About us
The Black Sand Box project in Azores, São Miguel, was born to foster a healthy lifestyle in the local community through sport.
We offer surf and skate lessons for all ages, provide surf equipment rental, organize events, competitions, demonstrations and social action activities. We offer a professional and dedicated service so that you have fun like never before.
Associated with surf tourism, we offer a local accommodation, ideal for those looking for a complete package of accommodation + surfing lessons in the Azores – Salt Lips Surfcamp.
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João Alves
Founder & Surf Instructor
Local Surf Pro João was born and raised in São Miguel Island. His work shows passion and dedication to life by the ocean. He is an athlete, coach (IPDJ Level II / ISA level II) and judge (FPS and ISA). João has spent the last five years teaching surfing and training local youngsters.
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Erik Wulf
Surfcamp Manager
Originally from Germany, Erik has spent half of his life by the sea, surfing and lifeguarding the busy point breaks in eastern Australia. After leaving OZ and moving to Porto (Portugal), his love for surfing brought him finally to São Miguel, where now his home is. The ocean and the mountains are his passion. He is a surfer, coach, wanderer, photograph and a part-time architect.
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Fred Quintela
Surf Instructor
Born in Torres Vedras, he began bodyboarding and bodysurfing in the beaches of Santa Cruz and Figueria da Foz. After moving to Sao Miguel Island, he has been working as a guide and runs a hostel. Inspired by one of his guests, Fred got into surfing. Nowadays he is sharing his knowledge with others who are willing to try their strength in surfing.
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Stina Mussman
Surf Instructor
Coming from snowy winters spent in the mountains skiing and cross country skiing, a former biathlete fell into surfing in Costa Rica. After doing her surf instructor licence in Spain, she came back to the island to share her knowledge in the water as well as helping you to warm up and strengthen your body on the shore.
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Mário Sabino
Surf Instructor
Our local surf guide knows the waters of São Miguel like no one else. Growing up on the west coast of the island he has dedicated his life to the ocean. If you are not sure of where is the best place to stay in the lineup and want to catch more waves, he is the right person that will guide you and help you make the most of your session.
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Andrei Costa
Surf Instructor
Born in Santa Catarina, Andrei Costa is a wellness enthusiast. Since 2015, he has dedicated his life to help people by being a Lifeguard and Civil Firefighter in Brazil. In 2019, he moved to Portugal, and in 2020, he discovered the Azores, where he found the perfect place with great waves. There, Andrei combines his passion for surfing and teaching, helping people to evolve and have fun.
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Ole Muller
Surf Instructor
Ole was born in Germany but as soon as he discovered the ocean he decided to leave the country and dedicate his life to the sea. He now has his ISA level I and II and has been teaching hundreds of students at a variety of surfschools and camps from the Netherlands, to Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
