Surf school · Areia Branca
The Surf Academy
A small school on Praia da Areia Branca run by a coach born and raised there, with group, private and advanced-coaching tracks and everything included.
The Surf Academy was founded in 2022 by Pedro Fernandes, a surfer since he was thirteen and born and raised on Praia da Areia Branca. Groups are small: up to five per coach in group classes, three in private classes.
Three progression tracks
Initiation covers sea safety and catching your first unbroken waves. Evolution moves on to turns on unbroken waves and reading a peak. Performance is advanced technique and linking manoeuvres, with video analysis.
What is included
Two hours of water time per session, board and wetsuit, civil-liability and personal-accident insurance, and transport to whichever beach best suits the conditions and your level. There is also a Beginners Improvement Week that bundles lessons, theory and accommodation.
Prices start around EUR 35 for a single group class (high season June to October); ten-class packs bring the per-class price down.
Spots nearby
Areia Branca
A compact, partly sheltered bay at Lourinhã, between Peniche and Santa Cruz, with a cluster of long-established surf schools. A dependable learner wave that takes the edge off a bigger swell.
BeginnersYear-round; summer smallest and best for lessons
Supertubos
The beach break that made Peniche famous: fast, hollow barrels over a sandbar, both ways with better lefts. Europe's answer to Pipeline and a long-time WSL Championship Tour venue.
Advanced surfersOctober to March, February often the pick
Molhe Leste
The beach break next to the eastern breakwater at Peniche, just along from Supertubos. A more forgiving wave than its famous neighbour, and the spot the crowd moves to when Supertubos is out of control or blown out by the north wind.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring