Meet Magnus: The life of a Lapoint surf instructor

What started as a gap year ended up stretching into two and a half. Along the way, Magnus met people working toward their ISA (International Surf Association) surf instructor certifications, combining their passion with a career path. And that sparked something within him.

– I was already thinking about studying sports management, and doing an internship in that direction felt like the perfect mix: I’d get to live by the ocean, do what I love, and build something meaningful for my future.

He applied to a few surf schools, including Lapoint, and didn’t hear back for a while. In fact, he had almost forgotten about it when an email came through.

– I honestly forgot I’d even applied. Funnily enough, I was just about to apply for a snowboard instructor course when I opened my inbox one day and saw an email from Lapoint. They introduced me to a six-month program where I’d learn the fundamentals of surf instruction by shadowing some of the best coaches I’ve met to this day, finishing with the official ISA course to get certified and work anywhere in the world. 

He was offered the opportunity to start his surf instructor journey at the then-Lapoint camp in Hoddevik, Norway.

– At first, I was a little unsure about committing to such a remote spot like Hoddevik, but saying yes turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my adult life thus far!

From Norway to Portugal

Even though he was originally supposed to stay in Norway for six months, about halfway through the program, there was a staff shortage in Ericeira.

– I was asked to step in for three months. So I did. I was really grateful for the opportunity and the change of scenery. The following year, I also spent a few months working in Alentejo, which turned out to be my favorite of the three camps.

The daily rhythm varied a bit between camps, but one constant across all the locations Magnus worked at was the morning cup of coffee (or two). If lessons didn’t start too early, he usually tried to squeeze in a quick surf session at dawn. After a few bites to eat, the other instructors and Magnus would meet at the surf school for a little morning catch-up before welcoming the students and helping them take out their boards.

– The lessons themselves always flew by. That’s why I loved taking extra time with my group afterward, either sitting in the sand or, when it got too cold (like in Norway), back at the camp with a hot coffee on the sofa. It gave us a chance to break things down in more detail, since there wasn’t always time to talk in the water.

Around lunchtime, the whole camp tended to shift down a few gears, with people tanning, hanging out, and enjoying the delicious meals our chefs made. For the instructors, that’s usually when Magnus and the crew would tidy up the surf school: flipping wetsuits, rinsing sand off the floors and vans, and getting things ready for afternoon activities like surf skating or theory sessions.

– After that, the day was mostly wrapped up. That’s often when my energy and social battery started to run low too, so I’d take some time for myself wandering through the local town, squeezing in a workout or another surf, or more often than not just relaxing. 

Evenings were spent with the Lapoint family over dinner, chatting about everyone’s day and sharing some laughs. If there wasn’t a party planned, Magnus usually called it an early night to recharge and be ready for another day in the water.

When asking Magnus about his favorite memory, he didn’t point to a single wave or milestone. Instead, it was all about the people.

– This might not necessarily be a specific moment, but there’s one week that comes to mind looking back. It was a beautiful spring week in Alentejo, with perfect, small-ish, clean waves all week. I was teaching a group of five that couldn’t have been more different from each other, and yet, over just a few days, we grew so close. Everyone supported each other in the water and just had an all-around good time.  Sometimes, you could get a bit caught up in the routines of the surf camp life, but then there were those magical weeks where everything just clicked and felt effortless. Actually, there have been a few moments like that, and they’re the ones that carried you through the tougher days and challenges that came with this job.

The struggle he saw most surfers face

As a coach, Magnus has seen one struggle come up again and again: expectations.

– I think a lot of students struggle with having really high expectations of themselves, which often leads to frustration and can overshadow all the positive effects surfing has to offer. Accepting the ocean's unpredictability and being patient with the never-ending learning process are key to getting the most out of every session in the water. Progress is far from linear and can be experienced in diverse forms.

From the remote beauty of Hoddevik to the lively pace of Ericeira and the laid-back charm of Alentejo, each camp brought something different.

Naturally, the smaller the camp, the closer you got to everyone. Magnus found working in Alentejo and Norway especially rewarding because he spent almost the entire day with one group, allowing him to dive in and adapt to their needs.

Ericeira, on the other hand, moved faster.

– In contrast, at Ericeira, I initially struggled to keep track of even just remembering everyone’s names across two surf groups, let alone staying on top of their individual progress. But once I adjusted to the faster pace, I started enjoying it as well. The instructor team there is quite large, and being exposed to so many different teaching styles helped me find my own.

Magnus favorite local spots in Ericeira and Alentejo

• Ericeira: Just a short walk away from the Ericeira camp, over a cliff, there's a beach called São Julião. São Julião is great for relaxing and also catching some fun waves, especially on smaller days. Magnus's favorite post-surf snack is an açaí bowl from Purple Ice. And on the days where dinner is not included in the camp, he recommends the fish Restaurant called Mar d'Areia or grabbing a takeaway pizza from Pepe Verde and bringing it to your spot of choice to watch the sunset. 

• Alentejo: The skatepark in Santo André is a great place to spend the afternoon. It’s about a half-hour drive away from the Alentejo camp. There’s usually a cozy café nearby to grab a coffee afterward. Another favorite is exploring the small beaches north of the local town of Porto Covo, known for their beautiful rock formations and crystal-clear water.

If there’s one thing Magnus kept coming back to, it was the people.

– I know I keep saying 'one of the best parts' in different contexts, but honestly, the staff is probably the main reason I enjoyed this job as much as I do. You grew together like nowhere else, and a season could feel like a lifetime. I think it has a lot to do with everyone sharing the same passion, living so closely, and just being in those beautiful settings. I’m beyond grateful for the connections I’ve made in such a short amount of time.

Some lessons from surf instructing have nothing to do with the techniques you taught. They come from the people you met, the responsibilities you carried, and the moments that pushed you beyond your comfort zone.

– Being a surf instructor also pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way and made me more aware of how I show up for others, not just myself.

His advice for future surf instructors

What is your advice for someone dreaming of becoming a surf instructor?

– Honestly, just go for it. You’ll learn so much about yourself, and the change in perspective will also make you a more conscious surfer. One big hurdle you might encounter is imposter syndrome, especially if, like me, you found your way into surfing a bit later in life. Speaking from experience, there will be moments when you question whether your own skills are enough to teach others.

Magnus continues:

– But remember that there are so many other qualities that make someone a competent surf instructor. If you ever find yourself in that mindset, try to see the bright side! You still remember exactly what it felt like to step into the ocean with a surfboard for the first couple of times, and how intimidating and frustrating that sometimes was. Use that as your strength. Lead with patience, compassion, and encouragement. And above all, enjoy every moment. Living and working in some of the world’s most beautiful surf spots is a privilege. The memories and connections you make will stay with you for life.

Even after years of surfing, the dream is still evolving. Magnus is drawn to slower, more intentional ways of traveling.

– I’m currently really intrigued by the idea of sailing to remote islands or doing a bike-packing surf trip. These are both really slow and intentional ways of traveling. I love the idea of discovering hidden waves off the beaten path, far from the crowds.

Because in the end, that’s what it’s always been about. Not just the waves, but the journey to find them.