Onboarding for Surf Schools

From zero to your first booking in 15 minutes.

Step-by-step guide, built for schools that never used a platform before. Every step has a time estimate and a direct link to the right screen.

1. Register 2. Email 3. Profile 4. Stripe 5. First lesson 6. Bookings Extras New FAQ
1
Download the app + create account3 min
First step is the Surf Booking app — install from App Store or Play Store and create your account inside the app. The same login then works on the web Control Center.
Why through the app first:
  • Same account on app + web Control Center + Channel Manager
  • Push notifications for bookings, check-ins and student chat
  • Valid email, school name (editable later), PT-format phone, strong password (12+ chars, 1 upper, 1 lower, 1 number, 1 symbol)
Download the app Open Control Center (web)
2
Verify your email1 min
We send a code. You type it. Done.
Don't see the email? Check spam. If still missing after 2 min, we have a resend button right in the modal.
3
Complete the profile3 min
Tab "Definições" → upload logo + cover photo, pick your primary beach, set access code for login.
Primary beach matters:
  • Decides where your school shows on the marketplace
  • Powers the forecast cards on your dashboard
  • You can teach at other beaches too (Staff tab → Allowed spots)
Tip: Use a square logo (at least 400×400px) and a landscape cover (1200×600). Makes your marketplace card pop.
4
Connect Stripe5 min
Stripe is the payment processor. We use Stripe Connect — money goes 80% direct to your bank account, 20% to Surf Booking as commission. No money passes through us on the way.
What Stripe asks for:
  • Business NIF
  • Portuguese IBAN for payouts
  • Copy of your ID (selfie verification)
  • Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
Until Stripe is approved (usually a few minutes), you can't accept bookings. The platform still lets you create lessons — they just won't be bookable until verification is done.
5
Create your first lesson3 min
Click “Criar Aula” on the dashboard. A 3-step wizard opens.
Wizard steps:
  • Step 1 (essentials): mode (single or bulk multi-day), date, time, beach, level, group/private
  • Step 2 (details): instructor, price, max students, duration, equipment included, photo
  • Step 3 (review): check everything, click Create
Bulk mode: great for recurring classes. Pick a date range + weekdays + hours → creates up to 120 lessons at once. Since today you can even set different hours per day.
✓
Bookings start coming inauto
Your lesson is now on the Surf Booking marketplace and your school's public page. When someone books:
  • You get a push notification + email
  • 80% of the price lands in your Stripe balance immediately
  • Stripe transfers to your IBAN (daily or weekly, your choice)
  • Student gets a QR code — scan on the beach = instant check-in
  • If you have a waiver, the student signs it digitally before the lesson
Start now

What’s new — straight to the point

Three differentiators most schools haven’t found yet. Shortcuts below.

Progress Passport
Progression certifications your students keep for life. Cross-school, cross-lifetime. See how it works.
See Progress Passport →
LTV Cockpit
Top 10 highest-value students. Re-engage dormant ones with one click after 60 days of silence.
Open LTV Cockpit →
iCal setup wizard
Airbnb, Booking.com, Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple — one calendar. Zero overbooking. 5-min setup.
Open Channel Manager →

Once you're live: unlock more

These features aren't essential to launch, but most schools activate them within the first 2 weeks.

Express QR on the beach
Walk-up tourist, QR scan, pays in 10 seconds. No app install needed. Ideal for summer street presence.
Channel Manager
Register lessons sold outside Surf Booking (your site, Instagram, phone). One calendar, zero overbooking. 0% commission on externals.
Digital waivers
Students sign on the phone. Guardian co-signature for minors. Templates aligned with public surf-school regulation.
Team (staff)
Invite instructors. Granular permissions per role. Certification tracking. Multi-beach scheduling.
Waitlist
Lesson full? Student joins the queue. If someone cancels, waitlist gets notified automatically.
Extras
Sell photo packs, transport, rentals, insurance to students at booking time. Your price, your margin.
Reports
Revenue breakdowns by instructor, beach, level, weekday. Month picker. No Excel required.
Badges
Mark students as VIP, loyal, fast learner, rapid progress. Visible to your whole team.

Common questions

How much does it cost?
Free. 0€/month. We take 20% commission on each booking made through the Surf Booking marketplace. No commission on lessons you register in Channel Manager (external sales). Channel Manager — €49/month from 2027 (free until then).
Do I need Stripe?
Yes, to receive money through the marketplace. Stripe is the industry standard — used by Shopify, Lyft, booking.com. Setup takes ~5 min, verification is usually instant. If you only want to use Channel Manager (register external bookings), you can skip Stripe — but you won't appear on the marketplace.
When do I get paid?
The 80% lands in your Stripe balance immediately when the student pays. Stripe transfers to your IBAN on a schedule you pick (default is daily, 2–7 business days depending on first payout).
What if a student cancels?
Refund policy is automatic based on time before the lesson: 100% refund if >48h, 50% if 24–48h, 0% if <24h. You can override for any booking in the admin panel.
Do you have an app?
Yes — iOS and Android. Use it for beach ops: check-in QR scanner, lesson view, team, waivers, notifications. The Control Center (this guide) is web-only — runs better on a bigger screen when creating lessons or doing analytics.
I'm stuck. Who do I contact?
Email [email protected] or open a chat from Control Center → Definições → Ajuda e Feedback. We answer within business hours.

Stop waiting. Your first booking is 15 minutes away.

Control Center — 0€/month until 2027.

Open Control Center