Porto da Cruz gives Madeira a place-specific surf relationship on the north coast. The lesson should be described here, not moved to Funchal because that is where a traveller sleeps.
A first session should cover safety and wave reading, use a level-matched drill, provide supervised rides and bring feedback into the next attempt. Current direct school information describes this sequence, but dates, group size and the named instructor still belong to the exact booking.
Madeira’s steep coast means beach access, swell and wind can differ from the south side. A responsible school changes or cancels the water plan when conditions demand it. Ask how much session time is typically on the beach and whether transport is part of the advertised duration.
Staying in Porto da Cruz protects early lesson time; travelling from Funchal is possible but should be counted honestly.