Articles about Rio Surf n Stay
SurfTotal.com/pt
Article about Rio Surf N Stay in portuguese website – February 2012
Check the original article here
Source Surfepix
SurfTotal had a conversation with Suzan Kato, who works at the only surfcamp the western zone of Rio de Janeiro.
Rio Surf N Stay is owned by two surfers, Mauro Bender (Brazilian from Rio Grande do Sul) and Katrina Millar (from New Zealand) who after having traveled and surfed all over the world, decided to open a surf camp in Rio de Janeiro.
Besides being a hostel that houses people from all over the world, including high-level athletes like Melanie Bartels and big riders Vitor and Rodrigo Faria Koxa, they also teach surfing.
Suzan Kato works at Rio Surf N Stay in marketing and in this interview she tells SurfTotal why she considers the place to be magical.
SurfTotal: Rio Surf N Stay is the only surf camp, surf school and hostel, in the western zone of Rio de Janeiro, how did it begin?
Suzan Kato: Rio Surf N Stay was founded because of the need for a type of hosting service that includes a surf school in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The founders were the Brazilian Mauro Bender Katrina Millar of New Zealand, who after several years of traveling the world in search of new cultures and settled in the region of Recreio in 2006.
SurfTotal: Tell us about the packages and activities available there in the surf camp?
Suzan Kato: Rio Surf n Stay offers accommodation, surf school and rental boards and equipment. Our focus is to sell packages of three, seven or 14 days of surf camp.
We offer surf lessons for beginners and intermediate to advanced surfers, with functional training based on your performance, stand up paddle lessons and transportation to the main surfing spots, all this with the necessary infrastructure to help the surfers to catch the best waves of the region.
We also offer services such as surf tours, tours to discover the secret surf peaks in the region, as well as city tours (visits to Christ, Sugar Loaf, Lapa, etc.), hang glidings, horseback riding, among others.
SurfTotal: And how is the business going?
Suzan Kato: Every day that passes Rio Surf N Stay is being released worldwide and we are recommended in many official guides like Lonely Planet, Moon Travel Guides, Rough Guides, Barefoot Guides, magazines Veja Rio and Brazil, among other media. We also participated in the program Fotonautas on the History Channel. In the future the owners intend to open branches throughout the world.
SurfTotal: How is the quality of the waves in the area? Is it ok for any level of surfing?
Suzan Kato: Here in the west of Rio de Janeiro’s beaches with many different types of waves, ie, there is surf for all levels: beginners (at the corner of Macumba beach where the waves are smaller and flood), intermediaries ( looking for a wave train line in the middle of the surf and beach of Macumba, Prainha and corner of Recreio) and advanced (you can find fast and hollow waves on the beaches Reserva, Barra, through Recreio, Prainha and Grumari). The reality is that surfing is always here, even on small days you can play.
SurfTotal: Where can we find more information about Rio Surf n Stay?
Suzan Kato: To contact us just have a look on our website (link below) or on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rio-Surf-n-Stay/109200999168510.
Waves.com.br
Article about Rio Surf N Stay in the most famous brazilian website – January 2012
Check the original article here
Surf n Stay
Lodging Class A
By Vinicius Garcia on 08/01/12 00:01 GMT-03: 00
Unfortunately most of the Brazilian surfers have never had the opportunity to make a surf trip abroad. They who managed to make this dream come true, all agree that the feeling of reaching the summit and meeting new people is simply indescribable.
Basic moments of sharing a breakfast table with Australians, Brazilians, Americans and Europeans brings great memories.
Brazil is lacking accommodation that is tailored specifically to this audience, but the Rio Surf n Stay hostel, located in the west of Rio de Janeiro – at Macumba beach – is an exception.
It is close to beaches such as Barra da Tijuca, Recreio, and also some peaks in special areas like Reserva, Prainha and Grumari. Learn a little more about Rio Surf n Stay below.
How was Rio Surf n Stay founded?
Rio Surf n Stay was founded because of a need for this type of service in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The founders were the Brazilian Mauro Bender and Katrina Millar of New Zealand, who after several years of traveling the world in search of new cultures settled in the region of Recreio in 2006.
