  
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 | Wakeboarding | Yoga | Mountain Biking | Scuba Diving | 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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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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Yoga
Two of the possible 3 surfing days will include a yoga session on the beach afterwards, a perfect way to finish a hard days surfing. The yoga instructor has a degree in physical education and is also an instructor in 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.
By the way (just to dispell the myth), not everyone who practises yoga wears a Kaftan and has a large crystal around their neck ;-). many pro surfers use Yoga a a way to stretch and warm up before and after a surf session.
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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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Massage
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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