  
SURFING HOLIDAYS IN PORTUGAL & THE ALGARVE
PRAIA DA LUZ MULTI-ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS - Sports & Acivities Guide
Your accommodation in Praia da Luz, provides an excellent base from which to explore Lagos and the western Algarve and your Multi-adventure Holiday is the best way to discover the amazing natural environment. But it's not all go, go, go!!! Do as much or as little as you like, after all it is a holiday and sometimes you just want to do nothing and do it all day long ;-).
Quick links: Surfing | Kitesurfing | Wakeboarding | Sailing | Yoga | Mountain Biking | Scuba Diving | Microlighting | Rock climbing | Massage
Surfing
The Praia da Luz Surf School has both BSA and FPS qualified staff and are fully trained lifeguards. The school has been running for 10 years now and the staff are qualified to teach both beginners and intermediates. You will be kitted out in the latest O'Neil wetsuits with a board that is suited to your level.
Beginners
Beginners will be using soft deck boards to prevent any possible injuries and lessons will include beach & ocean awareness and safety. You will be taken through the timing of the waves to catching a wave paddling. You will be shown a technique in which to stand on the board that works for you. Beginners will also be shown how to turn left and right, weight adjustment on the board and finally catching unbroken 'green waves' to shore.
Intermediates & Advanced surfers
For the intermediate to advanced surfers we have longboards, mini mals, short boards and fishes. Whatever you surf, we've more than likely got it. Even if you want to take a couple of boards that can be arranged. You will be taken out back to catch waves that suit your level. The focus is on error correction, correcting bad habits and emphasis will be placed on basic maneuvers such as bottom turn, gaining speed and hitting the lip.
Experienced surfers will find that the western Algarve offers a huge variety of waves and surf conditions from small, glassy beach breaks to epic peeling point breaks and sucky, hollow reefs. Winter usually produces bigger swells and more powerful surf but summer has its classic periods. You can use the boards and suits provided by the school or feel free to bring your own quiver See our 'What to bring' page for board and wetsuit recommendations.
Whatever your level you will be taken to the beach by Land Rovers, some beaches have difficult access, especially in winter. The Surf tripsbeach include a packed lunch, water & shade and we spice the journey up a bit if possible by taking off the beaten track en-route to the beach and checking out some of our awesome countryside.
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Kitesurfing
Year round wind and great scenery make kite surfing in the Algarve a must. Whether you're a complete novice or an advanced kitesurfer looking to learn or perfect advanced manoeuvres, our team of experienced IKO trained instructors can get you flying.
An awesome 5km long beach and a beautiful estuary near Lagos are the settings for this kitesurfing experience.
You'll be kitted out in the latest gear, fully fitted with innovative safety equipment, instructed on everything from setting up, flight theory and water starting to finally riding upwind and catching some airtime. All our Kite surfing courses are done to maximise your fun but done safely for an ultimate extreme experience.
For those who aren't too sure, we offer a baptism flight just to offer a little sensation of what kiting feels like.
So come down to Portugal and check out what a kitesurfing holiday with a difference feels like.
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Wakeboarding
In and around Lagos we have awesome wakeboarding conditions.
Get towed on either the legendary MASTERCRAFT X-STAR or on the MAXUM 200SR3. The MasterCraft X-Star, is the towboat of the X-Games and offers smooth V-8 power, perfect tracking and big ballast tanks. If you're a beginner you'll benefit from the power to help you out of the water. If you're more experienced, you can load the tanks and just enjoy that huge wake!
We'll crank up the tunes, load up the tanks and you get to wakeboard along the beautiful Algarve coastline. End your session with a few sundowners at the Marina.
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Sailing
Learn to sail in the perfect environment, consistent winds, sunny weather and a breathtaking coastline dotted with modern marinas, all this capped with spacious, high performance sail boats on which you learn, make sailing an exhilarating and most enjoyable experience in the Algarve.
For the person who has not sailed before and wants a gentle introduction we provide the THE START SAILING course which lasts two days and teaches the beginner, cruising, personal safety, seamanship and helmsmanship. Developing skills in a fun and enjoyable environment, ensuring the attendee becomes a useful member of the crew of a cruising yacht.
Other RYA courses run through the year such as Day Skipper, Yachtmaster etc.
Learn to tie those bowlines, haul in the fenders, raise the main sheet and man the helm...
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Yoga
Improve your flexibility, centre yourself with peace of mind and quell those negative thoughts with a session or two of yoga on the beach watching the sun go down on another awesome day. Our pilates and yoga instructors have studied physical education and teach the art of Sivandanda Yoga.
Sivandanda yoga
This yoga is based on the 12 main poses, including sun salutation, breathing exercises, and relaxation. The Yoga instructor is also skilled in other styles and adopts these styles where necessary according to the level and needs of the clients.
