Clients Reviews of Surf Zone and the Team

So near, yet so far. Derek from MIDDLESBROUGH, UK

I signed up for the 11hr introduction course for Kite Surfing. I did not know exactly how the lessons were going to go as my trip was a last minute decision and I had only ever watched the sport from the beach. I had been told it was far from easy and quite demanding but for me that just added to the challenge. Having met the team I was assigned an instructor and started with basic kite handling skills with a kind of stunt kite, quickly progressing to getting wet and body surfing. This was great fun and not to rush things I was happy to do the same for the entire 2hrs the next day secretly thinking I was going to master this no problem. Day three saw the introduction of the board and this bought me well and truly back down to earth. This is where you really start to learn. Trying to remember all that you had learnt and now with trying to stand up you realise there is a lot of multi tasking to be done. My confidence took a bit of a knock today but the instructor and the team were very supportive and did a good job to keep me motivated. I enjoyed my last two days of trying to stand up and I think I got up twice if briefly to get a taste of the joys of kite surfing which was great. The conclusion is it is a tough sport but like everything once you get good it will get easier and the rewards will be worth the effort. I can definitely say that if you sign up for any of the Surf Zone activities the only disappointment will be having to leave. As others before me have said the staff are great, the equipment is very good and the tuition is excellent. It is true that the conditions in the water and with the wind are very testing but as it was said to me if you can master the art of Kite Surfing in Cape Verde you will be good pretty much anywhere you go in the future. For me I can not wait to go back and nail it. Thanks to Rod, Sheena, Choo, Sydney and everyone else at SURF ZONE.

Dear Rod, Sheena and the Surf Zone team,

Just a very quick note to say a thousand thanks to you all for making our time in Sta Maria wind and kite surfing so perfect. As a family of varying ages and abilities we were not sure if conditions would over-stretch the less experienced youngsters.  We need not have been concerned.  All were very efficiently catered for and we all felt the level of instruction and professionalism was just perfect.  We can't wait to get back to such a perfect venue...The flexibility of organization and everyone's enthusiasm to assist where needed was much appreciated.  Many establishments would certainly benefit from taking a leaf out of your book! The personal touch from all did not go un-recognized. We are most envious thinking of you guys still enjoying that wonderful climate as we return to the English winter.

Best Regards and Memories from Russell, Jill, Victoria and Tom Payne

The best windsurfing tuition on Sal

Jo Heywood from Ashford, Kent, England

I have been to Sal 3 times now and each time have spent time at SurfZone learning to windsurf. Sheena and Rod run an amazing school. Their teaching is patient, thorough and fun. The location is perfect for both learners and the more experienced surfers. Sheena and Rod are friendly and relaxed, yet professional in their manner and made me feel at home right away. Can’t wait for my next visit!

Surf Zone Cabo Verde - amazingly friendly & professional crew

tim smithson from switzerland

Hey, I just got back from a weeks holiday in Cabo Verde, I took kite lessons with Sheena and Rod's team of really friendly instructors. Whilst we didn't have wind for the first 3 days, we headed over to Kite Beach on our 4th day of vacation and had some great instruction in the waves. Cabo Verde is not ideal for beginners, but we managed to progress and we were both up and riding by the end of our stay! A big thank you to Surf Zone for their patience, attention to us, great equipment and for proving that smaller owner run businesses really are the best!! Thanks Sheena and Rod, see you next year!! Tim

Kind regards!

Annefrid & Taco
"We spent two weeks on Sal last december and took several kite surfing lessons at SurfZone. Definitely the most fun and professional Surfschool on the island (and beyond)! Sheena, Rod and their instructors are super friendly, enthousiastic, flexibel, professional and very skilled in delivering a high level of instruction. Lessons took place both at the beach at St. Maria itself as on Kite Beach (depending on the wind) which was great because this way we both (different levels; beginner and more experienced) were able to surf and next to that experience different circumstances. Although it took me quite a while I too managed to be riding at the end of our stay, thanks to Rod & Choo and their patient teaching! We had a great time and in the relaxed environment of the school and the island Rod and Sheena and their hospitality made us feel right at home. We're definitely gonna come back and spend some more time with Rod and Sheena at their school. Thank you very much for making our stay at beautiful Cape Verde even better!
Anne & Taco from Amsterdam, Holland"

Jérémie: Paris, France

I spend a full week in Sal in February this year, and decided to take some kitesurf lessons from SurfZone Cabo Verde. The immediate reason why I chose the school was its convenient location on the main beach of Santa Maria, close to most of the city’s hotels and beach restaurants. This proved to be an excellent choice indeed! Unlike many other school managers I’ve come across in the past, Rod and Sheena do their job in a very gentle and professional way, making you feel at home whilst being properly taught. The whole staff is extremely friendly, to beginners as much as to confirmed kiters, and fully multilingual. The gear is plentiful, and decently recent. So, all in all, I think that their internet site is great and SurfZone Cabo Verde must be the best school on the island.

David. UK

Sheena

Just a quick note to say thanks for the weeks kite hire, all great thanks and what a fantastic place to kite.

Please pass on my (and Toms) thanks to Marie and the team for help and support and also many thanks for making sure we had good kit to use all week.

Really much appreciated. I am sure we will be back!

Regards

David

Paul Cann

I would just like to write a message for Rod and Sheena, a very warm thanks to a very helpful couple.<//span>

My wife and i stayed for 2 weeks over Christmas and new year in Tortuga, and you were kind enough to allow me to store my kite gear at your centre.

On day 2 kiting, pop went the leading edge bladder. Step in super Rod! repaired in short time whilst i waited TOP BLOKE. Just a couple of days later bang- my pump broke. What a true gent, Rod fixed my pump straight away again. Either of these events could have and would have finished my kite fun for the rest of our holiday. Thanks to Rod my flying days were back on! Whilst kiting off of Santa maria beach about 800 meters out i saw a big turtle swimming on the surface and i managed to ride within a boards length of it before it went back under again. I was so stoked i told every one i talked to. In the 2nd week of our stay, whilst kiting. disaster no.3 after a bad landing things went wrong pretty fast . pulling on the QR and putting my kite on to the safety leash snap- went the safety line. and if it wasn't for a local fisherman in his boat i would have said good bye to my kite as it blew away and a mighty long swim back to the beach. Back at the surfzone centre. Rod my Hero steps up to the plate again and offers to look at my lines in the morning. Next day waiting for me is a fully repaired bar and lines. You just do not get service like that from normal centres and people. It has to be said Rod is one of the nicest friendly people you could ever meet. And the same has to be said about Sheena .... a Great couple! 

The rest of our stay was non eventful but as equally enjoyable due to surfzone's  fantastic staff and advice.

Many Many thanks for your time and Patience

Hope to visit again in the near future

Paul and Teresa England 

Paul Cann