CASCAIS
CASCAIS
DREAM
TEAM
Inês - Yoga Teacher
Im The Salty Pelican’s full time yoga instructor in Cascais and I have completed 800 hours of Yoga Teacher Training. I first met yoga ten years ago, in a tiny studio next to my house and what started as a way of stretching the body and gaining flexibility, quickly turned into a healing path and a way to know myself. I have been practicing yoga since then and teaching for over four years now.
“ For me yoga is freedom. Freedom in your body and freedom in your mind and the connection between the two. Breath-movement flow, alignment and philosophy are the focus in my classes and I try to deliver them in a way the students can take the knowledge out of the mat to improve their lives, their relationship with themselves and with the people that surround them. I always remind the students that the true yoga starts out of our mat as we bring all the tools into our daily lives ”
When I'm off the mat, you’ll probably find me in the garden. Seeing food as medicine, Im fully plant-based and I try to grow most of my own veggies in my garden. Im a plastic-free warrior, always looking for alternative solutions for single use plastics that I find by the ocean each time I go surfing. Feeling part of Nature, I live trying to leave the tiniest footprint behind me.
“ Learning how to breathe properly is really important. It will calm you down when you're stressed, relax your body, and tighten your focus. These are all things you want to be doing when you're surfing. Breathing is the first thing we do in this life… When done properly, breathing can really contribute positively to your overall health ”
Meet Monika - Co-founder & Head Masseuse
Role at The Salty Pelican... Im one of the co-founders of The Salty Pelican and I'am also the retreats "mum", always happy no matter how bad the day may seem.... I will always find a way to make you smile and cheer you up. Not only that but I'am a qualified masseuse with over 10yrs experience and available everyday to help you relax with a beautiful Ayurveda massage.
Background experience... I grew up in The Alps, Austria, in a tiny little village called St Johann in Tirol. Im an avid snowboarder, nature lover, qualified masseuse and now I have fell in love with surfing. I have spent a good part of my life travelling away from home and conquering the world one country at a time for the last 13 years. A few years ago we began planning our dream retreat, like many we had found along our journey... and now here you have it ... The Salty Pelican and I hope you love it as much as we do. I am also the head in-house masseuse and I will pamper your body with a relaxing deep tissue Ayurveda massage during your stay with us. Highly trained and a practitioner all over the globe, my vast experience over 15 years will allow you to fully appreciate my relaxing massages in a long lasting way.
Secret super powers... Don't know, just ask Gareth, he will tell you that I make dirty laundry and mess disappear hehehe I have been told my massages are simply heaven... I guess its not a secret anymore ;-)
“ Praia da Ursa for me is the most magical of places to breathe and find yourself.... Ask me at reception and I will show you how to get there. My other favourite place in the world has to be Wanaka on the south island of New Zealand.... What a Beauty ”
Craziest experience... OOOhhhh theres too many, probably spending 13 years of my life with GARETH is crazy enough heheheh. No but really having spent the last 13yrs travelling the globe, from hiking the Himalaya's.. to being marooned on a deserted island... my life has been a little crazy here and there.
Meet Gareth - Co-founder
Role at The Salty Pelican... One of the co-founders at The Salty Pelican.... Im surrounded by the most amazing team that do their absolute best to keep the Salty Pelican that super cool place that everyone knows us for. Im that guy you will probably chat to through emails before arriving... I also manage all The Salty Pelicans social media, advertising, web design and graphic design. Have been known to cook up a storm on the BBQ a few times a week with delicious grilled sea bass to die for.
Background experience... I left school in Australia a looonnggg time ago and I finished my studies in graphic design. Quickly I realised life was running away from me, so I bought a ticket to Europe.... I had no plan or much money for that fact..... Skip 13yrs later, 45 countries later and a whole lot of fun, good times, great people, great experiences..... Now we present you The Salty Pelican... a place filled with love & so many inspirations we found along our worldly travels. I have over 20yrs experience in the hospitality industry... so we are going to take real good care of you and your needs.
Secret super powers... Im also really good at organised chaos... just ask Monika.
“ I love hiking and summiting mountains all over the world from the Himalaya's, The Alps, Corsica, New Zealand, Japan to Norway.., up there I feel my mind is the clearest and lightest. Im also a lover of escaping to some wild deserted beaches in the Philippines.... a beach with not a soul but myself... I would classify as paradise ”
Craziest experience... Probably leaving alone for Europe all those years ago without a plan and being pretty much broke... somehow I turned that into the most craziest 15 year adventure of a lifetime that I truly will never forget.
