Why So Many People Come Alone to Surf Camps
Sometimes the people you meet become the best part of the trip.
“What’s the average age of your guests?” “Do many people come alone?” “Will I be the only girl traveling by myself?”
These are some of the questions we regularly receive at Surf Cascais, usually from people who are excited about joining a surf camp but aren’t quite sure what to expect. Spending a week in a house full of strangers can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first time traveling alone. The funny thing is that many of those strangers are arriving in exactly the same situation.
Solo travelers have always been a big part of our Surf Villa. Some want to escape their routine, others are looking for a new adventure, and plenty simply don’t want to wait until their friends are available to go surfing. A surf camp offers something particularly appealing: the freedom to travel independently while sharing accommodation, surf lessons and activities with other travelers. There are plenty of opportunities to meet people, but also the freedom to make your own plans and enjoy some time alone.
From strangers to surf buddies
The first day at the Villa can be a little awkward. Some guests immediately start conversations, while others need time to settle in. Arriving when a group has already been together for a few days can make those first introductions even more intimidating. Fortunately, surfing gives everyone something to talk about, and the first group lesson is often where the ice really breaks.
There’s the usual struggle to get into a wetsuit, a few nervous questions about the waves and plenty of funny moments in the water. By the time everyone gets back to the Villa, they’ve shared an experience, celebrated a few waves and probably laughed at each other’s wipeouts. Breakfast conversations turn into afternoon plans, roommates become surf buddies, and people who met two days earlier are suddenly exploring Cascais together. By the second or third day, we usually notice guests becoming more comfortable and the dinner table getting a little louder.
Our team helps create that atmosphere without trying to organize every interaction. Sometimes it’s simply noticing someone who’s sitting alone, introducing a new arrival to a few guests or making sure everyone feels welcome at the table. Our volunteers also play an important role in the social life of the Villa. During quieter weeks, when there are fewer guests around, they’re often the people our guests spend the most time with, whether that’s hanging out at the Villa, sharing meals or making plans together. We encourage our volunteers to connect with guests and with each other, becoming part of the same community rather than staying in separate groups.
Small gestures can make a big difference, especially for quieter travelers. Not everyone wants to spend every minute socializing, either. Some guests join every activity, while others prefer a quiet afternoon by the pool or exploring Cascais on their own. Both are part of the experience, and that’s something we always try to respect.
Thursday evenings tell the whole story
There’s a moment during our Thursday BBQs that I’ve come to appreciate more and more over the years. The garden is full, dinner is underway and conversations are happening all around the table. People are laughing about their surf lessons, sharing travel stories and making plans for the following days. Sometimes I stop for a moment and look around, realizing that many of these people didn’t know each other at the beginning of the week. Now they’re sharing stories and laughing together as if they’d been friends for years.
I remember mentioning this during a podcast interview when I was asked what I enjoyed most about Surf Cascais. Seeing people connect was one of the first things that came to mind. My mother was the person who brought our family together, usually around a table full of food she’d prepared herself. She loved cooking, and to me, she was the best cook in the world. Some of those family dinners went on for hours, occasionally ending with my mother and aunt dancing sevillanas. Looking back, I think those moments influenced the kind of atmosphere I wanted to create when I founded Surf Cascais.
Today, our whole team and volunteers help create that welcoming atmosphere. They introduce new arrivals, organize activities and spend time with guests. These everyday moments help people feel comfortable at the Villa. We can create opportunities for people to meet, but we can’t plan friendships. Those happen naturally, through conversations that continue long after dinner, unexpected shared experiences and people deciding to spend the next day together simply because they enjoy each other’s company.
When a week becomes something more
Over the years, we’ve seen guests return to Cascais together, organize trips to other countries and maintain friendships long after their holidays ended. Some have even extended their stays because they weren’t ready to leave. A few have taken things a step further, like Alex, from Hungary, and Lois, from the Netherlands, who first experienced Surf Cascais as guests before eventually returning to become part of our team. During an episode of the Surf Cascais Podcast, Lois spoke about arriving as a solo traveller herself and encouraged others who were thinking about doing the same.
Another returning guest, German travel blogger Steve, shared how much he enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds who nevertheless had so many interests in common. It’s something we see regularly: people with completely different lives finding common ground through surfing.
Not every holiday ends with lifelong friendships, and we wouldn’t want to promise that. Sometimes you simply enjoy a great week, improve your surfing and head home with a few good stories. Still, there’s something special about watching someone arrive at the Villa on their own and, a few days later, seeing how difficult it can be to say goodbye.
So, if you’re considering a surf camp but none of your friends can join you, don’t let that stop you. You won’t be the only person traveling alone, and you certainly don’t need to be the most outgoing person in the room. Come for the waves, enjoy your own adventure and see what happens along the way.
Sometimes the people you meet become the best part of the trip.
David & the Surf Cascais Team
Thinking about joining us on your own?
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