Big-wave operations
Big-wave surf training / Portugal
Get ready tosurf Nazaré
The 2-month multidisciplinary coaching program in Peniche & Nazaré: 27 private sessions combining surf apnea, tow-in safety, and physical conditioning for competent surfers stepping into heavy water.
Master heavy-water breath hold, jet ski rescue operations, and ocean positioning with an elite WSL support crew before you face your first wave.
Apply for a Readiness Call
Explore the trainingFree 20-min consultation · Assessment of your surf level · Zero commitment
One athlete. A whole team.The wave is
The wave is
only the beginning.
Nazaré Surf Club offers personalized big-wave surf training based in Peniche, Portugal, with supported sessions at Nazaré. You don’t need previous big-wave experience to begin: your surf technique, fitness, breathing and decision-making develop together.
We connect private surf coaching, surf apnea, strength and conditioning, recovery and tow-in preparation around you. One coordinated program. Coaches who share your progress. Training that evolves with your readiness.
- Your base
- PenichePortugal
- Recommended duration
- Around 2 monthsFlexible, tailored to you.
- Connected disciplines
- 05One shared objective
- Nazaré sessions
- 02With in-water support
For surfers who already know their way around a wave.Big-wave experience is optional. Commitment to serious training is essential.
Is this for me?01 / The work behind the waveEvery part.
Every part.
Ready.
Different disciplines.
The same conversation about you.
Inês / Surf & athlete development
Read the ocean. Refine your response.
Build the technique and ocean awareness that more demanding waves require, with coaching shaped around your level and progression.
Inside this discipline
- Assess your surfing and identify your next technical priorities.
- Use one-to-one coaching and video analysis to refine technique.
- Train at local breaks selected for your level, goals and conditions.
Included in your package
1 surf assessment + 4 private surf coaching sessions with video analysis
Guilherme / Surf apnea
Find calm beneath the surface.
Surf-specific breath control, CO₂ tolerance, relaxation and recovery breathing. Learn to remain more controlled and functional when the water becomes demanding.
Inside this discipline
- Develop CO₂ tolerance through static and dynamic apnea.
- Practise relaxation, breath control and recovery breathing.
- Apply these skills to supervised surf-specific wipeout scenarios.
Included in your package
8 surf apnea sessions
Gonçalo / Physical conditioning
Build a body that backs you up.
Develop strength, power, stability and endurance around the demands of your surfing, with a plan adapted to your progression.
Inside this discipline
- Start with a physical assessment and an individual training plan.
- Build surf-specific strength, power and endurance.
- Improve stability and movement quality as your training progresses.
Included in your package
8 personal training sessions at TheBay with brand-new equipment
Emma / Recovery & mental preparation
Recover well. Return ready.
Manage fatigue, support recovery and develop a more composed response to pressure through breathing and mental preparation.
Inside this discipline
- Manage fatigue and recover between surf and conditioning sessions.
- Use breathing to regulate arousal and support recovery.
- Practise visualization to prepare your response under pressure.
Included in your package
4 private recovery sessions with sauna and ice bath at TheBay
Ivo / Nazaré operations
Know the team. Know the procedure.
Learn to work with a jet ski and support team at Nazaré. Progression in the water depends on your readiness, the conditions and the team’s judgment.
Inside this discipline
- Learn the equipment, jet-ski safety rules and team communication.
- Get familiar with the tow line, tow-in procedures and in-water positioning.
- Apply your preparation with experienced in-water support.
Activities depend on your readiness, ocean conditions and the team’s judgment.
Included in your package
1 Nazaré introduction + 1 supported Nazaré session, with equipment rental
Athlete experience
★★★★★“Had an absolutely brilliant time with Nazare Surf Club. If you’re looking to learn how to surf big waves, meet some great people and have a laugh while doing it, I’d definitely recommend them.
Everyone was really welcoming and made the whole experience feel safe, even when the waves got serious.
Honestly, couldn’t have asked for a better experience. 10/10 — would definitely do it again! 🌊🤙”
02 / Your base package
Nazaré Performance Package
27 private, in-person coaching sessions based in Peniche, with two sessions at Nazaré. Your coaching team coordinates each session around your progression.
Included in your base package.
27private sessions / individually scheduled1×
Surf assessment
Establish your surfing level and the starting point for your preparation.
4×
Surf coaching
Coaching with video analysis.
8×
Strength & cardio
Surf-specific strength, cardio and conditioning training.
8×
Surf apnea
Surf-specific breathing, breath-hold and control training.
4×
Mobility & recovery
Mobility and recovery sessions, including sauna and ice baths.
1×
Nazaré introduction session
Understand the gear and safety rules, then get in the water to become familiar with the tow line and tow-in procedures.
