Ticket to Ride has been running School Surf Trips to Portugal since 2006 and we were thrilled to have Sincil Sports College on board for June 2013. The School has just spent the last week in Ribeira learning to surf and experiencing the local Portuguese culture.
Ribeira is located an hour away from Portugal's Capital of Lisbon and a few minutes up the coastal road from the Portuguese Surf Capital of Ericeira. There are endless beaches located near the accommodation which can offer a variety of waves from the playful beach breaks of Sao Juliao, the endless point breaks of Ribeira and Coxos, one of the worlds heaviest waves. Not only does the local area have waves for all abilities, but its also a protected area of outstanding beauty so its the ideal location for pupils to witness Portugal at it's best.
The whole week we were blessed with blue skies, 30 degree and above heat everyday and 2-3ft clean offshore waves. Perfect conditions for the pupil's introduction into the sport of Surfing.
None of the pupils from Sincil Sports College had never Surfed before the Trip so they were extremely excited to get into their first lesson. After introducing them to the art form of getting into a wetsuit, their Surf Instructors Nuno and Ricardo ran them through the basics on the beach before the big eager stampede into the water. It was fantastic to see many of the group standing up and riding the white water on their first day with smiles all around.
Throughout the week I was extremely impressed with the effort and enthusiasm from the group in the water. Their keen attitude really paid off with the majority of them standing up before the end of the week and a select few making it out back to experience catching some clean un-broken waves.
Not only did the School group take part in Surf Lessons everyday, they also imursed themselves in the local Portuguese culture spending time in the Ericeira and the local fishing harbours. The Patisserie's were a big hit and one thing you can't miss out on when the smell of fresh pastries grabs you in town.
The group also kept themselves very busy in the afternoon's sampling a few of the local beaches' with such activities as Snorkelling and taking on a few of the locals at Volleyball. The Sincil Staff also not backing down when it came to a Volley ball match in a Top Gun esk show down on the beach!
One highlight of the day was always the fantastic 3 course meal in the evening's put on by their personal Chef Daniel which allowed the group to sample some local Portuguese dishes followed by the beautiful sunset over Ribeira Beach before a well earned rest.
It was a fantastic to see the pupils progress within their Surfing throughout the week and sink in to the laid back Portuguese lifestyle. One of the Sincil Staff Members Michelle described it well saying "the kids would have gained so much from the week and it will be a very positive memory for them to have and cherish for the rest of their life's".
I very much enjoyed the company of the pupils and Staff from Sincil Sports College and look forward to seeing them at some point in the near future weather it be at our Surf School in Cornwall or up at their school in Lincoln for a reunion.
See you out there next year!
Ciao,
Dave
p.s Video of the Trip coming soon …
For more information on our Portugal School Trips please visit our website here and get in touch with a TTRide expert today.