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Join Girl on the Wave Surf Project for empowering, holistic surf retreats and surf camps designed for women. Focus on expert surf coaching, supportive community and deep self-care. Build lifelong bonds, connect with the waves and with yourself. Get stronger. Grow your surf better.
“Empowering women on waves through holistic surf retreats worldwide”
WHERE? AT OUR HOME BREAK
WHEN? MAY TO OCTOBER
Ericeira is a traditional surf town with roots dating back to a fishing village from the 12th century. Nestled along the Atlantic coastline, it lies just 32 km north of Lisbon—only a 40-minute drive from the airport.
This famous surfing town is the only Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve, recognized by Save the Waves for its pristine coastline and wave variety. Considered a Portuguese capital of surf from beginner-friendly beach breaks to powerful reef waves, Ericeira offers something for every surfer. It’s a perfect base for Girl on the Wave surf project’s main events in the summer.
“Built on stoke, saltwater and community. Surfing creates a tribe without borders”
OUR SURF GETAWAY IN THE FALL
WHEN? NOVEMBER
Madeira is a stunning archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and mild climate year-round. The island is a paradise for nature lovers, offering everything from lush forests and rugged mountains to beautiful coastline and golden beaches.
Madeira’s unique blend of Mediterranean and subtropical climates ensures a vibrant mix of flora and fauna, making it a great destination for hiking, exploring, and surfing.
Madeira is home to some excellent surf spots, offering a variety of waves for both beginners and advanced surfers. The island’s unique volcanic coastline creates powerful, dramatic waves.
With a consistent swell and breathtaking backdrops, surfing in Madeira is a thrilling experience for those seeking adventure in a beautiful, less crowded destination. Check our surfing spot in Madeira open also for beginners.
OUR WINTER SURF DESTINATION
WHEN? JANUARY FEBRUARY
Costa Rica is a vibrant country known for its rich biodiversity, lush rainforests, and stunning coastlines. With both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, it offers a variety of landscapes and surf spots, attracting surfers from around the world.
The country’s laid-back vibe, coupled with its warm, welcoming culture, makes it an ideal destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.
Surfing in Costa Rica is a dream for surfers of all levels, with consistent waves year-round. Popular spots like Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Pavones offer everything from gentle beginner waves to powerful breaks for more experienced surfers. Our surf spot is located on the Southern Pacific coast. Super local empty and wild.
Whales, doplhins, turtles, warm waters and breathtaking sunsets only add to the appeal, making Costa Rica a top surf destination in Central America.
THIS IS WHERE WE SURF IN SPRING
WHEN? MARCH APRIL
Morocco is a captivating country that blends rich culture, ancient history, and stunning landscapes. From the vibrant markets of Marrakech to the tranquil beauty of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco offers an unforgettable experience. Its long Atlantic coastline, dotted with charming fishing villages, creates a perfect environment for adventure seekers, particularly surfers.
Surfing in Morocco is a top attraction, with world-class waves and a variety of surf spots for all skill levels. Areas like Taghazout, Essaouira, and Imsouane are famous for their consistent swells, beautiful beaches, and vibrant surf culture. The warm waters and mix of point breaks, beach breaks, and reefs make Morocco an ideal destination for those looking to ride epic waves in a unique, welcoming atmosphere.
““Different backgrounds, one wave.””
Mission: Connecting surfers — especially women — through a holistic surf experience around the world which combines surf practice, theory, lifestyle, nutrition, self-care & community of cultural exchange and shared passion. Empowering women in surfing through surf retreats worldwide.
Meaningful goal: Girl on the Wave surf project isn’t just about surf - it’s about thriving local communities. By creating jobs, fostering connections and growing the local surf scene, we are not only empowering women but strengthening the entire surf culture and infrastructure.
Locations: GOTW follows global surf seasons, hosting retreats and surf camps in each region of the world. The project is in the constant research of less popular but reliable surf spots with no crowd but consistent waves.