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Mountain Biking
There are a huge variety of tracks and trails available for all levels of experience. The staff are qualified in the UK and their qualifications are recognised by the BCF and AALA and are accredited by ABC, ABCC and CTC.
You will be kitted out with the latest specialized bikes that have disk brakes and suspension and the bikes, guides, transport, spares and lunch are all included.
Experience
For complete beginners or if you just wanna take it easy there's the coastal caferide. A great way to see the grottos, beaches and stunning coastline, stopping for drinks and chats along the way.
Monchique to Lagos is our downhill run down a 900 m mountain, 40 km long for the more advanced. For intermediates there are a mixture of cross county dirt tracks, jumps, drops and a secret 5km freeride track to explore all through the pictoresque Algarve countryside.
Basically your experience and/or needs will be assessed and the right track chosen for you and the group.
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SCUBA Diving
The diving school is the oldest and finest in Lagos having been founded in 1996. The instructors are both PADI, IAHD & CMAS qualified and know the Algarve waters better than anyone else. The diving school is the only one to also have it's own 50m long training pool on site for instruction. On-site there are classrooms with TV, video, computers, DVD as well as a host of equipment. There are changing rooms, showers & toilets, compressor room, restaurant and poolside bar as well as the workshop.
Beginners
PADI courses are designed to make learning enjoyable and worthwhile. You get in and under the water quickly, scuba diving. Under the guidance of your professional PADI Instructor, you gain confidence while mastering important safety concepts and skills. You pick up key information as well as helpful tips by interacting with PADI educational materials – manual, videos, workbooks, multimedia discs, etc. Credentialed instructional designers use state-of-the-art technology and learning theories to create PADI materials with you, the student diver, in mind.
Your PADI Instructor makes sure that you are ready for certification using the concept of performance-based learning. This means that you progress as you demonstrate that you have mastered specific performance requirements essential to becoming a diver. Your instructor is there to help you meet these requirements, regardless of how quickly or slowly you master them. You must earn a PADI certification, but you do so in an encouraging and well-supported learning environment.
Your first introduction will be in the pool for the morning session followed by an afternoon session in the ocean.
Intermediate & Advanced Divers
If you are a qualified diver (you will need to show your license) you will be taken separately on a dive to see one of the local wrecks. Depending on conditions you will be taken to the site either via 4x4 or boat. Please note many PADI courses are available separately.
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Microlighting
Looking down from high above the beautiful Algarve coastline, the big blue ocean shimmering into the distance. Below you all manner of boats and yachts making their way along the rocky shores whilst in the distance Monchique majestically watches over the ancient towns and villages of the Algarve.
See the Algarve as you have never seen it before. Experience this thrilling experience in year round conditions that make the Algarve one of the best flying environments in the world.
You have a choice of a trial flight, a few lessons or even a whole course (NPPL) instructed by a British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) examiner. So came take to the sky and get an eagle's view of the world...
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Rock Climbing
For the first time in the Algarve, we are proud to be able to offer this exciting and exhilarating sport.
Rock climbing in the Algarve offers the unique opportunity to explore the hidden and picturesque Portugal. Far from the holiday crowds, immerse yourself in the magnificent tranquility of deserted beach crags and hidden forests. Rock climbing's special combination of mental and physical challenges make it an unforgettable experience. At the end you are rewarded with a view no one else can give you and a buzz that will last for days.
With knowledge of all the ´secret spots' in the Algarve and the experience and specialist training to ensure your safety, we are able offer a unique experience.
For beginners and young people we have the introduction and development course, which includes: equipment and use, rope control, climbing techniques and abseil. For those who already climb we adapt our course and location to suit your level. All climbs include lunch and transport.
Whether you want a rock climbing holiday or just fancy climbing Portugal's scenic crags for a day, come down and push yourself to places you never thought you could go to, we promise once you've tried it, you'll be hooked for life.
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Massage
Whether you fancy a nice relaxing massage after a hard days surf or a more specific injury to be diagnosed, Tanja our qualified physio will give you the advice and care you need. Tanja is fluent in English, German and Portuguese and is skilled in physiotherapy, sports rehabilitation, back care, massage, swedish massage and trigger point massage. So if you fancy treating yourself to a heavenly massage after an awesome day of pushing yourself and your body to the limit or you just want to top off a day on the beach with a swedish massage - why not? you deserve it.
The physiotherapist is Registered with the Health Professional Council (UK), Portugal & Germany and is a Member of Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. You can choose from either a massage or a tailored sports-specific exercise. This will happen at a pre arranged time. You will be taken to the clinic for your session and collected afterwards. This is a brilliant way to ease those aching muscles after an active few days or maybe you have a prior injury you are trying to shrug off. The physiotherapist has a number of high profile surf and other clients that she regularly attends to.
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