THE EMPOWERED SURF RETREAT
A private and transformative surf experience with the two of us, Andrew and Eleonora, where you improve your surfing + bring home a new, empowered version of yourself
Cascais, Portugal
for Beginner to early Intermediate Surfers | 10- 17 May, 2025 | Cascais, Portugal
Our EMPOWERED SURF RETREATS are famous for creating life transformations in people, for bringing out a new, empowered version of yourself, and for creating new friendships that become bonds for life.
We specialise in surfing over 40 and we offer an open minded surf coaching approach
Surfing is just the beginning
Surfing is more than just riding waves.
Surfing strengthens our bodies and our minds. When you learn to surf, you gain confidence that allows you to overcome the challenges that hold you back.
With 20 years of combined experience, we are dedicated to sharing our experiences and lessons in and out of the water.
When you leave our retreat, you will feel empowered, like you can conquer anything.
Learning to be confident in the ocean will give you the tools to be empowered in life.
Join us for an exclusive experience to boost confidence in and out of the water
A day in one of our Retreats
Our Retreats are run in limited capacity, for an exclusive and custom oriented experience.
We hand pick the locations, and we have chosen a gorgeous location in the south of Portugal, a prime surfing destination, to be the base of our 2025 Empowered Surf Retreat.
Think of dreamy beaches, perfect waves for learning and improving your surfing skills.
We're going to stay at the boutique villa " A House In Estoril", an oasis of tranquility in the center of historical Estoril.
Just a few minutes from the beach, this villa is real gem, located at walking distance from the center of Estoril with its buzz and restaurants (we always love an opportunity to try local foods and experience the local culture during our surf retreats!)
Anne (a beginner surfer) and Eric (an intermediate surfer), sharing about their experience with us
Andrea, an early intermediate surfer, sharing about her experience with us.
Viresh, a complete beginner surfer, sharing about his experience with us
Get ready for a real transformation
Our Empowered Surf Retreat is an experience you will remember for life.
We promise, you will learn to surf or improve your level, if you already surf.
But that's the easy part.
There is more. A week with us will bring a shift in your consciousness regarding confidence and self awareness.
Your new ability to overcome challenges, wether it's in the water, or in life, will take your surfing and your personal life to the next level.
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
We begin the experience a month in advance, with a private, personal surf evaluation performed over a Zoom call, where together with Andrew you will also set your surfing goals.
Preparation plays a very important role in your surfing journey, so Andrew, during the call, will offer some exercises for you to do before joining the retreat.
During the retreat you will have 5 surf sessions, 2 video analysis and a wave reading session with us that will change the way you look at surfing and the waves.
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
We will have breakfast every morning at the Villa, and you are free to come in at any time between 8 and 11 am.
The time of the lessons will be decided daily, depending on weather conditions and tides.
When you are not surfing, you can enjoy the hotel's pools and lush gardens, and the fantastic beaches around.
In the evening, you can explore the village of Cascais (5 minutes by car), or Estoril (walking distance), relax at the beach or treat yourself to a massage in the Spa near our Villa.
Dinner is independently organised, to give you freedom of exploring.
We also often organise to have dinner together as a group.
There is one day off in the week from the lessons, and we encourage you to do some sightseeing! The nearby Sintra is a Unesco World Heritage Site, totally worth a visit.
Nazarè is just an hour away and is a must if you like watching big waves!
Cascais is located just 25 km from Lisbon, and the nearest airport is LIS Lisbon-Portela airport, around 30 minutes away by car from the hotel.
Schedule
Schedule
Saturday, May 10th : from 3:00 pm self check in at the Villa , 6:00 pm welcome drink and meet up. Possible group dinner, feel free to join or stay in and relax.
Sunday, May 11th : Warm up session on the beach, followed by first surf session. In the late afternoon, Wave Reading Session.
Monday, May 12th : Late breakfast, followed by 2 mid day surf sessions. We're going to explore a different beach today, pack some lunch and snacks!
Tuesday, May 13th : Video analysis session, followed by surf session and visit to a new beach. If conditions allow, sunset surf session.
Wednesday, May 14th : Day off from surfing. Group excursion to the beautiful Sintra.
Thursday, May 15th : Early breakfast, followed by mid day surf session. Sunset walk around Cascais.
Friday, May 16th : Surf session and final video analysis session with tips to bring home. Time to pack.
Saturday, May 17th : Group breakfast, followed by check out and goodbyes.
Schedule details subject to change - everything will revolve around the surf forecast !
Your Hosts
ANDREW GOODMAN
Co-Founder of Andrew Goodman Surf Coaching, Andrew has been a surfer for 42 years and a Surf Coach for 17 years.
Andrew will personally help you with your surf technique, ocean knowledge (an element that plays a huge role in surfing) and your mindset.
His unique talent of identifying a surfer's shortest path to improvement will bring in progress and quick results for you.
He is known for getting people results, fast.
ELEONORA FIORINI
Co-Founder of Andrew Goodman Surf Coaching, Eleonora is a mindset coach and a Reiki practitioner.
Her knowledge and understanding of human energy will help you clear blockages that you maybe didn't know you had, and that stand in the way between you and your progress, helping you gain courage, strength and control.