What are the main services of the hostel?
Rio Surf n Stay offers accommodation, surf school and rental boards and equipment. Our focus is to sell packages of three, seven or 14 days of surf camp.
We offer surf lessons for beginners and intermediate to advanced surfers, with functional training based on your performance, stand up paddle lessons and transportation to the main surfing spots, all this with the necessary infrastructure to help the surfers to catch the best waves of the region.
We also offer services such as surf tours for surfers, tours to discover the secret surf peaks in the region, as well as city tours (visits to Christ, Sugar Loaf, Lapa, etc.), hang gliding, horseback riding, among others.
Which nationalities are the most frequent guests?
Our target audience formerly were foreign guests. Over time we began to apply some marketing strategies to reach the Brazilian public as well. Today, guests received are mainly Brazilian, British, Germans, Americans, Australians, French, Swiss, Latin Americans, among others.
What’s the biggest difference between Brazilian tourists and foreigners?
The biggest difference is that in most cases, is that Brazilian guests already surf and therefore only seek accommodation and rental boards and equipment. In the case of foreigners, most come to learn to surf, booking our surf camp packages.
Have they received a visit from world renowned surfers?
They hosted Melanie Bartels and received visits from Sophia Mulanovich and Silvana Lima – all Word Tour. They also hosted the big riders Vitor Faria, Rodrigo Koxa and received visits from Felipe and Rodrigo Resende Cesarano. In addition, host competitors Brazilian Renato Galvao, Pedro Henrique, Wiggolly Dantas and Marcio Farney.
Where can you find more information about the Rio Surf n Stay?
To contact us just visit our official website www.RioSurfnStay.com which is in English, but if you click on the flag of Portugal, the site is translated automatically. We also have Facebook profile.
Veja magazine – 2011
Special “Rock in Rio” issue
Rock in Rio Map
10 hotels close to the Rock City
Rio Surf N Stay (hostel) Rua Raimundo Veras, 1140, Recreio, 3418-1133. Daily from R$ 120,00 to R$ 140,00 per couple.
Lonely Planet Guide
Rio guide edition 2011
Surfing
Beginners who want to learn surf can take classes through informal escolinhas (schools) off Ipanema Beach and off Barra. You can also stay at the Rio Surf N Stay (Map p131; phone +55 21 3418-1133; Rua Raimundo Veras, 1140; Recreio dos Bandeirantes; www.riosurfnstay.com) in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, which offers lessons (in English) and overnight accommodation.
Lonely Planet Guide
Brazil guide edition 2011
Rio Surf N Stay
Just a short stroll to the fine surf off Macumba Beach, this converted house, which is owned by a New Zealanderand a Brazilian, is the go-to spot for anyone who has come to Rio to learn to surf. The two dorm rooms (sleeping four or five people) and three private doubles are comfortably fumished, and the hosts do their best to make everyone feel at home. There is a kitchen for guest use and a grassy lawn with palm trees that is fine for lazing about. Surf packages – that include lessons and accommodation – are available. Rio Surf N Stay is about a 40-minute bus ride from the Zona Sul ; take the bus 175 – Recreio from the coastal road along Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon beaches.
Bare Foot Guide
Brazil edition 2011
Where are you going to surf?
Hostel and Surf Camp with double rooms, 6-bed dorms and camping. Free Wi-Fi. Surfing lessons and equipment rental are available.
“O Globo” Newspaper
May 2009
When catching a wave is part of the package
Hostel attracts tourists offering surfing lessons in English or Spanish in Praia da Macumba
When they searched the internet, they typed four words: “surf school in Rio.” The search result was more effective than the English couple Sam Lewis and Mark Hiley expected: the hostel Rio Surf N Stay in Recreio, was the solution to the desire to have dual classes of this extreme sport in the Marvelous City, and resolved the need for hosting them as well.
The stay lasted a week, a period that served to familiarize themselves with the world of surfing.
- Yesterday the waves were gentle, perfect for beginners – says Sam.
