Testimonials
Matthijs, Netherlands
Oh my god, I don't even know where to start. Are bullet points okay?Amazing. Welcoming. Old friends and new ones. Insane skating level. Tremendous teachers. Loads of skating. Great talks and deep connections. Insane closing party on Saturday. I could keep going, it was heaven again!
Danielle, UK
It was my second time at the camp, this time I returned for the intermediate level and I could not have imagined a more incredible experience. Everyone, as nerdy and passionate about longboarding as me, combined with dancing and friends for life.
The intermediate camp challenged me and reminded me how much fun you can have channelling your own style on the board. I would not hesitate to recommend the camp.
Sarieke, Netherlands
Honestly, this camp was just heaven. I loved the intermediate version and hope you will continue with it, because I definitely like to book that for next year. The amount of skating was amazing, the level of the classes awesome, I loved Will and Phill (they are such a good combination with a lot of humour, sensitivity, warmth, being genuine and talented with skating and teaching). I loved, as always, the food and the hospitality of Andreia and Rui, they are so lovely and welcoming! I loved Ruba as a host. I loved Shawn for doing the video’s, he is a good motivator haha. I loved all the cool people the camp attracts, everyone was so sweet and happy and genuine. I can keep going on forever rooting for the camp and how much it has brought me in my life (I’m not overreacting, I mean it haha). I’d like to thank Valeriya x a million, for creating this and for bringing all those people together like this. Please continue, so that, like Isa and I were talking about at the camp, we can keep going till we’re 60 and be like “this is our 30th time at the camp”.
“I would just like to say something for those may be letting something hold them back from joining the Longboard Camp in Santa Cruz: „Don’t let anything stop you from enjoying an amazing week!”
Maite, Brazil
Maite, Brazil
IS IT AGE?
I am 39 years old and I was probably the oldest one in my camp. Who cared? Absolutely nobody. I don’t even think we talked about age. Honestly, age does not matter when you’re together with a group of people who share the same interest as you: progressing on a longboard, having a good time and enjoying the amazing Portuguese sun and coast!
IS IT COMPANY?
Are you scared of going alone? Trust me, you won’t feel alone for long. I on my own and left with a bunch of new friends! Again, in the camp I participated, only two other girls already knew each other previously. Most of us went there alone, meaning we were all open to the new and amazing people we were going to meet, spend time with and create a new connection.
HAVEN'T YOU EVER STEPPED ON A BOARD?
Even better. You will start from scratch, before you've had the time to acquire any “bad” or “inappropriate” habits. I had very little experience and saw people who had none at all progress even quicker than I did. That is what these camps are made for - teaching you, making people experience how fun and motivating longboarding is. And if everyone else is better than you? Just watch them all cheer and encourage you every-baby-step-of-the-way. It’s magic!
WHAT IF I FALL?
“Oh, darling, but what if you manage to complete a 180 step?”. Falling is part of learning. Me too, I was super scared. I still am, ever since I had to glue my chin after hitting the face on the floor once. (If only I had decided to start learning at a camp instead of by myself ; ). At the camp, they make sure you are protected and they’ll never push you to do things that will make you hit your head or face. Oh, watch out for the steps on the terrace of the Surfcamp 360, I did fall there and I think that was the only “accident” we had that week.
IN SUMMARY: GO!
If anything inside you says you’d love to participate, if you get butterflies on your stomach when you watch their amazing videos and see their beautiful pictures on instagram, you should definitely not let anything hold you back. You know those smiles you see on them? The next one could be yours! "
Manuelle, Germany / Spain
I came to the camp with no expectations at all and with many doubts: How will be the people? How will be the lessons? How will be the food? Will I manage to stand on a surfboard?
And after just the first afternoon I knew it was gonna be an unforgettable experience. Valeriya is a super nice and charming person who does a great job organizing this camp and making sure everyone is having the time of their life. Andrea & Rui just make you feel at home. They are lovely people. The camp facilities are perfect and the food is indescribably good. The instructors (Giu & Ophelia in my case) are not only amazing longboard riders and instructors but also very communicative, easy-going, nice and lovely. They teach really good and in a very dynamic way so it is always funny and rewarding.
And what to say about the people who shared this experience with me… We made such a nice group, got along really well and there was positive energy the whole time. Everyone was different and awesome. We had such a great time before the lessons, during the lessons and after the lessons.
I want to thank all of them for giving me one of the best trips in my life and I am counting the days to do it again next year!
Jojo, Germany
I went to the camp with no expectation about anything really... I wanted to have a good time and meet cool people which are also interested to learn how to dance on a longboard. When I arrived I could do some steps but didn’t really know how or what I actually have to do... I was able to push and break... but that’s mostly it.
