About us
Ohana means family
Welcome to Ohana Surf Camp, where the Hawaiian spirit of “family” and a passion for surfing create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime. Under the name Ohana, which means “family” in Hawaiian, we strive to build a close-knit community of surfers united by their love for the ocean and the excitement of surfing.
Our Philosophy
We believe the best Surf Camps aren’t measured by the number of guests – they’re measured by the friendships, memories and confidence you take home.
That’s why we keep our groups small (10–15 surfers), choose destinations we’ve personally fallen in love with and create experiences that go far beyond surfing. Every trip combines professional coaching, local culture, adventure and a community that feels like family.
Our goal has never been to build the biggest Surf Camp.
Our goal is to build the one you’ll never stop talking about and can’t wait to come back to.
Meet Magdalena
“Hi, I’m Magdalena, the founder of Ohana.
I first came to Madeira to study Sport Science, never expecting that this island would completely change my life. It was here that I fell in love with surfing. The ocean, the lifestyle and the incredible community around it made me realize I had found something I wanted to be part of forever.
That passion led me to become a surf instructor, and over the following years I spent countless hours in the water, helping people catch their first waves and discover the joy of surfing.
In 2021, I decided to organize my very first Surf Camp. There were only seven guests, but by the end of the week we weren’t just a group of surfers anymore—we had become friends. That’s when I realized I wanted to create something bigger than just another surf holiday.
Since then, Ohana has grown from one small Surf Camp on Madeira into a community that now travels together through Madeira, Morocco and Sri Lanka. Even though we’ve grown, the idea behind Ohana has never changed.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading my story. I truly hope I’ll have the chance to meet you in person, share a few waves and welcome you to the Ohana family.
See you in the water! 🤍🌊
The OHANA Story
It all started with one simple idea – to create the kind of surf trip we would want to join ourselves!
Back in 2021, our founder Magdalena, who had already been living on Madeira for three years, organized the very first Ohana Surf CAMP. There were just 7 guests, but by the end of the week everyone felt like family. That’s when we knew we had created something special.
2021
The Beginning
Our very first Surf Retreat took place on Madeira with just seven participants. It wasn’t about building a business – it was about bringing people together through surfing, adventure and meaningful connections.
2022
The First Full Season
The Ohana family started to grow. We organized six Surf Camps between May and September, welcoming more surfers and refining the experience with every single trip.
2023
Ohana Is Booming
Our biggest season yet. Eight fully booked Surf Camps, hundreds of unforgettable waves and an amazing community that kept growing through word of mouth.
Instead of choosing the crowded beaches of Taghazout, we fell in love with the peaceful village of Mirleft, where empty line-ups, authentic culture and incredible food perfectly matched the Ohana philosophy.
2024
Growing phase
Ohana continued to grow with successful Surf Camps in Madeira and Morocco, extending our season from April to October and constantly improving every part of the experience.
Towards the end of the year, Magdalena travelled to Sri Lanka on a surf trip. She instantly fell in love with the island: its warm waves, laid-back lifestyle and welcoming local community. During the trip, she unexpectedly discovered the perfect beachfront house just steps from the surf spot. It felt like fate, and that’s when the idea of opening the very first Surf House in Sri Lanka was born.
2025
A New Chapter
A New Home in Sri Lanka
The 2025 season was our biggest yet, with another successful year of Surf Camps in Madeira and Morocco.
In December, we opened the doors to our very first Surf Camp in Sri Lanka. Rather than launching it on a large scale, we invited members of the Ohana family and previous guests to join our very first Sri Lanka Surf Camp. Together, we fine-tuned every detail – from the surf coaching and daily schedule to the beachfront Surf House and local experiences.
The result? An unforgettable week, incredible feedback and the beginning of a brand-new chapter for Ohana.
And This Is Just the Beginning…
Every season teaches us something new. We keep improving our Surf Camps, discovering new places and creating experiences that bring people together through surfing.
Because at the end of the day, Ohana has never been just about surfing. It’s about the people you meet, the memories you create and the feeling of finding a family away from home.
Maybe the next chapter of this story starts with you. 🌊🤍
Our Ohana
Magdalena Szymaniak
Founder & ISA Certified Surf Instructor
Graduate of the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw (Sport major), moved to Madeira in 2019 and in 2021 she made first ever OHANA Surf Retreat! She runs the entire Surf Camp and she is half Portuguese by now 😉
Joao “Johnny” Febrer
Founder of SCM & FPS Certified Surf Instructor
Owner of Surf Clube Da Madeira, amazing Surf Instructor and Surf competition judge. The funniest instructor in all of Madeira!
Monika Staśkiewicz
Yoga & Mobility Coach
Owner of Surf Clube Da Madeira Surf competition judge and athlete. The funniest instructor in all of Madeira!
Abdel
Founder of Mirleft Surf Camp & Surf Coach
Owner of Moroccan Surf Camp Part. You will hear him scream “Paddle Paddle” at least 15x a day 🙂
Why People Choose Ohana
Small Groups
Just 10–15 guests for a more personal experience
Beginner & Intermediate Friendly
Coaching tailored to your surfing level
Video Analysis & Surf Coaching
Improve faster with professional feedback
Handpicked Destinations
Madeira, Morocco and Sri Lanka, always following the best waves
Solo Traveler Friendly
Most of our guests join solo and leave with lifelong friends
Family Away From Home
Because Ohana means family, and that’s exactly how we want you to feel
What our Guests say
I highly recommend it! Wonderful locations, accommodations, atmosphere, and very open and professional instructors.
I've attended camps in Madeira and Morocco, and now Sri Lanka, but I can't imagine choosing any other place to catch a wave together.
Unforgettable memories and experiences – nothing more to add, it's simply worth trying for yourself 🤩
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