Portugal

[geoffsurf]

Hey Everyone.
Fist time posting here.

I haven't surfed in ages and so I'm rusty and need to get some practice in. Sitting and waiting for waves in england isn't going so well and so I would love to get somewhere more consistent.

The idea of heading to Portugal or France seems good. However I don't have a huge budget and I don't have any family or friends who surf.

Has anybody got any advice or experience on heading to Portugal, and how to do it on a budget. I'm a bit apprehensive about heading over by myself (with one non-surfing family member).

thanks
Geoff

[isaluteyou]

biaritz(sp) has a fantastic surfing spot in and around hossagore(bad spell). I actually did a road trip from dover - calais and then drove down to biaritz there were a few camp sites there and most of em were cheap as (about 12 euros a night). You can probably pick up a really cheap flight right now but if you dont have transport you could be a little bit stuck. Its about 15-17 hour drive depending on how fast you go. Its a really easy drive as well practically one road all the way. Be warned of tolls along the way though the total toll cost was around 20-30 euros. im sure however if you cathc a plane you will beable to get a bus to the camp sites etc.

I seriously reccomend biaritz last time i was there the surf was almost perfect.

Car vs plane = not much difference in price particually when you take petrol ferry and tolls into the mix.

The locals there are ace and its got a great atmosphere.

As for protugal last time i was there the surf was good but nothing special and its just too darn far to drive its like another 7-10 hours dpending on where you are going. If you wondering why i drive its because number one a road trip is great fun with friends or alone. And secondandly surfboards on a plane = hassles ugh.

Ps if im going on a surfing trip i only go with other surfers or i go alone it just gets complicated if your other friends dont surf I had this problem when i took a bodyboarding trip to south africa i went with buddies and the surf there was epic but i spent half my time teaching them the ropes which was ok but i missed out on some epic waves .

[geoffsurf]

Thanks for your reply isaluteyou.
I thought that, that area of France and most of the south was very crowded by locals and people on holiday. Is it not as bad as I think?

Do you think that the south of France would pick up as much swell as portugal?

I also checked out the post above, the waves look pretty hectic and so would be looking for mellower beaches really but for riding short board.

I hear what your saying about going with friends, its a bit of a problem that one.

[ken]

Goin to Biarritz tommorow ill tell you wat its like

[luciecrotwell]

hey dude, just saw yoruthingabout portugal, while bearitz is good, me and my surf club at reading uni are all going to portugal for a week in sept aparantly its really good there, and theres some sort of storm aftermath or soemthing at thetime were goin, and we all got return flight, including holiday insurance for 50 quid with ryham air.
so why not go there, portugal is lush anyway with its real yelow sands.

[geoffsurf]

Hey Ken, that would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Luciecrotwell, thanks for the info. I'm at Bristol UWE Uni, I should probably check out what the surf club is doing there, and whether they are going anywhere.

That sounds like a cheap flight. What area are you all heading to?

[luciecrotwell]

were all going to oprto, checking magic seaweed when we land to see where the best surf is then heading off from there, dunno if your uni has a surf club but probaly seen as ur so close to wales and we lways gothrough bristol on our way to wales

[karineyre]

Hey Guys, I am based on the LIsbon coast and the surf here is great and really consistant year round. There are many spots and the beaches are not crowded. Let me know if you need any help and I will be happy to reply. Take care and maybe see you soon