Guide To The Longboard Camp
In Lagos
Here you will find detailed answers to the most common question.
As our guide is pretty long, for easier navigation simply press ctrl+f and type in the key words of your request in a search box. Or you can use hashtags listed below.
What is the Longboard Camp?
The Longboard Camp is a unique tailored program created for anyone who would like to learn longboarding, regardless of their age and level. With fourteen hours of guided lessons by some of the world’s best riders and top-quality equipment, you will build a solid base and learn your first tricks or take your existing skills to the whole new level. All this in a magical corner of Portugal.
Besides skating, the program includes delicious meals, trekking, surfing, and yoga.
Location
Lagos, nestled in the scenic Algarve, embodies coastal living with stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and a relaxed vibe. It's the dream destination turned reality—a growing hub where expats, surfers, and now skateboarders gather. This cozy town warmly welcomes all, offering diverse experiences from its charming streets to bustling markets. Come, immerse yourself in Lagos' blend of tradition and community, cruising streets on a skateboard or catching waves along its shores.
How to get to Lagos?
Prices for the transfers to/from Faro:
€80 (8 person max per transfer)
Address:
AWS Surf Camp Villa, Estr. da Albardeira, 8600-302 Lagos
What are the good arriving / departure hours for my flights?
We recommend arriving no later than 18:00 - 19:00 and departing no earlier than 10:00 - 11:00 to join the group transfers or to have the possibility to use public transport. These are the best options on average but it varies from camp to camp, so there are no exact best hours as such. However, if you'd like to increase chances joining a group transfer, just make sure your arrival/departure time is within regular working hours.
We do not have any activities scheduled on arrival and departure dates so you can arrive/leave at any convenient time for you without missing out on anything.
Check in & check out. When should I arrive in / leave the camp not to miss any activities
The arrival and departure dates are the dates of the camp respectively. For example, if the camp dates are Sept 5 - 12, it means that check in is on September 5th and check out is on September 12th.
We do not have any activities scheduled on arrival and departure dates so you can arrive/leave at any convenient time for you without missing out on anything.
Check-in is strictly after 16:00
Check out at 12:00
Accommodation
We will be staying in Algarve Watersports. Here, you'll find a dream team of welcoming crew who are experts in both water sports and hospitality.
After all the active days out on the boards, this place becomes a safe haven where we can gather and relax in the lounge or garden, unwind and rejuvenate by the pool, and recharge with their nutritious homemade meals.
Our package
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
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The program of the camp as written on the website (varies from week to week)
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ALL equipment for all the activities (longboard, surf, yoga)
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Towels
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Beach towels (*only 5-6 available, so it’s
better to bring yours)
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Hair dryer
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Tea & Coffee all day
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Wi-Fi
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Transfers to/from skate spots
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Breakfasts and dinners
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
• Flight tickets
• Transfers to/from the airport
• Travel insurance
• Lunch
EXTRA SURF LESSON
Usually, our program includes 2 surf lessons and then we schedule one more extra surf lesson for those who are especially hungry for the waves. Sometimes it is possible to have the fourth lesson as well, but it depends on surf conditions and weather plus the schedule of the longboard lessons. From our experience, more than three surf lessons make you very tired to follow our longboard program, which can be pretty intense.
If your focus is surfing, we would recommend to book an actual surfcamp as in our Longboard Camp program, the focus is on skating and surfing is rather a cool complementary activity.
The price for an extra surf lesson is €45 per person. It includes all the equipment, transfer, and insurance.
Is equipment included? Do I need to bring my own longboard? I don’t have a longboard can I come?
You don’t need to bring your longboard unless you want to. We provide high-quality equipment for the lessons and that you can use throughout your stay for free.
How much money should I take with me?
The majority of places accept debit/credit cards. Sometimes card payment is only possible if you spend over €5.
Can I buy longboard gear during the camp?
Depending on the stock, it's possible to purchase gear from our Partners, such as Paris Truck, Skate Blood Orange, and Bastl Boards in the camp with a special discount that brands give to our guests.
What is the average age of the participants?
30-40 y.o. But we welcomed people from 18 to 60 y.o. already, so you are the one who decides what’s “too old”. :)
Here you can read about experience of our former participants of completely different ages, skills, etc.
Can I join with my kid / with minors?
Unfortunately, we can't accommodate minors in our camps in Santa Cruz. For organizational reasons, the minimum age for participating in the Classic camp is 18 years.
However, minors can stay with you in our Skate, Yoga & Spa camp in Feel Viana. Note that they still will not be able to participate in the longboarding activities. Please contact us for details.
What level should I have to participate?
We have mostly first-timers and beginners as well as intermediate riders. The Longboard Camp is the best place to start and progress.
How do I book?
Simply fill in the BOOKING FORM on our website, and we will send you payment details for the deposit, that’s it, super easy!
How do I pay?
After receiving your request, we will send you the payment details for the deposit. You can pay it via a bank transfer or PayPal. The due amount is paid upon arrival in cash, by credit card or via PayPal.
Can I cancel my trip and get a refund?
Deposits are non-refundable.
However, if you cancel more than 2 months prior the camp and if we manage to sell your spot we will hold 70% of your deposit amount in our accounts.
If you cancel between 2 and 1 months prior the camp and if we manage to sell your spot we will hold 50% of your deposit amount.
If you cancel less than 1 month prior the camp and if we manage to sell your spot we will hold 30% of your deposit.
You can use this amount for any camp during one year or give it to someone else. Just mention that you have X amount with your next booking.
Additionally, if you cancel the booking less than 2 weeks before the camp, you won’t be entitled to any compensation.
Changing dates of the camp
If you’d like to change the original dates of your booking to different ones this year:
- extra 10% will be applied to the total amount if we manage to sell your spot,
- extra 20% will be applied if we don’t manage to sell your spot.
Can I book separate accommodation and only join longboard lessons / activities?
Due to the fact that our camps are always fully booked, we don’t divide our packages. The only rare exceptions are when we have last-minute cancellations and can offer a special deal.
Can I skip surf classes / choose only breakfasts / join several days later / leave earlier?
Due to the fact that our camps are always fully booked, we don’t divide / adjust / modify our packages. Therefore, it is up to you whether you would like to skip some activities, arrive later or depart earlier, yet it won’t affect the price of the package.
Are discounts accumulable?
It’s possible to combine any of the two discounts available.
For example, if you are a Portuguese citizen AND a returning guest, then you can enjoy 5%+5%=10% OFF.
If you join us as an independent rider, the only discount that applies is 30% OFF.
Will Valeriya be present during the camp?
Valeriya is occasionally present during some weeks, depending on her schedule.
Do you need volunteers / employees?
We don’t usually work with volunteers but should there be a vacancy, we will announce it on our channels. As for working with us, we do not have any open positions at this moment.
Packing list
Some essentials we recommend taking with you:
comfortable shoes for skating
(flat sole like vans, NO airmax, platforms, running shoes)
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comfortable clothes for skating
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comfortable clothes for other activities
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warm clothes because it can get cold and windy, especially in the evening (a hoodie, a jacket, a beanie)
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water bottle
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sun protection (it ́s possible to buy it in the camp as well)
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swimwear
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headwear
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flip flops
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beach towel