SPAIN/PORTUGAL TRIP (L3/4) SEPTEMBER 2026

Have you heard of Tarifa? Its a summer destination at the bottom of Spain that is famous across the world by Windsurfers. The Westerlies and Easterlies in Summer come through 20-30 knots consistently each day, making this is a must destination for any surf ski paddler. 

The month of September is the most reliable with the stronger winds and less populated then say the busy European months of July/August. We will team up for 4 paddling days with surf ski Zen Master Boyan Zlatarev who owns and runs the Surf Ski Center Tarifa. We will learn Boyans downwind techniques of "paddling efficiency" to link ocean runs with the least amount of stokes possible. Luke Horder will be the other coach teaching "wave positioning" to master all the "forces" applied to the surf ski. 

To make the trip super interesting we are then going to hop over to Lisbon, Portugal to team up with Bork from Bork adventures and knock out 4 days of downwind paddling there. The prevailing summer winds are from the North and with all the wind turbines down the coast of Portugal you know its a windy place. The world surf ski champs have been held in Portugal most years due to the consistent summer strong afternoon winds. 

Now picture yourself waking up Spain or Portugal in 30 degree weather, warm water and consistent strong winds. After a morning yoga stretch with the group we set off for a day of downwinds, using the van and trailer to be in the right spot at the right time. 

On this trip you are there to learn all the skills of going downwind by these local surf ski master coaches. You will be in a different environment, a new continent to tick off your paddling bucket list. The expert local team is there to teach you how the ocean moves in that particular place of the world. How the wind, swell and tide wrap around the contours of the land around you and how you can best master the conditions on that particular day. 

In Tarifa Spain there is easy launching into the water and existing the water, with world class downwind runs ranging from 9km, 16km and 24km. Based on the wind we choose the appropriate distance to maximise the downwind opportunities. 

With safety always a priority we have 1 hour classroom sessions in the morning to formulate our call signs we will use out on the water and what the plan is for the day, so when we get into the van we head off to focus on maximising the downwind opportunity. 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is all done together as a fun team. Evening restaurants with wines as we sample the finest in Spanish and Portuguese cuisine will be a highlight. 

This holiday is all about fitness and learning downwind skills at an accelerated rate. What you will gain in 10 days could take years back in Sydney. You can enjoy the spoils of a few glasses of wine each night and a nice desert, as you will be burning thousands of calories off each day. 

These paddle trips offer you ample time with the Coaches to explore all the intricate details of understanding how the ocean moves and how you can move with it. Paddling all around the world will give you appreciation that the ocean moves differently. 

This trip is capped at 13 people to ensure we can deliver the ultimate trip for you. The more wind we have then the further the downwind runs will be, as we are there to maximise the downwind conditions. Each day is planned around the wind to create the best opportunities for everyone. Remember we have expert local coaches that will show us their secret spots that they have developed over the many years of their paddling journey. 

Whatever speed you paddle at in this L3/4 group, we will ensure the group can all see each other out there. We can stagger the starts and set up regrouping segments. Two coaches on the water and support team on the land provides extra comfort, as we will all have a VHF radio clipped onto your lifejacket to communicate with each other and a tracking device in our PFD for the land crew to follow and track our ocean journey. Due to the stron winds and long open beaches, you will find yourself close to shore at all times as you downwind from one run to another. 

Partners (non paddlers) are welcome to come on the trip. For your accommodation you have your own apartment (double bed) that they can share with you and they can join us on all the breakfast, lunch and evening hangouts and feel very much part of the team. 

Our moto is safety and progression!

Payment Options:

Pay in full here on the website or email us admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au and you can do 2 x 50% payments over 3 months or 4 x 25% payments over 4 months. 

Please do not book any flights or anything else until we have received your payment, formulated/secured the group and then contacted you to then go ahead to book flights. 

Surf Skis available for Tarifa: 

• Epic V8 Ultra (6)
• Epic V9 Ultra (2)
• Epic V8 Double Ultra (1)
• Fenn Bluefin S Glass Vacuum (3)
• Fenn XT S Glass Vacuum (1)
• Fenn Swordfish S Glass Vacuum (1)
• Fenn Bonito Glass Vacuum (1)
• Nelo 540 XXL (1)
• Nelo 520 ML (1)
• Nelo 520 L (1)
• Nelo 520 XXL (1)
• Nelo 550 ML (1)
• Nelo 600 Double (1)
• NK Club 540 (4)
• NK Squall 580 (1)
• NK Excrize (1)

Surf Skis available for Lisbon: 

Whole range of Fenn and Nelo surf skis