A group surf session in Porto should be easy to understand before it happens: there is a confirmed schedule, a team in charge, safety criteria, information about gear, guidance on transport and a clear way to know whether there is capacity. At Nós Somos, surfing is one of the front doors to building real relationships — without requiring anyone to arrive with experience, performance or a heavy commitment.
What happens before the session
Before the session, you need to know three things: where the meeting point is, whether the activity is confirmed, and who is responsible for guiding it. Because the sea changes, a responsible session should never be treated as an automatic event. Confirmation depends on the schedule, conditions, available gear, the team and a real limit on numbers.
Ideally, every post or page states when the schedule was last updated. When capacity is full, communication can still be useful: explaining how things work, showing what happens behind the scenes, sharing the criteria and guiding those who want to follow future dates — without pushing anyone to sign up.
Who a first session is for
A first session can be for people who have surfed before, for people who have never been in the water with a board, and also for those who simply want to see whether the environment makes sense for them. The aim is not to sell a one-off lesson, nor to compete with schools or clubs. It is to create an experience of sport, care and relationship — with a beginning, follow-up and the possibility of continuity.
Nobody needs to prove they belong before arriving. Nobody needs to pretend to know more than they do, either. Level, worries, gear and limits should be shared honestly, because that helps the team guide the experience better.
Gear, transport and conditions
The practical details should be visible before anyone travels. The page should explain whether gear is provided, what to bring, how to get there, whether there is a meeting point, and how cancellation works when the sea, weather or safety require it.
Where transport support exists, it must be described responsibly: who organises it, where it leaves from, how it is confirmed, and which details should not be shared publicly. The same applies to wetsuits, boards, snacks and any other resource used in the session.
Safety comes before the experience
A good session is not measured only by how many people got into the water. It also matters whether the team assessed the sea, whether participants' levels were taken into account, whether guidance was clear, and whether there was an alternative when the water was not suitable.
The goal of a first session does not have to be standing up on the board. It can be arriving, understanding the environment, learning the basics, meeting people and leaving with clarity about the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to surf?
Not necessarily. Your level should be shared before the session so the team can guide you safely.
Do I need a board or a wetsuit?
It depends on what has been confirmed as available for each date. The page should state this before confirmation.
Are there always places?
No. Capacity is usually limited, so the best thing is to check the updated schedule.
Is it a formal lesson?
It should only be called a lesson where formal instruction has been validated. Where there is none, we say “group session”.
Next step
Check the updated schedule and follow the next confirmations. If the session is full, you can still learn how the project works, see the safety criteria and follow new opportunities as they open.
