Our Story
backYARD started as a group of local surfers and coaches who grew up in Ericeira. We’ve spent our lives in these waves—they were our backyard. That’s where the name comes from.
Back then, it was simple. Surfing with friends, no crowds, just pure fun. And honestly? We miss those days. But Ericeira has changed. More people, more surfers, more challenges in the water. We can’t go back, but we can choose how to move forward. Instead of complaining, we decided to contribute.
Why we do it and how
Teaching people how to surf might seem like the opposite of what we want. But let’s look at it differently—if the lineup is going to be full, we want it full of good surfers. Surfers who respect the ocean and the culture, understand etiquette, and know how to handle themselves in the water
By coaching people to be better surfers, we are contributing to quality, safe, and sustainable surfing in Ericeira. – that is our vision, that is why we do it.
Surfing isn’t just about performance—it’s about your connection to the sport, to nature, and the people around you.” Our mission is to coach people to be better surfers —teaching them not just skills, but ocean knowledge, etiquette, and responsibility.
That’s how we create a better lineup, a better community, and a better future for surfing in Ericeira. And we hope that those we coach will go on to influence others to do the same.
We are not a surf school
We are a surf club. A community. A place to grow together.
When we started surfing, there weren’t many surf schools, coaches, or online tutorials. We had to figure things out on our own—by watching, trying, failing, and learning from each other. That’s how we improved. That’s how we grew. And as we got older, that mindset never changed. If we stick together, we can push each other further.
That’s exactly what we did. Our group stayed tight—surfing together, sharing knowledge, pushing each other, and progressing as a crew.
And the truth is, surfing is better when it’s shared. The highs, the wipeouts, the tough conditions—it all means more when you have people around you. Having someone to paddle out with, to push you when the waves get heavy, to celebrate a steep drop, to travel and explore with—it makes a difference. Even on crowded days, a simple “Hi!” with a smile in the lineup can change your whole session.
That’s why we created the Surf Club—not just to coach, but to build a surf community. A place where surfers can progress together, support each other, and share their surfing journey. We create the Surf Club because we believe that we are stronger together.
