Women and Waves

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Reviews

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  Leah Wool

  What an amazing weekend in the waves! I had the best time on the beginner surf lessons with Women + Waves at the weekend. Freddie and all the instructors were so encouraging, positive and knowledgeable. I feel much more confident in the waves and cannot wait to get back in the water and practice all the skills they taught me. The weekend was so well organised and I loved seeing the fab photos and filming from Sarah. I’m super keen for another weekend. Thanks again everyone 🌊😍🏄‍♀️🌞🌊

  23-05-2023
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  Sophia Karamanopoulou

  Had an absolutely amazing beginner weekend with women+waves! Could not recommend them enough! I am so inspired by all the women I met! Amazing and really supportive coaches as well, thank you Freddie! Everyone was so supportive and encouraging! The weekend was beautifully organized with plenty of time in the water but after with the analysis! Definitely will come back for the progressive one and I would recommend to anyone to come and try ASAP! Thanks again Freddie and the rest of your crew, you guys are absolute legends!

  23-05-2023
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  Lauren-ashleigh Lambert

  Portugal surf camp ‘23 I honestly couldn’t have dreamt of a better week than with the girls at the Women + Waves Portugal surf camp! I had previously attended W+W back in 2021 in Cornwall and Wales as a novice surfer and I couldn’t believe I was standing in my first lesson. I have since used other schools in places such as California, but nothing compares to what you get with Women + Waves. Read on to hear why! I was initially a little nervous flying out alone but as soon I stepped off the plane into the sun and warmth I was instantly in my element and I didn’t stop smiling the entire time! I felt silly for being nervous! It was completely stress free with the airport transfer all arranged and organised and I was then greeted by Rach and Mon right away at the accommodation, giving me a tour despite it being later than planned and already making me feel super welcome and relaxed. It is so lovely meeting like minded women with a love for travel and surfing and we all instantly connected. The week was so thoroughly planned and jam packed with just the perfect proportion of surf, beach time, surf theory, stretching, workshops, analysis, dinners, socialising but most importantly FUN! I can’t tell you how many times I was in tears of laughter. It was not pressurising or in anyway judgmental. I felt really confident in the water and knew we were in good hands. I am so glad I attended a week long trip were I could fully build confidence both in the water and with my surfing. Not only am I coming away with memories for life but I also have photos and videos to monitor progression. The food was incredible, it was a huge highlight for me. Travelling with fellow vegan/veggies with so much choice was a real treat compared to the sometimes salad and chips options! Each restaurant was carefully picked out and researched we had everything from Asian fusion to authentic Portuguese tapas, we also had the added bonus of home cooked vegan lunches and sweet treats which we enjoyed each day post surf on the beach. Let’s just say we didn’t go hungry! I cannot wait to attend another overseas W+W camp, and I will try to make it a yearly occurrence in my calendar. Thank you Rachel, Monica and the girls at surf experience for a simply EPIC week!

  22-05-2023
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  Vicki

  Such a wonderful and welcoming surf experience! The staff thoughtfully put together a week abroad that was full of helpful coaching that met people where they were, friendly connections, yummy food and a well-rounded schedule that could be tailored to each surfer’s needs and wants. Very much recommended for anyone looking to build confidence in their surfing while traveling.

  22-05-2023
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  Caroline Smith

  I cannot stress enough how well this trip was put together. Rachel and her team thought of everything and made it a totally stress-free travel experience, even for a solo traveler. Being coached in small groups really set us apart from the other surf schools there. We got so much one-on-one coaching, which was really valuable and allowed us to progress really quickly. Our video analysis sessions also helped with this and allowed us to really get into the finer details of our stance etc. I would have to say that the best thing, however, was the camaraderie and vibe between the group. Whenever someone caught a wave, you could hear all of our "woo!"'s and cheers over the waves. It was really lovely being with other like-minded women, experiencing some great surf, and learning to love a new sport. What was always stressed to us is that it was still our holiday, so we could take part in as much, or as little, as we wanted. There was no pressure to do anything. If you're worried about attending one of these camps on your own, don't be. You will make friends fast and come back with your surfing improved dramatically.

