I’ve been connected to the ocean since I was a kid growing up in Porto.
In 1984, at 11 years old, I paddled out at Matosinhos Beach on a cold winter day — wearing only a rashvest and using an old yellow board borrowed from a friend. That first wave changed my life. At 10, I had already earned the nickname “Godzilla” from my rugby teammates — a name that’s stayed with me ever since.
It became part of my surf identity: strong, determined, and full of energy.
In 2004, I opened my first surf school in Matosinhos, originally called Godzilla Surf School. After ten unforgettable years teaching in the North, I wanted to share that same passion with more people — so in 2014, I moved to Lagos, Algarve, and created Salty Wave Surf School Portugal.
Today, Salty Wave is the only surf school in Portugal operating both in the North and South, bringing the same quality, safety, and good vibes to two very different coasts.
I’ve surfed Portugal from top to bottom, and travelled the world chasing waves — from Indonesia to Morocco, Central America, and beyond.
Every trip taught me something new about surfing, people, and respect for the ocean.
But no matter where I went, Portugal has always been home — a country where the waves change every few kilometres, but the feeling of freedom is always the same.
For me, surfing isn’t just a sport — it’s a way of life.
It’s waking up early and watching the first light hit the ocean.
It’s standing on the beach, feeling the wind, reading the waves, and understanding that nature always decides who’s in charge.
Surfing teaches patience and humility.
It reminds you that progress happens one wave at a time — and that falling is just part of the ride.
It gives you a rare kind of happiness: the one that comes from simplicity, from saltwater on your skin, and from sharing that moment with good people around you.
Over the years, I’ve also helped create community projects like “Ondas de Alegria” and others focused on sustainability, education, and inclusion — because surfing should give something back to the people and places that make it possible.
Nothing feels better than seeing a kid stand up on a surfboard for the first time, smile, and realise that the ocean belongs to all of us.
Surfing has given me everything — friends, purpose, stories, peace — and that’s what I try to pass on through Salty Wave:
not just lessons, but life experiences shaped by the sea.
I’m always open to collaborations with brands, photographers, retreat organizers, travel companies and creative partners who share the same passion for surf and nature.
