Terms and Conditions
The rules for our services: surf school, equipment rental, surf guide, SUP, surf camp, Madeira Surf Lodge and this website.
Provisional text, pending validation by the client. Adapted from the terms published on the current website.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
Madeira Surf Center is a trademark registered with INPI under no. 722437, surf school no. 707 certified by the Portuguese Surfing Federation, and a tourism activity operator registered with Turismo de Portugal under RNAAT no. 295/2020. Company: Ruben Afonso Unipessoal, Lda. (trading as Madeira Surf Center) · VAT no. 515 733 113 · Estrada da Calçada, n.º 38, 9240-218 São Vicente, Madeira, Portugal · book@madeirasurfcenter.pt · +351 911 986 083
1. Purpose and scope
1.1. These Terms govern participation in surf school activities, equipment rental, surf guiding, SUP tours, lesson packages, surf camps and any complementary services provided by Madeira Surf Center.
1.2. Booking or purchasing any service implies full acceptance of these Terms, pursuant to Decree-Law no. 39/2008, Decree-Law no. 108/2009 and all other applicable legislation.
2. Bookings, cancellations and refunds
2.1. The booking of any service (lessons of any level, rentals, surf guide, SUP tours, lesson packages or surf camps) is valid and non-refundable.
2.2. By booking, the purchaser acknowledges that payment is a definitive commitment to participate, with no right to a refund, except in the cases provided for in these Terms.
2.3. A booking is only valid after confirmation by Madeira Surf Center and full payment of the agreed amount.
2.4. Cancellations or changes made less than one (1) month in advance do not entitle the purchaser to any refund.
2.5. In exceptional situations, reviewed and confirmed by Madeira Surf Center, up to 50% of the total booking value may be refunded, depending on the notice given and the justification presented.
2.6. An unjustified absence (no-show), same-day change or cancellation requests, or delays of more than fifteen (15) minutes result in the total loss of the service and of any refund.
2.7. In such cases, if the purchaser still wishes to use the service, a fee equal to 100% of the amount paid applies.
2.8. Requests to change the date or time must be made at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance and are subject to availability. Requests made less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance may incur administrative fees.
2.9. The right of withdrawal does not apply to activities with a specific date or period (Article 17(1)(l) of Decree-Law no. 24/2014).
2.10. Madeira Surf Center may change prices without prior notice, informing on its website and partners' channels. Bookings already confirmed and paid are not affected.
3. Activity schedules and locations
3.1. Schedules and locations may change due to weather, sea conditions, tides or other safety factors.
3.2. The final decision on schedules, locations and formats rests with Madeira Surf Center's instructors and management, based on technical and safety criteria.
3.3. Schedules published online are indicative only.
3.4. Changes made for safety or environmental reasons do not entitle the client to compensation, discounts or refunds.
3.5. Failure to appear at the revised time or place counts as a no-show, with no right to a refund.
4. Communication with the client
4.1. The channel for contracting and managing services is written communication via WhatsApp to +351 911 986 083 (or another number provided when booking).
4.2. The time and place are communicated up to twenty-four (24) hours before the start; in exceptional cases, with at least twelve (12) hours' notice.
4.3. The purchaser is responsible for reading messages and keeping their contact number active.
5. Weather conditions and safety
5.1. Activities depend on conditions beyond Madeira Surf Center's control. Rain, fog or cloudy weather are not grounds for cancellation provided safety conditions are ensured.
5.2. If conditions are unsuitable (storms, dangerous sea, strong winds), the activity will be rescheduled or adapted, with no right to a refund.
5.3. In cases of force majeure preventing the service during the stay, equivalent services will be offered; a refund is only issued if it is proven impossible to use them at another time.
5.4. Madeira Surf Center may suspend or cancel activities whenever safety is not guaranteed.
6. Prices and payment
6.1. All prices are in euros (€) and include VAT at the applicable rate.
6.2. Bank transfer fees are borne by the purchaser. Payments via PayPal or similar platforms are subject to non-refundable administrative fees.
6.3. Failure to pay within the stated period may result in cancellation of the booking.
7. Equipment, participation and insurance
7.1. Equipment is delivered in good condition and must be returned in the same condition. The purchaser is liable for damage, loss or theft resulting from negligence or misuse.
7.2. Participation requires adequate physical and psychological fitness and is prohibited under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Participating implies accepting the inherent risks of surfing.
7.3. For minors, a liability waiver must be signed by the legal guardian.
7.4. Activities include mandatory personal accident and civil liability insurance, valid only during the activities. Accidental injuries during supervised activities also rely on the participant's own health insurance.
