#GaySurfBrazil: LGBT Surf Camp 2016

 #GaySurfBrazil: LGBT Surf Camp 2016

April 30- May 7, 2016 in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Santa Catarina, in South Brazil, is a hidden gem known for its gorgeous beaches and mild climate. Long appreciated by the local LGBT community, in recent years it has become a popular gay and lesbian vacation destination.

Praia do Rosa, the only bay in Brazil to be recognized as one of the 38 “Most Beautiful Bays in the World”, is famous for its perfect waves, laid-back atmosphere, rustic-chic guesthouses and great restaurants.

Thanks to the half-moon shape of the bay of Rosa, it is considered a “Disneyland” for surfers- you will always find great surfing there, no matter the direction of the winds or swells. Winter months (June-August) often bring major waves that lure the world’s pro-surfers, but year-round Praia do Rosa it offers great conditions for all levels of ability.

With this fantastic surfing environment also comes an amazing surf coach, Capitão David. His surf school, founded in 1995, is the oldest one in all of Rosa. The Captain, as he is known by his more than 15,000 student/friends, has taught generations of beginners and trained some serious surfers. You will definitely learn more with the Captain than you would at any other surf school!  For more experienced surfers who don’t need the basics, this trip will offer you the best waves in Brazil with a friendly local, as well as the expertise of the Captain to help improve your performance.

On top of the 5-day surf camp, this trip also includes a 2-night stay in Florianopolis. Also known as “the Magic Island” or “Floripa, this island has been known for its surfing culture and LGBT-friendliness since the 80’s!

This will be a holiday that you will never forget!

Program:

Saturday 30^th April - Arrival in Florianopolis. Check in at your Town Home right in front of Praia Mole- one of the best beaches for surfing on the Island and the most LGBT-friendly beach south of Ipanema. Afternoon free.
Welcome Dinner. Optional G& L nightlife tour.

Sunday 1^st May – Breakfast at your leisure

Day free to enjoy the beach (previous host to both WQS and WCT competitions). Optional afternoon tour of the Island.

Monday 2^nd May– Early breakfast then transfer to Praia do Rosa. Check-in at your accommodation.
2 pm: Start of the Surf Camp: Surf Introduction for Beginners/ Evaluation session for experienced. Duration 3 hours.

6:30 pm: Yoga lesson

Tuesday 3^rd May

8:30 am: Breakfast

10 am: Surf session & Clinic. Duration 4 hours.

Rest of the afternoon free for relaxation at the beach or by the pool.

Wednesday 4^th May.
8:30 am: Breakfast

10 am: Surf session & Clinic. Duration 4 hours.

6:30 pm: Yoga lesson

Thursday 5^th May
8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 am: Departure for a full-day Surfari.

We will explore the Southern Coast of Santa Catarina looking for the best spots for our Surf Session. If conditions are good we will go up to Farol de Santa Marta, a remote fishing village with a famous lighthouse and good waves. On the way there, you’ll have the chance to see the famous Laguna Dolphins.

Friday 6^th May.
8:30 am: Breakfast

10 am: Surf session & Clinic. Duration 4 hours.

7 pm: Caipirinha Workshop, Sundowners and Farewell Dinner

Saturday 7^th May:

Breakfast & Check Out. Transfer back to Florianopolis airport for return flights.

Cost per person:

Single room basis: US$ 1477.00

Twin room basis: US$ 1221.00

Double room basis: US$ 1079.00

Package includes:

·         All transfers starting/ending Florianopolis airport with English-speaking driver or guide

·         2 nights’ accommodation at a Town Home in Praia Mole, Florianopolis, with breakfast (shared house, private ensuite rooms)

·         5 nights’ accommodation in Praia do Rosa (private ensuite rooms) with breakfast

·         4 days of Surf Camp with Capitão David School in Praia do Rosa.

o    Surf Camp consists of lessons for beginners and intermediates, followed by surf clinic with exercises/practice for better performances aided by analysis of videos filmed during lessons/sessions. Experienced surfers will have “Surf with a Local” Sessions and the Surf Clinic (4 hours daily).

