14 Jan Nick Leventis on Nazaré and Building Uprising Surf Lab
Our co-founder Nick Leventis spoke to Forbes Portugal about what drew him to Nazaré, and why democratizing access to big-wave surfing has become one of the driving missions behind Uprising Surf Lab.
Nick, a former racing driver who spent roughly fifteen years in motorsport, first visited Nazaré six years ago and was struck by its energy, spirituality, and people. What began as an instinct to give back gradually evolved into a nonprofit surf-focused organization, an extension of work the foundation had already been doing in the French Alps, built on the belief that nature’s extremes can be a powerful tool for self-development, for children, adults, and the local community alike.
He was candid about a tension he observed early on: surfing is meant to be a sport free of money and materialism, yet in Nazaré, access to big waves often requires expensive equipment like jet skis, putting it out of reach for many local families. That gap is what led Nick and Olga to open a large, nonprofit-run centre at the harbour, built not to sell a brand, but to give people of all backgrounds a genuine entry point into the sport.
Nick also spoke about his family’s long philanthropic history through the A.G. Leventis Foundation, which focuses on education and the restoration of Orthodox churches – a legacy that, in his words, gave him the encouragement to branch out and build something of his own. That same instinct connects to Olga’s roots in Ukraine, where the foundation has focused on providing not just donations, but hands-on, trustworthy support to children and communities in need.
Looking ahead, Nick was clear about his priorities for Nazaré: sustainable, community-first growth that preserves the town’s authenticity. Rather than positioning big-wave surfing as an extreme, high-danger spectacle, he wants to shift the narrative toward what he sees as the truth: a safe, welcoming, and deeply spiritual place when approached with the right team and the right respect for the local community.
Read the full interview on Forbes Portugal.
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