Surf is an ancestral sport with its origins in Polynesia. It got to be known in Europe around the year of 1778 through the English explorer James Cook when he reached the Hawaii Islands. Until the beginning of the XX century, this activity was practiced only in Hawaii. However, with the international swimming champion, Duke Kahanamoku, Surf has become an international sport. Only around the seventies, surf has become a professional sport. At the beginning, the boards were made of wood and were very heavy. Nowadays, they are made of fibre glass and other compounds that make them lighter.

Madeira Island is considered one of the best places in Europe for this practice. There are international surf competitions and the World Championship of Surf has taken place once in the Island. The mild water temperatures make this sport possible all around the year. In Madeira there are all types of waves, being the tubular waves the most popular.

Great part of Madeira Island coast is formed by high basalt hillsides with small little lands by the sea, originated by the fall of stones along the years.
These are the places that the lovers of surf look for: Fajã da Areia, Praia das Bruxas, Jardim do Mar, Paul do Mar and Ponta Pequena.
Several adventure and nautical clubs organize courses and surf meetings, making possible for everyone to start this practice.