Dude surf school
The Surf School: the best beach, the best students, the funniest classes.
The portuguese coast has some of the best waves in Europe and Figueira da Foz is at the top of the portuguese surfing spots. Cabedelo beach has consistent waves throughout the year, perhaps the most consistent in the district of Coimbra or even in the Center Coast of Portugal. With these conditions, it was easy to choose the place to set up Dude, in 2020.
Our mission is to promote surf, not only as physical activity, but as a way of contact with nature. We want to be a sustainable surf school that respects nature and everything it provides.
We believe that surfing should be for everyone, from children to adults, including people with physical limitations. We have partnerships with schools and associations in order to bring surfing to more people. We give lessons both to those who have never seen the sea and to those who live next to it and want to feel more comfortable.
In our classes the word “safety” is key. We never place a coach with too many students (maximum 5), so that he can pay proper attention to each and every one. We teach and reinforce safety rules both on the beach and in the water (ways to read the ocean, precautions to take with backwash currents, protection moves in the event of a fall, safety distances between boards …).
We differentiate each class according to the level of the students, so that each one can define their journey in surf, at their own pace. Students who are starting the sport take classes in the white waves to gain confidence, while more advanced students go to the green waves to perfect their technique.
In our team we have qualified instructors, with many years of experience in teaching surf. Most of the coaches have a lifeguard course, for extra safety when entering the water.
We speak, play and laugh with our Students. Without you none of this would make sense.
Ready to surf?
Iúri Tomás
Technical Director, Grade III Surf Coach
Our Technical Director is Iúri, son of António Tomás (a great Portuguese surfer from the 80s and 90s). Following his father steps, he started surfing from a young age, having enrolled in competitions for the first time in 2002.
Since 2006 he is a Certified Lifeguard and, in 2010, he graduated in Sports and Wellness, at Escola Superior de Educação e Ciências Sociais de Leiria. Later, in 2012, he finished his Postgraduate Degree in Surfing, at the Faculty of Human Motricity, University of Lisbon. He has been working as technical director and surfing coach since 2013. From now on, he is 100% dedicated to the Dude project, both as Coach and Technical Director.
Iúri is a Grade III Surf Coach who loves to teach and share his maneuvers with those who are still learning. When he’s not surfing, he’s watching John John Florence or Gabriel Medina dominate the WSL stages.
Carolina Rosa
Communications Director, Surf Coach
With a degree in Communication Design from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon and a Master's degree in Design and Multimedia from the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra, Carolina is always on her mobile phone, ready to update the school's website or social media.
She feels most at home in the water: she doesn't have as much surfing experience as Iúri, but she makes up for it with her years as a competitive swimmer. She represented Sporting Clube de Portugal and the National Team as an athlete in multiple competitions, and still holds some national records in this sport. As a coach, she holds a Level I Surfing Coach course, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation.
Certified Lifeguard between 2017 and 2021.
Camila Guardado
Surf and Bodyboard Coach
Both surfing and bodyboarding are part of Camila's DNA. She has been competing in bodyboarding for five years and has over a decade of experience in wave sports! The Grade I Surfing Coach course, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation, was another step towards sharing her passion with others.
She is currently studying for a degree in Nursing, which reinforces her approach focused on the safety, care and well-being of her students, combined with great empathy and ease in human contact.
Passionate about travelling and discovering new realities related to surfing, Camila loves to exchange experiences with surfers from all over the world.
Eduardo Alçada
Surf and SUP Coach
With over 40 years of experience at sea, a degree in Sports Science from the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education at the University of Coimbra, and a degree in Philosophy from the University of Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom, Eduardo loves to pass on his knowledge to those who are new to surfing and SUP (Stand Up Paddle). In recent years, he has complemented his academic training with SUP training, taught by ASUP, and a Level I Surfing Coach course, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation.
When he is not at sea teaching, Eduardo can easily be found practising some kind of sport: in addition to surfing and SUP, he has been an international rower and national master champion in swimming (800m).
As if all this were not enough, for several years Eduardo was a lifeguard in the United Kingdom.
Gonçalo Veríssimo
Surf Coach
With a degree in Tourism from the Higher School of Education of Coimbra and a specialisation in Outdoor Tourism certified by Turismo de Portugal, Gonçalo is one of the faces you will see most often at the school reception.
Always looking for adrenaline, Gonçalo's athletic resume includes not only surfing, but also boxing, diving (freediving and white water), spearfishing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. As an instructor, he combines his Level I Surfing Coach course, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation, with his experience as a canyoning instructor.
Luís Gomes
Surf, Bodyboard and SUP Coach
Luís Gomes, Piri to his friends, was one of the first bodyboarders in Figueira da Foz. Always full of energy and eager to be in the water, over the years he has devoted himself not only to bodyboarding, but also to surfing and SUP (Stand Up Paddle).
In 2005, he completed the Level I Surfing Coach course, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation, followed by training in Stand Up Paddle (flat water) taught by ASUP and a course in Tow-in Surfing and Jet Ski Rescue at Jet Resgate in 2018.
In addition to his sports training, Piri was a Lifeguard between 2008 and 2011.
Pedro Silveira
Surf and Bodyboard Coach
Pedro is a coach with over 40 years of surfing experience, bringing to each lesson a deep knowledge of the sea, waves and safe surfing practices.
He is a Level I Surfing Coach, certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation, ensuring structured, safe and appropriate teaching for all levels: from those taking their first steps to more experienced surfers.
With a calm, confident and approachable manner, Pedro creates a positive and motivating environment, helping students of all ages to gain confidence in the water and enjoy the surfing experience to the fullest.