I've just returned from a surf trip to Peniche, Portugal. Peniche is the surfing town in Portugal. I could say that it was lately discovered when the ASP circus came to town several years back with Rip Curl Search event and liked it a lot that they decided to stick around, but that would not be fully fair for the local surfers and European surfers in general that have been coming to this spot for a very long time. Perhaps before there had been two towns that came to mind when it came to surfing in Portugal - Ericeira and Peniche and now Peniche is the more popular one.
Anyway, this was like my 10th or something surf trip to Portugal and I really like it each time. It is so laid back and the surf is excellent. There is always some wave going off in Peniche, this is why Peniche is the surf town in Portugal. It lies on a peninsula and there are actually a couple of more nooks and crannies around the town which means that you have spots facing all feasible directions working with all potential direction of wind and swell.
To this I can say thanks God, because the conditions through the trip were pretty tough. Swell seldom dropped under ten feet and was most of the time accompanied by robust winds blowing from each possible direction. Everywhere else the trip would be a disaster - surfing wise. But in Peniche there's virtually always a spot that is offshore and a little protected from the brute force of the swell. Which means we surfed everyday, had some epic sessions, some epic BBQs, galaos and pasteis de nata (coffe with milk and Portuguese pastry) and numerous laughs.
A number of PENICHE SURFING Tips
Wind
When the wind is blowing from the north consider the spots south of Peniche - primarily Molho Leste which is protected by the long pier. And Supertubos. Also check out the north side of the Baleal beach (a long beach north of Peniche). And when the north is blowing it's going to be cold.
When the south wind is blowing take a look at Lagide and beaches next to this spot. And take a look at south side of the long Baleal beach.
Swell Direction
A more northerly swell will hit tougher at the beaches north of town. Lagide, Baleal. A more westerly swell will strike straight into Supertubos and Molho Leste and also other spots south of town. So should you want a more protected spot choose the opposite.
Localism
Portuguese surfers are fairly friendly but considering the fact that Peniche is so common with a lot of visiting surfers and surf schools some spots are just a little bit intense. In Peniche this can be mostly Lagide and Molho Leste. And Supertubos. These are all spots with relatively smaller takeoff zone so there is always some traction between surfers jockeying for the position. Except (pretty much) no one surfs Supertubos when it is large. And there are actually a great deal of boogie boarders in Portugal.
Anyway, this was like my 10th or something surf trip to Portugal and I really like it each time. It is so laid back and the surf is excellent. There is always some wave going off in Peniche, this is why Peniche is the surf town in Portugal. It lies on a peninsula and there are actually a couple of more nooks and crannies around the town which means that you have spots facing all feasible directions working with all potential direction of wind and swell.
To this I can say thanks God, because the conditions through the trip were pretty tough. Swell seldom dropped under ten feet and was most of the time accompanied by robust winds blowing from each possible direction. Everywhere else the trip would be a disaster - surfing wise. But in Peniche there's virtually always a spot that is offshore and a little protected from the brute force of the swell. Which means we surfed everyday, had some epic sessions, some epic BBQs, galaos and pasteis de nata (coffe with milk and Portuguese pastry) and numerous laughs.
A number of PENICHE SURFING Tips
Wind
When the wind is blowing from the north consider the spots south of Peniche - primarily Molho Leste which is protected by the long pier. And Supertubos. Also check out the north side of the Baleal beach (a long beach north of Peniche). And when the north is blowing it's going to be cold.
When the south wind is blowing take a look at Lagide and beaches next to this spot. And take a look at south side of the long Baleal beach.
Swell Direction
A more northerly swell will hit tougher at the beaches north of town. Lagide, Baleal. A more westerly swell will strike straight into Supertubos and Molho Leste and also other spots south of town. So should you want a more protected spot choose the opposite.
Localism
Portuguese surfers are fairly friendly but considering the fact that Peniche is so common with a lot of visiting surfers and surf schools some spots are just a little bit intense. In Peniche this can be mostly Lagide and Molho Leste. And Supertubos. These are all spots with relatively smaller takeoff zone so there is always some traction between surfers jockeying for the position. Except (pretty much) no one surfs Supertubos when it is large. And there are actually a great deal of boogie boarders in Portugal.
About the Author:
The author has devoted a blog that would serve as a guide to extreme sports like surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking, windsurfing, and the like. Click here for tips, videos, and information regarding these extreme sports and equipment. Excited? Click extreme sports equipment guide for more.
Posting Komentar