Surf School & Lessons FAQ

Do you have questions about surf lessons, equipment, or our booking policy? You are in the right place! Here we have gathered the most common questions from our students about surf classes and what to expect on the beach. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, this FAQ will help you get ready for your next surf trip with us!

Filsurf surf school owner makes bottom-turn maneuver on the wave in Portugal

Surf Lessons

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. So we may need to be more flexible with scheduling. For communication, we’re available every day via email, WhatsApp, or phone — 24/7.
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 the conditions. In rare cases, we may adjust the schedule if surf conditions require it. The return time depends on the beach we go to: If we surf on the West Coast, we’re usually back around 2:00–3:00 p.m. If we surf on the South Coast, we’re normally back earlier, around 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Of course! Our surf lessons are completely beginner-friendly. In fact, 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!
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.
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.
If you’ve never surfed before or have only surfed a few times, you’re a complete beginner. If you can stand up on the board, catch small waves, and have surfed on a few trips in different conditions, you’re still a beginner. If you can read surf conditions, position yourself in the lineup, distinguish between right and left waves, and ride them consistently, you’re an intermediate surfer. But don’t worry too much about labeling your level! Starting with the basics can help you correct early mistakes and progress faster with proper guidance.
Yes, we do! Our lessons are suitable for both beginners and intermediate surfers, often in mixed groups. Thanks to the wide teaching experience of our instructors, we can effectively teach different levels in the same session. As an intermediate surfer, you’ll receive personalized tips to correct mistakes, refine your technique, and progress faster.
For safety reasons, we don’t provide hardboards to new students without first observing their surfing skills in the water. Your instructor will initially assess your surfing on a soft board, and afterward, you can discuss board options and switch if appropriate.
*Ages 6–8: Children from 6 years old are welcome to join private surf lessons only. *Ages 9–13: Kids can participate in a group lesson only if a parent or responsible adult also joins the session and assists the child. Young children require extra attention and supervision, so the adult should help in the water, carry the surfboard, and assist with putting on the wetsuit. *Ages 14+: Teenagers aged 14 and older can participate in group lessons without parental supervision and may join us in our surf vans for transport.
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 hours of surfing, you’ll have had more than enough time in the water! Trust us!
We offer a transfer service to the beach for €25, available only if there are free spots in the car. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee extra seats during the high season, as we always prioritize our surf students. Alternatively, your partner is very welcome to drive to the beach and join you there with friends or family.
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 and following their demonstrations.
We keep a maximum ratio of 8 students per 1 instructor. We run up to two groups at the same time (two instructors). Typical group sizes: High season (June–September): around 12–16 surfers in total across the two groups. Low season: usually 3–8 surfers. For large private bookings, our maximum capacity is 24 people (on request).

Booking&Cancellation

You can book directly through the “Book Now” button on our website. There, you can: - Choose the date of your lesson - Select the number of participants - Complete your payment securely online before the lesson. If this option doesn’t suit you, you’re welcome to contact us: Email: info@filsurf.com WhatsApp: +351 914 426 591 We’ll be happy to help you arrange your surf lessons and answer any questions you may have. Please note: Bookings must be made at least 12 hours before the lesson day. When booking via email or WhatsApp, payment can be made after the lesson. For groups of 8 people or more, a prepayment may be required. We do not offer discounts for students who bring their own equipment or travel to the beach independently.
How can I pay for the lesson? You have two payment options at Filsurf School: - Online payment – You can pay securely in advance through the “Book Now” button on our website when making your reservation. - Cash payment – If you book by email or WhatsApp, you can pay directly to the instructor in cash after the lesson.
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson start time. A 100% refund of the amount paid will be issued for cancellations made at least 24 hours before the lesson start time. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the lesson start time. Students who do not attend their lesson ("no-shows") or cancel less than 24 hours before the lesson start time without a valid, confirmed reason will forfeit their lesson, and no refund will be provided. Lessons may be rescheduled only if the school has availability on the requested dates. If the school must cancel a lesson due to unsuitable weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, a full refund will be provided for any unused lessons.
Rain is not a reason to cancel surf lessons, as long as the surf conditions are good, we still go surfing! However, if there’s a storm or unsafe ocean conditions, we may need to cancel or postpone the lesson to a better day. In case of unsuitable weather conditions or other circumstances where the school must cancel the lesson, we provide a full refund for any unused lessons.

Location&Beaches

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 all bookings by phone, email, or WhatsApp, and arrange pick-ups for students from Lagos, Praia da Luz, and Burgau. Each day, we choose the best surf spot depending on the conditions, or, if you prefer, you can meet us directly at the beach.
We choose the best surf spot each day based on wave conditions, crowd levels, and the group’s surfing ability. Our lessons take place on both the West Coast and the South Coast, as we’re licensed to teach on most beaches across the Western Algarve. During high season, we usually surf on the West Coast — for example, Cordoama Beach. During the low season, we surf more often on the South Coast, including Porto de Mós, Meia Praia, and Praia da Luz.
Some of the beaches where we teach have restrooms and beach bars, while others don’t. We usually choose beaches with these facilities, but please note that bars may be closed during the low season or on days with bad weather. 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, not credit cards.

General Information

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 that you don’t bring valuable items to the beach and don’t leave personal belongings in the school cars.
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 him afterward.
If you’re an active person looking for more things to do during your holiday in the Algarve, check out this guide to Lagos to discover the most exciting activities, places to visit, and local experiences.
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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