Surf Camps and Surf Retreats: Designed by woman for women, but open to welcome a friend, partner or brother as long as they respect the community rules and enjoy the whole experience.
First camp launched during EDP Billabong Pro 2018 in Ericeira
Holistic approach combining surf practice, theory, video analysis, lifestyle, nutrition, self-care & community, female cultural exchange and shared passion. Surfing with professionals in not crowded licensed & wild nature spots. Inviting the local surf infrastructure to actively participate in the process of creating retreats. Daily sessions with qualified local coaches with great knowledge of surf spots. Small group sizes (max 5 in whitewater). Equipment, wetsuits, and beach transfers included.
“In surfing it’s all about trying again, adjusting and finding that flow after a fall.”
Video analysis in surfing is incredibly powerful! It allows to see the form, timing, and technique in a way that’s impossible to do in real-time.
Identifying small adjustments that can lead to big improvements, correcting bad habits that might be hard to notice in the moment, measuring progress over time by comparing videos from different sessions, understanding wave positioning and timing to improve your approach. Thanks to video analysis Girl on the Wave program gives you real-time feedback helping to see your mistakes and grow.
Video analysis are also a powerful tool for uniting and integrating a surf group. Shared learning experience when a group watches their surf session together it creates a shared moment of reflection. It fosters a sense of unity, where surfers feel like they’re all on the same learning journey, rather than isolated in their individual progress.
Surf coaches, surf camp managers, yoga teachers, wellness experts, body-mind trainers, photographers, musicians, producers, djs, private chefs. Everyone’s offering a quality and shares our stoke is welcomed. We foster equality and inclusivity, welcoming all surfers to our community. But with that, we also emphasize respect — for the waves, the people, and the culture that surrounds us. It’s not just about talent, but about being humble, kind and committed to growing together as a community of surfers. Working as a team.
Welcoming interns, collaborators, and creative professionals (film, music, photography, yoga)
Surf school or lodge outside Portugal? Let’s collaborate! ✉️ contact@girlonthewave.com
“Together, we ride.”
My name is Malgorzata Iganska but friends call me Margherita. I was born in Poland and moved to Ericeira in 2019. I’m a surfer, surf entrepreneur, and the founder of Girl on the Wave — a surf project born from my dream to share the magic of surfing with people —especially with women — from all over the world.
I surf since 2014 and I run surf camps leading my groups since 2018 with a mission to grow the global surf community. So far, over two thousand women and girls have joined my surf camps worldwide — and each one has added something unique to the journey.
Surfing is more than a sport — it’s a way of life. It’s about power and peace, the raw energy of the ocean, and the calm it brings. It teaches you to face fear, see opportunity in every wave and to grow in both body and character. It’s about learning focus, letting go, and respect for others, for us and for the power of nature. Ocean is the master teacher.
“Not everyone will become a professional surfer, but everyone can discover something extraordinary in the waves — a connection that becomes a lifelong drive”
Barefoot Surf Tutorials are the best way to learn online and are an excellent support for surf workshops. Find for free inspirational surf tutorials below and sing up for a yearly subscription to get an access for much more. It is worth it!
Surfing courses plenty of videos and topics, quizes, inspirational tutorials, active forums and a great learning. You can join anytime from home. Find more about all courses below.
There are multiple techniques to help you go from the prone position to your proper surfing stance. This course can help you find the take off that works for you, improve your technique, and fix your mistakes effectively…
A proper paddling technique is one of the most crucial elements of your surf progression. The better you paddle, the more waves you catch, the quicker you progress…
Surfing better starts with paddling better. A proper paddling technique is one of the most crucial elements of your surf progression. The better you paddle, the more waves you catch, the quicker you progress. If you want to paddle efficiently on your shortboard or longboard, there’s 2 things you have to do…
It takes years of practice to develop a great duck dive technique, so don’t get discouraged. The good news is that you can practise these steps in many environments: in a pool, in a lake, in the ocean, etc. Once you’re able to do proper duck dives, you waste less energy passing the break, keeping your paddle power to catch more waves…
