Wagon Surf Adventures - Welcome to 'the life'

Try taking something that most people do not get a chance to experience, taking out all the hassle, doubling the fun and then throw in endless surf in uncrowded world class spots with a handful of fellow adventurers. Sounds good huh? Well the reality is even better.

Wagon Surf Adventures is the brain child of Matt Gough who, 6 months ago bought an old removals van with a dream in mind. The dream was to share the joys of van-surf life with, well, with you. I am a former van-surf dweller and can recommend the life to anyone, losing the time of day, eat when you are hungry, surf when the tide is right and travel on a whim.

The Wagon has now been painstakingly remodelled as the ultimate surf accommodation vehicle. With more than £17k being spent, Matt really has left nothing wanting. On board features include a secure lock up for all your boards, full kitchen, full bathroom, a stunning lounge / social area, van WIFI and the amazing tailgate balcony.

Matt kindly invited me down to have a look around the van and get a clearer picture just what Wagon is all about. Turns out, it is an unbelievably simple yet amazing idea. Here are the few questions I managed to fire off before it was time for these guys to get moving again.

SB: Hey Matt, how long have you guys been going and what kind of response have you had?

Matt: The Wagon has been finished and we have been testing it on the move for about that last 3 or 4 months, we have had guests in for the last month. We have had nothing but great feedback.

SB: So, in a nutshell, what’s the idea Matt?

Matt: To put it simply we aim to provide all the luxuries of a surf camp combined with the mobility and flexibility of van life. We take all the stress off the guests, take them to all the best places in the right conditions. The aim is for them to be able to get up in the morning, open the wagon door and it's pumping right there, outside the van. They grab their board and go, as simple as that.

SB: Its is such a unique and amazing idea, what is your target audience?

Matt: People of good standard of surfing that know what they want, and it's an awesome chance for someone to be able to access something that might not be able to afford otherwise. What we offer here is something that is very hard to get in any other way.

SB: Van life is amazing, what is you favourite part of introducing people to the 'lifestyle'?

Matt: Watching their excitement when they run out and grab their board first thing in the morning is the best thing. We had a chap come and stay recently that I met in Morocco last year and he was having a great time with us, I asked him what his favourite thing about the holiday was. He said “I love the fact that I could have just packed my wetsuit and pyjamas”, which I thought was awesome.

SB: What did you do before this? And how did you come to be here doing this.

Matt: Well I went to boarding school, did very well there and the same through university but have just always been a bit of a different apple. All my friends that I was at university with are now working in banks in London and that is what I was tailored for. It really hit home that this was not for me when I was in an mock interview for Morgan Stanley. I had borrowed a suit off a mate and everything was going well, they got the last question and told me to be honest in my answer. The question was “Why Morgan Stanley and why banking?”, I surprised myself with an honest answer which was along the lines of “ I would hate to work for you or in banking, I hate all the commercial bullshit and I feel like I am dressed like a twat.”.

My first university placement was with a management consultancy in London, then for the second placement, I broke it into two. First was a small insurance company and I was able to set up a whole department for them. Great experience to gain confidence in what I could do on my own (I was 22 when I did that). Second part of that placement, I was in marketing for Airkix (an indoor skydiving company). They asked me to be Marketing Manager, so I took on that role and worked for them during the final year of my uni. By that time I had started realising that I did not want to work for five days a week, only to enjoy the two I had off. There had to be a better way...

SB: At this point it was time for the Wagon to roll and things all started happening. Talks where being had about the best spot to get a late afternoon surf, where to camp and have a BBQ with the sunset in mind. Matt needed to be involved so I took the opportunity to duck out and let them get on with it.

Wagon Surf Adventures are currently operating in Portugal and Morocco and with over 4 years experience travelling these coasts in his own vans, Matt wants to share his knowledge with you. There really is not much that you need to take, your breakfast and lunch are provided and depending on the night a BBQ as well. There are a quiver of different boards on the Wagon for you to use and the guys will even come and pick you up from the airport.

With all this in mind, the price will not knock your socks off, from as little 50 euros a night or 320 euros a week, this really is affordable for everyone.

I would wish Matt luck with everything but I think he has got that covered. I see the future and the future is more of Matt's wagons