Video coaching makes wave-reading easier. This CADES session pairs in-water practice with short technique blocks and a 20-minute video analysis so you improve fast. I also like that it is kept small (max 5), and the teaching style comes up as especially patient, with Henry called out as a teacher who keeps things calm. One thing to consider: the session is tightly timed around warm-up, wave checks, time in the water, and end-of-session feedback, so come ready to move.

You meet at CADES headquarters, do a quick warm-up and sea read together, then head to the surf spot for focused coaching. The operator targets the best waves of the day in Rio’s state waters, which matters because conditions change hour to hour. If you want a long, slow beach hang, this is not that kind of experience.

Key takeaways before you book

• Small group size (max 5) means you get attention instead of waiting your turn.
• Video recording and analysis help you see what changed between attempts.
• Beginner to advanced coaching covers different goals, not one-size-fits-all advice.
• Gear is fully handled: board, leash, wetsuit, and wax.
• They adapt to the sea and peak so your practice is matched to what’s actually happening.

Entering the water with a real surf plan (not random standing around)

A good surf lesson is mostly timing: when you paddle, when you pop up, where you position, and how you read the next wave. This one is built around short coaching moments and then immediate practice, so the feedback lands while it is still fresh in your body.

CADES runs your surf training in a way that fits different levels. Beginners get workouts that build basics without rushing. Intermediate and advanced surfers get more technical objectives, and the coaching includes both in-water guidance and a review after.

What I like here is the balance between instruction and repetition. You do not just watch a demo. You actually train, with images and video to back up what you are changing.

Meeting at CADES headquarters: warm-up plus a wave check together

You start at CADES headquarters at the location shown on their map pin. Plan on arriving ready to go, because the session starts with a brief 10-minute warm-up right there at the space.

Then you do a 5-minute analysis with your teacher. The goal is to look at the sea and the waves before you commit to the water. That matters more than people think. Surfing is not only physical. It is observation: wind direction, wave shape, where sets are lining up, and how the beach break behaves.

This first phase is also a low-stress way to get oriented. You get to ask questions before the adrenaline kicks in.

The first practice block: 50 minutes of targeted paddling and pop-up work

After the quick wave read, you head out for about 50 minutes of practical surf training. That long enough block is the core of the value. It lets you do multiple attempts and start making real adjustments instead of getting one run and calling it a lesson.

CADES also aims to surf in the best conditions of the day. You are not just getting thrown into any chop. The coaching approach expects that conditions can vary, so you work with what you have.

One smart detail is the filming. They record images of your activity, and the training is technical, not just motivational. You will have something to compare later when you review what you did.

Surfcoach training at the spot: peak analysis, then another 50 minutes in the water

If your plan includes the surfcoach training style, you and the coach meet at the specific surf spot used for your session. You get a short briefing first, focused on what the sea is doing right now: the peak, the wave behavior, and the objectives for that training session.

That spot-time briefing is about 10 minutes, then you go back into the water for another 50 minutes of practical work. The structure is basically: see the wave, agree on the goal, then execute repeatedly with coaching in real time.

This format is especially helpful for intermediate and advanced surfers. When you already know how to stand, your biggest improvements come from fixing angles, timing, and positioning. A session like this gives you a clear target, instead of generic tips mid-ride.

Video feedback: the part that makes it stick

The end includes around 20 minutes of video analysis, either back at the CADES space or at the surf spot (depending on how the day runs). This is where you connect the dots.

I love this part because it saves you from guesswork. When you paddle wrong, you often do not feel the exact mistake in the moment. When you watch yourself later, patterns show up fast: where you look, when you shift weight, how your arms set, and how consistently you repeat the same movement.

If you are the type who learns visually, this is a big advantage. If you feel awkward seeing yourself on video, give it a minute. The goal is coaching, not performance art.

Price and logistics: does $90 feel fair for what you get?