1×
Supported Nazaré surf session
A supported session guided by your readiness, ocean conditions and the team’s judgment.
1×
Training & recovery nutrition plan
A nutrition plan to support your training, recovery and preparation for Nazaré.
These are total package inclusions, not weekly frequencies. Your schedule allows for training, recovery and suitable ocean conditions.
Nazaré Performance Package
€5,520
VAT included
We can also create a tailored package around your goals, level and availability. Contact us for more details.
Discuss your tailored packageWeather & Swell Guarantee: If ocean or wind conditions prevent your 2 Nazaré sessions during your planned window, your sessions remain valid for 12 months with priority re-booking at no additional fee.
03 / Your path to NazaréEarn your
Earn your
next step.
Readiness sets the pace. Your coaches assess, adapt and guide each step—without forcing progression to fit a calendar.
- 01
Assess
Find your starting point.Your surfing, physical condition and objectives shape your program.
- 02
Build
Put in the work.Train technique, strength, breathing and recovery as one connected system.
- 03
Progress
Adapt as you develop.Your coaches share your progress and adjust your training together.
- 04
Prepare
Learn the operation.Your initial Nazaré session introduces the gear, safety rules and time in the water with the tow line.
- 05
Nazaré
Meet the moment.A further supported Nazaré session, shaped by your readiness, conditions and the team’s judgment.
Preparation over bravado.
Your two Nazaré sessions are guided by readiness and ocean conditions.
Joining the program does not guarantee surfing a big wave.
Explore personalized big wave surf training in Nazaré04 / In your cornerYour team.
Your team.
All in.
The people behind your preparation.
Specialists in their field. Connected around you.
Surf coaching
Surf apnea
Physical conditioning
Recovery & mindset
In the water with Ivo
A lifetime in Nazaré’s waters. Ivo introduces you to tow-in procedures, equipment and communication, then provides in-water support during your Nazaré sessions.
Experience & qualifications
- WSL jet-ski pilot
- Professional big wave surfer
- Portuguese National Junior Surf Champion
IvoBig-wave operations
In the water with Ivo
A lifetime in Nazaré’s waters. Ivo introduces you to tow-in procedures, equipment and communication, then provides in-water support during your Nazaré sessions.
Experience & qualifications
- WSL jet-ski pilot
- Professional big wave surfer
- Portuguese National Junior Surf Champion
InêsSurf coaching
Develop your surfing with Inês
Nearly three decades across surfing, coaching and athlete development. Inês refines your technique and helps you adapt to increasingly demanding waves.
Experience & qualifications
- Level 2 Surf Coach
- Postgraduate specialization in surfing
- Former Portuguese National Surf Champion
GuilhermeSurf apnea
Build breath control with Guilherme
Guilherme applies apnea training to the demands of surfing, developing breath control, CO₂ tolerance and relaxation to help you remain calmer in demanding water situations.
Experience & qualifications
- Certified Underwater Coach
- Level 2 Surf Coach
- More than 500 students trained
GonçaloPhysical conditioning
Build your physical foundation with Gonçalo
Gonçalo assesses your physical profile and builds an individual conditioning program around the demands of big-wave surfing.
Experience & qualifications
- Academic background in Sports Science
- Portuguese National Team volleyball experience
- Physical preparation for elite football players
EmmaRecovery & mindset
Recover and prepare with Emma
Emma helps you manage recovery and prepare mentally for demanding surf, drawing on her work with advanced and professional surfers.
Experience & expertise
- 10+ years of study and practice
- 2 years applying her approach specifically to surfers
05 / Why we startedThe difference
The difference
wasn’t fearlessness.
It was preparation.
For NSC founder Ben, Nazaré once felt like another world. Spending time with the people surfing it changed that.
Ben trained, learned the procedures and surrounded himself with experienced people. After following that path and surfing Nazaré, he founded NSC to bring that expertise to other surfers.
06 / Your training groundBased in Peniche.
Based in Peniche.
Eyes on Nazaré.
A coastline with room to progress. Your coaches select the breaks and conditions that fit the day’s objective, less than an hour from Nazaré.
PenicheThe daily work⟶NazaréThe objective
Plan your preparation around your life.
Your schedule is agreed individually, with time for training, recovery and suitable ocean conditions. Speak with the team before booking travel.
07 / Our partnersThe people.
The people.
The places. The craft.
Meet the partners behind our training facilities and equipment.
TheBay
Personal training, private sauna and ice baths. Your base for strength and recovery.
More about TheBay
TheBay is your base for personal training and private recovery.
Your package includes 8 personal training sessions with brand-new equipment and 4 private recovery sessions with sauna and ice bath.
Edu Shapes
Over 20 years of shaping, built around the demands of big-wave surfing.
