Scoring Empty Winter Waves with Surf Guide Algarve
Holiday season is over, the Christmas tree is back in its box, all we need to focus on now are the waves. Funny enough most people seem to leave after December. Meanwhile the waves are probably as good as they get down here. Surf Guide Algarve is joined by some hard-core VIP guests and scoring epic, empty winter waves. Enjoy the full story.
Real wintertime
Winter is the time you can tell who is a fair weather surfer and who really wants it. Five degrees on the car gage, a wet wetsuit… Firing waves obviously help, so does a good paddle. By the time you make it halfway trough the lineup the cold feelings are gone. Only one thing on your mind now, I need one of those bombs!
Things do not always go according to plan
One of our local surf buddies joins us on the peak we are surfing. Some people are more a joy than a hassle and stoked to see this dude. Sets roll by, waves get ridden but bro seems to not catch any. ‘‘Bro you need to be deeper then you want to be with this bowly wave and offshore wind!‘‘ – He moves closer to me and thanks for the advise. At this exact moment a wave peaks and as I paddle deeper in position I say ‘here you go.‘ Next moment I almost see my brand new surfboard probably in six pieces. Bro thought I said ‘Go‘ and also takes the wave, just while I am setting up the bottom turn… Heavy how a miscommunication almost turns into a disaster. All good, we laugh about it and be a bit more careful saying dumb things while paddling in a wave.
The search for the magic surfboard
Try as many as you can, says the owner of the surfshop I work for in Cape-Town hundred years ago. Pay the money of the cheapest one you can find and take a different one of the rack every time you want to try something new. Wise words from an absolute Core-Lord at Atlantic surf, and very grateful for this. What makes a good surfboard? Spoiler alert, it will not help you surf better. Yet a good surfboard does make a huge difference. Since Surf Guide Algarve and Gibson surfboards team up in 2025 a couple of models are put trough the test. Suddenly there it is, the magic surfboard. Goes exactly where you want it to go and more…
Think outside the box
People are sheep. Somehow one sheep jumps over the fence and they all go. Punta Ruiva has a great setup with a left hand point break. Also it is one of the most busy spots in the Algarve… Next to the point is the beach break. Harder to read, and often bigger and less long rides. Today there is a crazy good right hand wave working, with no one on it! From time to time it just pays off to think outside the box. Inspired to join one of our sessions, get in touch now!
