Surfing in Sintra with Surf At

Sintra has many beaches, some of which are famous for surfing and bodyboarding.  The good thing about them is that surfing is always good at one of the beaches! That is why we recommend a surf school that has a license to operate in more than one of the beaches. 

I have asked Vilma Nummila to write this post about surfing - she was here this summer and took a one-week surfing course, so she has first-hand experience and knows what it is like to start surfing here in Sintra.  My experience is that the surf school she chose, Surf At, is a school with certified instructors and equipment - as well as insurance and very pleasant staff! So here is Vilma's account on her surfing:

Are you looking for a fun but challenging activity that provides you unforgettable experiences? Then surfing might be the thing for you.

Surf At –surf school provides you surf lessons around the year. Affordable prices include the teaching and the rent of equipment. All you need with you are a swimsuit and a beach towel (and sun protector!) Surfing is an activity for the whole family.

I took five group lessons at Praia Grande. Since I never had tried surfing before I had no idea what it was going to be like. But I had no reason to be afraid - the experienced teachers had very clear instructions to make me feel comfortable. The lessons always started with a warm-up on the beach with the group. On my first lesson I practiced how to stand up on the board before heading into the water. In the beginning the teachers helped me to catch the waves but I also got the chance to try on my own. It was fun the whole time and also good exercise. Every time I succeeded I felt amazing!

I think surfing is not scary but it is hard. One lesson is not enough, if you want to see real progress. The one-week course is a good option because then you can learn how to surf in different conditions - the waves are not the same every day. The lessons are on the morning or in the afternoon and last about 2 hours so you have plenty of time left to do other things too. Time spent in water is about one hour and a half.

Praia Grande is very easy to reach by bus. The bus stops there at least once per hour. And if you have to wait for the bus you can enjoy the pleasant beach of Praia Grande. And spending the rest of the day at the beach is not a bad option either. If you stay longer in Sintra you can take extra lessons. You can also skip lessons and take them some other day – Surf At is a flexible surf school. They have plenty of other activities too, for example private lessons and birthday parties!

http://surfat.wix.com/praiadasmacas