Macao Surf Camp began in the summer of 2009 when lifelong friends Armando Reid, Gustavo Alvarez, and Rafael Ferreras—faith-driven surfers with a shared love for the ocean—came together in Punta Cana after relocating from Santo Domingo.
Most weekends, you could find them at Macao Beach, one of the Caribbean’s most stunning coastlines, known for its variety of surf conditions and multiple breaks. What started as friends meeting up to surf quickly turned into something bigger: they began teaching local kids (and a few friends) the basics. The joy and impact were immediate—so they decided to build a surf school.
From day one, the mission has been simple: give back to the youth of Punta Cana by sharing the confidence, discipline, and joy that surfing brought into their own lives—while building a sustainable business around what they love.
Together, the founders bring more than 35 years of combined surf experience and have been actively involved in surf organizations and the Dominican National Surfing Federation. Gustavo is also recognized as a pioneer of surfing in the Dominican Republic; before Macao Surf Camp, he founded the country’s first surf school at Encuentro Beach in Puerto Plata.
“God had a plan for my life, a plan better than I ever dreamed…”
– says Rafael Ferreras, Director of the School.From the beginning, Macao Surf Camp stood out—not because of massive class sizes, but because of how quickly students improved and how much fun they had in the water. Word traveled fast through the local community, and since Punta Cana is the country’s top tourist destination, visitors soon began booking lessons too. Demand grew rapidly.
As the school expanded, Sonia Mercado—Rafael’s wife—joined as a partner and brought structure to the operation, leading the administration and helping the team scale with care.
Within a few months, Macao Surf Camp was serving resorts and hotels across the Punta Cana area and, with the support of the Dominican Surfing Federation (FEDOSURF), became the first surf school certified by the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism.
“The beautiful beach of Macao is perfect for the whole family to share the experience. To encourage this, we organize monthly barbecues where family and friends of our students can participate and enjoy a day at Macao. Aside from basic understanding and advancement in the sport, one of our main objectives is environmental responsibility, which, along with ocean knowledge, we call Ocean Consciousness. With this concept, we pass on love and respect for the environment through our students. Additionally, our students learn about wave patterns and water safety, giving them the confidence they need to protect themselves while surfing”.
– Gustavo Alvarez, Co-OwnerCertified teachers
OUR CAMP IN ACTION
