Author
Rafa Gouveia
ISA-Certified Surf Coach · Jardim do Mar Local · Federation Judge
Jardim do Mar, Madeira
About Rafa
Jardim do Mar-based ISA-certified surf coach with 12 years coaching across Madeira's surf spectrum — from Porto da Cruz beach-break beginners to Jardim do Mar advanced sessions. Rafa serves as a Portuguese Federation surf judge for regional championships and writes every spot review himself after a current-season session, in current conditions.
Credentials
- ISA Level 1 Surf Instructor certification
- Portuguese Surfing Federation Judge accreditation
- Lifesaving + Water Safety certification
- 12+ years coaching in Madeira
- Big-wave competence training (Nazaré observer)
Areas of expertise
- Beginner spot selection (sandy vs reef)
- Jardim do Mar post-2010 seawall reality
- Paul do Mar boulder-bottom risks
- NW vs W vs SW swell windows
- Wetsuit choice by season
- Surf school selection (federation-certified vs not)
- Surf camp + lodge fit by ability
Methodology
Quarterly spot sampling across skill tiers — beginner (Porto da Cruz, Machico), intermediate (Madalena, Fajã), advanced (Jardim, Paul). School audits as fee-paying client lessons, never disclosed in advance, with assessment focused on instructor competence, group ratio, equipment quality, water-safety practice. Conditions reports cross-checked with Surfline + Magic Seaweed + local Madeira Surf Forecast. We never accept hosted sessions without disclosing them.