·         1 full-day Surfari with Capitão David School;

·         1 DVD with photos/videos of your session

·         2 Yoga Group Sessions

·         2 dinners

·         English-speaking Tour Leader

Package does not include:

Flights, Visas, meals not mentioned, optional tours, insurance, tips, equipment (except during surf lessons)

**Extensions to Rio, Iguazu or other destinations in Brazil available- please contact us for more details.**

BOOK NOW!

2016 Dates!

Our 2016 dates are:

LGBT-mixed Spring Surf Camp= 30th April- 7th May 

Surf , Yoga & Whales Camp (Women only) = 15th - 22nd October

Programs will be up soon. Put down in your calendars now!

Contact us for more details.

#GaySurfBrazil: Women’s Surf Camp- Santa Catarina, May 2015

Santa Catarina, in South Brazil, is a hidden gem known for its gorgeous beaches and mild climate. Long appreciated by the local LGBT community, in recent years it has become a popular gay and lesbian vacation destination.

Praia do Rosa, the only bay in Brazil to be recognized as one of the 38 “Most Beautiful Bays in the World”, is famous for its perfect waves, laid-back atmosphere, rustic-chic guesthouses and great restaurants.

Thanks to the half-moon shape of the bay of Rosa, it is considered a “Disneyland” for surfers- you will always find great surfing there, no matter the direction of the winds or swells. Winter months (June-August) often bring major waves that lure the world’s pro-surfers, but year-round Praia do Rosa it offers great conditions for all levels of ability.

With this fantastic surfing environment also comes an amazing surf coach, Capitão David. His surf school, founded in 1995, is the oldest one in all of Rosa. The Captain, as he is known by his more than 15,000 student/friends, has taught generations of beginners and trained some serious surfers. You will definitely learn more with the Captain than you would at any other surf school!  

For more experienced surfers who don’t need the basics, this trip will offer you the best waves in Brazil with a friendly local, as well as the expertise of the Captain to help improve your performance.

On top of the 5-day surf camp, this trip also includes a 2-night stay in Florianopolis. Also known as “the Magic Island” or “Floripa, this island has been known for its surfing culture and LGBT-friendliness since the 80’s!

This will be a surfing holiday that you will never forget!

Program:

Saturday 9th May - Arrival in Florianopolis. Check in at your Town Home right in front of Praia Mole- one of the best beaches for surfing on the Island and the most LGBT-friendly beach south of Ipanema. Afternoon free.
Welcome Dinner. Optional G& L nightlife tour.

Sunday 10th May – Breakfast at your leisure

Day free to enjoy the beach (previous host to both WQS and WCT competitions). Optional afternoon tour of the Island.

Monday 11th May– Early breakfast then transfer to Praia do Rosa. Check-in at Pousada Casa do Ceo.
2 pm: Start of the Surf Camp: Surf Introduction for Beginners/ Evaluation session for experienced. Duration 3 hours.

6:30 pm: Yoga lesson

Tuesday 12th May

8:30 am: Breakfast

10 am: Surf session & Clinic. Duration 4 hours.

Rest of the afternoon free for relaxation at the beach or by the pool.

Wednesday 13th May.
8:30 am: Breakfast

10 am: Surf session & Clinic. Duration 4 hours.

6:30 pm: Yoga lesson

Thursday 14th May
8:30 am: Breakfast
9:30 am: Departure for a full-day Surfari.

We will explore the Southern Coast of Santa Catarina looking for the best spots for our Surf Session. If conditions are good we will go up to Farol de Santa Marta, a remote fishing village with a famous lighthouse and good waves. On the way there, you’ll have the chance to see the famous Laguna Dolphins.