7.5. In an emergency, the participant authorises Madeira Surf Center to seek medical assistance.
7.6. The Surf Guide programme is for experienced surfers and is not a lesson; the same cancellation and payment rules apply.
7.7. Participants must follow the instructors' guidance; disruptive behaviour may result in removal without refund.
7.8. Madeira Surf Center is not responsible for the loss or theft of personal belongings.
8. Image rights
Photos and videos may be taken during activities for promotional purposes. If you prefer not to appear, let us know before the activity.
9. Surf equipment rental
By signing the rental contract, the client declares that they have read and accept these conditions:
- The contract holder must be over 18 and hold a valid ID document, and is responsible for looking after the equipment.
- Surfing involves a risk of injury. The client is responsible for assessing their own fitness (swimming ability, physical condition) and should follow the recommendations given for their level and the beach conditions.
- Payment is made on collection. Depending on the board, a deposit of €50 to €400 is required, in cash or by card (card fees are borne by the client), refunded at the end if there is no damage or extended use without agreement.
- Equipment is collected and returned at Madeira Surf Center at the agreed time. A significant delay costs €20; returning early does not entitle the client to a refund.
- The client must have insurance with adequate cover; Madeira Surf Center is not liable for accidents or damage that occur without its fault.
- Not included: wax (€5) and roof rack (additional cost).
- Lending, selling or exchanging the equipment is prohibited. In case of serious breach, Madeira Surf Center may end the rental and recover the equipment.
- Extending the rental: notify before the end of the contract.
- Equipment must be returned clean and in the same condition; any damage must be reported.
10. Replacement and damage costs for rentals
- Surfboards: severe damage, breakage, loss or theft — €500 (beginner/intermediate) or up to €600 (performance up to 6'6"). Partial damage (holes, dents, scratches): €60 to €250. Dirty board: €10.
- Leash: loss or theft €40; normal wear is not charged.
- Fins: €50 (single) to €150 (full set).
- Wetsuits: partial damage according to condition; major damage (e.g. zip), loss or theft — €100.
- Bodyboards: partial damage €50 to €150.
- Swim fins: loss, theft or major damage €60; partial damage €20 to €50.
- Roof rack and straps: loss, theft or major damage €70; partial damage €20 to €30.
- Surf skates: severe damage, loss or theft €350; partial damage €80 to €250; dirty skate €10.
- Surf boots: loss, theft or major damage €60; partial damage €20 to €50.
11. Madeira Surf Lodge
- Bookings: confirmed only after full payment, made through authorised platforms (Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia or the official website).
- Cancellations less than forty (40) days before check-in are non-refundable; no-shows or early departures are charged in full. Date changes are subject to availability.
- Check-in from 3:00 pm and check-out until 11:00 am, with self check-in (codes sent on the day of arrival).
- Cleaning every four (4) days; extra towel change €30; extra cleaning €50; laundry €10 per use.
- Self-service breakfast included, 8:00 to 10:30 am, in the main house.
- No smoking indoors; quiet hours 9:00 pm to 8:00 am; jacuzzi 9:00 am to 9:00 pm; no cooking or eating in rooms and no waxing indoors.
- Guests are liable for damage caused to the accommodation; normal wear is not damage.
- Outdoor common areas have CCTV, solely for security and in compliance with data protection law.
- Booking, checking in or staying at the lodge implies acceptance of these conditions and of the accommodation's information book.
12. Use of the website
- All website content (texts, images, logos, videos, design and code) belongs to Ruben Afonso Unipessoal, Lda. or to authorised third parties and is protected by law. It may not be reproduced without written permission.
- The website must be used responsibly and lawfully: it may not be used for unlawful or fraudulent purposes, to introduce malicious code, to collect other users' data or for commercial purposes without authorisation.
- The website links to third-party websites (BookingKit, Shopify, Amenitiz, SumUp and others), which have their own policies; Madeira Surf Center is not responsible for their content.
- We do our best to keep information accurate and up to date, but errors may occur; images and descriptions are illustrative.
- We do not guarantee that the website will work without interruptions or errors.
- Personal data processing is described in the Privacy Policy and cookies in the Cookie Policy.
13. Complaints, applicable law and disputes
13.1. These Terms are governed by Portuguese law.
13.2. A physical and electronic Complaints Book is available (www.livroreclamacoes.pt).
13.3. For consumer disputes, the client may turn to the Consumer Arbitration Centre of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (CACC-RAM). More information on the Consumer Portal (www.consumidor.gov.pt).
13.4. Other disputes fall under the jurisdiction of the Madeira District Court.