Eleonora will also be your support for anything you need before, during and after the retreat.
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What do I need to bring?We provide beginner boards (soft tops) for everyone, and wetsuits for sizes from S up to XXL. If you fit anywhere else outside these parameters, these are the kind of clothes we recommend you to bring: 2 of your favorite leggings or yoga pants, 2 sport tops, and any swimwear you are comfortable in. Upon your confirmation of booking we will ask for sizing to make sure a board for you is there. Also, please bring a robe or a poncho to change into your wetsuit while on the beach, flip flops, sunscreen, a sun hat... and all the typical things you'd take if you went for a day out at the beach.
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I am currently trying to build my confidence to surf 5ft waves. Is this the right retreat for me or are most people trying to build confidence to surf massive waves?It really doesn't matter where you are in your surfing, and what is that size of a wave that you are trying to build confidence for. Building confidence is something every surfer needs to do, whether they surf white water waves or slaying 70ft giant waves. If you look for confidence to progress from a 3ft wave to an 8ft wave, this is the right retreat for you. If you look for confidence to progress from not surfing at all to surfing small waves, this is the right retreat for you. If you look for confidence to surf 20ft waves, this is the right retreat for you. And so on.... building confidence is very much a part of every stage of surfing, it lives in every level of surfing.
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Is there a weight or age limit in order to join this retreat?NO. Surfing, and building confidence to surf, is for every age, weight, shape or size.
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I am just starting out with surfing and I am worried that the rest of the group is ahead of me?We will be dividing the surf classes according to surf levels. This is an inclusive surf retreat, open to all surfing levels including complete beginners.
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I am in a moment right now, I don't even like being in the water anymore, and I am afraid I will get too scared in the surf lessons...Imagine fear in a circle. Right outside of that circle, is confidence. Right outside of confidence, is the freak out zone, or the very umcofortable zone. Most people who try to work on fear alone, think they have to push themselves to the limit in order to overcome the fear. It doesn't work like that. Fear is conquered by expanding, baby steps at a time, your confidence space. We will never take you to the "freak out zone". You will be guided and supported through out the whole 6 days. We will hold your hand, literally, and we will help you expand your confidence zone at a comfortable pace.
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So you will eliminate my fears ?Think of this Retreat as a team work between you and us. We cannot do the work for you, but we know how to get you, from wherever you are right now, to start (re)building your confidence in the best possible way, and we will provide you with all the tools you need in order for you to reach your goal.
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Will I have to face my fears in front of everybody ?While this is a group event, you will have 3 private session, where you can open up in privacy with us. One with Andrew, before the retreat. One with Ria, before the retreat. And a mid week, check in session again with Ria, during the retreat. There is power in the community, and this will be a non-judgmental, loving and fully supportive community.
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I am a intermediate surfer, is this the right retreat for me?Because building confidence is something all surfers work on, no matter where they are at in their level, this Retreat is open to all surfing levels. We divide the group by levels for the surf coaching sessions in the water.
Why join
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If you’d love to learn to surf, and are looking for a fun, friendly and non competitive environment where you participate in professional surf lessons that get you long lasting results.
We have 20 years of combined experience, Andrew has coached 8000 students and his success rate is 100%. You are in the right place!
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if you want to improve the level of your surfing, you are committed and are looking for real, tangible results.
If you invest in us by joining one of our Surf Experiences, we invest in you. Your goal becomes our goal. Plus, Andrew is know for being able to quickly identify a surfer's shortest path to improvement.
Joining this Retreat is the best thing you could ever do for your surfing.
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if you love surfing and really want to learn to surf, but you aren't sure surfing is for you.
This is the right place for you to come and learn! Let's kick those stereotypes away.
Our Surf Experiences are for people in every age group, and every size.
You come alone and you leave with family
RETREAT PRICING
1855€ per person (shared double or twin room)
2195€ per person (single occupancy)
only a few spots available
UPGRADES
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Superior room, 200 Euro per person per week
Option 1
PAY IN FULL
1 payment at booking time
Shared Double Room :
Euro 1855 (we will pair you up in a room with another surfer)
Single Use Room :
Euro 2195
Option 2
PAYMENT PLAN
3 payments
- deposit at booking
- second payment by February 1st
- third payment by March 1st
Shared Double Room :
deposit of 500 Euro plus 2 payments of 727 Euro
Single Use Room :
deposit of 500 Euro plus 2 payments of 897 Euro
RETREAT INCLUSIONS
- 7 nights at the A House In Estoril boutique villa, including daily breakfast, in a standard shared room or single use room (depending on which room type you book)
- 5 group surf lessons
- 2 Picture and Video Analysis
- Wave Reading masterclass
- Pictures of you to take home
- A group of amazing new friends
Before the retreat
- One on One Zoom call with Andrew, with personalised fitness tips on how to prepare for the Retreat
A few weeks before the trip we will open up a Whatsapp group chat to figure out carpooling options to and from the airport.
Scroll up to the FAQs to read some commonly asked questions.
MEMORIES FROM OUR PREVIOUS RETREATS
