My first Surfing Experience in Albufeira, Portugal ( + Guide & Tips)

I was really fortunate to spend some time in Albufeira recently. And during this time, recently went surfing for the very first time ever.

To say that it was a great experience would be an understatement. After having a first hand experience, I couldn’t wait to come back and report.

What to expect from your first surfing lesson?

Beginner surf lessons are so much fun.

I still don’t think I was ready for this first surfing experience.

First of all, the instructors were absolutely lovely. I couldn’t have asked for a more patient and knowledgeable crew.

Even if we were a big group, they still were able to give us plenty of one on one attention.

How hard is surfing?

Surfing is really hard. I did a lot of paddling and was able to continue with the direction of the wave on my board.

That said, after 4 hours of surfing lesson, I managed to stand up a couple of time totaling only a few seconds.

Standing up on the board is quite difficult. But it gets better with more practice.

Moreover, this sport feels extremely rewarding. 🙂

If you don’t manage to catch some wave after your first lesson, I just want you to know this is very normal. Just don’t despair and try to focus on learning and having fun. 🙂

Tips I wish I knew before attending my first surfing lesson

Now after having had this experience, I can see that I was so not ready 🙂

( But in a good exciting way)

I felt like I was thrown in the deep end.

I’ll be honest. I don’t think there is any way to really avoid feeling this way. Because surfing is so different from everything I’ve ever done before.

If you regularly partake in other waterspouts, you will be so much better prepared.

Here is a little vlog of that first surfing experience 🙂

It won’t be as much of a big shock as it was for me.

That said, just like everything else in life, the more you do it, the better and easier it gets. 🙂

On the first day, I felt so clumsy.

But then, I came back the next day for a second 2 hr lessons and I already felt so much more comfortable.

Tips for beginners

Some of my tips after my first surfing lesson

• Get comfortable swimming in the ocean as much as possible
• Do take private surf classes. They are so worth it and you will learn extremely fast
• Be gentle with yourself and have realistic expectations

How to prepare for your first time surfing

Honestly, if you go ahead and book private lessons, they will take good care of you. You just have to show up with a positive attitude and a little bit of an adventurous spirit 🙂

I can also recommend bringing some beach shoes just to make it easy to walk on the beach.

Also bring sunscreen and your swimsuit obviously. 🤪

Lots of instructors will also have their own camera so that they can take pictures and videos of you.

“How much did you like surfing the first time you went”?

I fell head over heels with surfing.

This was such a surprise.

I was in Portugal’s Algarve region for 1 week. The purpose of my visit was for a surf a roller-skate retreat.

If I’m honest, the roller-skate part was actually the main reason. I decided to give surfing a try since it was already in the program.

And lo and behold, it ended up being the true highlight of my retreat.

The epitome of you going for something but falling in love with something totally different.

A classic cliché 🙂

Do you need to know how to swim?

This would really depend on where you are planning to take your first surfing lessons.

Both times I went surfing in Portugal, it ended up being in really shallow water.

So I suppose you could since a lot has to do with the tides condition.

That said, I do not recommend it. I personally would not feel comfortable being in the ocean, playing with those waves without having some basic swimming skills.

That said, I am not the best swimmer out there. It is a major goal of mine to become a much better ocean swimmer .

You don’t need to be a fantastic swimmer but at least I would recommend having some basic swimming skills.

How long does it take to get good at surfing ?

We all want to get to the finishing line as fast as possible, don’t we? 🙂

After my second lesson, I could already notice a massive improvement. I can say that the more you put in, the more you get back .

I asked my instructor and he said 6 months of weekly swimming lessons would already make a very proficient surfer.

So that’s good news for all of us 🙂

Can you learn to surf in 3 days?

I don’t think 3 days is enough to call yourself a surfer.

But I would say that you will be in for a pleasant surprise even after only 3 surf lessons.

Is 30 too late to learn how to surf?

I was 34 when I went for my first surfing lesson.

In other words, Nope, your 30’s are not too late to learn to surf.

Are you ever too old to start surfing?

It’s never too late.

You’re never too old to start surfing whether you’re in your 30’s. 40’s, 59’s and beyond.

I am a firm believer that it’s never too late to do anything in life.

What else are you going to do anyways?

Life is meant to be lived and experience new things. I believe you should strive to constantly re-invent yourself and keep exploring and growing.

Ok enough with the TED talk, but you get my point 🙂

If you’re a woman looking to get out of your comfort zone, give a listen to my podcast episode. It will absolutely help you

Can you ever get good at surfing later in life?

In case this wasn’t obvious, I will reiterate 🙂

As long as you are physically able to move and exercise. There is no reason why you wouldn’t be able to try your hand at surfing.

And then the more you do it, the better you will get.

So yes, I do believe that you can get quite good at surfing, even at a later age.

The more you do it, the better you will get. There can only be improvement compared to your starting point.

There’s only one way and it is upwards and forwards.

How to start as a beginner ?

I would say the best way to start would be to just do it.

🙂 hehe, I couldn’t hold myself there.

I recommend hiring instructors for private lessons.

In most places, they are so affordable that there is no reason not to take advantage.

In Portugal, in the Algarve region, privates were only around 35 euros for the lesson. So I think this is so much value for money.

Perhaps on your next vacation, you could pick a destination where surfing is also a popular activity. Then you could squeeze in a couple of privates.

I know so many people squirm at the thought of working out during their vacations. But I promise you that it is life changing.

And you never know, you might actually enjoy it.

Active vacations are an amazing way to take your vacation to the next level because you release endorphins and so many feel good chemicals.

Thus allowing you to associate further awesome memories with the place you’re visiting.

Can You teach yourself surfing?

I suppose there is nothing stopping you from teaching yourself how to surf.

I still recommend taking at least a couple of privates to learn the basics. Then you can just practice by yourself as long as you can manage to find a surf board. 🙂

Then it’s all practice from now

Looking for a dance retreat instead?

You don’t know anymore about this whole surfing thing.

Think you want to have an active vacation but would prefer something a little bit more low key ?

😛

You can join my upcoming dance retreat in the beautiful Spanish island paradise of Menorca.

The aim is to bring mindfulness and playfulness together.

We will be a very small group of amazing women coming together to embrace our divine femininity.

And we will stay in a private villa with our own chef and our own private pool. 💅 💆🏼‍♀️

Trust me, it doesn’t get more awesome than that.

Women only travel group tour

I also have a small women travel group tour where we will be exploring Iceland.

You can expect a small group of women because I prefer us to get to know each other and have some quality time. 🤭 🤗

Sum up

I hope this beginner surfing blog inspires you to go out there and learn how to surf.

The goal was to use my very own first surfing experience to get you ready for your own awesome time.

Not only that but for you to realize that life is meant to be lived.

May you have lots of crazy adventures and never stop exploring 🙂