You might remember that we gave a away a spot in the Girls Week at the Baleal Surf Camp earlier this year and this is what the lucky winner experienced!

Words by Lucy Foster-Perkins, photos by Anastasia Goreva

The week kicked off with a warm welcome to everyone in the camp and our first surf lesson. Though our girls group was small there was a divide of ability and I was interested to see how the lessons would work out. Bruno was one step ahead of me, giving us 2 instructors so they could split the group up (when do you ever get a ratio of 2 instructors to 5 pupils?!!).

It was my first lesson in 10 years and boy were they good!  The instructors (Gabi and Ladislao, both Argentinean, both gorgeous and top top surfers) solely wanted every single one of us to improve and to enjoy ourselves, no matter our ability or experience. Whether it was spending the evening with us analysing our video footage (which proved very useful, if a little daunting), showing us around the local skate park or getting up at 6.30am to be in the water by 7, they did everything with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm for the entire week.

Above all they lived by their moto; “the best surfer of the day is the one who had the most fun”, and encouraged others to do so too. (I kept telling myself that as I fell off my top turn for the umpteenth time!)

With a week filled with sun, sea, surf, yoga, gymnastics of the beach (I’ve got the sprained thumb to show for it), great new friends and a whole lot of laughs, leaving Baleal Surf Camp was heartbreaking. The camp felt like a home from home, with a perfect combination of consistent surf, beautiful weather and an embracing surf community.  I think I just found my heaven!