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WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP COMING BACK TO SURF WITH US ?

Writer's picture: The Surf Experience The Surf Experience



When Toby asked me to write blog for the website I thought it would be way more time effective if I asked our most regular returning guests to just do it for me!


We are extremely proud of our returning customer base, we appreciate you all and all of you help make The Surf Experience what it is.


Each calendar year the guest with the most stays earn a free week stay the following year.

So I asked our previous three winners a few questions about themselves and what draws them back to The Surf Experience and Lagos time and time again.


Chances are if you have been with us recently you may find these names and faces very familiar!


 

First up we have Andy Breakwell, one of the most approachable and positive people I have ever met. He scared me a little bit at first but his charm and energy wore me down. Be prepared to be in his Instagram stories and be prepared for his fancy dress outifts.

 

Name, Age, Surf Level and Occupation?

Name - Andrew Rufus Keanu Breakwell.

 Age - Thirty seventeen.

Surf Level - Day 1 on repeat. Absolute shithouse surfer. Beginner for life!

Occupation - Car sales changing to camper van hire legend.



 

When was your first trip and can you remember it?

My ⁠first trip was profoundly epic! September 2021, for 8 days. Made friends for life - even started a WhatsApp group & met a wonderful smorgasbord of international new best friends in Berlin a couple of months later. We are still in touch now - 4 years later!

 

How many times have you visited The Surf Experience?

I have been unable to stay away from The Surf Experience for the last 3 & a bit years! It’s in my veins! It’s deep in my soul! 14 trips so far, and already planning the next! Nobody does it better!

 

What brings you back to Surf Experience?

The vibe! That is the main draw! The place, the people, the beaches, the beautiful town of Lagos, the rooftop dreamy times at the surf house, the music from Tby1! The banter from Mark Windsor! The epic surf house feeds! The unreal restaurant & bar experiences in Lagos! The sunshine! The surf! The meeting up with old friends each time I visit! It’s like family! It’s never anything less than the ultimate time! A break away from it all! A reset! A hit of ecstasy to the heart! It’s not a surf camp… The Surf Experience is LIFE!

 

Favourite beach in Algarve?

Fave beach is probably Arrifana! It’s a stunner! I love the view from the top, the waves roll in like the sexiest corduroy you’ve ever seen! And the cliff side cafes serve up the tastiest treats & the tastiest views!

Sagres, Superbock or Cristal?

ooooh - I love all of the beers! But Cristal has been my go-to, recently! Although I’ll take a crisp, cold, Surf house rooftop Superbock, after a stunner of a day in the surf, if you absolutely insist! I ain’t mad!

 

 

 

Next up we have Jess! Super polite, humble and a charger in the waves. Jess joins for a lot of our surf safaris and boot camps and regularly shows the boys how it’s done. Always a calming presence around the camp and a joy to welcome back each time she visits.

 

Name, Age, Surf Level and Occupation?

Name - Jessica Wu

 Age - 35

Surf Level - Independent/Advanced  

Occupation - Nurse




 

When was your first trip and can you remember it?

My first trip to the surf experience was at the end of Nov 2021. I was trying to find a local surf guide to show me around the spots with some local knowledge. My husband Tom and I booked a trip for New Year; but I had 5 days off out of the blue at the end of November. I impulsively decided I am going to go check it out first by myself for a trial and of course for a surf - which did not happen very often back then. The first experience was magical, and I remember every moment vividly!

 

How many times have you visited The Surf Experience?

Ahhh, I really lost track. Definitely more than 10 times.

 

What brings you back to the Surf Experience?

The vibe is amazing. It is more like a community that connects everyone who wants to learn to surf or is already a surfer.

I love that you can join the dinner to socialise and at the same time maintain the personal space if you want a bit of me time.

 I know I can surf everywhere on my own. However, it is fun to surf with other people from different cultural backgrounds, to experience new things, and to have a good laugh.

I love people who come back regularly in the same month of the year and just meet them there.

I love that the SurfEx staff are always so helpful to drive us around to check surf, to organise lunches and to show people around. For example, Mark surprised me when I was asking different ways to go from Lagos to Faro airport. He started checking the timetable of trains and buses and figured out the best and the most cost-effective itinerary for me to catch the flight.

This is the place that accommodates everyone's needs regardless of the age, the surf level, and the background.

I love the surf experience because it is safe and it feels like home.

 

Favourite beach in Algarve?

Every beach has its charm. I had a lot of fun in Vale Figueiras.

 

Sagres, Superbock or Cristal?

Vino Verde and UCAL chocolate milk.

 

Last and maybe not least up is Tom. Our most regular regular. One of the first people I picked up from the airport a decade ago when I first got here. Tom catches more waves per day than some people do in a week. A no nonsense surfer and a no nonsense chap. He really likes it when you ask him what book he is reading. Already booked in for April 2025. Consistent. 

 

Tom Kora

Name, Age, Surf Level and Occupation?

Name - Tom Kora

 Age - 35

Surf Level - Intermediate

Occupation - Teacher




 

When was your first trip and can you remember it?

2012? More time in the bars and less time catching waves, nowadays the balance is very much the other way!

 

How many times have you visited The Surf Experience?

25 (I think) - most of the these stays are two of three weeks at a time so he is well over a year time spent

 

What brings you back to Surf Experience?

The relatively uncrowded beaches compared to elsewhere in Europe, variety of conditions (with the south coast and west coast it's really rare to have a day that is completely unsurfable), a consistently great holiday.

 

Favourite beach in Algarve?

This changes, but at the moment it's Porto de Mos. Good fun waves and cafés to enjoy a beer afterwards – I once saw a praying mantis there actually.

 

Sagres, Superbock or Cristal?

A Sagres and a bifana at the Cervejaria Ferradura apres surf is my daily routine.





 

Massive thanks to Andy, Jess and Tom for taking the time to answer these questions, I’ll get you a dinner next time you’re in Lagos on us.

If anyone else would like to be featured let us know!

See you all in the 2025 season and beyond!

 

Cheers,

Mark

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