Waves and worship: Portugal's surf Church

In the coastal city of Porto, Portugal, a unique spiritual community is making waves—literally. The Surf Church, led by Brazilian-born pastor and avid surfer Samuel Cianelli dos Anjos, blends traditional Sunday worship with the sport of surfing.
In a country with deep historical and cultural ties to the Catholic Church, Portugal—like many other countries in Europe—has seen a steady decline in the number of young people engaging with their faith. Many feel disconnected from the Church and believe it no longer speaks to them in a way they understand. In response to this, the Surf Church movement was born. Every Sunday, young people gather on the beach to surf together before walking to a nearby church to worship. Their motto: “We love waves, and we love Jesus”. Their mission: to connect with young people through a shared love of the ocean.
In this Heart & Soul documentary from the BBC World Service, reporter Colm Flynn travels to Porto to discover more about this innovative approach, which has attracted a diverse congregation of over a dozen nationalities. Colm meets several members of the community, including Ukrainian teenager Uliana Yarova, who found refuge and faith within Surf Church after fleeing her war-torn country — culminating in her baptism in the Atlantic Ocean. He also speaks to Ana Marques, a local Portuguese woman who says she grew up watching her mother make sacrifices to please God, suffering in the process. Ana says she has now found a home in the Surf Church.
However, this unconventional ministry has not been without criticism. Some argue that Surf Church prioritizes surfing and socialising over worship and theological depth. There are also concerns about the high turnover of members, with some newcomers expecting a looser interpretation of the Gospel because of the Church’s casual style. But Pastor Sam is clear: “The Gospel is the Gospel, and that will never change.”