In Portugal, windsurfing has become a popular water sport. One of the most popular options for sports when exploring the Portuguese coast is to move over the ocean on a board while holding on to a sail. This vigorous activity allows you to dominate the waves and the wind while maintaining a continuous pulse to avoid falling into the sea. Thanks to this revolutionary sport, thousands of windsurfers visit Portugal's beaches every summer to have a unique experience in the Atlantic waves. Would you like to give it a shot as well? If that's the case, don't miss out on the best advice for making the most of this experience.
1. Where to go windsurfing in Portugal?
This is the million-dollar question for anyone interested in windsurfing in Portugal. Even though windsurfing is a relatively new sport, the Portuguese coast has an abundance of beaches where it can be enjoyed. The Cascais area is the best classified for windsurfing, where you can learn about the sport and even see national and international championships taking place on the beaches of Guincho and Caravelos. If you're new to this sport and want to have a safe and relaxing experience, head to the Esposende lagoon in the Oporto area. This is a flatwater area that runs into the Atlantic, with shallow depths appropriate for individuals who are just starting out on this trip. Last but not least, at Carrapateira beach in the Algarve, you may enjoy a day of more difficult windsurfing with waves up to 5 metres high. You can also go to the Meia Praia in Lagos, where if you're a novice, there will be a place set aside for you to master the fundamentals of windsurfing.
2. What are the different types of windsurfing?
The many types of windsurfing available in Portugal are determined by the equipment used. There are various kinds of sails and boards, each of which will provide a unique experience. There are strong wave sails that are used for surfing the waves. You can also utilise shallow water sails, built for fast gliding on the water, and manoeuvring sails, created for doing tricks in the water. The latter is distinguished by their light appearance and simplicity of manoeuvring. There are five distinct types of boards, including the freeride board, suited for beginners who want to try windsurfing for the first time. The wave boards are developed for athletes who want to glide and jump through the water at a higher level. Windsurfing pros use raceboards because they allow them to reach higher speeds and hence release more adrenaline. The freestyle or freestyle wave board is the one for you if you want to do tricks in the water because it allows you to do any kind of manoeuvre.
3. What are the requirements for this activity?
Although it may appear to be a sophisticated sport at first look, surfing requires only a half-dozen components, including the sail, the board, the boom, the mast foot, the board's fin, and the harness. The board is the vessel on which you will be able to cross the Atlantic and customise its size to meet your needs. You'll be clinging to the boom, a rudder placed around the sail where the wind exerts its force and aids in navigating through the water. The last two elements, along with the mast, will create the rigging, which will be utilised to steer navigation, which will also be dependent on the fin, positioned beneath the stern of the boat. Finally, for maximum safety, you will wear a harness that will secure your body to the sail, preventing you from becoming separated from the boat. You won't have to worry about anything because the supplies will be provided by our partner company. All you need to do is dress comfortably and wear waterproof clothes.
4. Who can do it?
Despite the fact that it does not require a lot of physical strength, windsurfing is a tough water activity in which skill is vital to having a good time. However, because it requires a certain level of physical power, it is not a sport ideal for kids. Windsurfing has been modified for children above a certain age to practise with made-to-measure equipment given by the various windsurfing schools in Portugal. So you don't have to worry when you want to spend a family day out. The most important thing to do to avoid any danger is to learn to swim, as you may fall into the water during the activity, as well as to warm up and stretch your entire body before beginning this activity. There are no licences required for windsurfers to participate in the activity, which will be tailored to your level of skill.
5. What is the duration of the activity?
The duration of your windsurfing activity is mostly determined by the type of experience you desire. If you opt for a lesson with an expert instructor to learn about this water activity, it lasts between 1 and 3 hours. It also includes a theoretical portion of basic concepts that you will put into practice while on water. A windsurfing technique training can run anywhere from half a day to eight or ten hours, spread out across numerous sessions, depending on whether you want a more comprehensive experience. When renting windsurfing equipment, you will have access to all of the materials for 1 or 2 hours, allowing you to practise this activity autonomously.
When is the best time of year in Portugal to windsurf?
Although windsurfing is a water sport and the most logical time to practise it is during the summer months, when the heat demands an aquatic experience, windsurfing is actually ideal for the spring, summer, and fall months. Thousands of windsurfers go to Portugal's beaches between March and October in pursuit of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
