Two of the Xtreme Gap members had to go to Portugal to explore the beaches and check on our partner surf school in Carrapateira. I was one of the lucky explorers and since we are Xtreme we went by motorbike from Malaga in Spain to Carrapateira in Portugal. This is just above Sagres where you find the most western point of Europe.

I knew it was going to be a great trip. I had been to Portugal before…But is was much better than I expected!

It was just June but the weather was hot and the beaches not crowded at all! The surf school we work with is located on an amazing beach, just 1 km out of town and we have a great camp site where you can stay. The camping is within 1 km but there is transport included too. After a day of surfing you can catch a ride back and join one of the delicious BBQ’s with the other surfers. Not bad!

Check here the Surfing Portugal video.

I had surfed before. Once I took lessons in Australia in Noosa and once I tried to stand on my board in Morocco. Both times with little success. So I was determined to ride a wave this time.

We started at 10 and after a good warming up, very good briefing of a guy with the cutest accent, I was ready to go. And guess what…within 15 minutes I was surfing!!!

What was also great is that we had a break after 1,5 hours and we could chill at the beach club and on the beach, have a pick nick and rest up before the afternoon session begun.

This was different. There was suddenly more current and the waves where higher. This was a challenge. My colleague did very well. I was only dreaming of my well deserved Portuguese wine and grilled fish… But I did not give up.

After this afternoon training session we could stay out and practice some more, and we did. When I finally had a glass of wine I felt tipsy straight away. Surfing is fun, challenging and a great work out!

Debby

Read all about our new programme online: Learn to surf in Portugal