Macao Surf Camp began in the summer of 2009 when longtime friends — Armando Reid, Gustavo Alvarez, and Rafael Ferreras — came together in Punta Cana after moving from Santo Domingo. United by their faith, friendship, and love for surfing, they would meet on weekends at Macao Beach, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, known for its six unique surf breaks.

It all started naturally — Armando began teaching his kids and a few friends the basics of surfing. The experience was so rewarding that the three friends decided to turn their passion into something bigger. They created Macao Surf Camp with the goal of giving back to the youth of Punta Cana, sharing the life-changing benefits of surfing while building a sustainable business doing what they loved most.

Together, they brought over 35 years of surfing experience and a deep connection to the sport. All three were active members of local surfing associations and the Dominican National Surfing Federation. Gustavo, a true surfing pioneer in the Dominican Republic, had already founded the first surf school in the country at Encuentro Beach in Puerto Plata before helping launch Macao Surf Camp.

What began as a few friends sharing waves has grown into a welcoming surf community — teaching thousands of locals and visitors the joy of riding the ocean. 🌊

“God had a plan for my life, a plan better than I ever dreamed…”

– says Rafael Ferreras, Director of the School.

The surf school was a success from day one, not in terms of the number of students, but in how fast students learned and how fun the lessons were. Soon, word spread within the community and,  given that Punta Cana is the top tourist destination in the country, visitors began to hire their services. The demand for surfing lessons with Macao Surf Camp started to grow rapidly. That’s when Sonia Mercado, Rafael's wife, became a partner and took charge of the administration.

In just a few months, Macao Surf Camp was serving all the resorts and hotels in the Punta Cana area and, with the support of the Dominican Surfing Federation (FEDOSURF), became the first surf school certified by the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic.

“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-Owner
Certified teachers

OUR CAMP IN ACTION