In the camp we had two instructors – one was more for the dancing (Axel) and the other one for tricks (Jeff) after the first day we split the big group of all of us into two groups with similar experience :)
We all learned a lot within this one week, some got comfortable on the board, I think most peeps could do a pirouette in the end and the teachers are always (still) helpful if there are any questions!
I don’t even want to talk about the food. Andreia the best angel woman in Portugal- sorry Val.... made breakfast and dinner.... I only say: when you think dinner is over it’s just the starters! The food was amazing!
The days are packed with exciting activities so you should definitely bring a lot of motivation and a good mood.
I came alone and made friends for a lifetime I think. I am glad I came and I would do it over and over again! Thank you and I send lots of love!
“I was asked on the first night how long I’d been longboarding and my answer was 5 years; looking back now, I feel I’ve learned and improved more in that one week than in all of these years.”
Isabella, Brazil / Netherlands
Kirsten, USA
I went to The Longboard Camp and it brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined! I had never ridden a longboard before this camp and with the support of the best teachers I went from 0 experience to learning the basic steps of longboard dancing. I learned alongside an incredible group of people from all around the world and they inspired me to go outside my comfort zone. I'm so so grateful for the week I had with such amazing people.
Tine, Belgium
A week that started with the intention to learn steps in longboarding, to exercise, to relax, to have fun, and to share this with people with the same interest on a beautiful location, turned into a week that ended with a stoked crazy feeling in all areas! From growing to letting go, both physically and mentally. Doing sports/playing and having fun in the highest square. Having interesting conversations with the warm people I met, who each contribute in their own way to this life-changing experience and, best of all, whom I may later call friends. In One Word: GRATEFUL
Tobi, Germany
I came for the balance - I stayed for the dancing. This sentence sums up an incredible week with the most wonderful people at The Longboard Camp - both in a literal and metaphoric way. Thank you everyone for creating our safe space for all of us together. So much warmth and kindness. I'm taking home so many things, including so many things I am only starting to realize and understand.
“I went to the longboard camp with little experience and came out of it with a bundle of things to try and a heart refilled with joy and a vibe that's rare to find. Everything works towards making you feel welcome, from the place, the mood, the instructors and the people who attend.”
Miguel, Portugal
Chloe, UK
What a bloody beautiful week. Though in all honesty it started with fear and feeling like I don't belong. To every much the opposite and meeting some beautiful people.It's true about taking step into fear. It's much better to take one than non at all. Big thank you to everyone at the camp.
Cindy, Switzerland
Val and her team put together a beautiful longboarding/spa/yoga edition camp in Feelviana. All the activities and relaxation time were equally balanced in a gorgeous location. Not to mention the great food and company!
Gabby, Amsterdam
I gotta say thought, I am so grateful to have been able to skate one of the most beautiful spots in the world. It's been a long-time dream to longboard at the beach, barefoot, with a radiant Portuguese sunset in the background. Thank you TLC for making it happen!
“You can learn on your own, but it's a gift to have someone else observe your flow, to have the wealth of knowledge shared between skaters experienced and new, and most of all to be fully received and welcomed by the longboard community.”
Amiie, Canada
Deborah, France
Thank you to all the people who made this experience so sincere, caring, filled with love, joy, smiles.. and a few bruises too. I had to wait until I was 34 to experience it and I regret not having done it sooner.
Sara, USA
I attended last June/July and I’m 46 and had a blast! Everyone was awesome and super nice, we had so much fun!
Alexane, Switzerland
Grab your board, get to the ocean, surround yourself with right people and be ready for a life-changing adventure!
“I'm 42, mama of 7 years old and I have had the best time of life. The Longboard Camp is AGELESS. And actually I went back again because there is something unique happening during this week.”
Julie, Switzerland
Bianca, UK
From exploring another incredible spot in Portugal, to meeting so many amazing and inspiring people, to trying something new and falling in love with longboarding! I will never ever forget this experience of a lifetime!
Allison, USA
The Longboard Camp gave me the confidence to jump on a board and not just cruise, but learn some fundamentals and actually begin creating small sequences and steps. I can't wait to put what I've learned into practice!
Diana, France
I’m 40, mum of 2 and I was at the camp last summer! It was a blast! So much fun, so many great people, good energy and love. Don’t waist a minute and book your place.
“I can recommend it to anyone who either wants to learn longboard dancing or wants to improve it. It's just incredible to see the amount of progress everyone makes within a week! And even better, you meet amazing people who become your friends! This has been heaven, I'm really grateful that I have been able to travel and live this experience.”
Mel, France