Friday 15th May.
8:30 am: Breakfast

10 am: Surf session & Clinic. Duration 4 hours.

7 pm: Caipirinha Workshop, Sundowners and Farewell Dinner

Saturday16th May:

Breakfast & Check Out. Transfer back to Florianopolis airport for return flights.

Cost per person:

Single room basis: US$ 1799.00

Twin room basis: US$ 1469.00

Double room basis: US$ 1299.00

Package includes:

• All transfers starting/ending Florianopolis airport with English-speaking driver or guide
• 2 nights’ accommodation at a Town Home in Praia Mole, Florianopolis, with breakfast (shared house, private ensuite rooms)
• 5 nights’ accommodation at the charming Pousada Casa do Ceo in Praia do Rosa (private ensuite rooms) with breakfast
• 4 days of Surf Camp with Capitão David School in Praia do Rosa.
• Surf Camp consists of lessons for beginners and intermediates, followed by surf clinic with exercises/practice for better performances aided by analysis of videos filmed during lessons/sessions. Experienced surfers will have “Surf with a Local” Sessions and the Surf Clinic (4 hours daily).
• 1 full-day Surfari with Capitão David School;
• 1 DVD with photos/videos of your session
• 2 Yoga Group Sessions
• 2 dinners
• English-speaking Tour Leader

Package does not include:

Flights, Visas, meals not mentioned, optional tours, insurance, tips, equipment (except during surf lessons)

**Extensions to Rio, Iguazu or other destinations in Brazil available- please contact us for more details.**

BOOK NOW!

#GaySurfBrazil Camps 2015

We are very happy to announce that for 2015 we will have 2 dates for our #GaySurfBrazil Camps.

From 9^th to 16^th May we will have the first ever Women´s Surf Camp in Brazil, for Lesbians and Friends.

From 26^th September to 3^rd October, we will have the 3^rd Edition of our Surf, Yoga & Whales Week open for Gays, Lesbians & Friends.

Details to follow soon!

#GaySurfBrazil- The idea behind it

Michael Sam, Ian Thorpe, Amelie Mauresmo, Tom Daley, Megan Rapinoe… the list of professional, out athletes keeps growing, but that still doesn’t mean it’s always easy to be openly gay in sport. Even for amateurs it can be a challenge, even in sports that are considered to be more open-minded and laid back, like surfing.

Thomas Castets, founder of GaySurfers.net, tackled the subject of homophobia in the surf world with his recent, award-winning documentary Out in the Line-Up. He also asked members of the world’s leading online LGBT surfing community for suggestions to improve this situation. After running a survey on www.GaySurfers.net he found that gay surfers really wanted them to create surf trips with other gay surfers. So they partnered with Brazil Ecojourneys to organise a week of surfing, relaxing and yoga in the gorgeous beach town of Praia do Rosa in South Brazil. After a successful first run last year, we knew we had to do it again.

Brazil, home to the world’s biggest Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, is also home to some of the best waves in the world, making it the perfect destination for an LGBT surf trip. The LGBT-owned and operated Brazil Ecojourneys launched the first edition with GaySurfers in October, 2013, with participants flying in from Canada, USA and Argentina.

We are all quite aware of the prejudice and discrimination against LGBT people in sports, but we hadn’t necessarily considered surfing as one of the last bastions of homophobia. Watching Out in the Line-Up was a real eye-opener, which inspired our company to reach out and partner with GaySurfers, We organised the first-ever LGBT Surf Camp in Brazil last year and it was totally amazing. Besides helping fund the documentary, it showed us that there are a lot of people out there who would like to be surfing but are holding back because of homophobia they’ve encountered. Surfing amongst friends allows them to live their dream, and it is so much more fun!


Marta Dalla Chiesa
Director
Brazil Ecojourneys


Out in the Line-Up is now playing at select film festivals around the world, or is available for purchase on DVD at www.outinthelineup.com.



Dates for 2015 Surf Camp will be out soon!