At $90 per person for a session built around coaching, video, and full gear, the value comes from three things you do not have to source yourself:

1. Equipment included: board, leash, wetsuit, and wax. You do not need to rent or hunt for basics.
2. Coached time included: you get multiple in-water blocks, plus structured analysis before and after.
3. Facilities included: the headquarters has bathrooms, showers, an activity room, and even a skateboard surf simulator training track.

The one cost you should plan for is transport to and from the meeting point. Transfers between CADES and the surf spot are included if necessary, but getting to the HQ is listed as not included (cost depends on distance). Meals are also not included, with an estimate of about USD $10 per meal per person.

So the real question is: are you willing to pay for an organized session with feedback and gear handled? If yes, it is a solid deal.

Facilities and comfort: what you can count on after the waves

Surfing leaves you salty, sandy, and a little wrung out. CADES has the basics ready: bathrooms and showers at their headquarters, plus an activity room where you can decompress.

The skateboard surf simulator track is a fun extra. Even if you do not use it, it signals that they think about training beyond just waiting for the ocean to do the teaching.

Also, the group is small and the setup is designed to handle people at different levels and ages. CADES serves all ages, from beginners to advanced surfers, which is helpful if you are traveling as a family or with a mixed-skill group.

Language support: Portuguese, Spanish, and English coaching

You can expect instruction in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. That matters for technique, because the difference between a good and great coaching cue is usually one or two specific details.

If you are not fluent, you will still do fine as long as you can communicate your experience level. The lesson structure is built for interaction: you analyze the waves together, then train in the water with objectives that make sense for your current skill.

Who should book this surf session (and who might want a different option)

This works well if you want:

• A small-group lesson where coaching is hands-on
• A training approach with video analysis, not just verbal tips
• Progress even if you are a beginner (you get basics and workouts), or if you are already intermediate/advanced (you get technical objectives)

It may not be the best match if you want a long sightseeing day glued to the beach. This is training-focused. You go in, you work, you review.

It also helps if you can follow simple prep rules. Bring beachwear and clothes that can get dirty, plus a change of clothes, because you will get wet and sandy.

Practical tips so your lesson goes smoothly

Here’s what to have with you:

• Change of clothes
• Water
• Beachwear
• Clothes that can get dirty

Dress for the reality of wetsuits and sand, not for looking polished in photos. Also, be ready to do short bursts of warm-up and then commit to the water once the briefing is done.

If you are choosing your session level, be honest about your current surf ability. Beginners will get workouts designed for learning. Intermediate and advanced surfers will get more technical training goals. That honest match makes the video feedback much more useful.

Should you book CADES Surflessons and surfcoach?

If you want a Rio surf lesson that feels structured, not random, I’d book this. Small-group coaching plus video analysis is a strong combo for real improvement, and the fact that gear is included takes friction out of the day.

You might hesitate if you have a very strict timing window or you dislike feedback on video. Still, the session’s design is meant to make the ocean-to-surf-technique connection clearer, fast.

If your goal is to stand on the board with better timing, or to tighten your technique once you can already catch waves, CADES is a smart choice to put on your Rio list.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the lesson?

You meet at CADES headquarters. The exact meeting location is shown on their map pin link.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 5 participants, so coaching stays focused.

How long is the experience?

The experience is listed as 1 hour, with a structured flow that includes warm-up, wave analysis, time in the water, and video feedback.

What happens first during the session?

At CADES headquarters you do a brief 10-minute warm-up, then a 5-minute analysis of the sea and the waves with your instructor.

Do they record video and review it with you?

Yes. The experience includes recording images of your activity, and it includes video analysis at the end (around 20 minutes).

What level of surfer is it for?

It offers training for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced surfers.

What surf gear is included?

All equipment is included: board, leash, wetsuits, and wax.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Are transfers included to the surf spot?

Transfers are included if necessary between the CADES space and the surf spot. Transport to the meeting point is not included.

What is not included?

Transport to the meeting point depends on distance, and meals are not included (about USD $10 per meal per person).