Surf Center Ericeira — Local services in Mafra

Equipment is good, surf lessons are bad.

I took 2 surf lessons here: One for beginners, one for intermediates. Other than a short warm-up session for the beginners, I couldn't spot a difference.

All that the surf instructors did was pushing people on the surf board. No useful feedback on the technique. One of the girls who was in the surf class with me said that when she asked what she could do better, the only answer she got from the instructor was that she "just needs to feel the flow". Yeah, that's really helpful.

Of course, learning to surf takes time and practice and while doing so, you also getter a better feeling for it ("the flow"), but especially for beginners, there are lots of things that you can do better with your technique and I expect a surf instructor to see that and give good advice.

The only advice I got from my instructor was him yelling at me that I should stay out of his way in a really rude tone. (The current had pushed me behind him on a line perpendicular to the shore. This should be avoided of course and he was right in telling me, but it was totally not on purpose and there's nothing to stop you from saying that in a kind way.)

I've done surf lessons before on Bali and Hawai'i and really enjoyed them. This surf school was a huge disappointment. If you just wanna rent equipment, this is probably a good place as the wetsuits and surf board are in a good condition. If you wanna learn how to surf or care about positive vibes, go...

Best surf school in town. I've been a couple of times to Ericeira Surf Center for indvidual and also group lessons and can really recommend them. Surf Center is managed by very passionate Surfers who want to give you the best experience going for your needs, based on what you want. They are ideally located next to Matadouro beach, which is excellent for both beginners and intermediates. It means you walk to the spot, which for sure is the most sustainable way. The Surf coaches are really good and I constantly felt very safe. The crew has an awesome vibe, and going back there always feels like going back to see friends. I would gladly come back any time and always feel very welcome there. My recent experience there was for sure my best surf experience ever, having had challening and motivating sessions with a very good & passionate teacher (Sara), keen not only on transferring you knowledge, but on keeping it, as for sure its not only about the technique, but also about reading waves, seeing the right ones and so on. Not an easy sport, but worth to stick it and the right people will help you to do so. No need to look further for a good...

When you read the reviews of Boardculture surf center, you'll notice an inconsistency between people who describe the staff as friendly, and those who describe the staff as cold, distant and unhelpful.

Unfortunately I can confirm the latter.

I walked in to enquire about their availability for improvers lessons. I received what can only be described as an "attack" from the white bearded man behind the reception. He tiraded me for a few minutes, telling me how he wasn't going to let me endanger everyone by doing improvers lessons without doing a beginners lesson first. I was shocked by how aggressive he was.

After my third attempt at actually getting some useful information about their process for getting to the improver lesson, he finally explained I would need to do a beginner's lesson first. When I asked for details he tapped on the board in front of him and stared at me. By this point, there was no chance I was giving this rude man my money.

Secondly, our friends spent that day out doing a beginner's lesson. The instructor was disinterested and gave no tips whatsoever. They didn't enjoy it.

All in all, a school to be...