West Coast Surf School

Some schools you measure in years. West Coast Surf School opened its doors in Ericeira in 2005 — when the town wasn't yet a World Surfing Reserve, when Portuguese surf was a different thing. Twenty years on, it's still in the same place, with the same idea it began with: share the love of surfing with as many people as possible.

The place — the town, not just the beach

Ericeira is one of Europe's surf capitals, 40 minutes from Lisbon, and mainland Europe's only World Surfing Reserve. Yet it keeps something rare for a place so well-known: a low-key, chilled vibe. Cobblestone streets, neighbourhood restaurants, colourful cafés perched on cliffs above world-class waves.

West Coast is in the town centre, on Calçada da Baleia — not a car park by the roadside. You step out of the school and you're in the real Ericeira, a few paces from the sea and from everything that makes the town worth the trip.

The founder — Nuno Gonçalves

The school was founded by Nuno Gonçalves, who has taught surfing for over 20 years. What drives him, in his own words, is simple and says everything about the school: "seeing people overcome their difficulties in surfing." Not the surfer who wants to impress — the instructor who lives for the moment a student catches the wave they thought impossible.

The team — local people

— Nuno Gonçalves — founder, 20+ years teaching

— Afonso — instructor, 21, born and raised in Ericeira, surfing these waves his whole life

— Mafalda and Luís — certified instructors

A small team with roots in the town. When your instructor grew up surfing the very beach where they teach you, it shows — in how they read the sea, pick the day's spot, and welcome you.

What they offer

— Certified lessons for all levels, from absolute beginner to the advanced surfer fine-tuning

— Group and private lessons — choose the pace you want

— Gear rental — surfboards, wetsuits, racks, neoprene shoes, even bikes and skateboards, to live the town like a local

— Daily lessons, year-round

The philosophy — patience

West Coast is defined by three things: patience, professional technique, and an atmosphere where you learn while smiling. No rush, no ego. An instructor who knows each person has their own pace, and that their job is to find that pace and respect it. It's the approach that gets people who walk in afraid of the water to walk out asking for the next lesson.

Who it's for

For your first time, yes — it's literally why the school exists. For the intermediate who wants to progress with people who know the Reserve's spots. For families, for couples, for the tourist who lands in Lisbon and wants a real day in Ericeira. West Coast adapts the lesson to the level, the day's sea, and the person.

Book your lesson

West Coast Surf School is available on Surf Booking. Book in under 2 minutes, instant confirmation, and payment by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or MB Way. If the school cancels for sea conditions, you're refunded 100%, automatically, no small print.

See West Coast lessons

West Coast Surf School
Ericeira · Calçada da Baleia · World Surfing Reserve
Sharing the love of surfing, since 2005.
On Surf Booking