The place to be

‘Adult camps’ are becoming increasingly popular, with surf, yoga, and wellness camps leading the chart worldwide. However, it is not that easy to find the perfect surf camp setting which offers everything you may be looking for – but in Lagos, a beautiful town located in the Southwest region of the Algarve, there is a place that will leave you speechless.

With two beautiful but distinct coasts to choose from, which are a short distance away by car from each other, you have the best of both worlds surfing-wise. The sun shining most days of the year, and a pleasant temperature year-round makes TSE - The Surf Experience surf camp the place to be.
This unique company, which has been around for 30 years, was one of the first surf camps in Europe.

A winter sport

For many people, surfing is more than just a pastime; it’s a way of life, which is why it’s crucial for many to find a singular location which enables them to surf for the whole week. Surfing is unquestionably a winter sport, in contrast to other sports and tourist attractions which are also famous in the Algarve, making it the best time of the year to escape to this little piece of paradise.

The beaches in this part of the Algarve never feel too crowded, as both coastlines offer plenty of options, but this is especially true in wintertime. The region is also an unrivalled surfing location since waves of varying swell sizes can be found on both the west and south shores. Moreover, the winter sun is not as harsh as the summer sun making it pleasant to stay in the water for hours, as long as you have a proper wetsuit on.

TSE - The Surf Experience

In the Algarve, every day is a possible day for surfing, and this is quite unique in the sport of surfing. As stated by TSE, “There are many other places to surf around the world which are not able to guarantee you that”. TSE school offers surf lessons, surf guiding and private surf lessons to both camp guests and to those who want to have a single-day experience at one of more than 20 surf breaks available.

Still, the surf camp is more than just surf – it is yoga practices, relaxing at wellness treatments as well as enjoying the sauna and hot tub, pool parties, sunset barbecues, healthy food, video analyses of your surfing, plus a lot of talking, laughs and meaningful connections. There are different camp packages offered by TSE which you may choose according to your preferences, but you can be certain that you will find something which will suit your taste.

Every hour spent at the camp will be a moment to remember. Its beautiful location surrounded by green trees and a rich garden, in a quiet neighbourhood overlooking the ocean, and just a few kilometres away from the lively and welcoming town of Lagos makes it the ideal location for some unforgettable moments. The Surf mansion features a massive living room with plenty of sofas to chill out and a fireplace, a selection of cosy rooms, which you can choose when you book your stay, and a rooftop where you can enjoy each day’s sunset. The whole villa is also equipped with underfloor heating.

More to choose from

Surf is the king of TSE’s camps, but there are other activities involved that enhance the overall experience of what being in a surf camp truly means, with yoga being a major one. Depending on the package you choose, you get up to six classes of yoga during the week, providing a balance between sea-based and ground-based activities, which undoubtedly complement each other.

The yoga classes incorporate strengthening and releasing poses, working specific areas of the body that are required for surfing. As stated by TSE, “Yoga is a great tool to bring with you out in the water, as it will improve your ability to catch waves and find the balance out there once you get the wave”. Different and dynamic yoga classes are offered at TSE at a dedicated space for it and are meant for all levels of practitioners.

Some extra adrenaline

“The Algarve offers you the perfect adrenaline rush in both the horizontal and vertical axis”, TSE defends, and rock climbing is the perfect example of that. For those looking to get out of their comfort zone, rock climbing is available. In a 2-person team, you can choose between two locations to enjoy your rope climbing experience – in the interior of the Algarve or a cliff in the coast of the Algarve.

That being said, TSE - The Surf Experience camp is undoubtedly the best location to spend some quality time, doing what you love, with people from all over the world whilst improving your skills with the best instructors in the Algarve! You don’t have to think twice…

After studying Journalism for five years in the UK and Malta, Sara Durães moved back to Portugal to pursue her passion for writing and connecting with people. A ‘wanderluster’, Sara loves the beach, long walks, and sports. 

Sara J. Durães