Paddle fit,
There is no gym or swimming pool that can truly get you ready for a good heavy surf. Especially one like this in the Algarve where there are mainly beach breaks. Add a good size swell and a not very large period and you have the recipe for the workout of your holiday. Or not holiday, depends who´s reading this. The good thing about this. Not many people are willing or capable to take on this battle and you have got the ocean more or less for yourself.
![cordoama empty beach](https://www.surfguidealgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordoama-empty-beach.jpg)
![cordoama swell](https://www.surfguidealgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordoama-swell.jpg)
Reward? Good waves.
Once you make it out, the reward is there waiting for you. First off all, congratulations if you made it out. Now get a few deep breaths before you stroke yourself in the next set and do it all over again. Obviously there are beaches with some more protection. But on a sunday with a lot of surf-tourists that have fled their covid infected countries to the sunny Algarve, we opting for the more empty option. And willing to work for it.
![backside surfing cordoama](https://www.surfguidealgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/backside-surfing-cordoama.jpg)
![surfing mini nazare in cordoama](https://www.surfguidealgarve.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/surfing-mini-nazare-in-cordoama.jpg)