What level surfer are you?

Find the right camp for exactly where you are right now. Seven levels, clearly described — so you walk into week one knowing exactly where you stand.
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The surf levels

Whether you’ve never touched a surfboard or you’re already working on your cutbacks — you’re in the right place. Find the description that sounds most like you. If you’re on the edge between two, go lower — we assess everyone in the water on day one and sort it from there.

Find the one that sounds like you.

Surf instructor chatting with students on the beach in Lagos
Level 0
Beginner

Never surfed before

This is your first time. You’ve never stood on a surfboard and you’re not sure what to expect. No worries — all you need is motivation. There will be some falls but there’ll be a lot more fun. Most first-timers ride their first wave by day two or three.

Surf instructor leading a warmup stretch with students on the beach
Level 1
Beginner

Tried it once or twice

You’ve had a go — maybe on holiday — and you’re still figuring out the pop-up. That’s completely normal at this stage. You’ll be surprised how much clicks when you’re in the right environment with people at the same stage as you.

Two surf students riding white water waves together in Portugal
Level 2
Beginner

Riding whitewater most of the time

You can stand up and ride broken waves most of the time. You’re building confidence in the surf zone and getting comfortable on the board. By the end of the week you’ll feel much more at home in the water — and many people at this level start catching their first green waves too.

Woman surfing white water waves near a rock formation in Portugal
Level 3
Intermediate

Comfortable in whitewater, starting to paddle out

You ride broken waves with confidence and on calmer days you’re starting to paddle out past the break. You’re at the exciting point where open water is starting to feel possible — and with the right coaching, it happens fast.

What’s next: Paddle-out technique, reading the break from the beach, staying calm in the lineup, timing your entry.
Surf student doing a bottom turn on a big green wave in the Algarve
Level 4
Intermediate

Paddling out and catching green waves

You can paddle out and catch unbroken waves. You’re riding them straight or nearly straight. Now it’s about riding with more control — a lot of surfers at this level make a big jump in a single week when they focus on turns.

What’s next: Weight distribution on takeoff, starting bottom turns, positioning yourself on the wave face rather than riding straight to shore.
Man surfing a green wave in yellow lycra closeup
Level 5
Intermediate+

Riding 1m green waves independently

You can catch and ride 1m unbroken waves on your own. You’re starting to explore the face of the wave. This is where technique starts to separate good surfers from great ones. Most people at this level benefit from one more week of focused coaching before moving up to advanced.

What’s next: Timed bottom turns, generating speed through the top section, wave selection to set up better turns.

Pushing your limits? Advanced camp may also suit you.

Surfer riding a clean green wave on a foam board in Portugal
Level 6
Advanced

1.5m green waves, practising manoeuvres

You surf independently on solid waves and you’re already working on manoeuvres — cutbacks, snaps, better timing on bottom turns. Small groups, video analysis, and focused feedback will accelerate the technical work you’re doing.

What’s next: Committing to cutbacks, improving top-turn timing, understanding where on the wave each manoeuvre works best.

Which camp is right for your level?

Three programmes, each designed for where you are right now. Don’t overthink the choice — our instructors assess everyone on the first morning and adjust groups daily. If you progress faster than expected, you move up. Beginner and intermediate sessions run at the same time every day, so nobody gets stuck doing white water drills when they’re ready for the green stuff.

Levels 0 – 2

Zero to Hero

Never surfed? Tried it once or twice? This week takes you from the beach to riding waves under your own steam. Small groups, daily coaching, structured progression from day one.

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Levels 3 – 5

Intermediate Camp

You can paddle out and catch some green waves. This week is about making your surfing consistent — better bottom turns, smarter wave selection, and reading the lineup with more confidence.

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Level 6

Advanced Camp

You surf 1.5m+ waves independently and you’re working on manoeuvres. Max 6 per group, video analysis, and high-level coaching to push your technique further. Bring your own board if you have one.

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Looking for something other than surfing?

We run camps for 6 water sports in Lagos. If the surf isn’t your main focus — or if you want to keep active when the waves go flat — these are your options.

Kitesurf Camp Wingfoil Camp Windsurf Camp Wakeboard Camp SUP Camp Surf & Yoga Camp

Not sure where you fit?

Plenty of people land somewhere between levels — that’s completely normal. Don’t stress about getting it exactly right. Just tell us what you can do in the water and we’ll put you in the right group on day one. If it turns out you’re in the wrong place, we move you. The beginner and intermediate camps run at the same time, so switching is easy and it happens all the time.

Ask us which level you are Read about the intermediate camp

Common questions about levels

We reassess every person on day one with a water session before formal coaching begins. If you’re in the wrong group — too advanced or not quite there — we move you. It happens every week and it’s completely normal. No one is stuck in the wrong session for a whole week.
Yes. If your coach sees you progressing quickly and there’s space in the group above, we’ll move you up. This is especially common between Levels 3 and 4 — it’s a jump a lot of people make during a single week with focused coaching.
The clearest dividing line: can you surf independently without needing a push or assistance? Intermediate surfers are working on catching green waves and doing their first turns. Advanced surfers are already surfing independently and working on specific manoeuvres — cutbacks, snaps, timing on bigger waves. If you’re not sure which side of that line you’re on, you’re probably intermediate.
No — boards are included in all our camps. We select the right board for your level and the conditions on the day. For intermediate surfers, we’ll typically transition you from larger foam boards to smaller foamies or even hardboards as the week progresses, depending on your rate of progression.
Absolutely. You’ll have separate coaching sessions during the day, but the rest of the camp experience — accommodation, meals, evenings — is shared. Mixed-level groups are very common and work well. You’ll each progress in the right session, and then compare notes over dinner.

Ready to pick your camp?

You know your level. Now check availability and lock in your week in Lagos.

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