly monitor the tides, sea conditions and the changing positions of the sand bars. Each day the Surf School instructors choose the safest places and the best times for our surfers to learn and improve their skills in optimum conditions. Although the timing of instruction is flexible, lessons will average about 3 hours each day from Monday to Friday.
The main beach we regularly use is a 15-minute walk from Camp. In the 20 kilometres of coast around Santa Cruz there are 20 different beaches just a short car drive away.
During lessons, campers will be provided with specialty, quality equipment including a surf board, rash guard and wet suit.
Our camp programme takes place in the height of the summer, when the superb beaches at Santa Cruz promise perfect conditions for beginners right through to the intermediate and advanced surfers.
Our trained counsellors work as a team under the leadership of an experienced Village Camps Programme Coordinator who ensures a vital emphasis on safety, high quality equipment and appropriate clothing and equipment for the campers.
The Village Camps’ team is assisted by fully qualified local specialist staff with first-hand knowledge of the terrain when taking part in specialist activities/sports.
The accommodation is just a 15 minute walk from the beach and the centre of the town of Santa Cruz, and is part of the recently purpose built “Pousada da Juventude”. The “Residence” building is reserved exclusively for Village Camps and it has 4-6 bed modern and spacious apartments with en-suite facilities. Campers have access to a large, private swimming pool and exclusive use of two activity rooms and sports courts.
The excursion highlights include a day trip to visit Lisbon, catamaran sailing and dolphin-watching, a visit to the medieval city of Obidos.
There is a variety of afternoon and evening activities both in Camp and outdoors, which campers from all programmes participate together. These all camp activities are organised and supervised by Village Camp counsellors.
Further details on the excursions and on the activities available at the Santa Cruz camp can be found on the Portugal Overview Page.
Other Sports programmes...
