--- title: "Adaptive surfing" url: "https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/surf/adaptive-surfing" canonical: "https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/surf/adaptive-surfing" lang: "en" image: "https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_design/PTMSC-open-graph.jpg" fetched_at: "2026-11-10T17:58:09+00:00" --- ![Adaptive Surfing](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/content/parasurfheader.jpg) ##### Adaptive Surfing in Portimão # Surfing is for everyone At Portimão Surf Clube we don't ask you to fit the surfboard. We fit the board, the position and the session to you. Whether you have never touched a wave or you dream of competing abroad, our coaches will get you riding at Praia da Rocha, safely and at your own pace. [nucleo\_\_parasurfing\_portimao\_](https://www.instagram.com/nucleo__parasurfing_portimao_/) ![](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/menu/1207/138-snapinsta-to_867377159_18107393033080080_2260810403032613101_n.jpg) ![](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/menu/1207/139-snapinsta-to_866099256_18107393051080080_822130191072276571_n.jpg) ![](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/menu/1207/140-snapinsta-to_865307648_18107393117080080_4844174642189371999_n.jpg) ![](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/menu/1207/141-snapinsta-to_865040316_18107393099080080_8299769302165771939_n.jpg) ![](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/menu/1207/142-snapinsta-to_864931941_18107393147080080_9726039332927464_n.jpg) ##### PTMSC - Adaptive Surfing in Portimão ## Who it's for Adaptive surfing is for anyone whose disability makes a standard surf lesson hard. **You are welcome if you have:** - a physical disability: limb difference or amputation, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, a muscle or nerve condition, or reduced mobility - a visual impairment, whether blind or partially sighted - an intellectual disability, autism or another reason to need a calmer, more personal session ### Children, teenagers and adults are all welcome. Complete beginners, surfers returning after an injury and athletes who want to compete each get a plan of their own. ## How a session works 1. Tell us about yourself. Message or call us. Tell us what you can do, what help you need and anything medical we should know. We only use it to plan your session. 2. We plan it with you. Your coach picks the board, the position (lying, kneeling, sitting or standing) and how many helpers you need in the water. 3. On the beach. A warm-up, practice on the sand, and a simple explanation of the waves and the safety signals. 4. In the water. Your coach stays at your side. At first we push you into the waves; as you gain confidence, you paddle and choose waves yourself. 5. Afterwards. We talk about what went well and what's next: another session, regular training or joining the club. ## Equipment and getting to the water We provide the board and wetsuit, and we help you put the wetsuit on. - Boards that fit the surfer: wide soft-top boards for stability, bodyboards for riding lying down, and \[add: the club's adapted equipment, e.g. handles, kneeboard, waveski\]. - Every position counts: you can ride standing, kneeling, sitting or lying down, on your own or with a helper. These are the same positions used in international para surfing. - The beach: Praia da Rocha is a wide sandy beach a short walk from our headquarters. Praia da Rocha holds the 2026 "Praia Acessível" award - an amphibious beach wheelchair is available. ## Safety and the team Adaptive surfing at PTMSC is led by **Filipe Costa**, a champion bodyboarder and physiotherapist at **FisioRider**, who has coached our para surfers to European and international podiums. He knows how bodies move on a board, so every session respects your body as well as the waves. - Plenty of hands: coaches per surfer - one-to-one or two for assisted surfers. - Only in the right conditions: if the sea isn't safe for you that day, we move the session. - Carers and family welcome: on the beach always, and in the water. - Beyond the water: FisioRider offers tailored physiotherapy, strength and balance training for surfers who want to progress. Our surf method comes from club founder and national champion **Francisco Canelas**. ## From first wave to the podium Some of our adaptive surfers now compete for Portugal. The club's Núcleo de ParaSurfing de Portimão trains local athletes for national and international events, and the results speak for themselves: - **Aug 2026**: Pedro Palma wins the adaptive event at the Pantín Classic in Galicia, Spain, on the last wave of the final; Hugo Rocha is second in his category - **Jul 2026**: Pedro Palma is 2nd (Prone 2) at the English ParaSurfing Championship, Fistral Beach, Newquay - **Jun 2026**: Pedro Palma is 3rd in Lacanau, France - **Oct 2025**: Pedro Palma becomes European vice-champion (Prone 2) at the European ParaSurfing Championship in Nigrán, Spain; Hugo Rocha finishes 5th (Stand 2) Want to compete? Para surfers compete in classes such as Stand, Kneel, Sit, Prone and Vision Impairment, after an official classification. We can guide you through it. [Meet the Núcleo Para Surfing](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/nucleo-para-surfing) Follow on Instagram [@nucleo\_\_parasurfing\_portimao\_](https://www.instagram.com/nucleo__parasurfing_portimao_) ## Adaptive surfing events in Portimão Portimão has a long record of adaptive surfing, and PTMSC is part of it: - **Encontro de Surf Adaptado da Praia da Rocha**: a free surf day for young people with disabilities, run by the Município de Portimão with PTMSC and other local surf clubs since 2014. It was named Municipal Sports Event of the Year. - **Adaptive Surf Open Day**: on 24 September 2026, during the European Week of Sport, PTMSC opened Praia da Rocha to anyone wanting to try adaptive surfing, free of charge. - **World Para Surf League in Portimão**: in March 2025 PTMSC brought a stage of the world para surfing circuit to Praia da Rocha as part of the first Portimão SURFEST. ![](https://www.portimaosurfclube.pt/_files/content/SnapInsta.to_559913294_17926304235136585_4778128696284390308_n.jpg) ## FAQ **I have never surfed. Can I still come?** Yes. Most people start with no experience at all. **Do I need to be able to swim?** Not necessarily. You wear a wetsuit and, if needed, a flotation vest, and a coach stays with you the whole time. **Can my carer or family come?** Yes. They are welcome on the beach and can help us understand what works best for you. **What should I bring?** Swimwear, a towel, sun cream, water and any medication you need. We provide the board and wetsuit. **What if the sea is too rough?** We check the conditions beforehand and move your session to another day if needed. **Can I train regularly or join the club?** Yes. Regular adaptive surfers can become club members and train with us all year. **I'd like to compete. How does it work?** Competitive para surfers are placed in a class by an official classifier, so everyone competes on fair terms. Talk to us and our Núcleo Para Surfing team will guide you. **I'm on holiday in the Algarve. Can I book?** Yes. Please message us before you come so we can plan your session. ## Ready for your first wave? Tell us a little about yourself and we'll plan a session that works for you. WhatsApp / phone: **+351 966 559 739** Email: [info@portimaosurfclube.pt](mailto:info@portimaosurfclube.pt) Club: **Estrada Marina 280, 8500-311 Portimão** Questions any time: **ask Fatumator**, our online assistant