  22-05-2023
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  Camilla Newman

  Have been wanting to learn to surf for so long but it had always been super intimidating… Bit the bullet and headed to one of the Croyde weekends solo - was really nervous but had the most amazing time! Freddie was a brilliant coach - open, warm and funny - so encouraging and made us all feel completely at ease. Most of us had joined solo and it was epic to spend the weekend with a group of likeminded and inspiring women. Already booked my next weekend with them at the end of July!

  30-04-2023
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  Mischka Manan

  Had an amazing weekend on the Beginners surf course in Croyde with the Women + Waves crew. From the pre-weekend information (including pre-surf yoga and breathing routines), the warm welcome and expert coaching to the post-weekend follow-up emails. Our coach Freddie immediately put everyone at ease with her warmth and humour and paid attention to everyone on the course, giving tips and encouragement as well as taking us through the theory, safety & surf etiquette. It was great to see how invested the whole w+w team were in ensuring that we all had a fantastic experience - Freddie, Rachel, Sophie, Aline and Sarah. Thank you!

  28-04-2023
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  Nina Lewis

  Had the best weekend as a beginner in Croyde with the team. Freddy, our instructor was just a wonderful human; super encouraging, supportive and gave great guidance to everyone. The weekend was so well organised, I met some awesome people who I'll stay in touch with and have already booked onto their Portugal camp! Can't recommend them enough!

  28-04-2023
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  Frances Smith

  Super fun weekend, met some really cool people, made meaningful progress with my surfing actually can stay on the board now - teachers are awesome, really professional experience too, pre and post surf tailored work out videos, video analysis, professional photos, advice on boards, even some local discounts. Oh and you dont have to carry the boards all the way because theyre stored in the van by the beach - nice touch.

  28-04-2023
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  Rebecca Vaughan

  Book this course, you honestly won’t regret it! From all the pre-weekend information, identifying surfing expectations and goals as well as reassuring emails and yoga tips, the Women+Waves Beginners Surfing Weekend, based in a fabulous central activity centre and on the sheltered Great Western Beach in Newquay is the way to start your surfing journey. The instruction is so professional and of such a high quality with small groups and almost individual attention and care whilst out surfing in the waves. So many helpful tips, and hints allowing you to focus on the surfing instruction, from help setting up your positions and how to manoeuvre your surfboard, without being conked on the head (previous Surf School lesson/introductory experience which completely lacked instruction of how to get the board out easily and really put me off). With Women+Waves I never felt in danger or scared, even when a few slightly bigger waves rolled in, and it just felt natural to accommodate any changing conditions following the guidance of the instructors who with a 1:3 or 4 ratio were watching, helping and instructing each of us the whole time. Freddie was amazing! enthusiastic, empathetic and great fun, offering positive support and tips the whole time, with an appreciation of what each of the group might be going through Piping hot vegan, hot-chocolate, or hot Ribena, and nibbles halfway through the surf session helped energy levels, and even though it was April, the warm wetsuits, kit and constant activity meant we never felt the cold - having too much fun! Hot showers afterwards before video analysis was superb and great fun to spend an evening with new friends and like-minded beginners all so enthusiastic about our introduction to surfing. The course is in no way anti-men, however it was wonderful to have the feminine energy and support throughout (as well as the lovely smelling rash tops and wetsuits) - just a few of the lovely little touches of a more feminine side to surfing as opposed to a 'hard-core surf dude' vibe, so intimidating to complete newbies I have already booked my next weekend as well as other courses offered by Women+Waves including Bodysurfing and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding. I also hope to join them on a surf holiday abroad later in the year and truly believe that with the guidance offered from Freddie as well as and Sophie, all under the superb direction of the owner, Rachel, I will progress and enjoy my surfing journey and newfound hobby. Thank you also to Sarah who took so many fabulous photographs and videos of us all to provide such great video analysis. This part of the course really helped identify specific areas to improve, supported by the constructive feedback and helpful tips from all members of the team focusing not only on improving but also enjoying the whole surfing experience Absolutely loved it - Thank you!

  28-04-2023