Meet Tiago - Co-founder
Role at The Salty Pelican... Hey! I'm Tiago, 25yo and Proudly Portuguese! Im one of the co-founders of this legendary great place, The Salty Pelican. I'm the guy everyone comes for help, advice and fun!
Background experience... I grew up near the now famous big wave surf mecca of Nazaré, Portugal. I've studied IT Management in college, I have a degree in Multimedia Development, and at the moment Im finishing my Bachelor's degree in Hotel & Hospitality Management... Im here to show you the best possible time in Cascais and offer you all the advice and planning you will need for your stay in Portugal.
Secret super powers... My secrets super powers are always knowing the number of beens in a jar, having a great hair cut, and knowing the best combination of ingredients for a pizza. I'm also a great hugger. I'm going to make you smile and laugh during your stay... That would be my official super power ;-)
“ Im still kind of young at heart when it comes to world experiences... But my favourite places in the world are, of course, The Salty Pelican, my hometown Nazaré, and any dinner table with friends, family and sangria ”
Craziest experience... Skydiving and bungee jumping.... maybe that one time I realised you shouldn't go for a pee after slicing some chillies...owwiiiee
Melanie - Operations Manager & Social Host
Role at The Salty Pelican... I am Melanie, originally from Switzerland. I am organizing all your activities and attending to any requests .... I want to make sure you experience your best time here and don’t have to think about anything. I Am looking forward to welcoming you to The Salty Pelican soon.
“ I started off working for The Salty Pelican in Portugal as a Massage Therapist and Yoga teacher. Now I became a key member of the team and I am making sure your stay in Cascais is wonderful. I have been traveling all over the world and I am still curious what the world has to offer. I will help you spend your days here stress free whilst you practice yoga, mediation and learn how to surf with the best instructors ”
Secret super powers... If I would tell you, it would not be secret anymore ;)
Favourite place in the world ... There are so many… Mostly places that become my favourites, are the ones I have good memories with people.
Craziest experience... Deciding with nineteen to move to France for a short period of time because of surfing. Glad I did it, because after this I got the "travel fever“ and it remains till this day.
Meet Alex - Surf & Sup School
Role at The Salty Pelican... Big mama boss of the Surf & SUP School ! I work everyday to make sure all our students are always having a great time in the and out of the ocean with our dream team of instructors.... It's all about having FUN ;-) We will get you standing up on your stick and riding waves all week long !!
“ I started off by teaching & managing Maui Surf School in Lahaina, Hawaii before setting up and becoming owner of the Surf School in Cascais since 2003! Yep you guessed it.... I'm not that young anymore but I still have a lot less greys than Gareth ;-) I have been surfing all over the world and have the best advice and coaching to offer all The Salty Pelican clients. You will spend your days having a good laugh in the water whilst practicing your surfing techniques with the best instructors ”
Secret super powers... My secret super power is finished ! I'm now a family man ;-)
Favourite place in the world ... I love Peru! The waves, the food and the people !!
Craziest experience... Surfing Pico Alto in Peru! Massive day and massive amount of water on my head after a huge wipeout! Thought it was all over!!..but here i am... luckily for the Salty Pelican ! :-)
Meet Wilma - Photographer & Social Media
Role at The Salty Pelican... I’m Wilma, Photographer, Social Media Manager and (un)professional reel-maker.
Background Experience... After high school I’ve basically been out and about traveling and seeing what the world has to offer. From surfing in Australia and diving in Mexico to living in a shed in Indonesia and bungee jumping from a bridge in South Africa. I’d say I’ve always had the travel bug, longing for new places and experiences. After doing the 9-5 and studying in Stockholm for a while I had enough and that’s what led me to the Salty Pelican: my portuguese home and family!
“ When I’m not behind the lens or scrolling on instagram for the best reel song I’ll be dancing in the kitchen to a swedish banger no one knows the lyrics to. I’m a creative at heart who will only be seen doing yoga poses to get the best angle for a photo ;) ”
Secret super powers... Hear me out - I can cook the weirdest food out of what I have left in the fridge and it always turns out good in some non-gourmet kind of way ?! I guess most people who’s backpacked knows exactly what I’m talking about. Other than that I can make any boring photo look kinda artsy-cool-instagram friendly if you let me hehe...
Favourite place in the world ... Leave me anywhere close to the ocean and I’ll be happy.
Craziest experience... My whole life is kind of a crazy experience. Never really having a plan can be nerve wracking but also a valuable lesson !
