Before I came to Portugal I knew that there are pretty decent waves, especially in winter when the bigger swells roll in. At the end of summer I was a bit disappointed as the waves weren´t that good and the water was cold.
But since a few weeks now the swells are getting bigger and better. The only problem with taking surf photos as a surfer is, that you´re always in the water and as soon as you´re out you just want a hot shower. But there were a few smaller days already were I decided to take photos instead of surfing.
I´ve been to two beaches to take some surfing photos, but not all of them turned out really good. Anyway I want to share some of them with you.
Praia do Castelejo
This beach is on the westside of the Algarve and is getting much more swell on good days then the southside. Still it was rather a small day when I was there but at least the water was absolutely beautiful.
It´s always a question what kind of waves you prefer. On some days I prefer small surf but nice crystal clear water on other days I like to get punched from 6 foot waves, then the water doesn´t matter.
Praia do Zavial
Zavial is pretty popular as it has a right hand point break that can handle quite some big swell. It also has a beach break and gets absolutely crowded when the surf is good. It´s not really a wide beach what makes it quite hard to find a spot where you don´t sit shoulder on shoulder with other surfers.
If you have been to one and the same beach often enough it becomes pretty easy to tell who is a local and who is just a tourist at that spot.
These photos were all from the right hand point break on the right side of the beach. In the middle of the beach there is a typical beach break that can get pretty gnarly on big swells, especially if you get caught in the inside and a big set like the one in the video comes in. These close out sets can ruin the whole day.
It happened to me at this beach and it wasn´t fun. But see yourself :)
I hope I can find some more time to take better photos of the surf action here in Portugal.