Wetsuit Guide for Portugal: 3/2mm, 4/3mm, or Shorty – Which One Do You Need and When? Portugal is a top-notch destination for surfers all year round. But anyone visiting the Algarve or Arrifana on the west coast will quickly realize that the Atlantic isn’t exactly bathwater-warm…
Afraid of big waves? Mental tips for building confidence
Afraid of big waves? Mental tips for building confidence while surfing Almost every surfer knows the feeling: You paddle out, the waves look manageable from the beach, but suddenly a set comes in that’s much bigger than expected….
The most beautiful beaches near our camp (Arrifana, Monte Clerigo)
When people think of the Algarve, they often picture the golden-yellow rock formations and the calm waters of the south coast. But if you’re looking for the true, untamed soul of Portugal, you have to head to the west coast—the Costa Vicentina. Here, nestled within a nature reserve, lies…
Turtle Roll vs. Duckdive: When to Use Which Technique While Surfing
For many surfers—whether beginners or advanced—getting into the lineup is often the biggest hurdle of the day. You start paddling out full of enthusiasm, and suddenly a wall of white water looms up in front of you. If you don’t know how to…
Evening activities at a surf camp: cooking together, yoga, and making new friends.
Evening activities at the surf camp: When the day in Arrifana really begins A perfect day in Arrifana usually begins with the sound of the Atlantic Ocean and the first view of the waves from the cliffs of the Algarve. But anyone who thinks that the experience...
The best surfing movies you must see.
There are days in Arrifana when the waves break perfectly, the sun sets over the Algarve, and after a long session at our MissionToSurf Camp, you're just tired and happy. But what do you do when your body...
Paddling technique for surfing: How to get to the line-up more efficiently
Anyone who has ever been in the water at our MissionToSurf surf camp in Arrifana knows the feeling: the waves are perfect, the line-up is tempting, but the way out seems endless. Paddling makes up about 80 to 90 percent of the total effort involved in surfing.
Surfing and environmental protection: Why we must protect the ocean
For us surfers, the ocean is more than just a place to practice sports. It is a habitat, a source of strength, and the heart of our lifestyle. When we look out over the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs at our MissionToSurf surf camp in Arrifana in the morning, we see the...
The history of surfing: From Hawaii to Europe
Today, surfing is a global sport, a billion-dollar industry, and, since 2021, even an Olympic discipline. When we look out at the waves from our MissionToSurf surf camp in Arrifana, we see a colorful mix of people enjoying the freedom of the...
The 5 best yoga exercises for surfers
Surfing is a sport that challenges the entire body. Anyone who has ever experienced an intense session at our home beach in Arrifana knows that surfing demands everything from us. From the explosive power of the take-off to the endurance required to paddle against the...