Girly Surf Trip
Miguel the Surfivor Camp director picked me up from the airport and took me straight to Matosinhos, a city beach. I got a small clean wave within 30 mins of touching down, not bad but the locals weren't very friendly. Back to the airport to pick up my friend Emma. It was actually the first time we have met, although we've been internet buddies for ages. It was a relief to find out she looked mostly normal! (Sorry Ems.)
Our guide also pointed out a ton of beaches en route to the 'Surfivor Surf Camp', including Porto river mouth that only works occasionally but is classic when its on. Espinho was another spot I was hoping to surf but it was not to be. We surfed Azurara which was too small but good for the lessons which were being run. I didn't mind too much as my board was out of action, the tail being repaired following the usual airport routine. (On the way home the 'barstewards' managed to make both my back fins wobbly.)
We stayed at the camp for 4 days, wicked place but very quiet as it was off-season.
°ä´Ç°ù³Ù±ð²µ²¹Ã§²¹ itself is mostly uncrowded and the beaches up there just stretch for miles so there's plenty of space to play. There are lots of rock groynes which often allow an easy paddle out and even some shelter from the pounding Atlantic Ocean. While I was there a sandbank in front of the camp was producing some super fun lefts. I got some great waves when the crowd left.
There are also some very stylish local surfers around who are generally pretty friendly too. They certainly love to see girls paddling out who can catch as many waves as them! This sandbank was producing some fast lefthanders which challenged my 'elevator drop' take off skills! But the wave was a fairly short ride from there. I was also too cold in my shorty - pure vanity, I wanted to get a tan so didn't take my 3/2!
We spent four days chilling out with the others in the camp, the pace of life was sloooow, just perfect for concentrating on the surfing. Our one night out was a meal followed by drinks in the Espinho Casino and watching a funky band, then a late-night bar.
Things don't get started anywhere in Portugal until about 12 or 1am, unless you're in a real tourist area/time, so at first we were the keen beans, arriving unfashionably early! After buying a 10 litre box of wine for 4 Euros in Lidl we learnt to slow the pace down and go out a bit later, albeit smashed and with pink teeth...
We were keen to see more of the country, although a little reluctant to leave Miguel and his little slice of paradise. So we conned our way into getting a little car from Avis (make sure you book online, even if you're not sure of the dates) and set off, next stop Peniche!
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