Surf Lisbon: The Surf School Embracing Community in Portugal's Capital City
This month, we're taking our spotlight overseas to international waters, landing in the historical city of Lisbon, Portugal. After spending a semester abroad studying in the beautiful city, our copywriting intern joined First Light Surf Club with insight into the surf culture beyond US shores. Having a wonderful experience taking lessons with Surf Lisbon during her time there, she wanted to share the warmth and energy of this vibrant international community with our own here at First Light Surf Club.
Meet Nuno Sequeira, the General Manager and Head Surf Coach at Surf Lisbon – House & School, who has devoted his life to his love for the sport. From studying the science of surfing in school, to a stint working for the Portuguese Surfing Federation, to now running the primary surfing school in the city of Lisbon, Nuno is a wealth of knowledge on the sport that brings us all together. Read on to learn more about the Portuguese culture, the ins and outs of operating a business, and gain a fresh perspective on global surf communities.
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Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Nuno - My name is Nuno Sequeira, and I’m the General Manager and Head Surf Coach at Surf Lisbon – House & School. I’ve been surfing since 1992 and have a degree in Sports Sciences with a specialization in Surfing. I’ve dedicated my life to surfing — not only in the water but also through coaching, education, and running Surf Lisbon since 2008, where me and my team welcome people from all over the world to experience the best of Lisbon’s waves and culture.
Q. What initially sparked your passion for surfing, and how has it evolved into a major part of your life?
Nuno - I spent my long summer holidays as a kid camping by the beach with my grandparents and cousins. Our grandfather gave us boogie boards, and from that moment on, we’d spend hours in the water, every single day. Skateboarding was another big passion growing up — and still is! I started surfing more seriously around the age of 16, always with a big crew of friends, many of whom still surf today. It’s been 33 years now! After finishing my degree, I worked for various surf schools and training centers before deciding to start my own. I never imagined the surf industry in Portugal would grow this much — and that I’d still be doing this, professionally, nearly at 50.
Q. Growing up in Lisbon, what do you find special about the surf community there as well as the local community as a whole?
Nuno - Lisbon is quite unique — we have multiple surf spots around the city that work all year long, for all levels. You can surf a more urban beach with some crowd, or drive a little and have a peak to yourself. That accessibility makes Lisbon a perfect place to start surfing. The water temperature stays fairly stable year-round, and the city has produced many of the country’s best surfers. Today, the surf scene is more diverse than ever — lots of young people, women, even older beginners joining in. The crowd is growing, but so is the stoke. If you can’t beat them, join them!
Q. How does going for a surf and being in the ocean affect your mood and well-being?
Nuno - It makes all the difference — I honestly can’t imagine not being able to surf whenever I need it. A few years ago, I had a serious cervical spine injury and struggled a lot, both physically and mentally. Thankfully, after surgery and a current consistent routine of swimming, functional training, and physiotherapy, I am able to keep surfing daily. When it’s stormy or flat for too long, I get restless — that’s definitely one of my flaws, and I’m not proud of it. But even on a bad surf day, there’s still that feeling of fullness. Nothing compares, and I can’t picture myself ever quitting surfing.
Q. Tell us more about Surf Lisbon. How did this brand come to be, and in what ways has it evolved since its founding?
Nuno - Back in 2008, my wife and I came up with the name Puro Surf during a casual brainstorming session. At the time, we were mainly focused on coaching young Portuguese surfers, and surf tourism in Lisbon was still virtually nonexistent. The original logo actually came from a quick sketch a good friend drew for us at a café — simple, spontaneous, and full of heart. As international students started arriving at Lisbon’s universities — and some found their way to our school — we realized the need to adapt and go global. We were fortunate to secure the surflisbon.com domain early on, and with the help of a creative agency, we rebranded to Surf Lisbon – House & School. We added the Surf House to our already established Surf School and started welcoming people from all over the world. Being among the first to offer full surf experiences in Lisbon was a big advantage. Since then, we’ve expanded by organizing surf trips across Portugal and abroad — including the Maldives, Brazil, and recently Angola. We also launched an online store (surflisbonshop.com) which we plan to grow soon.
Q. What is the most rewarding aspect of sharing your love for surfing with others through instructing at Surf Lisbon?
Nuno - For me, it’s showing people how powerful surfing can be — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Surfing is a unique way to connect with nature, challenge yourself, and find peace. It’s incredibly fulfilling to break the myth that surfing is too hard or too dangerous and to teach it to someone who’s never even seen the ocean before. What I love most is sharing surfing with people from all over the world — from different cultures, religions, ages, and backgrounds. Kids, adults, friends, people with disabilities — we’ve taught them all. And honestly, surfing with your friends or your family… it’s something that only a surfer truly understands.
Q. You’ve been involved with the Portuguese Surfing Federation – can you tell us more about your role there and how that experience has shaped your perspective on the sport? In your view, how is the Federation helping grow and support the surfing community in Portugal?
Nuno - Back in 2014, I was invited by the Portuguese Surfing Federation (FPS) to help restructure the national coaching certification program. It was a major challenge — we had to move from a short 4-weekend course to a proper 6-month program with mandatory internships. We followed EU education guidelines and worked on the general curriculum shared across all sports, but we also had to build the specific surf coaching content entirely from scratch.
The Federation plays a vital role in Portugal’s surf ecosystem. It oversees the education of surf coaches and judges, validates all national surf competitions, and supports local surf clubs — which are (or should be) the foundation for developing future competitive surfers. It also prepares and manages the national teams (surf, bodyboard, longboard, men and women) for international events and the Olympic Games. Being part of this process gave me a deeper understanding of the structure and responsibility behind growing a sport, and it made me even more committed to surf education and community building.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in experiencing the surf culture of Lisbon, and what unique aspects should they be aware of when surfing in that region?
Nuno - My advice? Just come and experience it. Lisbon is one of the few capital cities in the world where you can combine rich urban culture with great surf. In literally 10 minutes, you can go from the heart of a thousand-year-old city to a beach with epic waves. There’s always something happening here — a Champions League match, a concert, an art exhibit, a summer festival, amazing food. The ability to mix surf sessions with vibrant city life is something truly special and (almost) unique in the world. Surfing in Lisbon isn’t just about the waves — it’s about the full experience.
