We have a lot of request in for gap year surfing programmes, so we have explored some nice places for you. But if you do not want to fly all the out to Australia or South Afica, we found the perfect spot for you. Just 2 to 4 hours from any destination in Europe you can fly to Faro in Portugal.

 The surf camp is in Carrapateira, is close to Sagres in the Algarve, Portugal. Here you find the most western point of Europe. In Carrapateira and surroundings there are many un-spoilt secluded beached that are great to learn or improve your surf. The surf camp in Portugal  is on the beach and they have their own camp side just 1 km away from the beach. We provide transportation.

During the Portugal gap year surfing programme you not only learn to surf you most likely will make friends for life, eat delicious (fish) barbeques and explore the many beaches in the area. Portugal also has great wines and Sagres beer, and most important of all a great social life.

All surfing camps on the gap year surfing programmes list of Xtreme Gap are open to all levels and all nationalities. So over your big breakfast I the morning you will be chatting to some girl or boy living on the other side of the world, and this could become a friend for life! Ho amazing is that. Also, do not be afraid of travelling alone, most of our customers do and with all our programmes people make friends easily.

The owners of Xtreme Gap know what it feels like to ride your first wave, we know how cool and proud it makes you feel, so if you have any questions, please contact us.

1) Depending on the time of year work as a surf Instructor in Australia is pretty easy to come by.  Of course this will all depend on your work ethic and quality as an Instructor, but during the summer months most of our staff as well as other surf school staff are worked off their feet.  Winter is a different story, but as an Academy graduate you will get preferential treatment in new positions opening up.  We do have some contacts in Europe and are trying to expand them, but it will mostly be up to the graduate to secure the job, we will happily point them in the right direction.  We currently have 2 graduates working in Jersey, and the South West of England.

Is the work heavily seasonal?  Would I need to travel north/south hemisphere to chase work?  Or are there places where there is demand for instructors all year round?

2) The work is Heavily Seasonal for most static surf schools as it will follow the tourist season in that particular area.  Some countries and schools have longer peak seasons, and all school will try to keep their most reliable staff on for as long as possible.  There are places like Australia, Hawaii, and Bali where there is demand all year round, but chasing the work is part of the trip.  If you wanted the closes career profession to a Surf Instructor take a look at how Ski Instructors chase the snow.

What kind of money can a novice instructor make?  I appreciate it won’t be a fortune but I don’t want to be living in poverty!

3) A novice instructor in Australia will be on $20.00 an hour.  During peak season they could easily work up to 40hours or more a week, so you could look at around $800.00 a week wage.  Also, many school also give commission for on selling more lessons, photos, merchandise, and or anything else that they sell.  A head coach will make up to $23-25 an hour.

Overall the life of a surf instructor is a lifestyle choice.  You will be on lower wages, but will be able to chase the sun and get jobs in various places around the world at various times.  To be honest, you probably wouldn’t want to raise a family or buy a house on an instructors wage, but for 2-3years your could live a rockstar life, and travel all around the world.  Most of our coaches supliment their wages with other jobs within the tourism community, and they all come to work with a big smile on their face and live pretty carefree lifestyles.

Its a great trip.

FOr further information about this or any other Australia Gap year programme please contact us.