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Four Days in Foiling Heaven — Steven’s Private Tow Foil Retreat in Portugal
Some trips stay with you — in your body, your smile, and your memories. This retreat with Steven was one of those rare ones.
Four days of waves, connection, and pure foiling joy.
Day 1 — Baptism by Bombs
Steven arrived around 11:00, and after a relaxed lunch we didn’t waste a second — straight to the ocean.
And the Atlantic was not in a forgiving mood. Beautiful, yes. But gentle? Absolutely not.
Clean 2–3 meter bombs were rolling through, the kind of sets that make even experienced riders pay attention. Not exactly the easiest conditions for someone who had never been towed before.
The first challenge was learning to stand up behind the ski. It took about eight attempts — totally normal for a first-timer, especially in solid surf — but Steven stayed focused and calm.
Then everything changed.
He popped up, found balance, lifted cleanly onto the foil…
…and immediately connected with a monster wave on his first real ride.
An explosive, unforgettable start. The kind you never forget.
We wrapped up the day with an incredible dinner and a long sauna session — the perfect reset after an adrenaline-filled introduction to tow foiling.
Day 2 — Wind, Hidden Gems & Coastal Downwind Lines
Day 2 arrived with strong wind, so we searched for a sheltered spot — and found one.
It turned out to be perfect: smooth take-offs, glassy faces, and fun, punchy energy.
Once we’d had our fill, we decided to switch things up and tow-in downwind along the coast.
It was a beautiful, flowing run with endless glides, even though the foil setup wasn’t ideal for long-distance downwinding that day.
Still, the spirit of adventure carried the whole session.
And as always, we ended with a top restaurant and a sauna — good food, good vibes, warm recovery.
Day 3 — Clean Lines & Pure Flow
The ocean calmed down overnight and gifted us perfect 1-meter clean conditions.
A dream for learning, improving, and carving with style.
Steven surfed wave after wave with a smoothness that only comes when everything clicks — the ski, the foil, the ocean, the rider.
Every entry was clean. Every line was controlled.
This was a flow-state day, the kind that defines a retreat.
Day 4 — Four-Meter Finale
Then Day 4 arrived, and Portugal decided to show what it’s truly capable of.
4-meter big-wave tow foil conditions.
Open-ocean mountains rising in the channel, long entries, fast lines, and that deep rumble you feel through the ski before the wave even reaches you.
Steven handled it with courage and focus, riding lines that would make any experienced foiler proud.
It was the perfect finale — powerful, raw, unforgettable.
A Trip That Became a Friendship
Across the four days — hours on the water, shared meals at incredible restaurants, daily sauna sessions, and moments of challenge and triumph — something deeper formed.
Not just progression.
Not just epic conditions.
But a warm, genuine connection.
By the end of the retreat, it didn’t feel like instructor and guest.
It felt like friends sharing something rare and beautiful.
These are the retreats that stay with you.
Ready for your own tow foil retreat? Portugal is waiting — with perfect waves, powerful experiences, and the good life.
