Flying clubs, groups of pilot friends, and work colleagues who all happen to paraglide — these are some of the best candidates for a group week in Sesimbra. Shared track log debriefs, launching together, chasing each other along the ridge: the experience intensifies when you have people you already know in the air with you. Behrooz's coaching model scales naturally to groups, and Portugal works logistically in ways that make a club trip genuinely easy to organise.
How Behrooz Handles Groups
Standard open weeks accommodate up to eight pilots on coastal days and five on XC days. Groups of four to eight who want to book an entire week together can effectively take the full allocation — this means the group has Behrooz's coaching to themselves for the week, with no strangers in the mix unless the group specifically wants an open format.
For larger groups of nine to twelve pilots, Behrooz works with trusted co-instructors on specific days, or structures the week so different sessions run in parallel across different sites. The logistics of this are discussed in advance; contact Behrooz directly once you have a group size and rough dates.
A group of six or more pilots can book a dedicated private week — same sites, same radio coaching, same structure as an open week, but exclusively for your group. This is the most popular format for flying clubs. The programme can be tailored to the group's specific goals: all coastal, all XC, or a mixed week. No strangers, no compromise on group dynamics.
Cost Per Head for Groups
Group pricing is discussed directly with Behrooz on WhatsApp — pricing depends on group size, programme type, and time of year. As a general principle, larger groups allow costs to be distributed more efficiently, and private weeks for six or more typically compare favourably to per-person open-week pricing. There is no deposit required to hold a provisional date while the group finalises travel arrangements.
Group Logistics — Getting There
Lisbon is one of Europe's best-connected airports for leisure travel. easyJet, Ryanair, TAP, British Airways, Vueling, and several other carriers operate direct services from UK and European cities. Return flights from London cost €80–200 depending on timing; from other European capitals, similar or less.
From Lisbon Airport to Sesimbra is 30–40 minutes by car. For a group, the most practical options are:
- Car hire (2–3 cars for a group of 6–8) — gives full flexibility for site rotation and shopping runs during the week
- Shared Ubers or minivan taxi from the airport — good for arrival if some pilots have heavy kit
- Organised transfer — Behrooz can suggest reliable transfer services for groups arriving with gear
Having at least two or three cars within the group during the week is strongly recommended. Behrooz rotates between 15+ sites depending on wind direction, and flexibility to move quickly is part of what makes the week productive.
Accommodation for Groups
Sesimbra has accommodation for groups across a range of formats:
- Seafront hotels — several mid-range hotels have enough rooms to accommodate groups of 6–10. Breakfast included, walking distance to meeting points. Book 8–12 weeks ahead in summer.
- Rented villas or large Airbnbs — available within 10–20 minutes of Sesimbra. A 5–7 bedroom villa gives the group a shared base for morning briefings, gear storage, and evening debriefs. Often the most social option.
- Guesthouses — a cluster of well-located pensões near the town centre, cheaper than hotels, still central. Works well for budget-conscious club trips.
The Club Trip Advantage — What Groups Get That Solos Don't
When a group arrives with shared history, the debrief dynamics change immediately. Track log sessions with people you know become sharper — you remember each other's approaches, you call each other out more directly, and the feedback is more useful because the social context allows for honesty. Behrooz notices this in group weeks: the conversation in the debrief is more specific, the willingness to identify and discuss mistakes is higher, and the collective improvement over the week is often faster than in open groups of strangers.
Evenings are better too. A club group that has been flying together all day and debriefed over coffee has an obvious dinner table. The shared experience of a flying week creates conversation that does not require anyone to introduce themselves or explain what they do.
Why Portugal Works for a Club Trip
Beyond the flying — which is genuinely excellent — Portugal offers a practical advantage that many other European flying destinations do not: it works in every season. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter all have viable flying conditions at Sesimbra, which means the club can book around work schedules rather than weather windows. The flying is different in each season (nortada in summer, thermals in autumn, calmer in winter) but it is always available to some degree.
For clubs that want to add a city element, Lisbon is 30–40 minutes away. A non-flying day trip to Lisbon during the week — Alfama, Belém, the Tagus waterfront — is easy and genuinely worthwhile. Lisbon is also an excellent city for a group evening if the club wants to celebrate a particularly good flying day.
To start the conversation about a group booking, message Behrooz on WhatsApp with your group size, preferred dates, and any specific programme goals. He responds quickly and will give you a clear picture of what's possible.