Dude, the new surf school in Figueira da Foz
Dude is a surf school on Cabedelo beach, in Figueira da Foz. We have a young, friendly team, with a lot of training and experience in surfing. We want to share what we know, teach you how to surf and have a good time in the water.
About us: 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 school that respects nature and everything it provides.
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.
Iúri Tomás
Technical Director, Coach Grade III
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 Coach Grade III 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.