Morning and afternoon classes are taught by the owners of the hostel, the gaucho Mauro Bender and Katrina Millar of New Zealand, starting in their own backyard. In the dorm rooms on two floors, they can accommodate up to 12 guests.
- Our idea is not to have a megahostel, but to have good service towards surfing. This area is well connected to the sport. Many professionals live here and there are various competitions. My wife started with a surfing tour, bringing tourists from Ipanema to catch waves here. They asked if we had any place to stay in Recreio and sometimes we even let them stay in our house. So we created the hostel. We’ve been here almost three years – Mauro reports that he met Katrina in California.
After some theoretical instruction, the class continues in Praia da Macumba, which you can reach on foot in five minutes. The first part is done in house to save the tourists from the strong sun in Rio.
Most of the guests of the Rio Surf N Stay are British, Australians and Scandinavians. Matthew Friedman, 33, has been one of them. Raised on the beach in the Australian city of New Castle, he arrived at Recreio to stay in the hostel for more than a year. His passion about the neighborhood grew until he decided to live in the area. Today, he helps in surfing lessons with Katrina and Mauro.
The couple began to catch waves in childhood. The dedication to the sport led them not to begin a professional career, but it let them discover many of the best international surfing spots.
- In the South, I was an engineering student and had no sea anywhere close. I decided to go to California to surf and learn English. There I majored in International Marketing and began working with a French firm. With the money, I traveled through Indonesia, Australia and Hawaii. Katrina also went through several countries. Always go after the best waves – says Mauro.
No wonder that the pair is defined on the site of the hostel as “Young surf crazy travelers”.
Veja Rio Magazine
March 2009
The Hostel Test
Veja Rio assessed the facilities of these houses that attract tourists in search of good, nice and cheap
Until a few years ago, you could count the hostels in the city on the fingers of one hand. The sector has gained momentum with the backpacker tourism and now the estimate of the Brazilian Association of Industries and Hotels in Rio de Janeiro is that there are over 100 such establishments in the city. Some work in the informal sector. The site Hostelworld, a reference to the class of travelers adhering to good, nice and cheap, accounts for 33 hostels around here. The difference is great, but they keep popping up. “We believe in the potential of this market,” says the entrepreneur Leo Feijo, a partner at Matrix Group, who a month ago started his first venture in the field, Rio Party Hostel in Botafogo. “It’s a way to preserve the mansions of the city in a economically viable way.” In general, this type of accommodation follows the standard rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Most have well-equipped swimming pool, barbecue, wireless internet, video room, air-conditioning, bars and other amenities, with rates starting at 25 reais and breakfast included. Most are relaxed, just like their patrons. Veja Rio visited some of these establishments – all settled – and in the table below shows what we saw. One of the featured items is safety. In February, fifty tourists were robbed at hostels in Lapa and Copacabana.
“O Globo” Newspaper
December – 2006
Discovering Barra with Backpack
Hostels and guest houses are popular with tourists looking for the attractions of the region
Backpackers are known to travel all over the world looking for fun and cheap places to stay. And, after being regulars at the hostels and guest houses in Santa Teresa and the South Zone, they are discovering the region of São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca, enjoying attractions different from those found elsewhere in town. Last year, when manager Mauro Bender opened the doors of his house at Rua Raimundo Veras, 1140 in Recreio dos Bandeirantes to tourists, he knew he had a key differentiator in attracting visitors to the inn he called Surf N Stay:
- In addition to hosting them in a familiar environment, we offer surf lessons, teach how to make boards and have the advantage of being close to beaches like Grumari, Macumba and Prainha.
He just did not expect that in addition to surfers looking for waves, backpackers would also find his place, like the Danish backpacker Sebastian Mandel, who spent four months rehearsing at the court in Rio Union Park Curicica to parade in the carnival of the Marquis de Sapucaà playing the drums.
- I chose Surf N Stay because it was closer to the court. But I ended up delighted with the Zen spirit and tranquility of the place. And now I don’t know when I will go back home to Copenhagen – he states.
