FilSurf Surf School FAQ

Question 1

I’ve never surfed before. Can I join a group surf lesson?

Accepted Answer

Of course! Our surf lessons are completely beginner-friendly. It's even better to learn from the start with the right technique, avoiding bad habits and common mistakes. Surf conditions can vary from easy to more challenging, but don’t worry — just listen carefully to your instructor, and you’ll be safe and have fun in the water!

Question 2

How good a swimmer do I need to be?

Accepted Answer

You should be able to swim with your head above water and comfortably swim back to shore if needed. Smaller kids and less confident swimmers are always kept in shallow water under close supervision.

Question 3

From what age can kids join a surf lesson?

Accepted Answer

Children from 6 years old are welcome to join private surf lessons. Kids aged 8–12 can participate in group lessons only if a parent or responsible adult also joins and assists. Ages 13–15 can join group lessons without being in the water, but a guardian must be present on the beach. Teens 16 and older can surf without supervision and join our surf vans.

Question 4

Do you offer lessons for intermediate surfers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do! Our lessons are open to both beginners and intermediate surfers, often in mixed groups. Thanks to our instructors' wide teaching experience, we can effectively teach different levels in the same session. As an intermediate surfer, you'll benefit from correcting your technique and learning professional tips to improve your surfing skills.

Question 5

I’m an intermediate surfer — can I use a hardboard?

Accepted Answer

For safety reasons, we don’t provide hardboards to new students without first observing their surfing skills in the water. Your instructor will assess your surfing on a soft board, and afterward, you can discuss board options and follow their recommendations.

Question 6

How do I know my surfing level?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve never surfed or only a few times, you’re a complete beginner. If you can stand up and catch small waves in different conditions, you’re still a beginner. If you can read conditions, position in the lineup, choose right/left waves, and ride them consistently, you’re an intermediate. Don’t worry too much about labels — starting with the basics helps correct early mistakes and speeds up progress.

Question 7

What time do the surf lessons start and finish?

Accepted Answer

We start picking people up around 9:00 a.m. from May to October. From November to April, pick-up times may vary between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., depending on conditions. If we surf on the West Coast, we’re usually back around 2:00–3:00 p.m. On the South Coast, we return earlier, around 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Question 8

How long do we stay in the water?

Accepted Answer

You’ll spend about 2 hours in the water practicing and catching waves. The entire surf lesson — including warm-up, theory, and beach instruction — lasts around 2.5 hours in total.

Question 9

Do you have surf lessons every day?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we run surf lessons every day during the high season (June to September). During the low season, lessons depend on weather conditions and group size — we need a minimum of 2–3 people for a group lesson. For communication, we’re available every day via email, WhatsApp, or phone — 24/7.

Question 10

Do you cancel lessons in case of bad weather or rain?

Accepted Answer

Rain is not a reason to cancel lessons — as long as surf conditions are good, we still go surfing. If there’s a storm or unsafe ocean conditions, we may need to cancel or postpone the lesson to a better day. Your safety always comes first, and we’ll keep you updated.

Question 11

What is the booking policy?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us via email at info@filsurf.com or WhatsApp +351914426591 to book your surf lessons. Bookings should be made at least 12 hours in advance. No prepayment is required for small groups, but prepayment may be requested for bookings of 8 or more people.

Question 12

How can I pay for my surf lessons?

Accepted Answer

You can pay in cash or by bank transfer after the lesson or at the time of booking. We don’t currently accept card payments. If you’d like to pay in advance, we’ll send you our bank details or a payment link by email or WhatsApp.

Question 13

What is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. Students who don’t show up or cancel without prior notice or a valid reason will lose their lesson, and no refund will be provided. Postponements are possible only if we have availability. Refunds are granted only in cases of illness (with proof) or for serious reasons.

Question 14

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

We’re based near Lagos, Algarve, Portugal. As a small surf school without a physical surf shop, we don’t operate from a fixed address. We handle bookings via phone, email, or WhatsApp, and arrange pick-ups from Lagos, Praia da Luz, and Burgau. You can also meet us directly at the beach.

Question 15

What beaches do you surf at?

Accepted Answer

We choose the best surf spot each day based on wave conditions, crowd levels, and the group’s ability. Our lessons take place on both the West and South Coasts, as we’re licensed to teach across the Western Algarve. During high season we often surf at Cordoama Beach, and in low season more on the South Coast — Porto de Mós, Meia Praia, and Praia da Luz.

Question 16

Are there restrooms, showers, and bars on the beach?

Accepted Answer

Some of the beaches where we teach have restrooms and beach bars, while others don’t. We usually choose beaches with these facilities, but bars may be closed during the low season or on bad-weather days. Most beaches don’t have showers. We recommend bringing water, snacks, and wearing your swimsuit under your clothes for a quick change. Tip: some beach bars accept cash only.

Question 17

Do you rent equipment, or can I use your equipment after a surf lesson?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, we don’t rent our equipment — it’s used only during our surf lessons to make sure everything stays in good condition. Plus, after 2.5 hours of surfing, you’ll have had more than enough time in the water — trust us!

Question 18

Can my partner come with me in your car if they’re not surfing?

Accepted Answer

We offer a transfer service to the beach for €25, available only if there are free spots in the car. During high season, we prioritise our surf students, so extra seats aren’t always available. Your partner is always welcome to drive to the beach and meet you there.

Question 19

What language are the surf lessons in?

Accepted Answer

Our surf lessons are taught in English, but our instructors also speak Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian. Don’t worry if you don’t speak English fluently — our instructors explain everything slowly, and you’ll understand a lot just by watching their demonstrations.

Question 20

Is it safe to surf in Portugal and during FilSurf lessons?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe, and we’ve never experienced any problems with theft during our surf lessons. Still, we recommend not bringing valuables to the beach and not leaving belongings in the school cars.

Question 21

Do you take photos or videos during the lesson?

Accepted Answer

At the moment, we don’t have a staff photographer, but on some days there’s a local photographer on the beach who takes photos of our surf lessons. If you’re interested, you can contact them afterward to see and purchase your photos.

Question 22

What else can I do in Lagos?

Accepted Answer

There are plenty of great activities in Lagos and the Algarve beyond surfing. If you want, ask us for recommendations based on your interests and the season.

Question 23

Didn’t find your answer?

Accepted Answer

If your question isn’t listed here, contact our team anytime — we’ll be happy to help and give you all the details you need!

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