More about Edu Shapes
Edu has worked in surfboard design and shaping for more than 20 years and has founded and operated two surfboard companies.
His background includes working with Australian, American and European shapers and combining traditional shaping experience with modern board-design technology.
His connection to Nazaré includes competing in big waves and receiving Rookie of the Year recognition at the Portuguese Big Wave Awards in 2020.
For many years, Edu shaped boards for Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca and Justine Dupont, both winners of the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge. His work connects surfboard design with the demands of elite big-wave surfing.
His technical understanding of equipment and direct experience with the demands of the wave make Edu Shapes a natural technical partner for NSC.
What surfing level do I need?
You don’t need to be an expert. If you can catch waves on your own and feel comfortable surfing without an instructor beside you, NSC could be a good fit.
Not sure about your level? That’s what the initial assessment is for—we’ll understand where you are and shape your training around your goals.
Is NSC suitable for beginners?
No.
NSC is not designed to teach people how to surf.
The program is intended for surfers who already possess the fundamentals and want to progress toward big-wave surfing and Nazaré.
Does joining the program guarantee that I will surf a big wave at Nazaré?
No program can responsibly guarantee this.
Nazaré is an unpredictable ocean environment and safety takes priority over any commercial promise.
Your program includes two dedicated Nazaré training sessions with the NSC support team.
What happens during those sessions depends on:
- Your readiness
- Wave conditions
- Weather and ocean conditions
- The judgment of the coaching and in-water team
If the conditions or your readiness do not justify progressing, the team will not force it.
How does NSC approach safety?
Safety is integrated throughout the program rather than treated as a separate lesson.
Your coaches continually evaluate progression and can advance, adapt or reduce training load when necessary.
You will also learn big-wave equipment, jet-ski procedures, tow-in fundamentals and in-water communication before progressing further at Nazaré.
The same principle applies throughout the program:
Preparation first.
Why does the training take place in Peniche?
Peniche’s strength is its geography. Beaches face different directions around the peninsula, so wind and swell can create very different conditions from one side to the other. That gives your coaches more options when choosing where to train.
From the varied peaks around Baleal to the powerful barrels of Supertubos, you have contrasting waves within a compact stretch of coastline. That variety lets you work on wave reading, positioning and technique, then build toward more demanding conditions as you progress.
It makes Peniche a distinctive training ground: different waves, different challenges and room to develop the skills you will take to Nazaré.
How long does the program take?
We recommend allowing around two months, giving you time to recover between sessions and flexibility around surf and weather conditions. Your programme is tailored to you, so it can be shorter or a little longer depending on your progress, availability and the conditions.
What is included in the package?
Your package includes:
- 1× Surf assessment: Establish your surfing level and the starting point for your preparation.
- 4× Surf coaching: Coaching with video analysis.
- 8× Strength & cardio: Surf-specific strength, cardio and conditioning training.
- 8× Surf apnea: Surf-specific breathing, breath-hold and control training.
- 4× Mobility & recovery: Mobility and recovery sessions, including sauna and ice baths.
- 1× Nazaré introduction session: Understand the gear and safety rules, then get in the water to become familiar with the tow line and tow-in procedures.
- 1× Supported Nazaré surf session: A supported session guided by your readiness, ocean conditions and the team’s judgment.
- 1× Training & recovery nutrition plan: A nutrition plan to support your training, recovery and preparation for Nazaré.
These are total package inclusions, not weekly frequencies. Your schedule is agreed with the team.
Also included:
- Nazaré equipment rental: Equipment rental included for both of your Nazaré sessions.
- Access to the NSC training app: Your schedule, training plan and progression in one place, connected to your coaching team.
How much does the package cost?
The Nazaré Performance Package is our base package at €5,520 with VAT included, covering 27 private sessions, including two at Nazaré and a training & recovery nutrition plan. Equipment rental for both Nazaré sessions and access to the NSC training app are also included.
We can also create a tailored package around your goals, level and availability. Contact us for more details.
Do you provide accommodation?
Not at the moment, but we can help you find a suitable place to stay in Peniche or nearby. Get in touch with your dates, preferences and budget, and we’ll help you explore the options.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
No.
The NSC team speaks English and the program can be completed without speaking Portuguese.
Knowing a few Portuguese words is always appreciated—but not required.
09 / Your next chapterThe ambition
The ambition
is yours.
Let’s build
the readiness.
Tell us about your surfing. One of our head coaches will reply within 24 hours to schedule your readiness call.
01 Start a conversation02 Find your starting point03 Build your preparation
Let’s start a conversationYour next step,
Your next step,
with the right people.
Tell us about your surfing. One of our head coaches will reply within 24 hours to schedule your readiness call.
Prefer email? admin@nazaresurfclub.com
Peniche, Portugal · English-speaking team